Connection between sleep and psoriasis, explored, as well as tips for enhancing sleep quality
In the world of dermatology, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) emphasizes the importance of addressing sleep problems in people with psoriasis. Adequate sleep is crucial for overall health, and managing sleep issues early can significantly improve the quality of life for those living with psoriasis.
Sleep disturbances and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are common sleep disorders associated with psoriasis. These conditions negatively impact psoriasis by worsening immune function and increasing systemic inflammation, which can exacerbate skin symptoms and impair the epidermal barrier.
Sleep disturbances, frequently reported in psoriasis patients, are linked to impaired immune regulation and a weakened epidermal permeability barrier, both of which worsen psoriasis severity. OSA, a common comorbidity in psoriasis often associated with obesity and other metabolic issues, contributes to systemic inflammation, which can exacerbate psoriasis symptoms and add to the overall disease burden.
Poor sleep quality in psoriasis may also increase the risk of additional systemic comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity due to impaired immune and inflammatory responses. Therefore, sleep disorders can create a vicious cycle by increasing systemic and skin inflammation, which worsens psoriasis symptoms, and the discomfort or itch from psoriasis further disrupts sleep, perpetuating disease severity.
Addressing sleep issues is considered important in holistic psoriasis management to improve both skin and overall health outcomes. Some psoriasis comorbidities, such as depression or anxiety, can affect sleep quality. Seeking treatment for any other conditions or mental health concerns can help to improve sleep for people with psoriasis.
If a person with psoriasis experiences sleep disturbances, they should let their doctor know. People can speak with their doctor or dermatologist about adjusting their treatment plan if they notice sleep problems as a side effect of medication. The relationship between psoriasis and sleep may form a vicious cycle, where psoriasis symptoms can lead to sleep disorders, which, in turn, worsen psoriasis.
Difficulty sleeping can occur due to psoriasis symptoms, medication side effects, and comorbidities that require treatment. Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the skin to develop dry, thick plaques. People with psoriasis have a higher risk of sleep disorders such as insomnia, OSA, and restless leg syndrome. Severe psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, pain, itchy skin, and the presence of common comorbidities can contribute to sleep disorders in people with psoriasis.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults get at least 7 hours of sleep each night for optimal health. A study found that 58.4% of people with psoriasis have trouble sleeping, while 38.8% get less than 7 hours of sleep a night. This article offers tips for sleeping better with psoriasis and advises when people should speak with a doctor.
Remember, there are resources available for more information on psoriasis. By managing sleep disorders effectively, people with psoriasis can break the vicious cycle and improve their quality of life.
- Inadequate sleep, a common problem for people with psoriasis, can lead to increased severity of their skin symptoms and potentially exacerbate underlying immune function issues.
- These sleep disturbances, often linked to conditions like obstructive sleep apnea, impair immune regulation and weaken the epidermal permeability barrier, worsening psoriasis symptoms.
- The manifestation of narcolepsy, a sleep disorder not often associated with psoriasis, in a person with psoriasis might necessitate a more nuanced treatment approach for both sleep and skin-care concerns.
- A naive approach to psoriasis management that overlooks the importance of addressing sleep disorders could perpetuate a vicious cycle, where sleep problems worsen psoriasis symptoms, and vice versa.
- People with psoriasis who experience difficulty sleeping should discuss this with their healthcare providers, as it could be due to the condition itself, medication side effects, or comorbidities such as depression or anxiety.
- It is crucial for those living with psoriasis, taking a comprehensive approach to health-and-wellness that considers not only skin care but also mental health and sleep quality, to break the vicious cycle and enhance their overall quality of life.
