Psoriatic Arthritis & The Immune System
What Is Psoriatic Arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis is different from osteoarthritis, usually caused by age or a complication associated with an injury to the affected joint. Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are ones characterized by your over-active immune system attacking your tissues.
Psoriatic arthritis usually presents with skin psoriasis, hence the name. Psoriasis is a skin condition that results in scaly, dry, and itchy welts that can affect any region of the body. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, so there is no cure. When you have psoriatic arthritis, it is exceedingly rare for you to experience arthritis pain and not have visible psoriasis.
When you have psoriatic arthritis, your immune system makes too much of specific proteins, which causes the body to think it’s being attacked. This causes your body to respond with inflammation, making your skin cells grow too quickly – causing psoriatic skin lesions. This will also affect your joints, which become painful, swollen, and stiff with inflammation. When a person has a psoriatic disease, their immune system does not work correctly.
Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis:
Since psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, you may experience other symptoms associated with autoimmune complications – so you may feel pain in places other than arthritic joints. Symptoms vary between each person, but here are some common signs to watch out for:
- Painful & swollen joints – particularly in the fingers, toes, and ankle
- Painful, still joints
- Fatigue
- Nail pitting
- Tendon pain
- Psoriatic patches on the skin
How To Treat Psoriatic Arthritis
Unfortunately, there is no cure for autoimmune dysfunctions like psoriatic arthritis. However, your pain levels and symptoms can be managed with certain medications. These medications may suppress an overactive immune system, may help clear some of your psoriatic patches, and reduce pain & inflammation in the joints.
You can also make lifestyle changes and add supplements to your routine to help combat psoriatic arthritis pain. Turmeric is an excellent natural remedy for fighting inflammation in arthritic joints. One of the active ingredients in turmeric, curcumin, has been shown to block cytokines and enzymes that cause inflammation.
Find Relief At Warner Orthopedics & Wellness
At Warner Orthopedics, we stove to help you improve your overall well-being – not just treat symptoms, but engage the disease, injury, or illness that is causing your discomfort. While there is no cure for psoriatic arthritis, there are many paths you can take to restore your mobility, reduce pain & inflammation, and get back to living the life you want. Make your appointment today:
