Joint pain, swelling, stiffness, as well as lesion and scales on your skin are all things patients suffering from psoriatic arthritis struggle with regularly. But while flare-ups can be painful and common, you can manage them by taking the right approach and being disciplined. To that end, we’re sharing a few tips on how to manage psoriatic arthritis on a day to day basis and help alleviate symptoms.
Stick to Your Treatment Plan
Treating psoriatic arthritis with the right medications and sticking to your treatment plan helps greatly in stopping the progression of this condition, as well as different symptoms and flare-ups. If you need additional pain killers like Aleve or Tylenol, you should talk to your doctor and get approval before taking them.
But, medication doesn’t only help with the most pressing and immediate symptoms, you also need to consider the future. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation,[1] if psoriatic arthritis causes bone damage and a loss of function, it becomes very hard or even impossible to regain function.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
What you eat plays a huge role in managing psoriatic arthritis and can either help prevent flare-ups and inflammation or help prevent them. RheumatoidArthritis.org [2] reports that some foods tend to act as triggers for the condition. Therefore, it’s wise to avoid foods such as sugar, dairy, tomatoes, and gluten, even if they’re just an ingredient. Moreover, some anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich foods will help ease symptoms. They include walnuts, white kale, fish, carrots, spinach, and blueberries.
Reduce Stress Levels
Stress can cause a long list of negative physical consequences if endured long enough, so it’s no wonder that it can also make psoriatic arthritis worse. According to Everyday Healthy, [3] stress amplifies the pain and discomfort of psoriatic arthritis. Thus, if you want to manage symptoms, lowering stress levels is a must. Things such as a warm bath, yoga, reading, and meditation all work well.
Include Regular Exercise
Psoriatic arthritis responds well to regular exercise, and staying in shape comes with many benefits to your overall health. Everyday Health [4] reports that symptoms of psoriatic arthritis respond well to exercise which reduces your pain and improves your mood. Start simple by doing some light stretching and yoga, and as you build strength, you can move onto more strenuous exercise routines.
Try Hot and Cold Therapy
If you’re experiencing stiff, irritated, or aching joints, try to manage your pain with hot and cold therapy. Hot and inflamed joints respond well to cold, so apply an ice pack. If they’re more sore and painful, use a heat pack or heating pad to warm them up.
Look for a Support System
Feelings of frustration and isolation are common for people with serious chronic conditions like psoriatic arthritis, but you’re not alone. You may feel like staying inside all the time due to outbreaks on your skin, but there are other people who understand what you’re going through.
Perhaps the best way to manage the emotional toll of psoriatic arthritis is to look for a support group. As suggested by Health.com, [5] you can use the National Psoriasis Foundation or the Arthritis Foundation to find a local support group. Alternatively, you can look for one online so that you can share your experiences and seek advice.
[1] https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/tips-for-getting-quicker-treatment-for-psoriatic-arthritis
[2] https://www.rheumatoidarthritis.org/psoriatic-arthritis/management/
[5] https://www.health.com/psoriatic-arthritis/living-psoriatic-arthritis?slide=408486#408486