The first step in treating psoriatic arthritis is in understanding that it is primarily rooted in the immune system and the malfunctioning of the immune system, so keeping yours in tip top condition is a good way to prevent psoriatic arthritis or to manage the condition if you already have it.
1) Eat Healthy:
Have five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables every day, preferably organic
Eat plenty of grains and seeds. Limit the amount of processed foods you eat and limit your tea, coffee and alcohol intake, or cut it out altogether.
2) Keep a Food Diary:
Since psoriatic arthritis is auto-immune, it could be triggered by food allergies. Keep a diary of all the foods you eat so you can see if your condition worsens after consuming particular foods. If you find a pattern, eliminate those foods.
3) Take a multi-vitamin Supplement and Vitamin C:
This will boost your immune system. If you are already taking medications for psoriatic arthritis, make sure your multi-vitamin contains folic acid, as this has been shown to reduce anaemia and other side-effects caused by taking the medication.
4) Don’t Smoke:
If you already do, try to quit. Smokers are always more susceptible to diseases and any that they have will be exacerbated by smoking.
5) Exercise Regularly:
If you already have psoriatic arthritis, exercising can keep the joints and tendons supple. Consider enrolling in a gentle aerobics class. Warm water is particularly soothing, so see if there are any aqua-aerobics classes in your area. Don’t overdo it, though, or you could do more harm than good.
6)Consider Physical Therapy:
Your doctor may refer you for physical therapy to help you maintain your muscle strength. You will be taught simple exercises that you can do yourself at home.
7) Drink Aloe Vera:
Aloe vera is a natural anti-inflammatory, a pain reliever and antioxidant containing vital amino acids and other nutrients necessary for healthy cell production. Aloe vera can be drunk as a supplement to prevent or treat arthritis. It can also be bought as a cream to rub into the affected joints. Salt baths and hot or cold packs can also be pain relieving.
8) Get Some Sunshine:
Vitamin D occurring from natural sunlight slows down cell growth and so can prevent psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It also prevents other illnesses, such as colds and flu. Vitamin D can also be taken as part of your multi-vitamin supplement.
Joanna is a freelance health writer for The Mother magazine and Suite 101 with a column on infertility, http://infertility.suite101.com/. She is author of the book, 'Breast Milk: A Natural Immunisation,' and co-author of an educational resource on disabled parenting, in addition to running a charity for people damaged by vaccines or medical mistakes.