Lifestyle And Home Remedies
- Protect your joints. Changing how you do everyday tasks can make a difference in how you feel. For example, use gadgets such as jar openers to twist the lids from jars, lift heavy objects with both hands and push doors open with your whole body instead of just your hands.
- Maintain a healthy weight. This places less strain on your joints, leading to reduced pain and increased energy and mobility. Losing weight if needed can also help your medications work better. Some psoriatic arthritis medications are less effective in people who are overweight.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise can help keep your joints flexible and your muscles strong. Types of exercises that are less stressful on joints include biking, swimming, walking, yoga and tai chi.
- Stop smoking. Smoking is associated with a higher risk of developing psoriasis and with more-severe symptoms of psoriasis.
- Limit alcohol use. Alcohol can decrease the effectiveness of your treatment and increase side effects from some medications, such as methotrexate.
- Pace yourself. Battling pain and inflammation can leave you exhausted. In addition, some arthritis medications can cause fatigue. Don’t stop being active, but rest before you become too tired. Divide exercise or work activities into short segments. Find times to relax throughout the day.
Pregnancy Fertility And Breastfeeding
Psoriatic arthritis wont affect your chances of having children. But if youre thinking of starting a family, its important to discuss your drug treatment with a doctor well in advance. If you become pregnant unexpectedly, talk to your rheumatology department as soon as possible.
The following treatments must be avoided when trying to start a family, during pregnancy and when breastfeeding:
- retinoid tablets and creams.
Theres growing evidence that some other drugs for psoriatic arthritis are safe to take during pregnancy. Your rheumatology department will be able to tell you which ones.
It will help if you try for a baby when your arthritis is under control.
Its also important that your arthritis is kept under control as much as possible during pregnancy. A flare-up of your arthritis during pregnancy can be harmful for you and your baby.
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis can run in families. If you have either condition, you could pass on genes that may increase your childrens risk though its difficult to predict.
As treatments continue to improve, people with psoriatic arthritis in years to come can expect a better outlook. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor.
Weight Loss Associated With Improvement In Psoriatic Arthritis
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Patients with psoriatic arthritis and obesity had lower disease activity with a very low energy liquid diet, according to a study published in Arthritis Research & Therapy.
Obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and the metabolic syndrome are overrepresented in both psoriasis and PsA, and the patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity,Eva Klingberg, MD, and colleagues wrote.
At baseline, 46 patients with PsA and 52 control subjects started the very low energy liquid diet .
The VLED provides a mixture of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, with added recommended doses of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and essential fatty acids, in powder formulas that require mixing with hot or cold water before consumption as shakes or soups, the authors wrote.
Participants took the VLED four times per day, for a daily intake of 640 kcal. Food was reintroduced gradually over 12 weeks, with subjects receiving individual dietary advice for weight stability.
Median weight loss at 12 months from baseline was 16.1% in 39 patients with PsA, and at 24 months from baseline, 7.4% in 35 patients.
Patients with minimal disease activity increased from 28.2% at baseline to 38.5% at 12 months and 45.7% at 24 months, showing a significant association with weight loss.
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When To Get Medical Advice
See a GP if you have persistent pain, swelling or stiffness in your joints even if you have not been diagnosed with psoriasis.
If you’ve been diagnosed with psoriasis, you should have check-ups at least once a year to monitor your condition. Make sure you let the doctor know if you’re experiencing any problems with your joints.
Visiting A Hematologist Per My Doctors Recommendations
After another six months, I mentioned the swollen nodes again to my rheumatologist and this time he recommended that I see a hematologist since they are experts on blood and lymph system disorders. Little did I know that hematologists are also oncologists doctors who treat cancers. That sent the stress level up a bit since I knew that biologics and other immune-suppressing treatments for RA were linked to higher levels of lymphoma. But I knew that the connection was slight and that helped ease the worry.
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Even Without Psoriasis Psa Causes Other Painful Symptoms
Skin psoriasis causes itching, burning, and sensitive skin. But other PsA symptoms can greatly affect your quality of life as well.
- I have very little psoriasis, but plenty of body aches and pains . . . oh, and fatigue!
- My joint pain is horrendous!
- I do not have psoriasis, but I do suffer constant dermatitis.
- No psoriasis, just a lot of pain.
Treatments For The Arthritis
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can reduce pain, but they might not be enough to treat symptoms of psoriatic arthritis for everyone.
Some people find that NSAIDs work well at first but become less effective after afew weeks. If this happens, itmight help to try a different NSAID.
There are about 20 different NSAIDs available, including ibuprofen, etoricoxib, etodolac and naproxen.
Like all drugs, NSAIDs can have side effects. Your doctor will reduce the risk ofthese, by prescribing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible period of time.
NSAIDs can sometimes cause digestive problems, such as stomach upsets, indigestion or damage to the lining of the stomach. You may also be prescribed a drug called a proton pump inhibitor , such as omeprazole or lansoprazole, to help protect the stomach.
