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Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
In the medical field, health professionals have always considered psoriasis as one of the most persistent and unpredictable skin disorders. This is determined by the unusual speed at which skin cells replicate and grow up to 10 times faster than normal. When these skin cells reach the surface and die, they become a barrier and cause red plaques covered with white scales. The most common areas that are prone to psoriasis are the knees and elbows.
On the other hand, psoriatic arthritis is the experience of stiffness, swelling, pain or tenderness in the joints. This includes the tendons and ligaments around them which become more vulnerable as the human body ages. The medical literature estimates that approximately 750,000 Americans are living with psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is characteristically different from rheumatoid arthritis in that it is not related to serum rheumatoid factor and has a different pathophysiology.
Despite having a similar name, the onset of psoriasis does not necessarily lead to psoriatic arthritis, and vice versa. Doctors have struggled to establish a clear link between the two conditions. While one-third of psoriasis patients will go on to develop psoriatic arthritis, other patients may develop psoriatic arthritis before the onset of psoriasis.
The Connection Between The Two Conditions
Both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis conditions share inflammation as one of their symptoms. Under normal circumstances, inflammation is a good indication that the body is functioning properly. When inflammation occurs, it sends a signal to the immune system that the body is under attack and more reinforcements are needed to help fight this unwanted invader. However, in conditions such as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the prevalence of inflammation is excessive and dangerous because it causes the immune system to attack the body without any harmful attack.
As mentioned above, the healthcare industry has yet to fully identify a clear cause-and-effect relationship between the two conditions. Nonetheless, patients with severe psoriasis are more prone to developing psoriatic arthritis. Both conditions can be exacerbated before they go away on their own. From a genetic standpoint, every 2 out of 5 patients with psoriatic arthritis have a reported relative with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.
The Difference Between The Two Conditions
Although the presence of one of these conditions may lead to the prevalence of another, no single physical characteristic can help a doctor predict its presence. For example, the symptoms of psoriasis on the knees are not always the same as the development of psoriatic arthritis in the same areas. Likewise, joint pain or swelling of the elbow does not mean psoriasis will develop along those areas as well.
The severity of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is also fundamentally different. Psoriasis does not cause permanent damage or scarring of the skin. This is an advanced skin renewal process that causes some degree of irritation and discomfort. In contrast, psoriatic arthritis is known to cause permanent damage to the joints, leaving permanent damage such as stiffness and deformity if proper treatment is not applied.
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Treatment for Psoriasis
Once it has been established that the temporary effects of psoriasis, various treatment alternatives are available to help relieve the symptoms quickly. Doctors usually recommend salicylic acid or steroid-based creams to help relieve inflammation and prevent overproduction of skin cells.
However, it should be noted that these medications are strong chemical formulations that can cause adverse side effects if not applied as prescribed.
Treatment for Psoriatic Arthritis
Treatment of psoriatic arthritis is more complicated because it has the potential to cause permanent joint damage. Some patients have found that normal joint pain treatment both are effective in relieving the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, given the similarities between the two conditions.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are highly recommended by doctors and trusted by patients to help treat this condition. Most notably, these drugs are easily available without a prescription at any pharmacy.
Apart from traditional medicine, there are also many health supplements available in the market that can help reduce the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis effectively. This health supplement is specially formulated to help treat psoriatic arthritis problems. For example, Omega XL review has generated some positive attention as many reviewers have expressed their satisfaction with the product.
As well as helping prevent the onset of psoriatic arthritis, it may also help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, it is advised not to use the product without consulting your doctor.
Conclusion
The uncharted territory of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis means that healthcare professionals must tread carefully to prevent further aggravation of either condition. This urgent need is more common for psoriatic arthritis, given its potential to leave permanent damage to joints. Although the causal link between the two conditions remains unclear, doctors have been able to prescribe effective treatments for either psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Ultimately, the prevalence of this condition must be managed appropriately with appropriate care to prevent further discomfort to daily lifestyle routines.
Reference
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3008384/
https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/joint-pain
http://www.semarthritisrheumatism.com/article/0049-0172(73)90035-8/abstrak
http://www.webmd.com/arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis/link-between-psoriasis-and-psoriatic-arthritis
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/understanding-psoriasis-basics?page=2
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psoriasis
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/basics/definition/con-20030838
http://www.webmd.com/arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis-treatment
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/understanding-psoriasis-treatment
http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/psoriatic-arthritis/treatment.php
