| What Is Psoriatic Arthritis? | | | | of the actual cause of the disease. |
| Of the many types of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis is one | | | | Treatment |
| of the lesser known types. It mostly affects people | | | | The underlying process of this form of arthritis is |
| between the ages of 30 to 50, but has also been | | | | inflammation. Therefore, the first method of treatment |
| known to affect children. This form of arthritis typically | | | | is to address the inflammation. This is done with the |
| affects people with the prior condition known as | | | | use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). |
| psoriasis. People with this condition develop red, scaly | | | | These drugs are commonly prescribed for patients |
| patches on their skin where the inflammation and | | | | suffering from various forms of arthritis. |
| overproduction of skin occurs. Of the people who | | | | If only a few joints are affected by the arthritis, then |
| suffer from psoriasis, between 20 to 30 percent | | | | joint injections are also a viable form of treatment. |
| eventually develop psoriatic arthritis. | | | | These injections involve local treatment using |
| Signs And Symptoms | | | | corticosteroids. These corticosteroids are injected |
| The first sign, of course, is psoriasis. The skin itself | | | | directly into the affected areas. Because the area of |
| takes on a silvery-white color. The affected area | | | | effect is localized, it cannot be used to treat |
| presents itself as rough red patches on the skin. This is | | | | inflammation of multiple joints at the same time. |
| due to the overproduction and accumulation of skin at | | | | If both of these treatments prove ineffective, then |
| those areas. Once psoriatic arthritis sets in, the more | | | | immunosuppressants are generally used. These are |
| typical symptoms of arthritis begin to make their | | | | only prescribed when the previous two treatments |
| appearance. | | | | have failed entirely. The advantage to using |
| Joint inflammation, the most common complaint among | | | | immunosuppressant treatment is that it also treats the |
| arthritis patients, is also present in psoriatic arthritis. It | | | | underlying psoriasis in addition to the arthritis. |
| can also cause the digits to swell up to the point that | | | | As with all other forms of arthritis, there is no cure |
| they resemble sausages. Finally, tendinitis is also a | | | | available yet for psoriatic arthritis. Patients simply have |
| symptom. | | | | to make do with current treatments and hope that a |
| A patient who presents all of these symptoms will | | | | cure will be found within their lifetime. The important |
| most likely be diagnosed as suffering from psoriatic | | | | thing to remember is that timely treatment is of the |
| arthritis. | | | | utmost importance. Catching the disease in its |
| Causes | | | | beginning stages gives patients the best chance of |
| As with more common forms of arthritis, the exact | | | | living normal lives. Doctors are able to arrest the |
| causes of this condition are not known. Scientists have | | | | progression of the disease but cannot reverse |
| been able to determine that it is genetically linked to a | | | | damage done to the joints. |
| certain extent. This is through extensive data gathered | | | | Any person who suspects that they might be suffering |
| that suggests patients who have a family history of | | | | from psoriatic arthritis should immediately pay a visit to |
| the condition are at greater risk of developing it. This, | | | | their doctor. This single act could save them decades |
| however, does not even come close to the discovery | | | | of pain and humiliation. |