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4 practical ways to deal with psoriatic arthritis

4 practical ways to deal with psoriatic arthritis

Arthritis commonly affects people with psoriasis, a disease that results in red patches on the skin with silvery scales. Typically, people experience psoriasis years before they get diagnosed with this arthritis. It affects thirty percent of people with psoriasis. However, in some people, joint problems start before psoriasis or during the same time. Swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the key signs of psoriatic arthritis. Here are the prevalent treatment options for psoriatic arthritis:

Treatment options
These prescriptions are known to work well against the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis:

Otezla
Otezla is an oral treatment plan that can be taken with or without food, or as the healthcare professional recommends. You should not chew, split, or crush the tablet before consumption. The recommended dosage depends on your response to treatment and condition. To keep side effects at bay, the doctor may start with a low Otezla dosage and gradually increase it.

Rinvoq
Rinvoq  should be consumed by mouth with or without food, typically once daily or as the doctor recommends. Do not split, chew, or crush the tablet. It can release the entire dosage in one go and heighten the susceptibility to side effects. To get maximum benefit, you must use Rinvoq regularly. The dosage depends on age and response to the treatment.

Adalimumab
A biological therapy, Adalimumab helps treat psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis, wherein the body produces excessive TNF. Adalimumab blocks TNF, and lowers inflammation. It is not a painkiller but helps with the condition and starts showing results in two to twelve weeks. Doctors do not prescribe it if you have an infection, your arthritis is not active, or you have not tried other treatment options first.

Leflunomide
Leflunomide helps treat psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis. It takes about four to six weeks for leflunomide to ease the symptoms. However, for the full effect, consume for six months regularly. The treatment option prevents the immune system from mistakenly attacking the body parts. It is a long-term treatment and can reduce inflammation in the joints. Pregnant and lactating women should avoid it.

Foods to eat and avoid
Here are a few examples of beneficial foods for those with psoriatic arthritis:

Anti-inflammatory foods
Foods like refined sugar, processed foods, and vegetables like eggplants, tomatoes, and potatoes may result in inflammation. So, avoid them, and instead add foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. These reduce inflammation. You can also include blueberries, carrots, spinach, kale, and sweet potatoes in your meal plan.

Peppers
Spicy chili peppers and sweet bell peppers are rich in phytochemical capsaicin, which helps combat inflammation. Capsaicin lowers the substance P, a compound in the body causing pain impulses and inflammation. Peppers help release endorphins and contain salicylates that are aspirin-like compounds.

Olives and olive oil
Extra-virgin olive oil is an excellent addition to your nutritional regime. It has oleic acid or monosaturated fat that helps reduce inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein. There is also oleocanthal, and antioxidants, a compound that lowers inflammation and pain. You can also snack on black and green olives.

These foods need to be eliminated from your meal plan:

Fatty and processed meats
Fatty red and processed meats like bacon, prime rib, hot dogs, bologna, and sausage add to the inflammatory processes in the body. It also lowers the effectiveness of different psoriatic treatments. Hence, keep them out of your meals and look for better alternatives.

Sugary foods and drinks
Refined sugars in desserts, chocolates, juice, baked foods, and soda trigger inflammation. In addition, excessive sugar also puts you at the risk of strokes and heart disease. So, when adding foods into your pantry, read the labels, and avoid items with sucrose and fructose.

Dairy
Dairy is a rich calcium source, which is vital for the bones. However, in people with psoriatic arthritis, there is a deficiency of enzymes required to digest milk products. So, even if you can tolerate dairy, it may have antibiotics and hormones, which can hamper your body’s immune response, resulting in stomach issues.

Lifestyle changes
Those with psoriatic arthritis will see a real difference in their condition after adopting these habits:

Managing stress
Stress can trigger psoriatic arthritis and cause symptom flare-ups. Hence, take active measures to identify stress inducers and keep them at bay. You can experiment with various strategies to check what works best for you. It may mean taking some time from your routine to indulge in an activity you enjoy doing or speaking to a loved one whenever you feel overwhelmed.

Being active
Exercising every day can help prevent your joints from becoming painful and stiff. Water-based exercises are ideal for people with psoriatic arthritis. You can also work with a physical therapist to identify workouts that work best for you. In addition to maintaining joint flexibility and exercising regularly, strike a balance between understanding when to rest to avoid inflamed or painful joints.

Getting proper sleep
Approximately seventy percent of people with psoriatic arthritis have a poor sleep quality, emanating from issues like chronic pain, inflammation, and emotional factors like depression or anxiety. Elongated sleep disruption can cause heart complications, hypertension, and metabolism disorders. Hence, it is vital to fix your sleep habits and aim for at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night.

Prioritizing mental health
Often psoriatic arthritis pain and activity are directly linked with depression and anxiety. These mental health conditions complicate psoriatic arthritis management by intervening with motivation to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle and seek the required treatment.

Your friends and family can make a mammoth of a difference when experiencing challenges associated with psoriatic arthritis. Some people even seek refuge in support groups. A therapist or a counselor can help formulate a coping strategy to manage stress levels. Also, when you visit your doctor, discuss all your prevailing symptoms, so they can help devise the proper treatment and nutrition plan to keep the condition in check.

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