Several individuals are presently battling with the brutal effects of Psoriatic arthritis. Read this article for more information on the disease.

Psoriatic Arthritis

When one is struck by an agonizing inflammation of the skin, and a severe chronic pain in and around the joints, chances are he or she is suffering from psoriatic arthritis. As many as 2% of the Caucasians in United States are already saddled down with psoriasis, the nasty skin infection, and is quickly spreading all around the globe. Around 10% of the patients afflicted with psoriasis are highly prone to psoriatic arthritis, which affects the elbow tips, the scalp, the navel, and around the genital areas. Rashes are predominant amongst victims of this disease, which develops over a period of years. Psoriatic arthritis mostly occurs amongst people aged between 30-40 years, and less amongst the juvenile. A doctor needs to review the patient’s family history, and connect the dots. The signs of the disease’s prevalence may not be definite as it initially appears as an unspecified arthritis with Rheumatoid factor negative. However, psoriatic arthritis inflicts unbearable pain, and must be given immediate attention so that the individual can continue to live a happy and normal life that he or she deserves. Keep reading to know more on the causes, symptoms and treatment of this dreadful disease.

Causes And Symptoms Of Psoriatic Arthritis

Causes
 
There is no crystal-clear cause which can be ascribed to the onslaught of psoriatic arthritis. Nevertheless, a detrimental cocktail of genetic, immune, and environmental factors have an infamous track record of resulting in the development of psoriatic arthritis. 50 % of the patients with psoriatic arthritis who simultaneously are afflicted with severe arthritis of the spine possess a gene marker named HLA-B27. The HLA-B27 gene can now be identified by a series of specialized blood tests. A few mutations in the immune system like the decline in the number of immune cells called helper T cells in people with AIDS often play a role in the development and progression of the disease.
 
Symptoms
  • Those suffering from this ailment will observe an inflammation in the knees, ankles, and joints in the feet. Usually, only a few joints are inflamed at a time, and they are painful, swollen, hot, and red.
  • Inflammation in the joints of the fingers and toes cause swelling of the entire digit making them look like “sausages”.
  • Excruciating inflammation of the spine (spondylitis) and the sacrum is commonly observed in these cases. These setbacks are accompanied by pain and stiffness in the lower back, buttocks, neck, and upper back.
  • Inflammation of the tendons and around the cartilage is a familiar symptom triggered by psoriatic arthritis. Inflammation of the tendon behind the heel, known as Achilles tendinitis, incites extreme spasms when walking.
  • Acne as well as pitting and ridges in fingernails are frequently witnessed amongst patients with psoriatic arthritis. The changes in the nails occur within a minority while the acne is evident among the majority of these patients.
  • Psoriatic arthritis can also cause inflammation in the iris causing iritis, a painful condition that can be aggravated by bright light as the iris controls the opening and closing of the pupil.
  • Inflammation in and around the lungs (pleuritis) which causes chest pain preceded by heavy breathing and shortness of breath is a distinctive symptom.
  • Inflammation of the aorta (aortitis) causes leakage of the aortic valves which often provokes cardiac arrest.

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