Psoriatic Arthritis: Millions Searching for a Cure
Psoriasis Arthritis is a disease that affects millions of people, but a cure has yet to be found. Categorized by swelling in the joints and scaly patches on the skin, this type of arthritis is related to the skin condition psoriasis, which also affects millions of people worldwide. If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, it is important to research this condition in order to fully understand its symptoms and treatment options that are available for these pains. By learning all you can about psoriatic arthritis, as well as general arthritic conditions and drugs, you can better know how to treat your body. Your doctor should be able to provide this type of information to you and can also direct you to library books that can be of use and organizations that can be located on the Internet and at centers across the country.
Most people diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis experience swelling in joints of the body, including wrists, knees, the back, elbows, and fingers. This condition also causes grey areas of skin that are very dry around the elbows, knees, and lower back. Those who suffer from the condition often have fingers that appear sausage-like and pitted nails or lesions around the fingernails. The cause for this condition is currently unknown; however, experts believe that a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental factors play a role in the development of psoriatic arthritis. Onset can occur at any age and with any gender, race, and ethnicity, but the most common age for psoriatic arthritis to begin is between 20 and 50 years of age.
This condition is tricky to treat because patients are essentially dealing with two fused diseases-one of the skin and one of the joints. Because of this, it is important to talk with your doctor or other medical professionals about the drugs you are taking for each, as many drugs can have a negative interaction. There are many options other than medication that you can use to treat this disease. For example, some exercises work especially well with these patients to reduce swelling and pain in the joins. You can also begin skin therapy to treat the psoriatic part of this disease. Heat and cold can be effectively used to treat psoriatic arthritis, as can rest, which is important for all arthritis patients. Splints and surgery are rarely used, but the options are available for more extreme conditions. Cosmetically, this disease can be treated with laser surgery light treatment, or other corrective cosmetic surgeries. Talk to you doctor to find out more about this disease and your options for treatment.
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