Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling are the main symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. This disease can affect any part of the body, including fingers and spine. This disease can also occur in the range of relatively mild to severe.
There is no cure for psoriatic arthritis, so the focus is on controlling symptoms and preventing further joint damage. Without treatment, psoriatic arthritis can be crippling in the end.
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects some people with psoriasis. Psoriasis is a condition in the form of red patches on the skin and topped with silvery scales.
Most people with psoriasis the first time and was later diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, but the problem on the joint can sometimes begin to occur before skin lesions appear.
Psoriatic arthritis treatment with natural remedies
It's not a lot of research that may show evidence of the all natural treatment. However, some traditional medicines has indeed been shown to delay the destruction of an illness.
"A lot of supplements or vitamins that can relieve some symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, but has not been shown to be able to prevent damage," said Guy Fiocco, MD, assistant professor of internal medicine at Texas A & M Health Science Center College of Medicine, in Bryan was quoted from Health.
Dr. Fiocco said there are 9 natural remedies that can be used to treat psoriatic arthritis, among others:
1. Fish oil
"Fish oil may slightly reduce the proteins involved in inflammation," said Eric L. Matteson, MD, chair of Rheumatology at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minn. psoriatic arthritis sufferers are advised to consume 2000-3000 mg per day, if needed.
Dr. Fiocco noted that Eskimo populations have a lower incidence of arthritis and psoriatic arthritis as compared with other groups. Genetics may play a role, but it can also be associated with high dietary eicosapentaenoic acid or fish oil. A diet high in eicosapentaenoic acid or fish oil might help the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.
2. Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been successfully relieve almost all forms of arthritis, including psoriatic arthritis. "Acupuncture does not help treat psoriatic arthritis directly. However, some people say that acupuncture can reduce pain caused by arthritis. The best results have been reported regarding the effects of acupuncture for knee arthritis," says Dr. Matteson.
3. Turmeric
"Turmeric can relieve the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. That is because turmeric has an effect on the reduction of certain inflammatory proteins. Some patients with psoriatic arthritis may have a positive effect of turmeric, but the effect is very light and difficult to measure," said Dr. Matteson.
Some people just have to try turmeric with the aim to relieve the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis they experienced, but generally they do not realize the effect.
4. Willow bark
Willow bark is sometimes referred to as "herbal aspirin". Willow bark contains salicin, which is a chemical similar to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). A study in 2001 found that willow bark extract equivalent to doses of 240 mg salicin per day. The study was conducted in the placebo group and the group of patients with osteoarthritis, which consists of 78 people.
5. Vitamin D
Based on studies in 2011, vitamin D deficiency is common in people with psoriatic arthritis. However, vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with psoriatic arthritis, the cause is not known clearly. Perhaps this is due to psoriatic arthritis patients spend more time indoors, so exposure to sunlight for less body and cause a deficiency of vitamin D.
Yet another study says that vitamin D levels did not appear to affect psoriatic arthritis disease activity. In a study of 10 patients who were taking vitamin D, there were 7 people who experience decreased joint pain. But in that study there was no placebo group for comparison. Much research still needs to be done to prove the usefulness of vitamin D for patients with psoriatic arthritis.
6. Vitamin K
Vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, and broccoli, canola oil, and olive. From the research said that, the low levels of vitamin K was associated with more severe osteoarthritis in a group of nearly 700 patients.
However, it is unclear whether vitamin K can help osteoarthritis, arthritis, and psoriatic. But it never hurts to eat vegetables, green leafy sufficiently.
7. L-carnitine
L-carnitine from the amino acid, carnitine is involved in lipid metabolism and is found in virtually all body cells. Healthy people usually produce enough carnitine from the body itself, and carnitine is not considered essential nutrients.
Some experts say that carnitine may be beneficial for people with psoriatic arthritis, but not yet proven. For example, a man given 36 years of L-carnitine, decreased knee pain associated with psoriatic arthritis, but the study was not accompanied by the placebo group for comparison.
8. Vitamin B12
From the research it is said that vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in people with psoriatic arthritis compared with people who do not suffer from the disease. "But like vitamin D, vitamin B12 does not seem to be the primary treatment option," said Dr. Fiocco.
Vitamin B12 is found in shellfish, fish, cereals, and yogurt.
9. Traditional Chinese Medicine
Certain herbs used in Chinese medicine has shown some benefit in people with arthritis. For example, extract of Tripterygium wilfordii plants (TwHF) are thought to have anti-inflammatory effect.
One study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that patients taking TwHF along with steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are no better than patients who took medication Azulfidine (sulfasalazine) with steroids and NSAIDs.
Overall, though Dr. Fiocco also feel the effects of 9 natural treatment for psoriatic arthritis is not very satisfactory, but no harm is done to simply reduce the symptoms caused by psoriatic arthritis.
