Psoriatic Arthritis Facts
Psoriatic arthritis is an
inflammatory joint disease associated with psoriasis, a chronic
skin disease. The symptoms of
psoriatic arthritis are similar to other forms of arthritis and
may include swollen joints, joint pain, and joints that are
warm to the touch.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that presents with
inflammation of the skin. It results in itchy patches of skin
that have a red base with a silvery scale on top. Psoriasis
generally appears on the elbows, knees, and scalp; however, it
can occur anywhere on the body. The fingernails and toenails
are commonly affected by psoriasis. Typically, people who
suffer from psoriasis of these areas are the ones who are most
likely to develop psoriatic arthritis.
Both men and women who suffer from psoriasis usually develop
psoriatic arthritis within 10 years from their psoriasis
diagnosis. Caucasians are more likely to develop psoriatic
arthritis than African or Asian Americans. While it can affect
people of all ages, psoriatic arthritis typically occurs
between the ages of 30 and 55.
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Treating Your Pets Arthritis
Holistically
What is holistic medicine? It
is not the same thing as
natural medicine, nor does it
necessarily equate alternative
medicine. Rather, it means like
what it sounds: it is a
philosophy of treatment that
seeks to treat the whole
patient, taking into account a
person's mental and physical
health. Each patient is treated
as an individual, and treatment
is tailored to that person's
specific ailments and needs.
Holistic medicine is
increasingly becoming part of
the medical mainstream. Now, it
is even being used to treat
pets that are suffering from
arthritis. Holistic medicine
may include the use of
conventional drug therapies and
more natural therapies. A
doctor with a holistic approach
will examine all the available
treatment plans, and design a
treatment plan that treats all
the patient's symptoms with as
little side effects as
possible.
Pets, like humans, are
susceptible to many different
forms of arthritis. As they get
older, they become more
vulnerable to developing some
form of the disease. If your
pet has been diagnosed with
arthritis, why should you
consider a holistic approach to
treatment? A holistic approach
will seek to treat your pet as
naturally as possible, with as
little side effects as
possible. Most pet owners would
like to see their pets treated
so that they receive the
gentlest treatment option
possible. Holistic medicine
strives to be gentle while
achieving maximum
effectiveness. Before any
treatment is commenced, make
sure your pet has received a
proper diagnosis. Many older
pets are treated for arthritis,
when later X-rays conclude that
they are not truly suffering
from that condition. Instead,
they may have a bone cyst,
injury, or any other number of
conditions that may have been
misdiagnosed as arthritis. Too
many veterinarians are quick to
make the arthritis diagnosis.
Be certain your pet has
received an adequate
examination, and that X-rays
were taken to reveal the true
cause of their symptoms.
Getting a proper diagnosis
ensures that your pet will not
be needlessly placed in a harsh
treatment program.
Most pets who suffer from some
form of arthritis experience
inflammation of the joints. A
holistic approach to pet
arthritis focuses on relieving
this inflammation as gently and
effective as possible. Pets who
suffer from arthritis may
experience stiffness, pain, and
swelling in their joints. Most
conventional drug therapies do
an adequate job of relieving
these symptoms of inflammation.
However, there nature is to
mask the pain, rather than
promote healing of the
underlying condition. A
holistic approach seeks to
alleviate the animal's pain
while healing the damaged
joint. Natural therapies can
help relieve inflammation while
promoting healing in the
cartilage. Even if the progress
of the disease cannot be
stopped entirely, natural
therapies can help slow its
progress considerably.
Nutritional therapies may be
used to help slow the progress
of arthritis. These types of
therapies help feed the joints
nutrients that can help repair
damage that has been done. As
with humans, the earlier the
pet is treated, the greater
chances for success. Drug
therapies in combination with
nutritional therapies can be
used successfully to this
end.
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There are five patterns in which psoriatic arthritis
typically occurs. These include:
1. Pain in joints on one side of your body
2. Pain in joints on both sides of your body
3. Pain in finger joints
4. Pain in the spine
5. Destructive arthritis
Obtaining a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis requires a
battery of tests including:
1. X-rays -- helps to pinpoint changes in the joints
2. Joint fluid test -- analyzes acid crystals in joint
fluid
3. Sed rate -- a blood test to check erythrocyte
sedimentation rate, which determines the extent of
inflammation
4. Rheumatoid factor (RF) -- a blood test to determine if
RF is present
At this time, the cause of psoriatic arthritis is unknown.
However, researchers believe that genetic, environmental and
immunologic factors play a role. There is no cure for psoriasis
or psoriatic arthritis, but there are things you can do and
medicines you can take to lessen your pain and slow down its
progression.
Developing an arthritis exercise program that includes
gentle stretching and resistance exercises may help to ease
pain, decrease inflammation, and slow down the progression of
psoriatic psoriasis. It's best to consult with your healthcare
practitioner prior to embarking on an exercise program.
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