What is Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)? Find out its Triggers, Causes, Risks, Symptoms, Treatment

Psoriasis is a chronic illness that is mentioned to form from scaly white and red patches on the skin. Several reports mentioned that some people with psoriasis are at risk of developing psoriatic arthritis or known as PsA.

According to Medical News Today, psoriatic arthritis' cause was stated to be the abnormal immune system cells attacking the healthy skin and joints tissue. Hence, result to inflammation, swelling, pain and other complications of PsA.

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis were reported to be similar to rheumatoid arthritis as it could affect any joint of the body. Tiredness, foot, lower back pain and other pain from ligaments and tendons were among the symptoms of PsA. Other symptoms also include stiffness, redness or pain in the eye, swollen fingers, joints and toes were reported.

Nonetheless, it was identified that family genes were the first to be the possible reason to trigger people to accumulate psoriatic arthritis than those people who have no history of the illness. Family members that have the condition were then mentioned to be the root as the patient might have possibly inherited the illness.

Aside from that, it was also said that people of ages 30-50 are the most likely to be at risk of developing psoriatic arthritis. However, it was also noted that any age might have PsA. The fact that the person also had or have psoriasis was determined to be the at the highest risk of PsA per Mayo Clinic.

It was also mentioned that exposure to severe wounds or injuries might trigger psoriatic arthritis. Other reasons for PsA to be triggered were also explained to be the exposure to cigarette smoke and drinking alcohol too much.

Speaking about other triggers, medications were also reported to cause psoriatic arthritis. Depression medication Lithium, high blood pressure medication Inderal, heart medication Quinidine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug Indomethacin were mentioned to be among the medications that trigger it. Other medications identified include Antimalarials namely: Plaquenil, Quinacrine, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as Psoriasis Org shared.

Consulting a doctor, of course, was stated to be the first treatment of psoriatic arthritis. Yet, mild exercising, doing yoga, swimming and just staying active were also mentioned to relieve stiffness and joint pain from PsA.

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