By: Bertil Hjert
Psoriatic arthritis is termed as a chronic disease. It is common among most people across the globe. The disease is usually characterized via inflammation of the skin and joints. The inflammation of the skin is medically termed as psoriasis and inflammation of the joints is known as arthritis.
This disease is very common among people between the ages of 40 and 60. Both males and females are affected equally by this disease. It is believed that the skin disease or psoriasis occur separately from the joint pain or the arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis can be referred to as a systemic rheumatic disease that has the potential to result in the body tissue inflammation. It may also affect other parts of the body such as the heart, eyes, kidneys and lungs.
This type of arthritis usually share several features with the arthritis of other types including reactive arthritis, arthritis related to Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylitis and arthritis related to ulcerative colitis.
Almost all these conditions may result in inflammation in the spine as well as other joints. The inflammation can also occur in the eyes, mouth, skin and several other organs.
A) Causes of this type of arthritis
There are several causes associated to this type of arthritis. However, the exact cause of this disease is unknown. It is believed that a blend of several genetic and immune factors in conjunction with several environmental factors is responsible for the occurrence of this disease. Patients suffering from this disease may suffer from inflammation of the skin. Certain genes such as HLA-B27 are responsible for the occurrence of this disease.
Several other genes have also been found responsible for this disease. Medical experts feel that some changes occurring in the immune system may play a significant role in developing psoriatic arthritis. Exposure to infection and changes in the environment are also responsible for this disease to occur.
B) Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis
If you want to treat a disease, it is extremely important to know about it at an early stage. This is the best way to rush for medical help and get the best of treatment available.
When it comes to psoriatic arthritis, a patient tends to experience inflammation of the skin as the primary symptoms. Of course, there are other symptoms such as inflammation of the joints, pain in the joints, swelling, and the skin getting hot and red. In some cases, inflammation of the joint in the fingers or toes can result in the swelling of the entire digit.
This results in the appearance of a sausage. Stiffness in the joints is the most common symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. This condition may also result in inflammation of the spine and even the sacrum. This finally results in stiffness and pain in the lower back, neck, buttocks and upper back.
C) Treatments
The condition can be treated with a combination of anti-inflammatory medicines or NSAIDs and exercises. In progressive cases, more powerful medication such as corticosteroids, methotrexate and antimalarial medicines are prescribed. Early diagnosis is the best treatment.
