Helping Others Suffer Less From Psoriasis
- Cyndi Lauper, 58, may be a legendary pop star, but she faces uncomfortable health issues just like the rest of us. The “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” singer has always struggled with psoriasis.
- Psoriasis (pronounced sor-EYE-a-sis) is a chronic skin disease that unfortunately has no cure, but there are many ways to treat the condition.
- The author and women’s rights activist recently shared some lifestyle tips with the American Academy of Dermatology Association on how she manages flare ups by reducing stress and avoiding food triggers. Lauper has been suffering from the disease since 2010.
Psoriasis (pronounced sor-EYE-a-sis) is a chronic skin disease that unfortunately has no cure, but there are many ways to treat the condition.
Read More"I've never been able to really manage stress,” Lauper admitted of mainly her younger years touring nonstop. In recent years however, she has been able to try, and now knows how important it is for conditions such as these especially.
These simple tips worked for Cyndi Lauper managing her psoriasis, and hopefully can be of help to you.
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The Grammy winner practices a Japanese technique for relaxation and stress reduction called reiki. "That helps me," Lauper said.
The New York native also works out with a yoga instructor. Yoga is a tried and true method to destress by stretching, centering your body, and bringing your awareness inward to distract from our frequently chaotic lives off the mat.
"When everything seems to go haywire," Lauper recommends, "taking a walk in the fresh air." She walks her dog. She walks with her husband, David Thornton, who she has been married to since 1991. They have a 24-year-old son, Declyn Wallace Thornton Lauper.
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The wellness advocate has also gotten into meditation to help keep her grounded. Pema Chödrön, an American meditation guru who happens to be a Tibetan nun, chills Lauper out.
"Chödrön has a great voice. She even made the goldfish in the hotel calm down,” she joked, sharing that her manager also recommended a meditation app by Russell Simmons. Meditation and breathing help bring your heart rate down, relaxing the body, helping you feel a bit less taxed.
Taking time for yourself is important. Even just 5 minutes to rejuvenate can go a long way. "It's not a bad thing to take care of yourself," Lauper reminded. "It's a busy, busy world we live in, but how long does it take to put on cream [moisturizer or medicine] or take a bath?"
"When psoriasis gets really bad, it's really hard to get up again," Lauper said, then went on to describe how bad her outbreaks can be. "It looked like someone threw boiling water on me."
Lauper understands the hopelessness that the disease can cause. "It's important to know that you're not alone,” Lauper said. “You don't have to suffer.”
Learning what your triggers are for psoriasis flare ups can be super helpful in order to know what to avoid. She noticed that her triggers were alcohol and spicy foods, so she avoids them.
Psoriasis Triggers
Managing stress and relaxing your body is important, but certain types of food and drink, along with tobacco, can be huge culprits for triggering autoimmune conditions. For some, the sun will exacerbate symptoms. Salt water from the ocean, however, can be good for clearing up skin conditions.
Also, eating an anti-inflammatory diet can reportedly help immensely for controlling flare-ups. Some people with psoriasis try to combat its distressing effects by following a paleo diet. A paleo diet, by definition, mainly consists of meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit, and excludes dairy or grain products and processed food.
Related: Managing The Emotional Burden Even The Shame That Can Come With Psoriasis
According to the Paleo Diet website, "Foods that cause inflammation include refined carbohydrates, wheat and other cereal grains, soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages, margarine, shortening and lard, and processed meats."
These types of foods can cause insulin (a hormone that controls our blood sugar) to spike in our bodies, which can contribute to inflammation and also alter our gut health, meaning change the ration of good bacteria vs. bad bacteria, which can wreak havoc on the body.
Overall, getting an adequate amount of rest and 7-8 hours of sleep every night is a tried and true method of putting less stress on your body, therefore lessening the severity of certain conditions like psoriasis.
Learning More About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, itchy patches to develop on the skin. It is a chronic disease, which means that it does not have a cure. Fortunately, symptoms can often by managed with different treatments and, for some, even lifestyle adjustments. The disease is rare; only about 3.2% of the U.S. population has it, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Still, there have been major developments when it comes to treating psoriasis in recent years.
What is Psoriasis? Understanding the Different Types and Symptoms of This Rare Skin Condition
"Psoriasis is a chronic, auto-immune skin condition where you have red, scaly patches on the skin," Dr. Saakshi Khattri, a dermatologist/rheumatologist at Mount Sinai Health System, tells SurvivorNet. "It is a chronic condition, which can ebb and flow. You can have good days and bad days."
Dr. Saakshi notes that while anyone can develop psoriasis, the disease is more common in people between the ages of 30 and 50. Researchers believe genetics, as well as environmental factors, may play a role in the development of psoriasis.
Treating Psoriasis
If lifestyle changes are not doing the trick, or if you are unable to incorporate them during a highly stressful time, some psoriasis patients can reduce the severity of their flare-ups by using a topical solution. Still, many times treatments applied to the skin's surface just aren't enough to clear stubborn psoriasis. That's where systemic treatment treatment that travels through your entire body rather than being aimed at one area can be beneficial for patients. Systemic treatments are available via oral medication and injections. Some have been around since the early '70s, while others are relatively new to the landscape.
"I have patients who come in after having been to many other medical practices and not really getting much hope or really good treatments for their psoriasis," Dr. George Han, a dermatologist at Northwell Health/Lenox Hill Hospital, explains to SurvivorNet. "And we'll give the patient a systemic medicine that these days are very effective. We have treatments where over half of the patients who have moderate to severe psoriasis are getting 100% clear."
Treatment Options for Psoriasis
"I have patients who come in after having been to many other medical practices and not really getting much hope or really good treatments for their psoriasis," Dr. George Han, a dermatologist at Northwell Health/Lenox Hill Hospital, explains to SurvivorNet. "And we'll give the patient a systemic medicine that these days are very effective. We have treatments where over half of the patients who have moderate to severe psoriasis are getting 100% clear."
Check with your doctor about recommendations in treating your psoriasis. If Cyndi Lauper’s tips don’t work, health professionals can help come up with a targeted plan specifically for you.
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