The Various Causes Of Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects individuals who have psoriasis, which is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by the development of red and silver scaly patches. The main symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are joint stiffness, pain, and swelling. It usually occurs after psoriasis first develops, but in rare cases, arthritis can form before psoriasis first presents itself. There is no cure for psoriatic arthritis, but the condition can be controlled by medication and other therapies.

Living An Unhealthy Lifestyle

As psoriatic arthritis is classified as an autoimmune disease, it is highly influenced by an individual's environment or how they choose to live. Although genetics can be a strong indication of whether or not an individual will be diagnosed with autoimmunity, their genes are highly influenced by your outside environment as well. For instance, consuming large amounts of alcohol, along with sleep deprivation, unhealthy eating, and overall poor sleeping habits can trigger certain genes that would otherwise not be affected by autoimmunity.

Inflammatory Foods

Although the exact cause of autoimmunity has yet to be confirmed, diet does seem to play a huge role. Inflammatory foods such as processed foods, foods high in refined sugar and sodium, and fast foods aggravate the immune system and form a buildup of toxins in the body's tissues, which causes inflammation and disrupts organ function. Research shows a correlation between eating foods high in antioxidants, plant chemicals that reduce inflammation, and a reduction in arthritis symptoms. Examples of healthier food choices include fresh fruits, green vegetables, and probiotics.