Statement

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Stress is a major component of many skin diseases. Acne, eczema, psoriasis, and many other chronic skin conditions can either be caused or aggravated by stress. In addition, aging of the skin can be influenced by many stress-related environmental factors, including smoking, poor diet, and unhealthy lifestyle. Stress impairs the immune system, making dermatologic patients more susceptible to bacterial, fungal, and viral skin infections, as well as to skin cancer.

The Transcendental Meditation practice is one of the best I know for reducing stress. As a doctor, I have been recommending the TM course to my patients for the past 25 years. I myself have been practicing it for 38 years and have found it invaluable. Not only does my own practice of the TM technique help relieve personal stress and fatigue, but it also gives me greater energy to accomplish more in my life. Furthermore, the Transcendental Meditation program has greatly increased my own sense of happiness and well-being.

Biography

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Margaret K. Sparks, M.D. received her medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the University Hospital, Louisville, Kentucky and her residency in dermatology at Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C. She has been board-certified in dermatology since 1988. Dr. Sparks has participated in research at the Washington Hospital Center and at the University of Louisville and has published papers in Federation Proceedings, Cancer Research, and Archives of Dermatology. She has staff membership at Watauga Medical Center, Boone, NC, and Baptist Hospital East, Louisville, KY. She is a Member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the North Carolina Medical Society, the Kentucky Medical Society, and the Greater Louisville Medical Society. She is currently in private practice in the Louisville area.