Symptoms, Treatments and How to Live with Psoriatic Arthritis
Image Source: FreeImages
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease that causes your joints to become inflamed and painful. If you have psoriatic arthritis, your immune system attacks the outer coating of the joints in your hands, feet and elbows. As a result, they become thickened and painful. The inflammation can also spread to other parts of the body, making it difficult for you to move. Depending on where the joint pain is worst, you might also have swelling in your fingers or toes, or joint deformity (swelling). In addition to joint pain, you may experience swelling and redness all over your body due to inflammation. Although there is no cure for psoriatic arthritis, treatment can help manage symptoms so you can live as normal a life as possible. There are several types of treatment that doctors may recommend depending on your symptoms and level of arthritis activity (see below).
What Is Psoriatic Arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis occurs when the joints in your hands, feet and elbows become inflamed. The inflammation may spread to other parts of your body. This causes swelling and pain as you move or try to bend or stretch. Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects the skin. It’s also known as spondyloarthropathies because it commonly affects the spine, sacroiliac joints, the joints of your lower back, and the joints at the base of your fingers and toes. Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means that your immune system attacks healthy tissue such as the joints in your hands, feet and elbows. It also causes inflammation of your spine and lowers back, deforming joints and causing muscle spasms. Psoriatic arthritis is sometimes called systemic or extramedullary arthritis because it affects multiple joints.
Treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis
A variety of medications can help ease your pain and inflammation. You may be prescribed a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen sodium (Aleve), or aspirin. Or, you may be prescribed a corticosteroid, such as hydrocortisone or prednisone. Your doctor may also suggest physical therapy or acupuncture. While these treatments can be helpful, you should know that they don’t cure psoriatic arthritis. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms. You’ll need to try different medications or therapies, and continue with them for long periods of time until you find the ones that work best for you.
Self-Care Tips for Living With Psoriatic Arthritis
– Manage stress – While the condition itself may feel stressful, stress can contribute to joint pain and inflammation. Try to reduce your stress by practising relaxation techniques, getting enough sleep and incorporating healthy habits, like exercise, into your daily routine. – Maintain good hydration – Proper hydration can help to restore your energy and reduce joint pain and stiffness. – Maintain good nutrition – A healthy diet can improve your energy levels and help to maintain a healthy weight. A diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and legumes can help to lower inflammation levels in the body. – Keep your hands clean – When washing dishes, your hands are exposed to harmful bacteria. Washing your hands between each task can help to prevent bacterial infections. – Use hand sanitisers frequently when you’re away from home. – Use a hand splint when possible to protect your joints while you’re immobile. – Wear supportive shoes when possible to help to prevent injuries. – Use cold packs on your joints when they’re swollen and painful.
Coping Strategies for Living With Psoriatic Arthritis
– Focus on your treatment – Treatment options can vary among doctors and may include a variety of medications and therapies. It’s important to find the ones that work best for you. Be sure to follow your doctor’s treatment plan carefully. – Raise awareness – Psoriatic arthritis is a condition that many people are unfamiliar with. You can help to educate people about the condition by sharing your experiences and educating others about the signs, symptoms and treatments. – Focus on quality of life – While you might have pain, you can still lead an active, healthy life with the right treatment, self-care and coping strategies. Make sure to focus on reducing your stress, maintaining good hydration, maintaining good nutrition and staying active.
How to Manage Joint Pain with Psoriatic arthritis
– Rest your joints – Resting your joints will reduce pain and help to restore joint function. – Ice your joints – When your joints are painful, you can use an ice pack or a cold compress to reduce the swelling and pain. Make sure to change out the ice pack so that it doesn’t get wet and become contaminated. – Elevate your joints – Make your bed a sitting position by elevating the mattress with pillows or by using a rolling table. These positions can help to reduce joint pain and lower your risk of injuries. – Manage your pain – When your joints are in pain, you should try to manage your pain by trying to relax your muscles and breathing slowly and deeply.
