What is psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of rheumatism. People with this disease have inflamed joints (arthritis) and red, scaly patches on the skin (psoriasis).
It varies by person how the symptoms begin. You can get suddenly suffer from severe symptoms. Whether you have only mild symptoms that slowly get worse. In many people, the disease does not ring. The complaints over the years than ever what worse. But in a small number of people the disease will take over. Sometimes due to treatment with medication, sometimes by itself.
It is not known exactly how psoriatic arthritis arises. What is clear is that something goes wrong in the body's immune system.
Psoriatic arthritis occurs only in people who have psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin disease. About 1 in 20 people with psoriasis will get psoriatic arthritis in there. The disease is more common in women than in men. Most people are between twenty and thirty years old when the disease is established.
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease.
Psoriatic arthritis symptoms
The main symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include joint pain, stiffness, fatigue and red, scaly patches on the skin. Some people are harassed by their joints, others have especially skin problems.
An inflamed joint hurts and is swollen. The skin is usually red and warm. In psoriatic arthritis may become infected almost all joints. Usually it is a finger, a toe, an elbow or a knee.
An inflamed finger can bend difficult. The finger hurts. An inflamed toe is thick and red. Running with an inflamed toe hurts, especially if you turn off the foot. Furthermore, it is an inflamed joint is often stiff. Therefore, you can not move properly. When an inflamed knee you so stiff walk. It is hard to stretch your legs if you have been sitting for some time. You will notice when you stand: that hurts and is difficult.
Some people with psoriatic arthritis have an eye infection. That happens when the eyes are too dry. Drip with artificial tears helps then.
Furthermore, many people with psoriatic arthritis often tired.
What causes psoriatic arthritis?
It is not known exactly how psoriatic arthritis arises. What is clear is that something goes wrong in the body's immune system. The immune system destroys germs are coming into the body, such as viruses and bacteria. Sometimes this system is malfunctioning. It destroys healthy cells of the body. In psoriatic arthritis, which are cells in the skin and in the joints. It is not clear why this happens.
In some families, psoriatic arthritis more frequently than in others. It is not known whether the disease is inherited. A child of someone with psoriatic arthritis have a slightly increased risk of also developing the disease.
The diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis by a physician
People with psoriatic arthritis all have different symptoms. And the symptoms are also common in other diseases. Therefore, it may be long before it is diagnosed.
Your doctor will ask you what symptoms you have and exactly how long. They will also examine whether you have inflamed joints. An inflamed joint is swollen and the skin is red and hot. You may already know that you have psoriasis. If not, the doctor will check if you have red and scaly patches on your skin.
You can get these studies:
- Blood test. In your blood to see if there is inflammation in your body. Such inflammation can occur with various diseases, and therefore does not come by psoriatic arthritis. It is an indication that your body is sick. Further research your doctor if you have rheumatoid factors in your blood. These substances occur only in people with certain forms of rheumatism. People with psoriatic arthritis usually do not have rheumatoid factors in the blood. So if the doctor finds these substances in your blood, you may have a different form of rheumatism. You will be further investigated.
- Radiographs. Psoriatic arthritis can cause changes in the joints. That only happens when someone already has many years of the disease. These changes can be seen on radiographs. If you have long been problems, your doctor may decide to x-rays.
Treatment for psoriatic arthritis
It is not possible to cure psoriatic arthritis. Still, you get medication. These make sure you have less pain and keep your joints longer.
What medications can you get?
- Ordinary painkillers such as paracetamol.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Special rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). You will need to a rheumatologist, doctor writes mostly not.
- Hormones that cause the immune system works less hard (corticosteroids).
- Medications biological agents (biologicals). These drugs allow the immune system to stop destroying its own healthy cells. The doctor prescribes these drugs not. You need to make to a specialist.
In addition to medication movement is very important. You should keep in good shape, for example by regularly walking, swimming in warm water and do exercises. Also make sure that you have enough rest. A physical therapist can help you with exercises.
Finally, you need to protect your joints well. An occupational therapist can help. You might use tools or do some things different.
Precepts in psoriatic arthritis
What can you do to minimize the burden to have psoriatic arthritis?
- Don't stay too long in one posture, sitting or lying down. You charge your joints namely extra heavy if you have long in the same position.
- Move enough, but also enough rest.
- Some people like to a ijspakking on an inflamed joint. This can be up to 20 minutes. Make sure that the ijspakking not directly on your skin; for example, put a towel in between.
- Other people find heat just more enjoyable. Then a warm shower or a warm bath help to relieve the symptoms. There are also heat wraps. Use that is not quite as your joint is inflamed, because heat can make the inflammation worse. Ask your doctor for advice if necessary.
- You can use a pain relieving cream. Be careful with creams that induce heat use if your joint very inflamed.