Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms

All of us are well aware of the fact as to how debilitating and annoying arthritis can be. Arthritis, simply put, is an inflammatory disease of the joints. Typically, the joints swell and an individual experiences joint pain. Now as if this was not enough, there is a type of arthritis which happens in combination with psoriasis. That is called psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition. Now psoriatic arthritis does not happen in all people who have psoriasis. It happens only to a few, who may have a tendency of arthritis. The text to follow will tell you about the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.

Causes of Psoriatic Arthritis

Apparently, there are no properly known causes. There is theory that genes may play a role in infliction of this medical problem. Often, it happens that people who have psoriasis develop arthritis. Some environmental or immune causes too lead to psoriatic arthritis. This problem is believed to have its root in some kind of infection as well.

Symptoms and Treatment

There are 5 types of psoriatic arthritis with a different set of symptoms. Some of these are also observed in children.

Symptoms

Type 1: Asymmetrical arthritis targets two or three joints typically. It targets the joints separately, instead of affecting them in pairs. It is common for this type to impact the fingers and toes, but any joint of the body can be affected.

Type 2: Psoriatic Spondyloarthritis is an inflammation of the joints making up the spine. A serious condition, whose symptoms include deformity and changes in posture. It is not very prominently found in people and affects around 5-33% of those with psoriasis.

Type 3: Yet another type is symmetric psoriatic arthritis. The symptoms consist of degeneration and pain in bones and joints located all through the body. The pain and discomfort is severe and mostly women suffer from this. Here the psoriasis related skin symptoms are very prominent and severe and joint deformity too is possible in a few cases.

Type 4: The symptoms of Distal Interphalangeal Predominant include pain and swelling and overall discomfort. It affects men more than women, but it is rare. Nails, toes and fingers are especially affected in this condition, according to the prognosis by doctors.

Type 5: Arthritis mutilans, another type of psoriatic arthritis which is devastating. The symptoms unfortunately, are destruction of smaller bones in the hands, feet, and other areas of the body. This in totality leads to deformity as well as disability. However, this is a very rare type of arthritis and affects hardly a few number of people.

So overall, the symptoms are fatigue, joint pain, bone and joint degeneration, reduced range of movement, pitted or thickened nails, flaking silver patches of skin with red, inflamed skin underneath, sore eyes and a few others. The reduction of these symptoms will be achieved by following a strict diet for psoriatic arthritis.

Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no single mode of treatment for psoriatic arthritis. Applying ice, and heat, relaxing the joint and doing exercises to strengthen the muscle, and electropathy, are some of the treatment options. Further, you can even use a splint on the affected part if the flare up is severe. Pain killers, NSAIDs, and surgery in extreme cases can be considered.

Overall, a healthy lifestyle at the end of the day will help reduce the symptoms and the person can be in a better condition to carry out his daily routine. I sign off here! Take care!