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  Frequently Asked Questions about Psoriatic Arthritis PA)
What is Psoriatic Arthritis (PA)? Psoriatic Arthritis (PA) is defined as an inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis (not in all cases). It can affect the ligaments, tendons, fascia, and joints, in different patients. It may present with severe joint pain and stiffness. All patients of Psoriasis may not develop PA. For further details on PA refer to link given below: Psoriatic Arthritis What are the commonly affected joints in Psoriatic Arthritis (PA)? Any joint can be affected. The small joints, large joints or the spine can be affected. A single or a few joints may get affected, or several small and big joints may be affected. I have been diagnosed as having PA, what should I know about PA and its treatment? What is an auto immune disease? Auto immune disease arise from an over active response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. In other words, the body actually attacks its own cells. What are the causes for PA? What actually happens in PA? The affected joints are inflamed, swollen and deformed. Along with the joint inflammation, psoriasis may be visible on the skin of the joints. The nail changes may be observed in many patients. What are the symptoms of PA? Asymmetrical joint involvement Pain and stiffness of the joint To read more about the same refer: Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis What are the different types of PA? A] Asymmetrical Oligoarticular Arthritis B] Symmetrical Polyarthritis C] Distal interphalangealArthropathy D] Arthritis Mutilans E] Spondylitis with or without sacroiliitis F] Juvenile Psoriatic Arthritis G] Nail involvement H] Eye involvement For more details refer to our site on: Types of Psoriatic Arthritis How is PA diagnosed? The diagnosis of PA is mostly clinical based on the presentation of the patient. Hallmark for PA diagnosis is: The common investigations done in PA are: For more information read on: Investigation Psoriatic Arthritis I am suffering from Psoriasis, what are the chances of me having PA? Patients with extensive psoriasis have more chances of developing psoriatic arthritis. However, mild cases of psoriasis may also present with psoriatic arthritis. Also, it is not a rule that all the cases of psoriasis will have psoriatic arthritis. There are 10-15 % chances. Can it cause any deformity in me? PA, if not controlled in the early stages can lead to deformity of the affected joints. I have psoriatic arthritis, what are the chances of my child having it? Tendency to develop PA is genetically inherited. Approximately 40% of patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis have a family history of these disorders in first-degree relatives. What is the conventional treatment for PA? The conventional treatment of psoriatic arthritis consists of 1] Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) They do not modify the course of the disease, nor do they prevent erosions, but they are effective to relieve pain and stiffness 2] Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD's) such as Methotrexate and Cyclosporine Methotrexate is effective both for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Side effects of Methotrexate are described on Methotrexate Adverse Effects 3] Biological agents (Etanercept, Infliximab) these are Anti-TNF agents and are in advanced clinical trials 4] Systematic corticosteroids are very effective in the acute flare ups, but have potential side effects for long term application 5] Physical therapy is invaluable importance in several cases 6] Reconstructive surgery is required in selective cases with end stage joint destruction Why do you suggest Homeopathy for PA? PA is a deep seated auto-immune disorder, which requires treatment at a deeper level. The conventional treatment alone is not enough, in most cases it causes immunosuppression which is not the most desired way to treat PA, immunocorrection seems to be the right way, Homeopathy just does that. If I am on conventional treatment, can I still start with Homeopathy? Yes. In fact, most cases of PA who are on the conventional therapy are likely to require homeopathic medication. What change can I expect in PA with Homeopathy? The homeopathic treatment is aimed at: a. Controlling the underlying disease process which is responsible for cause of the disease b. Control of pain, stiffness, swelling and inflammation c. Controlling the deformity d. Controlling and healing of psoriasis lesions Do they interact with conventional medicines? No. Homeopathic medicines can be safely taken with the conventional medicines. When do I start seeing improvement after starting Homeopathic medicine? Depending on the extent and severity of ones PA, one may observe some improvement in about six to eight weeks. However, the course of treatment takes over year to have better control over the disease. Can my conventional medicines be stopped, once I start with Homeopathy? To start with, your conventional medicines may need to be continued. Over the period of time, it is expected that you are able to reduce and also (possibly) stop other medicines, once you respond positively to homeopathic treatment. What is the success rate in treating PA with Homeopathy? At Life Force, we have treated and documented over 60 cases of PA with significant success rate. How much time does Homeopathy take to treat PA? The length of treatment depends on the factors such extent, stage and severity of the joint pain. Most patients are treated for one to two years or more. The read more on treatment refer to the given link: Treatment For other Online Treatment related Frequently Asked Questions, please click here. |
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