Diet and Nutrition for Psoriatic Arthritis
– Eat a balanced diet – A healthy diet is rich in fruits, vegetables and legumes. – Include protein and iron-rich foods – Rich sources of protein and iron include lean meats, fish, eggs and fortified cereals. – Limit sugar, processed foods and alcohol – Limit sugar and processed foods, which are high in carbs, and alcohol, which are high in sugar and calories. – Choose healthy fats – Healthy fats, such as fish oil, can help to improve your blood lipid profile, which can reduce your chances of developing heart disease and diabetes. – Avoid refined grains – Refined grains like white bread, white rice and sugary snacks can spike your blood sugar levels, which can damage your blood vessels and increase your risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.
Conclusion
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease that causes your joints to become inflamed and painful. If you have psoriatic arthritis, your immune system attacks the outer coating of the joints in your hands, feet and elbows. As a result, they become thickened and painful. The inflammation can also spread to other parts of the body, making it difficult for you to move. Depending on where the joint pain is worst, you might also have swelling in your fingers or toes, or joint deformity (swelling). In addition to joint pain, you may experience swelling and redness all over your body due to inflammation. Although there is no cure for psoriatic arthritis, treatment can help manage symptoms so you can live as normal a life as possible. There are several types of treatment that doctors may recommend depending on your symptoms and level of arthritis activity.
Immunosuppressants and Glucocorticoids For Psoriatic Arthritis
Those who suffer from Psoriatic arthritis have a few options available when it comes to treating the symptoms. One option involves using immunosuppressants and glucocorticoids to control the symptoms. However, there are also some side effects associated with these treatments.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Several studies have suggested a connection between psoriatic arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A 2017 study by researchers at the New York University School of Medicine found that patients with both disorders have a higher risk of developing Crohn’s disease.
Both conditions involve chronic inflammation, which can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. It is caused by an overactive immune system, which attacks healthy tissue. This can result in a rash, redness, warmth, and pain. Affected joints may also be red and painful.
Inflammatory bowel disease is a common medical problem that affects over 2.5 million people in Europe and Asia. It can be treated with a special diet. In addition, patients can undergo surgery to remove the diseased bowel. This is usually a permanent cure.
Symptoms of IBD include diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Inflammation can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach, small intestine, and colon. Surgical removal of the diseased bowel can relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
In addition to the GI tract, inflammation can occur in the eyes, skin, and joints. The immune system is activated to fight the bacteria. This inflammation can lead to several conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis.
There are several treatments for IBD, including NSAIDs. These drugs may be helpful for relieving bowel symptoms. However, they can cause heartburn, indigestion, and bleeding from the stomach.
Glucocorticoid injections
Glucocorticoid injections for psoriatic arthritis are an effective treatment for painful inflammatory arthritis, but they come with some potential side effects. Long-term use of corticosteroids can increase the risk of osteoporosis and ulcers, and they can also cause cataracts and blood pressure issues. Taking oral versions of steroids may increase the risk of developing diabetes.
Glucocorticoid injections are typically used to relieve acute pain, but they are also a part of an overall treatment plan for arthritis. Injections are usually given under the skin, but higher doses can be injected into muscles. A doctor will also take a look at the x-rays of your joints to see if there is any inflammation.
Some biological drugs, such as adalimumab, may be used to treat psoriatic arthritis. These medications block the body’s immune system from attacking the joints. These drugs may also be used in combination with NSAIDs.
Biological agents are more expensive than other types of medicine, so they are often reserved for patients who cannot tolerate high doses of DMARDs. They can work in as little as two weeks. However, they are often prescribed for three months and can be expensive. If they are not effective, the doctor will suggest another kind of biological therapy.
Other options for psoriatic arthritis include topical treatments, such as creams and lotions. Some patients also use ultraviolet light to treat the skin component of the disease.
Immunosuppressants
Fortunately, there are immunosuppressants for psoriatic arthritis that can relieve your pain and help you to manage the symptoms of this disease. If you have psoriatic arthritis, you may be experiencing joint pain, redness, blurred vision, and swelling. You should also be aware that if your condition is severe, you could experience permanent damage to your joints. You should speak with your doctor about your options.
These drugs are called biologics, and they target certain proteins in the immune system. They are used to control an overactive response to infection and inflammation. They are often considered the first line of treatment for psoriatic arthritis. However, they can cause side effects and are not for everyone.
TNF inhibitors, another class of biologics, block inflammatory proteins that are released by the immune system. They may increase your risk for certain infections. They should be avoided if you have heart failure, high blood pressure, or any other health problems. They can also increase your risk for cancer.
