Psoriatic arthritis diet

Introduction to Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease characterized by the inflammation of the joints and the skin. It is a form of arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis, a serious skin condition. Usually, these people develop psoriasis first, and then arthritis. But, there have been cases when it was reversed.

Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body’s cells and antibodies (part of the immune system) fight their own tissues. Sometimes, a person can have psoriatic arthritis without having obvious psoriasis.

Causes

The exact cause of psoriatic arthritis is not known, i.e. it is not clear why the immune system turns on itself, but it may be that a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune factors has a lot to do with it.

Also, a substance called tumor necrosis factor (which causes inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis) appears to play a large role in psoriatic arthritis as well. People with psoriatic arthritis have high levels of TNF.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of this disease are: painful, swollen, and warm joints. Psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis are chronic diseases that get worse over time, but a person may have periods when the symptoms improve or go into remission alternating with times when symptoms become worse. Occasionally, skin and joint problems may appear and disappear at the same time.

Psoriatic Arthritis Diet

There are many ways of treating this disease. However, none that can completely cure it. The only way of treating it is to try and reduce the appearance of the symptoms, and ease them. There are various ways of doing this. One might go to the doctor’s where he will recommend the best treatment, or one might try the natural approach.

Also, a diet regimen is one way to cope with the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. A person suffering from this condition should not consume foods high in cholesterol and fats, not eat too much sugar and salt, processed food, red meat (it is said that it increases the pain of arthritis), etc. One’s diet should include different vegetables, fruits, dairy products, grains, and meat. Small meals should be taken few times a day, instead of two big meals. Also, consuming cold water fish (such as tuna, salmon, sardines, mackerel, etc.) that are rich in omega 3 essential fatty acids is beneficial for controlling the inflammation. Furthermore, healing foods like pineapple, oregano, etc. are recommended for arthritis treatment.