| What is psoriatic arthritis? Psoriasis is a skin condition | | | | results from the natural aging process in which the |
| that affects 2% of the population. About 10% of those | | | | cartilage, a rubbery substance that protects the joints, |
| who have psoriasis may eventually develop an arthritis | | | | begins to wear down. The arthritis symptom most |
| which is, as part of the course of the psoriatic skin | | | | often associated with this form of the disease is joint |
| condition, called psoriatic arthritis. | | | | pain. This joint pain can also be accompanied by fever |
| Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic destructive arthritic | | | | and swelling in the affected joints as well as stiffness |
| condition, which, if left untreated, may eventually lead to | | | | in the morning or after times of inactivity. |
| joint destruction. Psoriatic arthritis is thought to be an | | | | Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment |
| autoimmune process, in which the body mounts an | | | | Doctors currently believe that psoriatic arthritis is an |
| immunogenic response against self, which results in | | | | autoimmune function of the body. That means that the |
| widespread inflammation and destruction. | | | | body actually turns against itself and uses its immune |
| What are the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis? Psoriatic | | | | system to fight itself. This leads to both inflammation of |
| arthritis can affect any joints in the body, with | | | | and damage to the joints. Due to the seriousness of |
| predilection for larger joints in arms and feet and also | | | | this condition, people need to inform themselves about |
| smaller joints in the hand. | | | | the symptoms related to it and look out for them. |
| Symptom | | | | One of the first damaging effects that psoriatic arthritis |
| Are your aches and pains just a natural part of | | | | has on the body is joint impairment, especially to the |
| growing older, or are they a sign there is something | | | | larger joints of the body such as those in the feet and |
| more serious wrong with your body? While some | | | | arms. This does not mean that smaller joints in the |
| forms of arthritis are just the result of the aging | | | | hands, for example, will not be affected. Once the |
| process, some forms can wreak havoc on more than | | | | joints of the fingers begin to be effected and the |
| just the joints. Other forms actually result from the | | | | fingers swell up, the condition is almost certainly |
| body's immune system turning on itself. How can you | | | | psoriatic arthritis. The disease can also affect the |
| tell if your joint pain is natural aging or if something else | | | | fingernails, thickening and discoloring them. |
| is wrong? Knowing the symptoms of different forms | | | | The above mentioned symptoms of psoriatic arthritis |
| of arthritis can help you know if a pain reliever is all you | | | | tend to come and go, having times when they flare up |
| need, or if your specific arthritis symptom is a sign | | | | and are especially bad followed by periods of light to |
| there is more wrong than just joint pain. | | | | moderate symptoms. In some rare cases, the spine is |
| The most common form of arthritis is known as | | | | also affected by psoriatic arthritis. The pain and |
| osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the form of arthritis | | | | discomfort associated with this disease can be |
| generally associated with growing older. This condition | | | | anywhere from mild to chronic. |