According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, nearly 1 in 3 people with psoriasis experience psoriatic arthritis. This chronic disease has no cure and causes many symptoms that reduce quality of life. Fortunately, there are options for treating psoriatic arthritis.

“Life with psoriatic arthritis can be difficult, as the condition can cause fatigue, joint pain, reduced range of motion and other symptoms,” says Dr. Russell Williams, a board-certified internist at Beaufort Memorial Primary Care. “However, effective treatments are available. You can also do a lot at home to reduce flare-ups and complications.”

Read More: Comparing Common Types of Arthritis

1. Exercise Often

People with psoriatic arthritis may be less inclined to exercise due to their joint pain. Inactivity can put you at increased risk for certain conditions, such as:

• Anxiety and depression
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Obesity

Regular exercise can reduce your risk for these conditions. It also helps reduce joint pain associated with psoriatic arthritis and may improve your mobility. If you’re overweight and have psoriasis, exercise may help manage flare-ups.

“People with excess weight may be at greater risk of severe forms of the disease, and medications may not work as effectively,” Dr. Williams says. “If you’re concerned about your fitness level, focus on low-impact exercises, such as walking or swimming. These minimize stress on your affected joints while helping you build muscle, lose weight and feel better overall.”

Talk to your care team before starting an exercise routine to ensure your activities work to your benefit. If you experience a flare-up of symptoms while you exercise, take time to rest and let your body recover.

Read More: What You Need to Know About Psoriatic Arthritis and Your Feet

2. Be Smart in the Kitchen

According to the Arthritis Foundation, eating the right foods helps reduce inflammation associated with psoriatic arthritis, manage weight and improve your heart health. People with psoriatic arthritis are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Good foods to include in your diet include:

• Cauliflower and broccoli. Cruciferous vegetables may reduce inflammation. In addition to cauliflower and broccoli, you can try kale, Brussels sprouts and collard greens.
• Olive oil. Olive oil contains a special compound called oleocanthal, which helps limit inflammation. Olive oil is also rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
• Seeds and nuts. Walnuts, flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds can help cut down inflammation in your body. Like olive oil, they’re also rich in heart-healthy fats that help you feel satisfied for longer.
• Trout, sardines and salmon. These types of fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fats that reduce inflammation.

Read More: The Best Foods for Arthritis

3. Stop Stress When You Can

Stress can cause psoriasis flare-ups and trigger a physical response that heightens pain you may feel with psoriatic arthritis. When you’re stressed, your immune system’s inflammatory response kicks into gear and increases inflammation, which worsens your symptoms.

“This is the same process that occurs with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other inflammatory diseases,” Dr. Williams says. “Treating psoriatic arthritis comprehensively requires learning healthy ways to manage stress.”

Changing how you respond to stress takes time and requires giving yourself a lot of grace. To start:

• Eat a healthy diet, exercise and sleep. Taking care of your physical needs is a great first step toward addressing your mental health.
• Identify what causes stress in your life. Try to uncover why these events or situations are so stressful and address those issues.
• Lean on friends and family. Strong social networks allow you to ask for the help you need, whether it’s a meal on a busy night or a sympathetic ear.
• Try different relaxation methods. Whether breathing exercises, yoga, prayer or meditation, find an easy practice that allows you to relax.
• Talk to a professional. A counselor or therapist can help you better understand your stressors and find ways to reframe your thinking.

4. Use Tried-and-True Pain Relief

Pain is one of the most common symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Two at-home treatments to try include:

• Cold and hot therapy. Applying ice to affected joints helps reduce swelling. If psoriatic arthritis causes muscle spasms or stiff joints, a heating pad can help.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin, can relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

5. Become a Quitter

If you’ve been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, quit smoking. Quitting smoking can improve the effectiveness of your treatments and slow the progression of your disease.

If you drink alcohol, you may want to limit your intake. Alcohol can negatively interact with your psoriatic arthritis medications, leading to unpleasant side effects. Talk with your care team to determine how much alcohol is safe for you to drink.

Read More: 10 Warning Signs of Psoriatic Arthritis

Beyond At-Home Care

Managing psoriatic arthritis and its symptoms takes effort. While taking steps on your own is important, a team approach ensures you get the care you need when at-home care isn’t enough.  

A few providers who can help manage your condition include:

• Dermatologists
• Dietitians
• Massage therapists
• Occupational therapists
• Physical therapists
• Primary care providers
• Rheumatologists

Based on your needs, your care team may prescribe one or more of the following:

• Corticosteroids. Steroids reduce inflammation and often bring quick relief. They also temporarily calm your immune system.
• Psoriatic arthritis medications. Your provider may recommend prescription NSAIDS or disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to reduce inflammation and help slow the progression of your disease.
• Surgery. If the disease causes enough damage, you may experience chronic pain and lose function of the affected joint. Joint replacement or other orthopedic surgery may help.

Are you living with psoriatic arthritis? A Beaufort Memorial primary care provider can help you find the best way to address your symptoms.