For some people, NSAIDs can increase the risk of heart attacks or strokes. Although this increased risk is small, your doctor will be cautious about prescribing NSAIDs ifthere are other factors that may increase your overall risk, for example, smoking, circulation problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
Some people have found that taking NSAIDs made their psoriasis worse. Tell your doctor if this happens to you.
Steroid treatment
Steroid injections into a joint can reduce pain and swelling, but the effects do wear off after a few months.
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
Biological therapies
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Psa Without Psoriasis Can Delay An Accurate Diagnosis
PsA and psoriasis often coexist. For this reason, doctors may use visible psoriasis as a way to reach a PsA diagnosis.1,2
But not everyone will have psoriasis. This can delay an accurate diagnosis. Many people may go years without getting clear answers.1
- I have no psoriasis. It took many years and visits to my doctor to get a diagnosis.
- I have PsA without psoriasis. I was finally diagnosed 2 years ago after arguing with my doctor, who told me that with the joint pain, foot pain, fatigue, brain fog, etc., I just needed to lose weight. I went to a new rheumatologist, and she confirmed the PsA.
- I don’t have much psoriasis at all, and when I started aching everywhere, I researched it and told my doctor that I think I have psoriatic arthritis. He said, No way, your psoriasis isn’t advanced enough. This obviously delayed my diagnosis by some time. I refuse to see that doctor now.
- I dont have psoriasis, but I have psoriatic arthritis. It took a long time to figure out what was wrong with me, but my doctor nor my husband would give up until I was diagnosed. I guess if you have to have this disease, it is a blessing not having the skin issues.
- It took a lifetime literally to get a diagnosis. I would tell doctors that everything hurt and I was so tired I couldnt get much done. Finally, in my late 40s, a doctor listened and sent me to a rheumatologist. I was finally diagnosed around 15 years ago.
Arthritis Medications And Hair Loss
Certain medications to treat arthritis can cause hair loss. Learn what to do.
People with autoimmune conditions, such asrheumatoid arthritis and lupus, can experience hair loss as a troubling symptom of their disease. Other times though, the cause of the shedding locks could be the medications used to treat the disease.
Fortunately, hair loss from arthritis medications is not a widespread complication. Still, if your hair is an important part of your identity, its not a small matter to you.
What Medications Cause Hair Loss?
Methotrexate: The most commonly prescribed disease-modifying antirheumatic drug for rheumatoid arthritis, methotrexate is responsible for hair loss in about 1% to 3% of people. The hair loss happens because methotrexate is doing what its supposed to do stop cells from growing. This includes cells causing inflammation and, unfortunately, hair follicles.
Folic acid is commonly prescribed with methotrexate to alleviate some of its side effects. Taking this synthetic form of folate, a B-complex vitamin, can help keep your hair healthy, but it has not been found to promote hair growth.
Leflunomide : Another widely used DMARD for RA with the potential for hair loss is leflunomide. It often is prescribed in combination with methotrexate, and causes hair loss similar to the way methotrexate does in about 10% of users.
What to Expect from Hair Loss Side Effects
When to Talk to Your Doctor
Quick Links
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Ask Your Doctor About Your Meds
Some medications that are used to treat RA or other inflammatory arthritis conditions can impact weight, says Dr. Andrews. For example, long-term use of glucocorticoids is associated with weight gain, and several medications used for arthritic pain can also cause weight gain. If you have these side effects, talk to your doctor.
Mediterranean Diet Requires More Research
People who follow this diet get most of their fat from extra-virgin olive oil. They also eat at least two servings of vegetables and three servings of fruit every day. Each week, they eat at least three servings of fish or seafood, beans, and nuts.
All of these foods are rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients. Because psoriasis causes inflammation throughout the body, its believed that this diet could lead to less psoriasis on your skin.
Its still too early to know whether this is true. However, one large study suggests a Mediterranean diet could help people with psoriasis. In this study, 35,735 patients were asked to answer surveys about what they ate. The researchers collected in-depth information, such as how much fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, and legumes they ate.
The patients answered these in-depth surveys three times over a six-month period.
After analyzing the results, the researchers found that the patients with severe psoriasis ate few if any foods found in the Mediterranean diet.
While this may suggest that following a Mediterranean diet can lessen the amount of psoriasis on your skin, its too soon to tell. Only about 2% of the patients in this study had psoriasis. The study also relied on people being able to recall what they ate. Sometimes, it can be difficult to remember what you ate yesterday let alone weeks ago.
Takeaway: More research is needed to know how the Mediterranean diet affects psoriasis.
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Excess Weight Can Make Inflammatory Arthritis Even Worse This Advice Can Help You Shed Unwanted Pounds And Make Your Joints Feel Better Too
Dropping extra pounds can be tough enough. Add some stiff, achy joints and extra dose of fatigue to the task, and it may feel near impossible.
But with some effort, you can slim down, and heres why its important: Excess weight can make inflammatory arthritis even worse. Fat tissue releases proteins called cytokines, which cause inflammation in the body, explains Caroline A. Andrews, MD, medical weight management specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. The role of weight loss is one of many things your doctor might not tell you about managing arthritis.
