Bad Habits That Worsen Psoriatic Arthritis
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Managing a chronic condition such as psoriatic arthritis often requires more than taking your medication as prescribed. Making healthy lifestyle changes and avoiding bad habits can also help you both control symptoms and prevent joint damage.
Start replacing these common bad habits with healthier alternatives.
1. Being Too Stoic
If you’re getting treatment for psoriatic arthritis but you’re still in pain, speak up. It may be time to talk with your doctor about changing medications or trying other therapies.
2. Tuning Out Your Doctor
You may not always like what your doctor has to say, but it’s wise to listen, even if it feels like your doctor is asking a lot of you. “We ask you to take medications, lose weight, and many other things that really mean a whole lifestyle change,” explains Petros Efthimiou, MD, a rheumatologist with NY Rheumatology Care in Larchmont, New York. But there’s a reason, he says: “It gets results.”
If you have questions about your treatment or potential alternatives, be sure to discuss them with your doctor.
RELATED: Finding the Right Psoriatic Arthritis Doctor
3. Holding on to Excess Weight
When you have psoriatic arthritis, being overweight increases the pressure you’re putting on your joints — especially your knees — with every step.
Obesity can also impact the effectiveness of your treatment. “Various studies have shown that weight loss improves the response to medications used for psoriatic arthritis,” says Samardeep Gupta, MBBS, a rheumatologist and clinical associate professor at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor.
If you’re overweight, work with your doctor to come up with a weight loss goal and discuss steps you can take to achieve it.
4. Eating Whatever You Want
There are no definitive dietary guidelines for psoriatic arthritis, but a healthy, balanced diet is beneficial.
Dr. Gupta notes that there is “very good evidence to support weight reduction with a hypocaloric diet for overweight or obese adults.” So reducing your caloric intake to help you reach and maintain a healthy weight can be beneficial for your psoriatic arthritis as well as your overall health.
Not sure where to start? According to Dr. Efthimiou, current research is leaning toward a plant-based Mediterranean-style diet. That means limiting foods that promote inflammation, like processed foods, dairy, red meats, and certain nightshade vegetables, and introducing protein-rich nuts and seeds — all high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Talk to your doctor or work with a dietitian to come up with the right eating plan for you.
5. Skipping Exercise
Aim to get 150 minutes of exercise each week — just make sure you get the green light from your doctor before you start a regular routine.
RELATED: 7 Exercises to Try if You Have Psoriatic Arthritis
6. Lighting Up
“Research has shown that if you stop smoking, your psoriatic arthritis improves,” adds Efthimiou. So it’s best to avoid smoking altogether. Talk to your doctor about strategies for quitting and staying smoke free.
7. Drinking Alcohol
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about alcohol use, or how it may interact with your psoriatic arthritis medications.
8. Stressing Out
Stress is a known psoriatic arthritis trigger and can contribute to an increase in symptoms like joint pain. When you’re stressed, your body releases the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which cause the muscles to tense up. Stress also triggers the immune system’s inflammatory response, adds Efthimiou.
Try practicing stress-management techniques such as meditation, yoga, and tai chi to help keep stress at bay and psoriatic arthritis in check.
9. Skipping Out on Sleep
A good night’s sleep can be hard to come by when you have psoriatic arthritis. “There’s decreased sleep quality due to inflammation, and then there are sleep disturbances due to generalized pain and anxiety,” says Efthimiou. But a lack of sleep can make it harder to manage your condition and keep symptoms in check.
Try to break this cycle by improving your sleep habits. Stick to a consistent schedule, avoid bright lights and screens before bed. Your mattress should be comfortable and support your hips and shoulders to keep you in alignment. And your pillow should support your neck properly. Wear something comfortable to bed, and make sure your sheets and blankets aren’t constricting.
10. Wearing the Wrong Clothes
It may be fun to be fashionable, but not at the expense of symptom flares, mobility, and comfort.
RELATED: Look Better and Feel Better With Psoriatic Arthritis
11. Hiding Your Feelings
If you’re feeling depressed, don’t hide it. It’s important to talk about it and get the help you need — both for your mental health and your psoriatic arthritis. “Depression needs to be addressed because it affects adherence to treatment,” says Efthimiou.
12. Not Advocating for Yourself
Tell your doctor all your symptoms, especially if you’re experiencing skin lesions, as many people don’t make the connection between psoriasis and arthritis, explains Efthimiou.
Be the CEO of your own health — no one knows your symptoms better than you, so be sure to tell your doctor about everything you’re experiencing so you can work together to find ways to address it.
Additional reporting by Nina Wasserman.
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