Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

I received this question from a Member: I have psoriasis. Recently, I have noticed swelling and pain around my joints. My doctor says this is psoriatic arthritis. Can you tell me more about this disorder?

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease. It may be triggered by a number of different conditions such as infection or allergy. Underlying the development of psoriasis is a confused immune system. An autoimmune condition such as psoriasis begins when your immune system attacks healthy cells as if they were diseased.

Many things may cause this confusion. Stress is a primary trigger. Other triggers may include injury (with psoriasis beginning at the site of trauma), nutrient deficiency – especially of essential fatty acids – and toxins such as sugar, alcohol and allergens.

Progress of Inflammation

There are three basic steps in the inflammation process:

1. Antecedent – The first step is called an antecedent. An antecedent is like a predisposition to something; for example when a person is prone to a condition because of heredity or environment.

2. Trigger – The second step in the inflammation process is the trigger. This may be injury, stress, deficiencies or toxins.

3. Release of mediators – The third step in the inflammation process is the release of inflammatory mediators like histamines. Histamines are stored in cells called mast cells. These mast cells are like balloons filled with acid that pop and release their poison. Deficiency weakens the walls of these balloons, and trauma, toxins and stress pop the balloons. Histamines are released and inflammation results.

Runaway Inflammation and Psoriatic Arthritis

Mast cells populate our skin. They are also abundant in our joints. They line our airways and digestive tracts. Runaway inflammation occurs when so much histamine is released by one cell that it triggers other mast cells and causes them to pop and release their histamine (this is why sunburn may cause sinus inflammation). This histamine then triggers other cells and more histamine is released, perpetuating the cycle.

Inflammation from psoriasis will eventually inflame the joints. Toxic levels of histamine from the skin will trigger mast cells in joints to release their histamines. Again, trauma, toxins, deficiencies and stress can cause this runaway inflammation.

What To Do

• Stress

  Deep breathing is an excellent remedy for stress. Adaptogens are as well. Everyone responds differently to stress. Learn to reduce your anxiety during stressful situations by applying some of the suggestions found in our Weekly Wellness Report on Stress.

• Nutrient deficiencies

  One of the most common deficiencies for people with psoriasis is an essential fatty acids (good fats) deficiency. Taking one to six grams of OmegaPrime daily can give you therapeutic levels of essential fatty acids. Another common deficiency in people with psoriasis is Vitamin D. We normally get enough Vitamin D from sunshine. Be sure to expose at least 40% of your skin to early morning or late evening sunshine. Never let yourself get sunburned. For more information on healthy sun exposure, see our Weekly Wellness Report, Is the Sun Our Enemy?

• Histamine

  For reducing histamines, very few nutrients compare with Vitamin C and Vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 as found in our Super Sublingual B-12 reduces histamines by hindering them from being formed in the first place. Vitamin C acts like a body-wide antihistamine. Find out how much Vitamin C your body can use by calibrating your levels with the Vitamin C flush.

• Joint inflammation

  If inflammation has already reached your joints, you can help reduce inflammation and protect your joints with TriVita’s Joint Complex. The combination of glucosamine and chondroitin with anti-inflammatory nutrients like boron offer more joint protection than even some NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

When one part of our body is sick, our whole body suffers. So, it is no surprise that the same imbalanced immune system that attacks our skin may attack our joints, sinuses, lungs and intestines. Teach your immune system to work smarter, not harder, by applying the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness and supplying the nutrients needed for healthy skin and joints.

Learn More…

• Psoriasis

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Please note that Weekly Wellness Report topics will be chosen at the discretion of Brazos Minshew and based on general relevance.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.