Causes of Psoriasis

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Have you ever seen constant, scaly patches on your skin which simply appear without explanation? This may be an indication of psoriasis, a disorder where skin cells multiply a lot faster than usual. Psoriasis causes cells to build up rapidly on the skin’s surface, causing itchy red spots which are uncomfortable. Unlike traditional therapies which concentrate on controlling symptoms only, Ayurveda offers a holistic approach. It seeks to target the root causes of psoriasis by balancing the energies of the body, i.e, the doshas. This ancient medical system believes that correcting internal processes within the body can alleviate the disease more effectively and sustainably.

Ayurvedic Causes of Psoriasis

Based on Ayurveda, psoriasis happens because of imbalance of the body's 3 fundamental energies or Doshas: Vata, Pitta & Kapha. But how can these imbalances contribute to illness and what might provoke such disturbances?

Dosha Imbalance:

• Vata: Vata (if imbalanced) brings about dryness and scaling of the skin.
• Pitta: Excess Pitta could cause redness and inflammation.
• Kapha: Kapha imbalance makes skin thick and itchy.

Dietary Causes:

• Incompatible Food Combinations (Virrudha Aahar): For example fish with milk or fruit with milk can upset digestive fire and Dosha balance.
• Too much Intake of Sour, Salty & Spicy Foods: Pickles, chips and foods containing monosodium glutamate aggravate the Doshas.
• Poor Food Timing: Irregular eating habits can harm the digestive system and lead to toxin accumulation.

Lifestyle & Environmental Factors:

• Alcohol & Tobacco: Consuming these substances may worsen symptoms by promoting toxin buildup.
• Improper Hydration Habits: For instance, drinking water immediately after sun exposure or consuming cold and hot drinks consecutively.
• Stress & Emotional Imbalance: Stress may disturb all 3 Doshas and also worsen symptoms of Psoriasis.
• Exposure to Harsh Weather: Unexpected fluctuations in temperature and exposure to harsh climates could aggravate psoriasis symptoms.

Understanding these triggers and their connection with Dosha imbalances assists Ayurvedic practitioners to customise treatments that not only control the symptoms but also restore the body back to its natural health and balance.

Modern Causes of Psoriasis

Psoriasis impacts approximately 125 million individuals worldwide (2 to 3 % of the total population), showing its prevalence and significance in dermatological studies. Here are the most common modern causes that trigger this common ailment:

Genetic Factors:

Psoriasis is typically genetic. Research, including twin studies and large population surveys, show that in case you have family members with the condition, you're also at a greater risk for developing it yourself. The heritability of psoriasis is estimated at 60-90%, particularly for early-onset plaque psoriasis.

Immune System Dysfunction:

This condition is caused primarily by an overactive immune system, involving a kind of white blood cell referred to as a T cell. These cells attack healthy skin cells, accelerating skin cell production and triggering inflammation and scaling.

Environmental Triggers:

Some triggers could worsen or initiate psoriasis, including:

• Skin injuries (cuts or burns)
• Stress
• Smoking & heavy consumption of alcohol
• Some medications (like lithium and blood pressure drugs)
• Hormonal changes

Infections:

Specific infections, like streptococcal throat infection, might result in a kind of psoriasis called guttate psoriasis in younger individuals.
Conclusion

Psoriasis is a complicated condition that can be caused due to genetics, lifestyle as well as environmental factors. Whereas modern medicine deals with symptoms using different solutions, Ayurveda focuses on the root causes - including dietary changes and lifestyle choices, to restore balance to the body. The natural healing process starts with understanding the causes of psoriasis. Consult an Ayurvedic expert today for personalised treatment options.