Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis most often follows on from skin and nail psorasis, but sometimes the reverse may happen.

There are five types of psoriatic arthritis, one affects the distal phalangeal joints, this type is more common in males, nails are often pitted, ridged, or lifting of the nail may occur, onycholysis. Polyarthritis, although it is similar to rheumatoid arthritis in it's manifestations, it is sero negative.There is a spondylitic form which resembles ankylosing spondylitis. Oligoarthritis which usually affects large joints, and lastly Arthritis Mutilans which has larger areas of skin psoriasis.

The pathology of Psoriatic arthritis is similar to rheumatoid arthritis, but there is more fibrosis of joint tissue.The distal interphalangeal joints of both fingers and toes are commonly affected, however, there may be involvement of both large and small joints.

Medical treatment aims to reduce inflammation, and to control skin lesions.The drugs used to treat psoriatic arthritis are similar to those for rheumatoid arthritis.NSAIDs, DMARDS,disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and steroids.

Alternative Medical Treatment for Psoriatic Arthritis

There needs to be a strong emphasis on diet which includes Omega-3 oils. All hydrogenated fats, "healthy" margarines,supermarket cooking oils, take-away-food  all of these fats  and fatty foods must be eliminated  from the diet. 

Freshly ground flaxseed should be taken daily, borage oil, blackcurrant seed oil  evening primrose oil, and cod liver oil,Virgin olive oil ( monosaturated) for cooking and salads. These oils should form an essential part of the diet for a person with psoriatic arthritis to help control the inflammatory response.Everything in moderation of course, if weight is a problem, then less oil should be taken, particularly olive oil.

Fresh organic vegetables , fruits , nuts and whole grains ( organic wherever possible) should form part of the daily diet.

Wheatgrass cream rubbed gently into sore itchy spots will relieve, and wheatgrass taken internally is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, a most necessary addition to the diet.

Aromatherapy oils for external application only:Use evening primrose as the base oil , and add two to three drops of essential oil to every 10mls of base oil. Essential oils to reduce inflammation: German chamomile, lavender, neroli, yarrow, and everlasting.

Herbs: Turmeric, burdock,oregon grape extract and sarsaparilla all of these could be used to self treat provided you took only the recommended daily dose.There are many other herbs which could successfully treat psoriatic arthritis however, you should visit a herbalist to obtain the best results, and so avoid any aggravation of your symptoms.Before you take herbs of any description, if you are on medication, consult your doctor first.

 Homeopathic treatment for psoriatic arthritis would be most beneficial, however, you would need to see a qualified homeopath to have the best outcome .

Read more: Reiter's syndrome

References:Chandrasoma Parakrama & Taylor Clive. Concise Pathology first edition published Prentice-Hall International Inc.1991.

McCance Kathryn L & Huether Sue e, Pathphysiology, The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children. Published The C.V. Mosby Company.1990.

Forbes,Charles & Jackson William. Color Atlas and Text of Clinical Medicine 2nd edition published Mosby-Wolf 1997.

Chandrasoma Parakrama & Taylor Clive. Concise Pathology first edition published Prentice-Hall International Inc.1991.

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