How Does Psoriasis Effect Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis, which is a chronic (long lasting) disease, is related to the skin condition psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis causes aches, stiffness and swelling in and of the joints and the formation of crusty skin within some areas of the body. Furthermore, patients diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis also develop an associated inflammation of their joints. And while the disorder commonly tends to affect the wrists, knees, ankles, fingers and toes, it has also been known to effects the back in rare cases. While the precise cause of psoriatic arthritis is not known, one of the prevailing theories is that it may be due to a disruption to the body’s immune system or an imbalance in genetics. This disease affects men and women with an equal degree of prevalence and while it usually starts at the age of 30 to 50 year of age, it can also occur in children.

There are several different types of psoriatic Arthritis, and here are some of them:

• Asymmetric Arthritis
  While this form of psoriatic arthritis usually tends to affect the joints on only one side of the patients body, this is not always the case, and it sometimes affects different joints on each side. The knee, ankle, finger or wrists are the body parts usually affected.
• Psoriatic Spondylitis
  In addition to causing inflammation in the patient’s spine and the pelvis at the lower back, this form of psoriatic arthritis also causes stiffness and inflammation in the neck. It is a very painful and difficult disease.
• Distal Interphalangeal Predominant
  This is difficult to diagnose because it can be easily confused with osteoarthritis sometimes. Osteoarthritis is a disease that causes the deterioration of joint cartilage and tissues, and one of the best ways to distinguish it from distal interphalangeal is to acknowledge that the latter also occurs in nails while the former does not.
• Arthritis Mutilans
  This type of psoriatic arthritis primarily concentrates its focus on destroying the small bones found within the feet and hands, precisely, those of the fingers and toe. A very severe and painful form pf the disorder arthritis mutilans can be associated with lower back and neck pain.
• Symmetric Arthritis
  Symmetric arthritis, which can be the cause of severe pain in multiple joints, tends to affect the body quite drastically. It is similar to rheumatoid arthritis and can be the cause of disabling joint damage. The fingernails often become ridged and pitted in the case of symmetric arthritis.

Causes Of Psoriatic Arthritis

As stated before, the precise cause of psoriatic arthritis is not known. One thing for sure, however, is that genetic factors indicate involvement in psoriasis, and they would appear to be involved in psoriatic arthritis. Other factors, such as immunity and the environment may also play a role.

Symptoms

Psoriatic arthritis develops in the patients who are victim of psoriasis for long time. It usually affects the joints of the fingers and toes, causing pain and swelling. Psoriatic arthritis can start immediately or gradually, and typically tends to effect only on one set of the many joints. The fingernail can also undergo changes, becoming thickened and rough. And although there is no cure for psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, there are many treatments to ease the symptoms.

Treatment For Psoriatic Arthritis

In spite of the fact that treatment for psoriatic arthritis is usually conducted at home, it is extremely important for hospitalization in the case of urgently requiring controlling measures for flare ups and/or to perform surgery then patient must go to hospital. Doctors can use blood tests, physical examination, joint fluid tests and X-rays. Some of the more frequently prescribed medicines are:

• Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs
  All physicians use painkiller medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen to treat psoriatic arthritis. It helps to control pain swelling and morning stiffness. Side effects include damage to the kidneys, fluid retention and heart failure.
• Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
  These types of the drugs help limit the amount of joint damage that occurs in the case of psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis occurrences. Some of the drugs, such as methotrexate and cyclosporine, are used for systemic therapy of psoriasis. These medicines have serious side effects and increase the risk of infection. There is another medicine which is easy for the patients to tolerate and it called Azulfidine. Some medicine which uses to prevent malaria for example Plaquenil can be used to stop rheumatoid. But in some cases anti malarial drugs ca cause psoriasis to flare up.
• Biologic therapy
  This is latest therapy being used in order to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Biologic treatment includes Remicade and Amevive. One disadvantage inherent to biologic medications, however, is that they have to be injected. Moreover, these medications can also make the immune system more at risk to infections.

It would be apt to here consider that it is always good for psoriatic arthritis patients to consult their doctors for the precise medications and treatments as this is instrumental in concern to ensuring that they receive the medication (s) that is/are the most effectual for their respective situation (s).