Arthritis Cure Information and Tips
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Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic Arthritis is a combination of Psoriasis and Arthritis. Psoriasis is the inflammation of skin while Arthritis is the inflammation of Joints. More than 80% of people suffering from psoriasis also develop arthritis. While less than 15% of people having arthritis are prone to psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a chronic disease in which skin develops thickened red and white scaly patches on tips of elbows and knees, between fingers, toes, on scalp and on crotch. In some patients nails become pitted or may detach from skin. On the other hand Arthritis is the inflammation of joints arising due to WBC infecting synovium and cartilage. When a patient suffers from psoriasis for very long time, it is very likely that he also develops arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis is a systematic rheumatic disease which may propagate slowly or fast and can attack only one joint or many joints at the same time. Psoriatic arthritis can also affect tissues surrounding the joints including tendons and ligaments. When tendons become inflamed, fingers and toes get swelled, this is called dactylitis. This unglamorous disease can even cause inflammation away from skin such as in eyes, lungs, heart or kidneys. Occasionally spondylitis may also result due to psoriatic arthritis, causing pain in the back and neck.
As with Arthritis and Psoriasis, exact cause for psoriatic arthritis is still unknown. Genetic heredity, environmental bacterial infection or anemic history is considered to be the main reasons. It is found both in men and women of all races and ethnicity equally. This disease develops mostly between 20 to 50 years of age, but it is also diagnosed in some children too.
Psoriatic arthritis is treated with non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Disease Modifying Drugs (DMDs). But patients are actually benefited fast with self help treatment and physiotherapy. Occupational therapist can also help these patients by protecting joints from further damage, wrist splints and special equipments is used for this purpose. Regular guided exercises using heat and cold treatments also relief patients immediately from severe joint pains.
People should take proper skin care to avoid this dreadful disease. Keep your skin from getting dry by using creams and lotions, avoid applying hard soaps and use humidifier during winter, as they say precaution is far better than cure.