How Lifestyle changes for psoriatic arthritis: Exercise, diet, and more

 PSA causes pain, stiffness, and swelling around joints. It affects around 30% of people who have psoriasis.

 According to the Arthritis Foundation, it affects males and females equally and generally develops after age 30. The foundation also indicates it is more common in white people.

 In addition to medications, a doctor may recommend dietary and lifestyle changes to help manage the symptoms of the condition.

 In this article, we examine the lifestyle changes that can relieve some of the symptoms of PSA. We also look at how PSA progresses and the potential treatment options.

  Researchers cannot identify which people will develop PSA. However, some risk factors for PSA include:

• having a family history of PSA
•  having psoriasis
•  being overweight or having obesity
•  smoking
•  being 30–50 years old
•  having exposure to infections such as streptococcal infections and HIV
•  experiencing physical trauma

 Individuals with psoriasis may experience warning signs of PSA, such as:

• back pain at the sacroiliac joint, where the spine connects to the pelvis
•  changes in fingernails or toenails
•  eye inflammation
•  fatigue
•  joint redness and swelling
•  morning joint pain that improves with activity
•  reduced range of motion
•  sausage-like swelling of an entire finger or toe
•  scalp psoriasis
•  skin rash
•  tendon or ligament pain in the Achilles tendon, the bottom of the foot, or elbow

•  Doctors recommend treating PSA using a combination of strategies. There is no cure for PSA, so treatment focuses on:

  • •  relieving symptoms
    •  helping maintain quality of life
    •  treating skin symptoms
    •  keeping joints mobile 

    • Each person with PSA will experience it differently, and doctors will prescribe treatment specific to the person’s symptoms and general health.

       A doctor may also recommend dietary and lifestyle changes to relieve symptoms of PSA, including:

    •  
    •  performing regular exercise
    •  making dietary changes
    •  minimizing stress
    •  limiting alcohol intake
    •  quitting smoking

   There is more detail on these dietary and lifestyle changes below.

   Exercise: 

  • Joints contain a particular kind of fluid that protects them, known as synovial fluid. Exercise increases the circulation of synovial fluid, which lubricates the joints, allowing them to move past one another smoothly.
•  Diet:
• Eating well can play a significant role in maintaining overall health. Certain foods have anti-inflammatory effects and protect against problems that may accompany PSA, including cardiovascular disease.
•  Excess body fat contributes to inflammation, so eating well and reducing the risk of obesity are important in controlling PSA flares.

   Foods that may reduce inflammation and help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease include:

  • •  fatty fish such as salmon, trout, mackerel, and sardines
    •  nuts such as flaxseeds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds
    •  olive oil
    •  lean protein such as skinless chicken and pork
    •  calciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts
    •  Stress:
    •  Stress can contribute to increased activity of PSA flares. Stress is a natural indicator for the body to jump into overdrive, promoting its inflammatory response. This inflammatory response may result in joint inflammation and pain.
    •   Talking to a therapist
    •  speaking with a friend
    •  following a doctor’s recommendations for arthritis relief
    •  exercising
    •  relaxation techniques
    •  REST:
    • PSA may cause fatigue, so rest is essential to allow the body to heal. When joints are sore, a person should rest them.
    •   Exercise
    •  diet
    •  physical or occupational therapy
    •  other therapies

   For better sleep, a person should consider incorporating the following habits into their sleep hygiene:

  • •  Going to bed and getting up at consistent times.
    •  Making sure the bedroom is dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature.
    •  Removing all electronic devices such as TVs, computers, and cell phones from the bedroom.
    •  Avoiding large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime.
    •  Getting plenty of exercise during the daytime.