Psoriatic arthritis is a specific kind of joint pain related to the skin condition called psoriasis that involves scaling of the skin. Psoriatic arthritis can appear before or after the initial psoriasis condition, but either way, it is one of those degenerative conditions where there is no quick cure, but rather, many tips for patients who have to learn to live with varying degrees of this condition over time.
Just like with any other type of arthritis, dealing with psoriatic arthritis often requires a combination of doctor-recommended treatments, pain management and general home care. Following some general health tips often helps mitigate the effects of psoriatic arthritis, while qualified doctors can provide specific medical treatment recommendations based on a patient’s particular condition.
Ways to Treat Psoriatic Arthritis
One of the most common pharmaceutical recommendations for psoriatic arthritis involves nonprescription anti-inflammatory drugs. In other words, your first line of defense may be a handful of Advil. Doctors will consult on how often to take these pills and how this should be approached long-term.
For long term cases of psoriatic arthritis, your doctor may prescribe injections of what’s called corticosteroids, but be sure to ask about the side effects and risks for this kind of drug. There are also drugs called immunosuppressants that, while helpful in treating psoriatic arthritis, can have some very troubling side effects. Think carefully about these kinds of treatments in consultation with your doctor before taking these aggressive drugs.
Living with Psoriatic Arthritis: Care Tips
In general, helping to alleviate some of the effects of psoriatic arthritis goes along with practicing good overall physical fitness and wellness. When you maintain a good body weight and good physical fitness practices, it can lower the risks of more debilitating psoriatic arthritis. A good diet can also help. That means loading up on foods with vitamins and minerals that can aid the body in managing the effects of psoriatic arthritis. Some people also take fish oil supplements or compounds called glucosamine and chondroitin, where a mix of bovine cartilage or other elements can assist with different kinds of arthritis and joint conditions.
In addition, lots of patients practice pain management for psoriatic arthritis and other conditions with the application of hot and cold packs. Heating or cooling parts of your body can help out when conditions like psoriatic arthritis temporarily flare up and cause excessive pain or disability. It also helps not to overwork your body on any given day. Know your physical limits to avoid some of the worst temporary attacks of arthritis.
A combination of lifestyle changes and medical treatments can make living with psoriatic arthritis a reasonable proposition. Making sure that the effects of this kind of condition get better, not worse, over time requires knowing a lot about physical and nutritional science, and possibly implementing some changes in how you work, eat and live every day. Always consult with your doctor prior to any home remedies or other informal treatments to make sure that your combination of strategies will be complimentary and provide good results for limiting the pain and other symptoms of this dermatology related arthritis.