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Weight Loss Can Be A Symptom Of Ra Here’s When To Worry About It
You havent intentionally changed your diet or started a new exercise routine, yet your pants are getting looser and the number on the scale keeps going down. Should you celebrate or start to worry?
While unexplained weight loss might seem like a welcome surprise , its often a red flag. Any number of conditions could turn out to be responsible for your unexplained weight loss: overactive thyroid, diabetes, cancer the list goes on and on. And yes, rheumatoid arthritis is among the diseases that can cause weight loss.
To figure out whats wrong, you and your doctor may need do some sleuthing, but weight loss probably wont be your only clue. If RA is the culprit youll likely also have painful or swollen joints, fatigue, and trouble moving certain joints. Here are common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis to be aware of.
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Why Does It Happen
A crooked little finger can be caused by a few different things. The root cause is contractions of the tendons and ligaments that are supposed to make it straight. This can happen in the womb during development or during childhood. Another cause is actual misaligned growth plates in the bones causing abnormal bone growth.
Some of the factors that lead to this are listed below:
1. Genetics
If a parent or grandparent has a crooked pinky, it may be passed on. These cases are usually seen on ultrasound during pregnancy and further genetic testing to rule out other genetic conditions can be done via amniocentesis. This is because there is speculation that a crooked finger may be a sign of another genetic condition. For the most part, a genetically linked bent pinky is benign and not related to anything else.
2. Injury
Finger and hand injuries can break the finger bones or tear the tendons that hold them straight. The pinky is a relatively small finger and subject to more injuries than the other fingers. Things like getting fingers slammed in between something heavy, sports injuries, and even a hard fall to the ground can cause crooked fingers. If this happens during childhood, the finger may not heal correctly if the growth plates become damaged. Prompt splinting of a broken finger in children can help reduce the incidence of this happening.
3. Sign of Other Conditions
4. Abnormal Growth Plates
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Obesity As A Risk Factor For Development Of Psa
Several studies have found that obese patients with psoriasis and obese patients in general have an increased risk for the development of PsA . A case control study showed that a higher reported BMI at age 18 years was associated with higher odds of PsA compared to normal-weight individuals independent of control variables . Another prospective study reported borderline association between obesity and development of PsA 2.02, 95% CI 0.974.24) . In a cohort of US Nurses Health Study II, BMI and central obesity were associated with an increased risk of incident PsA. Compared with BMI less than 25.0, the RR was 1.83 for BMI 25.029.9 kg/m2 , 3.12 for BMI 30.034.9 kg/m2, and 6.46 for BMI over 35.0 kg/m2 . The UK population-based study of more than 75,000 patients with psoriasis showed that the risk of development of PsA was higher in patients with psoriasis and obesity or morbid obesity as compared with psoriasis and BMI< 25 kg/m2. Compared with patients with psoriasis and BMI< 25 kg/m2, the RR for developing PsA was 1.09 for BMIs from 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2, 1.22 for BMIs from 30.0 to 34.9 kg/m2, and 1.48 for BMIs35.0 kg/m2 .
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What Do Real Psoriatic Arthritis Patients Have To Say
To learn from those who have PsA without psoriasis, . We asked the community, Do you live with PsA without psoriasis? Share your diagnosis story.
Close to 100 people responded with their unique diagnosis stories. A common theme was that having PsA without psoriasis delayed their diagnosis. Here is what they shared.
Changes In Your Vision Or Other Eye Issues
Any pain, redness, blurry vision, or sensitivity to light can be a major red flag. These can be symptoms of uveitis, an eye condition caused by inflammation that affects about 7 percent of people who have psoriatic arthritis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation . Uveitis occurs when the internal structures of the eye become inflamed, says Gupta, and left untreated, may result in loss of vision.
Having psoriatic arthritis alone increases your risk of developing uveitis. Whats more, if you treat your psoriatic arthritis with corticosteroids, these medications can come with debilitating side effects, including cataracts and glaucoma, Gupta notes.
Schedule regular eye exams to identify issues as soon as possible and preserve your vision.
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Dont Ignore Gastrointestinal Issues
Do you regularly experience belly cramps or diarrhea? Thats something you want to mention to your doctor. People with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis share similar genetic changesa.k.a. mutationswith people who have Crohns disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in your digestive tract. Certain medications for PsA drugs can cause IBD or make it worse. Thats why its important to talk to your doctor if you notice gastrointestinal issues, including abdominal pain or bloody stool.
How Do Causes Of Swollen Lymph Nodes Relate To Psoriasis
Lymph nodes are made up of white blood cells called lymphocytes. An illness or infection can raise the number of lymphocytes in the lymph node and cause swelling and inflammation. When lymph nodes are swollen, you may notice tenderness or pain in that area, though sometimes they can be painless.
Not much research focuses on psoriasis and swollen lymph nodes, but several causes of swollen lymph nodes could be related to psoriasis and treatments for psoriasis.
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