Psoriatic Arthritis - What Is It?
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease that causes joints and the areas around them to be painful, stiff and to swell. Commonly, psoriatic arthritis develops in the fingers and toes, but can also affect other body areas, including large joints (knees and ankles) and smaller joints (the neck and lower back). Psoriatic arthritis has similar symptoms to rheumatoid arthritis, but is related to psoriasis, a chrionic skin disorder that causes dry, scaly patches on the skin.
What causes Psoriatic Arthritis?
Currently it is not known exactly what causes psoriatic arthritis, but it is known that psoriatic athritis is an autoimmune disease, in which autoimmune functions of the body do not act normally. Psoriatic arthritis is genetic and seems to be enhanced by other health problems or stress.
Signs of Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis' signs include the following:
- Pain and swelling in the joints
- Stiffness, pain and general fatigue upon waking
- Deformation of the finger and toe joints
- Eye pain and redness
- Pitting of the fingernails
- Separation of the fingernails from the skin
Who can get Psoriatic Arthritis?
In North America, about 1 in every 250 or 0.4% of the population has psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis typically develops between the ages of 30 and 50, and can occur in both men and women. Generally, those who get psoriatic arthritis have already had psoriasis.
Do I Have Psoriatic Arthritis?
Obviously a medical professional can answer this question best. If you suffer from the above signs of psoriatic arthritis, you should seek assistance from a doctor. To test whether you have psoriatic arthritis, your doctor will:
- Examine your skin and joints (as psoriasis is a key indicator of this specific type of arthritis)
- Have x-rays of your joints to look for evidence of swelling
- Have blood tests performed to look for indicators of abnormal autoimmune function
- Review your medical history
- Refer you to a rheumatologist, a physician who specializes in arthritis
How is Psoriatic Arthritis treated and Cured?
There is currently no psoriatic athritis cures, but there are effective psoriatic arthritis treatments. No treatments works for every psoriatic arthritis patient, so the goal should be to find out what treatment works best for you - something that reduces pain and swelling and has minimal side effects.
Of the treatments, there are three classes of medicines that are typically used to treat psoriatic arthritis:
- DMARDs - Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs
- NSAIDs - Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
- Biologics
DMARDs:DMARDs are used when arthritis causes severe pain and swelling. They slow the degenerative damage to joints and tissues. DMARDs are only available by prescription through your doctor, as they could have potentially dangerous side-effects.
NSAIDs:NSAIDs, by definition, are non-steroidal and reduce inflammation in the joints, thus helping with pain, stiffness and swelling. While some NSAIDs can be obtained by perscription only, others can be found on the shelf of your local pharmacy, including aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
Biologics:Biologics are prescription drugs that alter your immune system to block the effects of arthritis. The long-term effects of biologics are not known.
Non-medicinal Treatments of Psoriatic Arthritis
Non-medicinal treatments of psoriatic arthritis include:
- Exercise - Low-impact exercises keep the joints and muscles strong, which helps with joint mobility.
- Therapy - Massage and physical therapies can keep muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons in good physical condition.
- Surgery - Surgery is not used as a first treatment, but replacement of badly damaged joints help greatly with mobility and pain.
- Temperature therapy - Applying heat and cold to painful areas could reduce joint pain and swelling.
- Splints - Minimizing movement of the joint can reduce pain and swelling.
Psoriatic Arthritis ResearchAdalimumab therapy of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in a patient with cirrhosis of the liver.Primary Author: Sarah PielPrimary Author: Date Published: 2009 01 02Abstract: Abstract not available
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in a patient with HIV: response to mycophenolate mofetil treatment.Primary Author: Seth B FormanPrimary Author: The University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA. sethbforman@gmailDate Published: 2008 12 30Abstract: A case of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in a 38-year-old white male patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treated safely and effectively with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is reported. Treatments for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are manifold, including topical, oral, intramuscular, intravenous, and subcutaneous therapies. These indicated treatments for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis result in suppression of the immune system.
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