Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.


This week on Health Watch, we’re talking about dealing with stressful or upsetting situations. Health can be a serious cause of stress or emotional discomfort. The way you respond to a health problem can even lead to other health problems. Doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas have noticed that there’s a link between psoriasis — an uncomfortable and sometimes unattractive skin condition — and obesity. 

Dr. Christopher Hansen, a UT Southwestern dermatologist, says people with psoriasis may feel self-conscious, so they’re less likely to go out or exercise. That sedentary, isolated lifestyle may lead to obesity. UT Southwestern researchers also found that people with psoriasis are more likely to smoke, and that can make their symptoms worse.

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^April 2006

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