Crawling Out Of Your Skin? Psoriatic Arthritis Can Make You!

Most people don't realize that there are over 100 types of arthritis in existence.

One of those little known types of arthritis is known as psoriatic arthritis and it can be as debilitating as some of the more well known varieties of arthritis. So exactly what is psoriatic arthritis and just how does this variety present itself?

As its name indicates, psoriatic arthritis is associated with psoriasis, the common skin condition characterized by inflammation of the skin, scaling, and red raised patches of skin. It is estimated that psoriasis affects approximately 2 per cent of the Caucasian population in the United States, although it can occur in people from all backgrounds.

When you have psoriasis, this skin condition attacks the skin of the knees, the elbows, the scalp and the face. It can even be seen in the navel! One of the most distressing areas that you may find psoriasis in in the genital and anal area. There is a small portion of those who suffer with psoriasis who also develop inflammation in the impacted joints. It is this small population of sufferers who are then identified as being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis.

Here's one of the important things to remember about psoriatic arthritis, if you have already been diagnosed with psoriasis, then you are at a much higher risk for developing psoriatic arthritis. This is particularly true if your arthritis has also impacted your joints. This condition can be quite painful and debilitating without active and aggressive treatment. It seems almost cruel in its onset since it doesn't seem to strike until later in life, sometimes not striking until you are in your 40s or 50s. And sorry ladies, you don't get off easy here, psoriatic arthritis is an equal opportunity invader and affects both men and women equally.

While it can vary, the onset of this condition typically follows a predictable pattern. Nearly 80% of those patients battling psoriatic arthritis were diagnosed with the skin condition, psoriasis, prior to being diagnosed with this particular type of arthritis.

But of course everything in life cannot follow a definite pattern, since in some patients, they actually get a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis before actually developing a skin condition. This can make diagnosing the condition a bit more difficult. Unfortunately far too many patients suffer with either the arthritis or the psoriasis for way too long before figuring out that they two go together.

Psoriatic arthritis is a systematic disease just like other forms of arthritis. With any systemic disease, other areas of the body can be attacked as well. So this simply means that you best be on the look out for problems with other body parts. For example, psoriatic arthritis patients can also be at risk for other problems with the kidneys and lungs. Patients may also experience problems with the heart, the eyes and the mouth. Systemic ... affecting other areas as well. The whole body is at risk.

In the most serious cases of psoriatic arthritis, the impact on your vital organs can be life altering. With psoriatic arthritis, you are also at increased risk for spinal inflammation with can cause increased pain and limited movements.

So just what is responsible for psoriatic arthritis? What is the cause of psoriatic arthritis? While there are many theories on the "why" behind the reasons patients develop psoriatic arthritis, the bottom line is that the cause of this condition truly remains unknown. The majority of health care professionals generally agree that psoriatic arthritis is most probably a result of a combination of factors. These factors can be related to a variety of environmental factors, genetic factors and even an immune system basis. Researchers have been able to identify a genetic marker known as gene marker-HLA-B27- that is often present in the DNA of many of those patients who suffer with psoriatic arthritis.

With psoriatic arthritis, not only does the genetic marker HLA-B27 often show up with these patients, there are also other genetic alterations that may appear. Of course, this just continues to feed into the researchers belief that this variety of arthritis is based in the genes. Another one of the common denominators in the case of psoriatic arthritis is the changes that are seen in the immune system. While we don't know the exact basis of this, those changes are often seen. Also, remember that simple environmental factors may also be a key component behind the reason why people develop this health condition.

So, with psoriatic arthritis, you must work collaboratively with your health care provider so that you have an aggressive management plan designed specifically for you. This management plan must take into account its practicality and your willingness to comply. Psoriatic arthritis is a battle faced by many each and every day, but it does not have to be a battle that you give up on long before the fight begins. Be your own best advocate if you are facing psoriatic arthritis. Do it well and do it now!