Article: Psoriasis medications can often help prevent flare-ups if taken as your doctor recommends. This is especially true for medications that work through your immune system, such as biologics. It is also important not to stop taking medication without consulting your doctor first. Stopping a medication for psoriasis without working with your doctor can cause one type of psoriasis to become a more severe type. Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by itchy, scaly skin rash. The cause of psoriasis is often unknown, but there are known triggers that can aggravate the condition and cause an outbreak, including stress. Take steps to reduce stress in your life. Try relaxation techniques, such as yoga and meditation. Exercise regularly. Exercise helps release endorphins and can alleviate stress. Damage of the skin (vaccination, bites, scrapes and sunburn) can trigger the formation of new psoriasis lesions. This is called the Koebner phenomenon. Use protective clothing and care for all scrapes and injuries immediately using hygienic techniques. Prevent sunburns by using sunscreens, protective clothing (hats and long loose clothing), or shades. Also, limit the amount of time you spend in the direct sun. Some medications are known triggers of psoriasis outbreak, including anti-malarial drugs, lithium, inderal, indomethacin and quinidine. If you suspect that your medication might be triggering psoriasis, ask your doctor for an alternative medication. Do not stop taking a prescription medication suddenly without asking your doctor first. Anything that can affect your immune system may trigger psoriasis flare ups, such as strep throat (Streptococcal pharyngitis), thrush (Candida albicans) and respiratory infections. Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect an infection. One clinical study found that regular beer (but not light beer, wine or other types of alcohol) may be associated with an increased risk of psoriasis outbreak. The risk was 2.3 times higher for women who consumed five or more beers per week compared with women who did not drink beer. Smoking makes psoriasis worse. It's bad for your health in general, too. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about options to help you stop smoking. Women who are smokers are at particular risk of making psoriasis worse. Cold and dry weather removes natural moisture from the surface of the skin and might trigger a psoriasis outbreak. Stay warm and consider getting a humidifier to your home.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Take all medications as prescribed. Avoid stress. Avoid injury to skin. Avoid medications that trigger psoriasis. Avoid and treat infections. Do not drink full-calorie beer. Stop smoking. Avoid cold and dry weather.
Article: To show respect for yourself, Try to give yourself the same consideration that you give everyone else. Don't short-change your own ideas and wants at the expense of others. You're worth it. Know when to ask for help. Have respect for your own abilities and skills, but learn to recognize when you're out of your element. Don't make it harder on yourself than you need to. Treat yourself to well-deserved trips and gifts every now and again. Spend time with your friends and do fun things in your free time. Drinking to excess on a regular basis or habitually self-deprecating yourself will tear you down in mind and body. Try to work actively to build yourself up and surround yourself with encouraging, enlightening, helpful people. Are your friends the kind of people you want to be around? Do they ever criticize you or Try to keep you down? Consider moving on. Make regular visits to the doctor to make sure you're healthy and fit. Take care of health problems as soon as they arise and don't put off "bad news." Avoiding the doctor's office because you don't like it isn't showing respect for yourself and your own well-being. Exercise regularly and eat well. Start developing easy routines, even walking a few miles a day or doing some light stretches to get in touch with your body and maintain it. Cut out junk foods and eat a variety of nourishing foods. When you want something, go out and get it. Don't let your fear about stepping on toes get in the way of making things happen that will better your life and achieve something positive for yourself. If you've got an opinion, share it. If you want to change jobs, start a band, or take up acting in your 40s, do it. Make a decision and follow through. We all get caught in ruts, many of them of our own making. Develop plans for yourself and specific steps for carrying them out. Plot an upward trajectory for yourself to keep yourself moving forward in life and staying satisfied. Show respect for yourself by being the best version of yourself you can be. Consider making a five-year plan to get where you want to go. If you're a student, what are your college plans? Your after college plans? How might you realistically achieve those goals? If you're in the working world, are you happy in your job? Are you doing what you love? What would it take to get paid for your passion? How long would it take to make it happen? Is it possible? Answer these questions honestly and specifically to develop a plan of success.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Take care of yourself. Avoid self-destructive behaviors. Stay healthy. Stand up for yourself. Be ambitious.