The
skin is the largest organ of the body. On average it weighs 8 pounds
and covers about 22 square feet. It is often overlooked as an organ. The
skin is composed of a complex system of cells, nerves and glands. The
skin functions as a barrier of to keep harmful things from our
environment away from the vital organs that reside in our body and at
the same time serves to connect us to the outside world as our nerve
endings in our skin give us “sensation”.
If
you “feel” tired so too does your skin. Fatigue is a common symptom to
various different problems going on in the body. There are many causes
for the symptom of fatigue; they can range from heart disease, hormone
imbalances, lack of nutrients due to inflammation in the gut, a bad
diet, or reactions to medications or toxins in the environment.
Regardless
of the cause, fatigue is a symptom that tells us something is not
right. Just as the various systems in the body are affected the skin can
also be affected. The skin is connected to many different organ systems
of the body. There are nerves and melanocytes in the skin that are a
part of the nervous system, blood vessels that are a part of the
cardiovascular system, and certain hormones are produced in the skin
connecting it to the endocrine system as well. If there is any
dysfunction in any of those systems the skin will also be affected and
the effects of the dysfunction can be seen in the skin.
Examples
of disease process that have a symptom of “fatigue” and can be seen in
the skin are Hypothyroidism and Type II Diabetes. In Hypothyroidism, a
common condition where there is a decrease in the production of thyroid
hormones, the person affected can feel “fatigued” and the skin will
appear dry. The person may also notice coarse brittle hair, brittle
nails and/or hair loss. Thyroid imbalance affects the whole body and
many other symptoms may also accompany low thyroid function. Type II
Diabetes is another common condition, and is characterized by insulin
resistance and high blood sugars. Fluctuating sugars and high blood
sugars can cause “fatigue” and can affect the blood vessels and nerves.
In this condition the high sugars can actually cause destruction to the
blood vessels and nerves and as a result people will notice numbness and
tingling in their feet or extremities. The blood vessels in the
extremities and eyes are the first to notice the effects of the constant
elevation in blood sugars. Those with Type II Diabetes can experience
changes in vision and tissue destruction in the extremities due to the
lack of circulation. If left untreated, this can lead to amputation in
either a toe or limb. In the skin, the blood sugars cause damage to
protein, which causes advanced glycation end-products. This causes
damage to the skin.
These
types of disease processes require medical assessment and suggestions
to help the hormonal imbalances to help alleviate their symptoms.
Sometimes subtle things like a bad diet or eating something that one is
either sensitive to or actually allergic can cause “inflammation” in the
gut which can inhibit proper nutrients to the skin and also cause
inflammation in the body and the skin. Inflammation is a natural body’s
response to injury. This is when there is increased blood to the area
and the body tries to heal by initiating the white blood cells to clean
up things like bacteria. This is a process that helps heal something
like a cut, but long term in the body inflammation causes destruction of
cells and therefore tissue. More specifically the chronic or long term
inflammation in the skin causes the breakdown of collagen.
Collagen
is a substance in the skin that keeps the skin looking young. Loss of
collagen can occur as hormones decline, chronic inflammation and
exposure to environmental elements such as the sun. The loss of collagen
is when we see wrinkles. The skin tells us a little of what is going on
inside the body. So, while there can be many reasons someone may be
feeling “fatigue” it is important to have a medical professional like
Dr. Ryan, Kathi Bratberg and/or myself to help discern the root cause
and once the full story is understood the skin will also benefit.
Epionce
is a line of skin products that are medical grade, biopsy proven and
work to decrease inflammation several levels. The use of these products
will work on a daily basis at the level of the skin to decrease the
chronic inflammation that may occur protecting the collagen and vitality
of the skin. Its potent anti-inflammatory effects benefit those with
inflammatory skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis as well.
Kathi
Bratberg our resident specialist in nutrition can help with
modification of diet to help promote a healthier inside and out, Emily
our Aesthetician can help the skin by recommending medical grade
products, organic lines of makeup, doing facials, microdermabrasion
and/or peels and I can help with recommending a regimen of Epionce
products, Botox, Juvederm, or Radiesse fillers (if needed) and/ or
Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT). Call us at 402-827-9450 if you have
questions about any of these products or treatments.
- Michelle McCaslin APRN
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