Medications to Treat Psoriasis and the Benefits of Functional Medicine
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide.
It is characterized by red, scaly patches on the skin that can be itchy and painful.
Traditional treatments for psoriasis include medications such as topical creams, light therapy, and oral medications.
However, many of these treatments come with unpleasant side effects and may not address the underlying causes of the condition.
Medications for Psoriasis
Topical creams and ointments are the most commonly prescribed medications for psoriasis.
These creams work by slowing down the growth of skin cells and reducing inflammation.
Some popular topical medications include corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and retinoids.
- Some common topic creams for psoriasis:
Light therapy, also known as phototherapy, is another treatment option for psoriasis.
This involves exposing the skin to controlled amounts of UV light, which can help to reduce inflammation and clear up skin lesions.
However, light therapy can be time-consuming and may cause skin irritation or burn.
Oral medications are typically prescribed for more severe cases of psoriasis, when topical treatments and light therapy are not effective.
These medications work by suppressing the immune system and slowing down the growth of skin cells.
Some common oral medications for psoriasis include methotrexate, acitretin, and cyclosporine.
The Limitations of Traditional Treatments
While traditional treatments for psoriasis can be effective in managing symptoms, they often come with unpleasant side effects.
Topical creams and ointments can cause skin irritation, burning, and itching.
Oral medications, on the other hand, can have more severe side effects such as nausea, headaches, and liver damage.
Furthermore, these treatments may only target the symptoms of psoriasis, rather than addressing the underlying causes of the condition.
The Benefits of Functional Medicine
Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and treating the underlying causes of a condition.
Instead of simply managing symptoms, functional medicine practitioners work to understand the complex interactions between genetics, environment, and lifestyle that contribute to the development of a condition.
One of the benefits of functional medicine for psoriasis patients is that functional medicine practitioners understand psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that has to be approached by focusing on removing immune system triggers.
Common triggers that need to be considered when trying to put psoriasis into remission with functional medicine are: food proteins, pathogens (bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses), and chemicals.
By testing the immune triggers you can identify, then focus on removing those triggers from your diet, body, and environment with the goal of decreasing immune system activation.
At the same time you are removing immune triggers you need to test, and then focus on healing any compromised immune system barriers: intestinal barrier, blood-brain barrier, lung barrier so that immune system triggers can’t enter the blood stream unimpeded.
Functional medicine practitioners will take a detailed history of the patient including a detailed diet, lifestyle, stress and environment history.
It enables the practitioner to identify any underlying imbalances that may be contributing to the development of immune system dysfunction that results in psoriasis.
The functional medicine doctor may recommend testing that can include:
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Food allergies, sensitivities
- Gut dysbiosis evaluation
- Inflammatory, Thyroid, Markers
- Hormones
- Heavy Metals
- Other tests as indicated
With all this information, practitioners can develop personalized treatment plans that address these underlying imbalances.
This may include lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and targeted nutrient supplementation.
Functional medicine also emphasizes the importance of working in partnership with patients to promote self-care and empower individuals to take an active role in their own health and healing.
In conclusion, while traditional medications can be effective in managing symptoms of psoriasis, they often come with unpleasant side effects and may not address the underlying causes of the condition.
Functional medicine, on the other hand, offers a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of the condition, helping to improve overall health and wellness.
If you're looking for a more comprehensive and personalized approach to treating your psoriasis, consider consulting a functional medicine practitioner.
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About the Author:
Dr. Shook has psoriasis and Hashimoto's disease and has trained extensively in functional medicine, epigenetics, and human performance optimization. DrBradShook.com is a resource to help people with Hashimoto's disease, thyroid dysfunction, and other autoimmune conditions learn more about how they can complement their current medical care and support their thyroid and autoimmunity naturally.
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