It’s important to be aware of the other risks that come along with having rosacea. With this skin condition, you have a higher chance of developing diabetes, heart disease, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease, and migraine headaches. While many studies have led to this finding, not every rosacea patient develops any of these other health issues. Here’s what you should know about your risk of other conditions with rosacea…
Other Conditions Linked to Rosacea
Research has found that patients with rosacea are more likely to get diagnosed with the following health conditions compared to patients who did not have rosacea.
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Depression
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Crohn’s Disease
- Migraine Headaches
How to Lower Your Risk
While there are links between rosacea and those health conditions, an unhealthy lifestyle may be the determining factor in developing them. Did patients with rosacea have a bad diet? Were they exercising? Until researchers know more, dermatologists recommend that you do the following:
Eat well-balanced meals
- Eating nutritious, balanced meals is one of the best things you can do for your overall health, including reducing your risk of developing other health conditions. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Stay away from process foods like sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. And of course, drink enough water!
Maintain a healthy weight
- Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of many health conditions, specifically diabetes and heart disease. Make sure to eat healthily and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight. To figure out what is a healthy weight for you, use this BMI calculator to help you aim for a healthy weight.
Limit your alcohol intake
- Too much alcohol can not only damage your liver but also increase your risk of developing heart disease, dementia, and diabetes. Try to limit your alcohol intake to moderate levels, or even better, abstain from alcohol altogether.
Quit smoking
- Smoking is bad for your health in general, but did you know that it can take years off of your life? Quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health. People who smoke with rosacea are likely to have heart disease, a stroke, and diabetes.
Regular exercise
- Exercise is not only great for your physical health, but it’s also great for reducing stress levels and improving overall mood. Working out with rosacea can be difficult because the redness in your face can become intense and last for hours. To limit the redness of your rosacea, drink lots of water and lower the intensity of your workouts. Exercise will lower your risk of heart disease, dementia, and depression.
Reduce your stress
- Believe it or not, stress can aggravate rosacea and is linked to other health conditions. Practices like yoga, meditation, and cutting back on caffeine can help to reduce stress levels. Find an activity that feels good to you and spend time doing it often.
Treat your rosacea
- This may go without saying, but to lower your risk of severe rosacea and developing other diseases, it’s important to treat your condition. Oftentimes the worse your rosacea, the worse your other conditions are — depression is a prime example of that.
Schedule regular check-ups with your doctor
- Seeing your doctor for regular check-ups is important for many reasons, one of which is to monitor your overall health and see if there are any risk factors you need to address. If you have rosacea, seeing a dermatologist is especially important to make sure that your condition is under control.
Watch for changes in your body
- Some health conditions can start off as very mild and go unnoticed for a long time. However, over time these health conditions can worsen if left untreated. It’s important to be on the lookout for any changes in your body and to see a doctor if you are concerned.
Discuss concerns with your dermatologist or doctor
- If you have any concerns about your health, whether rosacea-related or not, don’t hesitate to discuss them with your doctor. They are there to help you and want to make sure that you are taking good care of your health. Knowing the overall risks that are linked to rosacea will ensure that you are best prepared for any situation.
Closing Thoughts
Making healthy choices is important for everyone, but it’s especially important for people at risk. By following these simple tips, you can reduce your risk of developing other diseases and keep yourself healthy and happy. If you are looking for more information about rosacea, please visit our website or contact Complete Family Dermatology in Lincoln, NE at 402-423-1111 today. We would be happy to help!
References
What to Know About Rosacea, Complete Family Dermatology.
Living with Rosacea, American Academy of Dermatology Association.
