Psoriatic arthritis can significantly impact the lives of people with the disease. While the physical pain and stiffness of psoriatic arthritis can make it difficult to move or function normally, several resources are available to help you manage your symptoms.
Medical history and a physical examination are usually the first steps in diagnosing psoriatic arthritis. Blood tests to check for specific antibodies may also be used.
Talk to Your Doctor
If you have psoriatic arthritis, talk to your doctor about managing your symptoms. They can prescribe medications to help relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation. They may also recommend lifestyle changes such as changing your diet and keeping a healthy weight.
Your doctor will diagnose psoriatic arthritis using medical history, a physical examination, and lab tests. They will consider your skin and nail problems along with the joint symptoms.
The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis often come and go, with periods when the joint pain is more severe (called flares). You may have fatigue or a low-grade fever.
Most joints can be affected by psoriatic arthritis, but it is more common in the hands and feet. It also affects the spine and spinal joints, causing pain and stiffness.
Many people with psoriatic arthritis have eye problems, such as red eyes and small shapes moving across the field of vision (uveitis). The condition can damage your sight if it is not treated.
Your doctor can prescribe medicine and use other psoriatic arthritis resources to treat your psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. Still, they may advise lifestyle changes like decreasing weight or exercising frequently. These beneficial adjustments will raise your standard of living and lessen the strain on your body.
Change Your Diet
If you have psoriatic arthritis, the best way to manage your symptoms is by changing how you eat. Eating the right foods can help reduce inflammation, ease swelling, and increase energy and movement.
A healthy diet ensures you get enough vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Fruits, veggies, and whole grains are good sources of these nutrients.
Avoiding fatty red meats and processed meats, like bacon, sausage, and hot dogs, are also important. These high-fat, low-fiber foods can contribute to weight gain and worsen the inflammatory process in your body.
In addition, limiting your salt intake is crucial to reducing inflammation. Limit sodium intake to less than 1,500 milligrams daily by reading food labels.
It is also recommended to cut back on alcohol and sugary beverages. It will help to control your cravings, prevent weight gain, and keep your joints healthy.
Managing your diet can be challenging, but it is essential to your health and quality of life. Ultimately, by learning to manage your symptoms, you can slow the progression of your disease and keep a smile on your face.
Join a Support Group
People with psoriatic arthritis often feel isolated, which can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety. Joining a support group can be a great way to find emotional support and learn new ways to cope with symptoms.
Many national health-based charities have support groups and can help you find one near you. You can also join online forums and communities to connect with others with psoriatic arthritis.
The Arthritis Foundation has an app called Track + React that can help you and your caregivers track pain, sleep, mood, nutrition, exercise, treatment, and medication trends. The Foundation also has an app called Flaredown that helps identify triggers for pain and flare-ups.
Regardless of the tools you use, it’s essential to find balance. Get plenty of sleep, eat healthily, and stay active.
You may also find it helpful to read blogs and articles about psoriatic arthritis, including firsthand accounts from people with the condition. The National Psoriasis Foundation has a blog site that includes educational articles and personal stories.
Stay Active
There are many resources available to help you manage your symptoms. These include many nonprofit organizations, support sites, and online communities.
These resources can help you find a doctor, track your symptoms, connect with others, and much more. They can also provide you with information about treatments and the latest research so that you can make an informed decision about your psoriatic arthritis treatment plan.
You can also learn more about the condition and its impact on your life from the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF). The NPF’s first-of-its-kind Patient Navigation Center provides one-on-one virtual assistance to help locate doctors in your area, save money on treatment, identify the best medical insurance, apply for disability coverage, find wellness coaches and local community resources, and much more.
Maintaining a positive attitude can help you get through your symptoms and the daily challenges of psoriatic arthritis. Managing your emotional symptoms can be just as important as tackling the physical symptoms, says Kung. For example, the unpredictable nature of psoriatic arthritis flare-ups can cause anxiety and depression, and the condition’s visible skin lesions can be a source of embarrassment.
Get Moving
Exercise is a great way to manage your symptoms and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The key is to pick the correct type of workout and listen to your body.
Many people with psoriatic arthritis find that a low-impact exercise routine, like walking or cycling, is the most helpful. However, high-intensity exercise, such as running and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), can also help you feel better.
Your doctor or a physical therapist can work with you to design a workout appropriate for your symptoms. They can also suggest stretches and range-of-motion exercises you can do every day to keep your joints flexible.
Consider a fitness class focusing on balance and posture, such as yoga or tai chi. These gentle moves are easy on your joints and can improve overall health and relieve stress.
Exercising regularly can reduce fatigue and pain, improve your mood and reduce your risk of other inflammatory diseases. It can also help you maintain a healthy weight and avoid obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
