Psoriatic arthritis treatments are created to help alleviate and lessen the frequency of the symptoms of this painful disease.
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic condition that is considered to be one of the most common types of inflammatory arthritis. The disease primarily starts out as a chronic skin condition called psoriasis. Five to thirty percent of the patients who have this kind of skin disease were reported to develop psoriatic arthritis.
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This type of arthritis is a very painful disease that can produce dactylitis (sausage-like swelling of the fingers and toes), nail pitting, and Plantar fasciitis - which will eventually lead to immobility. Just like all the other types of arthritis, there is no cure for the disease. However, if you want to know what these treatments are, read on and find out.
Anti inflammatory Drugs
Since the underlying cause of this condition is inflammation, anti-inflammatory drugs are one of the primary options for treatment. The common anti-inflammatory meds prescribed to psoriatic arthritis patients are the NSAIDs or the Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs such as Naproxen and Ibuprofen. However, doctors highly discourage long-term use of the drug since this can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding and damage to the cardiovascular system and the kidneys.
Biological Response Modifiers
Biological response modifiers are considered to be one of the newest kinds of treatments for this disorder. The treatment makes use of recombinant DNA technology. Biological medications are cultured from actual living cells in the laboratory and are introduced into patients through intravenous infusion or IVs. However, biological response modifiers can also lead to other equally serious conditions such as cancer and other types of blood and nervous system disorders.
Anti rheumatic Drugs
These kinds of drugs have the ability to limit the damages that are caused by psoriatic arthritis. Anti-rheumatic drugs act very, very slowly and can show their effects several weeks or even months after taking the drug. These psoriatic arthritis treatments can also help alleviate associated skin symptoms and reduce pain and discomfort. Side effects of the drug can include liver and kidney complications. And because this is an immunosuppressant drug, it can also leave the patient defenseless and more prone to infections and opportunistic diseases.
Corticosteroid Injections
This treatment involves inserting a hypodermic needle to deliver an anti-inflammatory agent directly on to the inflamed joint. The most common anti-inflammatory agents used for this procedure are the corticosteroids.Orthopedic Surgery
This is considered to be a last resort for patients with psoriatic arthritis. Orthopedic surgery is generally done to correct the destruction or deformation of the joints. This normally involves a joint replacement procedure where the deformed joint is replaced with an orthopedic prosthesis. Psoriatic arthritis treatments like these are very effective in alleviating pain and reinforcing the damaged or deformed joints.
Exercise is seen as the only natural option among all the psoriatic arthritis treatments available to patients today. Studies have revealed that
regular exercise can help in strengthening the muscles around the affected area and improving joint mobility and range.
Although options for
treatment are varied, it is very important that patients get proper medical guidance first before taking any of these drugs. So visit your doctor and ask for the best and the most effective treatment for your condition.
