How Drinking Can Affect Your Psoriatic Arthritis

From healthcentral.com

If you have psoriatic arthritis (PsA), you may be wondering if you should give up your nightly glass of wine or your weekend cocktails. Well, that depends. There actually haven’t been a whole lot of studies on the relationship between alcohol and psoriasis, and even fewer on alcohol and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). To help you weigh the risks of drinking when you have PsA, here’s an overview of what experts know about the relationship between the two right now.

Research Is Cloudy, But There Are Helpful Takeaways

Take for instance a recent review that looked at the available research on alcohol and psoriasis. The scientists concluded that “more research is needed” to get a better handle on whether alcohol does indeed trigger or worsen psoriasis and if so, how much alcohol it takes. (We know. Super helpful.) That said, other studies have found several links between drinking, psoriasis, and PsA, especially where medication is concerned, so there is some evidence that alcohol could potentially have negative effects.

If You Have Psoriasis, Alcohol Could Up Your Risk for PsA

A 2020 study in The British Journal of Dermatology (BJD) investigated whether factors such as obesity, smoking, and drinking put people with psoriasis at a higher risk for developing PsA. They found that having up to three drinks per day increased the odds by 57%. But this isn't a guarantee, notes Brett Smith, D.O., a rheumatologist at Blount Memorial Physicians Group in Alcoa, TN. Plus, “you can do everything ‘right’ by maintaining a normal BMI, not smoking and not drinking, and still develop a rheumatic disease,” Dr. Smith says.

Drinking May Worsen Your Quality of Life

Alcohol is a potential trigger for flare-ups because it increases inflammation, particularly in your joints. "Alcohol can also make patients more tired, have more pain, and become less functional,” says Shaiba Ansari-Ali, M.D., a rheumatologist at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL. Plus, the extra calories can increase your weight over time, potentially escalating inflammation, Dr. Smith adds. If you notice that your PsA symptoms get worse after drinking, try tracking your alcohol intake and symptoms to see for sure. Simply cutting back may make a difference.

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Alcohol Could Further Raise Your Heart-Disease Risk

Heavy drinking can make you more prone to metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that puts you at higher risk for heart disease. Both heart disease and metabolic syndrome are already more common in PsA patients anyway, thanks to underlying inflammation, says Dr. Ansari-Ali. So while an occasional drink may be fine, you could be increasing your risk for heart disease and other health problems later on if you regularly overdo it.

Drinking May Interfere With Your Medication

Alcohol may reduce your medication’s effectiveness, which could decrease your response to treatment, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. Drinking can also increase your risk of side effects. For instance, consuming alcohol when you’re taking something as seemingly harmless as over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) ups your chances of having a faster heartbeat, upset stomach, bleeding, and stomach ulcers.

You Shouldn’t Drink at all With Certain Medications

Experts do know for sure that alcohol can lead to serious issues when you’re taking specific medications. Avoid alcohol altogether if you’re on one of the most common types of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like Otrexup or Trexall (methotrexate), Azulfidine (sulfasalazine) or Arava (leflunomide), advises Dr. Smith. Why?

Alcohol Can Contribute to Liver Damage

First off, having PsA increases your risk for non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease (NAFLD), or “fatty liver.” NAFLD can eventually cause cirrhosis, which is scarring. Second, many PsA medications are processed through the liver; if you have NAFLD, too, “this ‘double hit’ can lead to more liver damage,” Dr. Ansari-Ali says. Adding alcohol to the mix is a potential triple whammy. “You could have NAFLD and normal liver function on blood tests, but over time, alcohol consumption can scar the liver permanently, especially in combination with various medications,” says Dr. Smith.

What’s Best for You May Not Be What’s Best for Another PsA Patient

As you can see, the evidence isn’t exactly crystal clear on precisely how alcohol contributes to or affects PsA. “Complete avoidance of alcohol is not necessarily needed, but it does depend on each individual’s circumstance,” Dr. Smith says. Weighing the benefits and risks may help if you’re trying to make a decision. For instance, if alcohol is clearly making your symptoms worse, you already have heart or liver disease, or you’re taking certain medications, it might be reasonable to teetotal. Cutting back can also help if you're trying to lose weight.

Wondering if You Should Make a Change? Ask Your Doctor

Don’t forget to let your rheumatologist weigh in. They may have some valuable insight on your unique health challenges and needs, plus they can answer questions and give you other resources to help if you think you need to quit for good, especially if you’re having a hard time.

https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/psoriatic-arthritis-alcohol