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can also be used to treat psoriatic arthritis. They are usually effective within hours. They can be taken with an antacid. Besides reducing pain, they can also stop the body from making a chemical that causes inflammation. They are usually used as oral medication.
Cyclosporine, another type of drug, calms the immune system and helps to prevent inflammation. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat psoriatic arthritis. You should be monitored for kidney function and high cholesterol when taking this medication.
TNF-alpha inhibitors
Currently, there are five approved TNF-alpha inhibitors for psoriatic arthritis: ustekinumab, infliximab, certolizumab pegol, golimumab, and etanercept. While all of these agents are effective for psoriatic arthritis, they are not suitable for everyone with the condition. Hence, there is a need for alternatives to the existing TNF-alpha inhibitors.
A recent FDA advisory committee meeting addressed the question of whether ustekinumab is an effective and cost-effective treatment option for people with psoriatic arthritis who have not previously received a TNF-alpha inhibitor. The committee noted that the cost-effectiveness of ustekinumab depends on assumptions, which are subject to considerable uncertainty.
Among the key assumptions that the Committee considered were those regarding the natural history of psoriatic arthritis. The committee also discussed the utility equation. The committee concluded that the long-term data available on psoriatic arthritis is important.
The company presented their analyses of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ustekinumab in people with psoriatic arthritis who had not been exposed to TNF-alpha inhibitors. They compared ustekinumab with conventional management. They used the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disease Index (HAQ-DI) as an outcome measure. The HAQ-DI score was the most sensitive to changes in psoriatic arthritis (PsARC) response and the proportion of PsARC response. The HAQ-DI rebound effect, however, did not occur immediately. It could take six to twelve months before the rebound effect is significant. The costs of ustekinumab were calculated using ICER and the HAQ-DI.
Side effects of DMARDs
DMARDs for psoriatic arthritis work to reduce inflammation, decrease pain, and slow the progression of the disease. These drugs are usually given with other medications to provide comprehensive treatment for the disease. However, they can also have some adverse effects.
In some cases, DMARDs can cause serious side effects, especially when taken with other medicines. It is important to know how to identify these problems and what to do when they occur.
Common side effects include diarrhoea, nausea, and mouth sores. These medications should not be used if you have liver problems or kidney conditions. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor.
The use of DMARDs may increase your risk of developing infections. You should not take DMARDs while you are pregnant. They can also increase your risk of heart and kidney problems. Some of these side effects can be reversible, and most are rare.
DMARDs for psoriatic diseases can help slow the progression of the disease, preventing permanent damage to your joints. These medications can be taken once or twice a day. However, it can take several weeks before they start to work. During this time, your prescriber may adjust your dose.
A growing number of treatments are available to lessen your pain and allow your joints to move in the right way. Getting the best treatment for your condition can prevent the disease from getting worse. It’s a good idea to discuss all of your medical and drug history with your doctor before beginning any therapy.
Treatment options
Depending on your symptoms, a treatment plan may include medication, surgery or a combination of both. The treatment may also involve a team of doctors and specialists. If your joint inflammation is severe, you may need joint replacement surgery. However, most people do not require surgery.
Medications can help relieve joint pain and improve your quality of life. You may also consider changes in your lifestyle. These can include losing weight, exercising and maintaining a healthy diet. These methods can also increase the flexibility of your joints.
A type of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) is an injectable or oral medication that works to reduce the inflammation in your joints. DMARDs may be used in conjunction with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to improve your overall psoriatic arthritis treatment.
These types of medications can take months to fully work. If your disease does not improve, you may need to change your medications. It is important to update your healthcare provider when your symptoms change.
Biologic DMARDs target specific parts of your immune system that cause inflammation. These can be given as injections at your doctor’s office or by oral medication.
TNF inhibitors are a class of biological agents that can reduce inflammation in your joints. They are commonly given by injection. Other TNF inhibitors are approved for use in psoriatic arthritis, including adalimumab (Humira) and etanercept (Enbrel).
A corticosteroid is a drug that reduces inflammation in your body. They can be administered in a topical or injectable form. These drugs are effective in reducing inflammation in one particular joint.
Additional info on:
Psoriatic arthritis – Mayo Clinic
https://www.arthritis.org