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Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis Causes Much Pain And Swelling And Makes Scaly Skin Patches On The Body

Psoriatic arthritis will result in much pain and swelling in some joints as well as scaly skin patches on parts of the body, and is related to the skin condition called psoriasis. Nearly all who suffer from psoriatic arthritis will experience swelling in joints outside the spine, and the vast majority will also have nail lesions. Its course varies and symptoms include silver or grey scaly spots on the elbows, scalp, lower end of the spine and also knees, pitting of finger and toenails, pain as well as swelling in a few joints, and swelling of fingers and/or toes that makes them appear like a “sausage”.

May Be Inherited Or The Environment May Also Play A Role

There is no known cause of psoriatic arthritis though it may be partially inherited and the environment is also a factor. Diagnosis can be made with the help of X-rays, blood tests as well as joint fluid tests. It affects men as well as women of all races and will usually affect people aged between twenty and fifty, though any age can be affected.

For those that are affected by psoriatic arthritis, the doctor will need to refer them to a rheumatologist who is a doctor that has special training in diagnosing and treating the problem with muscles, joints as well as muscles. Though no cure exists for this illness, there are still a few things that will help lessen the pain as well as help maintain the patient’s movement and function. In any case, with no known cure available, treatment can only minimize pain as well as stiffness.

Getting an early and correct diagnosis is important given the fact that most therapies work best when begun at an early stage. On confirming the diagnosis, doctors may be able to decrease the pain as well as stiffness and increase movement in the patient. Treatment is for skin condition as well as for arthritis, and for mild cases of psoriatic arthritis; doctors may prescribe medication, physiotherapy as well as daily-living adjustments.

Medications used to treat psoriatic arthritis include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), corticosteroids, and biologic response modifiers (“Biologics”). Even then, it is necessary for patients to effectively monitor drugs that they are using to ensure that unfavorable side effects are not only reported, but also helps in avoiding drugs that can cause harm to the health of the patient. It would help if the patient were to discuss the benefits as well as potential dangers of all their medications.