Psoriatic Arthritis:Tips for Everyday Care
Psoriatic Arthritis: Is It Time to Change Your Treatment?
If you're one of the 2.25 million Americans with psoriatic arthritis, you know the pain and discomfort the disease can bring. Fortunately, treatment options have come a long way since the 1950s, when psoriatic arthritis was first recognized as a unique form of arthritis.
To manage psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis symptoms, the most effective treatment includes both lifestyle changes and medication. The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends following the Psoriatic Arthritis Total Approach to Health (PATH) -- a plan that includes exercise, healthy eating, and stress management.
The goal of psoriatic arthritis treatment is to reduce symptoms and prevent joint damage. Experts currently believe that pain and swelling is a sign that joint damage is getting worse. So, your psoriatic arthritis symptoms are a good indication of the toll psoriatic arthritis is taking on your joints.
Medications Used to Treat Psoriatic Arthritis
There are a number of medications used for psoriatic arthritis treatment, including:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These include both over-the-counter and prescription medications, such as naproxen, ibuprofen, and celecoxib (Celebrex). They may help reduce joint pain, inflammation and stiffness.
- Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs): These drugs target the immune system and slow the progression of psoriatic arthritis. They are more powerful than NSAIDs but take longer to work. Among the DMARDs used for psoriatic arthritis treatment are methotrexate and sulfasalazine, as well as newer biologic drugs, such as Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade.
- Corticosteroids: Steroids can help reduce severe inflammation. They can be taken either by mouth or by injection. (These steroids act differently than anabolic steroids, which are used to build muscle.)
10 Signs Your Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment May Need Changing
1. You're having excessive or dangerous drug side effects. While many of the medicines used to treat psoriatic arthritis have given people their lives back and prevented permanent joint damage, they are not without risks. For instance, NSAIDs increase the risk of stomach irritation and bleeding, methotrexate can damage the liver, and some biologic therapies carry a risk of serious infection. If you experience side effects from your medication, talk to your doctor about other treatment options.
2. Your psoriatic arthritis symptoms are interfering with your career or daily life. That can mean different things for different people. If you're a college professor and your treatment gets rid of all your symptoms except two swollen finger joints, you might be able to cope. But if you're a concert violinist who relies on those joints for a living, you might need to reduce those symptoms with a stronger medication. Being open with your doctor about your lifestyle and career can help guide your psoriatic arthritis treatment.
3. You're not feeling any better. Given the range of treatments for psoriatic arthritis, most people should be able to get some degree of relief. If your psoriatic arthritis symptoms don't improve, or get worse, talk to your doctor about other options.
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