A Guide To Psoriatic Arthritis

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Psoriatic arthritis actually consists of two separate condition: psoriasis and arthritis. Psoriasis is very common and involves the development of raised, red skin patches and scales on the skin. When a person develops psoriasis, it changes the appearance of their skins while in the case of arthritis the problem is more closely related to inflamed joints.

Autoimmune Disease

Psoriatic arthritis is thought of as an autoimmune disease, meaning that aspects of your immune system, such as cells and antibodies, begin attacking their own tissues. The chances of a person having psoriatic arthritis and not have suffered at one time or another from psoriasis are not great. The liklihood of developing arthritis increases when the symptoms of the skin are severe.

Only approximately 2.5% of the United States is affected by psoriasis, however. Moreover, the prevalance of this disease among Native Americans and African Americans is very low. Approximately 6% of those diagnosed with psoriasis are at risk of obtaining psoriatic arthritis. About one million people in the United States suffer from psoriatic arthritis. Some with psoriasis may not even be aware that they also have arthritis.

Men and women are both equally affected by this condition. Though, males tend to develop spondylitic forms that affect their spines, while women tend to develop rheumatoid forms in which their joints are affected. In addition, people in the age group of thirty-five to fifty-five are the most likely to develop psoriatic arthritis.

The psoriatic arthritis cause have yet to be determined, though factors related to the immune system and genetics are thought of as triggers for the onset of the disease. Ultimately, psoriatic arthritis is characterized as an inflammatory process causing a great deal of pain and swelling.

In fact, one of the indicators that shows a person has a psoriatic arthritis problem is when they feel pain and experience swelling on their fingers and toes. This is what can result in what’s referred to as ’sausage’ fingers or toes.

Range of motion is also inhibited in the areas affected from psoriatic arthritis. In the morning, stiffness and fatique are common symptoms. The tendons as well as ligaments tend to swell up.

What are the options for psoriatic arthritis treatment?

See Also: What is Psoriasis Psoriatic arthritis?

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