7 Things You Shouldn't Do If You Have Psoriatic Arthritis

Managing psoriatic arthritis can be challenging, especially since there's no cure for the autoimmune disease that tends to affect around 30% of individuals who have psoriasis. The condition typically presents itself as pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints.

Luckily there are steps psoriatic arthritis patients can take to diminish their discomfort—and smart lifestyle choices are among them. In this video, we're spotlighting the things you should avoid if you suffer from the condition.

Weight Gain and Psoriatic Arthritis

As with many health conditions, weight gain won't help one's psoriatic arthritis symptoms. That's because excess pounds put even more pressure on the joints—not to mention raise your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Need help figuring out whether or not you're at a healthy weight? This guide can help. In the meantime, make sure you're eating a balanced diet and aim to get at least 150 minutes of physical activity every week.

RELATED: Psoriatic Arthritis Diet: Which Foods to Eat, and Which Foods to Limit, According to Experts

Poor Posture and Psoriatic Arthritis

Turns out there's a reason why your mother always told you to sit up straighter. Slouching has been shown to be bad for your health, especially if you deal with joint pain. Our advice? Try maintaining proper alignment at all times, even while you sleep. To keep your body well-positioned while you snooze, use pillows to keep yourself straight and make sure your back doesn't get all out of whack.

Other Things to Avoid

Too much exercise, not sleeping well, and letting stress take control are some things that can make symptoms of psoriatic arthritis worse. For women, wearing high heel shoes and carrying shoulder bags can cause painful flare-ups. In this video, we'll show you simple solutions that may ease some of your psoriatic arthritis symptoms.