Learn about the basics about psoriatic arthritis symptoms, causes, and treatment.
Psoriaticarthritis (PsA) is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation of theskin and joints, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling in affected areas. Itoften accompanies psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune skin disease.
PsA's symptoms can affect variousbody parts and range from mild to severe. Key signs include:
● Joint pain, stiffness, andswelling.
● Swollen fingers and toes,resembling a sausage-like swelling.
● Foot pain, particularly at theback of the heel or sole.
● Lower back pain due tospondylitis.
● Nail changes, including dents andcrumbling.
● Eye inflammation, potentiallyleading to vision loss if untreated.
.png)
PsAoccurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells andtissues, causing joint inflammation and overproduction of skin cells. Bothgenetic and environmental factors seem to play a role, with many patientshaving a family history of psoriasis or PsA.
Factors increasing the risk ofdeveloping PsA include:
● Having psoriasis.
● Family history of PsA.
● Age, with most cases occurring inadults between 30 and 55 years.
Treatment aims to control symptomsand prevent joint damage, involving a combination of medications and non-drugtherapies. Medications may include:
● NSAIDs for mild inflammation andpain.
● Biologics, particularly for severePsA.
● Disease-modifying antirheumaticdrugs (DMARDs).
● Corticosteroids for quickinflammation relief.
● Topical treatments for skinplaques and nail changes.
Non-drug therapies includeexercise, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, stressrelief, a healthy diet, and potentially acupuncture.
.png)
This blog provides an overviewbased on information from the CDC, Mayo Clinic, and the Arthritis Foundation.For a personalized understanding and treatment plan, it is recommended toconsult healthcare professionals.
Running a business is tough enough. Providing your team with the care they need to succeed shouldn’t be.
Ready to Join
