Facts about psoriatic arthritis

There are over 100 different types of arthritis, ranging from mild to quite severe. Arthritis commonly effects the joints as a result of inflammation. Arthritis can affect anyone at any age and nearly three out of five people living with arthritis are under the age of 65, this according to the Arthritis Society of Canada.

One type of arthritis, in particular, is psoriatic arthritis. It is most commonly seen in individuals with psoriasis – a skin condition. In those cases, it is typical that the psoriasis comes first, followed by the psoriatic arthritis.

Causes and risk factors of psoriatic arthritis

Like many other forms of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis is caused when the body’s immune system attacks itself – meaning healthy cells are put under attack. This attack leads to inflammation in the joints and an overproduction of skin cells.

Not much is known about why the body would begin to attack its own healthy cells but both environmental and genetic factors may be responsible. Research has uncovered some genetic markers which increase a person’s risk of developing psoriatic arthritis.

Additional risk factors include a family history, a diagnosis of psoriasis and age – psoriatic arthritis is commonly seen in those between 30 and 50.

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis

Arthritis is generally a chronic illness and psoriatic arthritis is no different. Although you may have periods where symptoms improve, symptoms of psoriatic arthritis will remain with you over time.

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include:

• Swollen fingers and toes which can be painful
• Foot pain
• Lower back pain

Generally, joints in the body will experience pain, but the severity of the pain can fluctuate on a daily basis.

Treatment of psoriatic arthritis

There is currently no cure for psoriatic arthritis but treatment options are available. Medical treatments involve the use of anti-inflammatory medications, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (which slow down progression), immunosuppressants (medications to tame the immune system), steroid injections (to reduce inflammation quickly) and joint replacement surgery.

Home remedies for psoriatic arthritis include exercise, protecting your joints, maintaining a healthy weight – extra weight adds stress to already painful joints – and using cold and hot packs to reduce inflammation. Diet, too, can play a role in treating psoriatic arthritis.

Here is a list of foods you should add to your diet to better manage psoriatic arthritis. These foods have been shown to help reduce inflammation.

• Garlic
• Salmon (or fatty fish)
• Cherries and berries
• Whole grains
• Kale (dark leafy greens)

On the other hand, there are foods which you should limit or avoid, as they may aggravate psoriatic arthritis and promote inflammation. They are:

• Sugary beverages like soda
• Nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, eggplants, peppers)
• Fatty red meat
• Dairy

By knowing what to eat and what to avoid you can ease symptoms associated with psoriatic arthritis and reduce inflammation flare-ups.