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The 5 Types Of Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a long-term inflammatory disease that happens when your immune system attacks your joints and skin. But where the symptoms appear on your body depends on which of the five types of psoriatic arthritis you have.
It's possible to have more than one type, and your psoriatic arthritis pattern can change over time.
This type is usually mild. Its defining feature is that swelling and discomfort are limited to just one side of your body, mostly often in the knee, hip, fingers, or toes. About 1 in 3 people with psoriatic arthritis have this kind.
Other signs of the asymmetric form include:
This is the most common type, and affects about half of people with the condition. It strikes matching pairs of joints. You may have it in both knees, hands, or feet, or left and right sides of your hips.
Symmetric psoriatic arthritis may be mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis, another autoimmune disease that also affects both sides of the body equally. One way to tell the two diseases apart is that usually only psoriatic arthritis makes your fingers or toes swell so much that they look like sausages.
Symptoms of symmetric psoriatic arthritis are similar to those you get with the asymmetric pattern. They include morning stiffness and rashes on the skin.
"Distal" means away from the center. So this type of psoriatic arthritis crops up in the tips of your fingers and toes.
It's sometimes confused with osteoarthritis, which usually happens in older people when the cushioning cartilage that keeps bones from rubbing against each other breaks down.
Along with stiffness, pain, and swelling, distal psoriatic arthritis may change the way your nails look. Signs include:
Constant back pain is one hallmark of this type. Your neck also might feel stiff and hurt. It happens when the joints between the vertebrae in your spine get inflamed.
Spondylitis also can affect connective tissue, such as in the ligaments, or be linked to arthritis in the joints of the arms, hips, legs, or feet.
Other symptoms include:
This is the most severe and rarest type of psoriatic arthritis. Fewer than 1 in 20 people have this pattern. It damages the small joints and tissues in the ends of your hands and feet. It may shorten your fingers and toes because of bone loss in the joints. Sometimes, it can affect your neck and back.
Other signs of arthritis mutilans include:
No matter your type of psoriatic arthritis, the goal of therapy is to tame your inflammation, ease discomfort, and prevent joint damage and disability. Your doctor may recommend one of these medications or combinations of them based on how severe your condition is, where you have symptoms, and other things:
If your joints are seriously damaged, your doctor may suggest joint replacement surgery.
Take care to protect your joints during everyday activities. For example, close your car door with your body, not just with your fingers. Or carry heavy bags with two hands instead of one. Other tips include:
Rheumatoid Arthritis Vs. Gout: Symptoms And Causes
Rheumatoid arthritis and gout are two types of arthritis. Both types affect the joints, causing pain and inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory condition while gout is an inflammatory condition.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gout can resemble each other because both diseases cause inflammation of the peripheral joints. In addition, the nodules of RA and the tophi of gout can be similar in appearance. However, the cause and treatment for each are different.
People can have both RA and gout. A 2020 study that looked at data for 1,999 people with RA found that 6.1% of them also had gout. Obesity may be a link in some people, as it is a risk factor for both conditions.
Doctors can treat both conditions. A correct diagnosis is essential to determine the most appropriate treatment.
RA is an autoimmune inflammatory condition. It occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the synovial tissues or linings of the joints.
This reaction causes inflammation, pain, and swelling. It usually occurs in the hands, wrists, ankles, and knees on both sides of the body. Over time, repeated bouts of swelling can lead to joint damage.
Gout is also an inflammatory disorder, but it is not an autoimmune condition. Instead, a person develops gout because of high levels of uric acid in their blood.
Uric acid is present in foods and drinks. Taking certain medications can also increase the amount of uric acid in the body. Uric acid crystals can deposit in the synovial tissues, especially in the hands, feet, and elbows.
RA affects more women than men. An estimated 1.5 million people in the United States have RA, and the condition affects almost three times as many women as men.
On the other hand, gout affects more men than women. According to a 2014 article, it affects over 3% of adults in the U.S., and that number is rising. It is more common among males aged 40 or over and females after menopause.
What are 10 risk factors for RA?
RA and gout both involve swelling and inflammation, but some symptoms are different. This includes the areas affected and the long-term effects.
Unlike RA, gout does not cause inflammation throughout the body and does not cause damage to tissues in other organs, such as the heart and lungs. However, both RA and gout can involve the kidneys, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Symptoms of RAA person with RA will have times when their symptoms worsen and others when they reduce or disappear. Doctors call these flares and remissions.
During the early flares of RA, symptoms may include:
RA can lead to progressive and long-term complications, even with medicines. Long-term effects of RA include:
People with RA may experience employment difficulties, especially those who do physical work.
How does RA affect different parts of the body?
Symptoms of goutThe symptoms of gout can also come and go. An attack can occur when excess uric acid crystals deposit in the joints. A trigger may increase uric acid levels in the body. Those triggers may include ingestion of alcoholic beverages and foods rich in purine, such as some seafoods, meats, and organ meats.
Symptoms of gout in the joints may include:
The joint most commonly affected by gout is the big toe, but it can also affect other joints as it progresses. RA is more likely to involve multiple joints at one time and can cause fatigue, low-grade fever, and weight loss.
What types of arthritis can affect the knee?
RA results from a problem with the immune system, though doctors do not know why this occurs in some people and not others.
Individuals with the following risk factors are more likely to experience RA:
Gout occurs when a person's body builds up excess amounts of uric acid. Some people naturally produce excess uric acid, which can make gout more likely.
People with the following risk factors are more likely to experience uric acid build-up and gout:
To diagnose RA or gout, a doctor will carry out a physical examination and ask about the person's:
A doctor will also order blood testing. A uric acid test can help identify gout. Other biomarkers may help indicate if a person has RA. They include:
Imaging tests, such as X-ray and MRI scans, can detect:
A doctor may use a needle to remove fluid from a swollen joint to test for the presence of uric acid crystals that may indicate gout.
Correctly identifying RA or gout is important because the treatments are different. Treatment for both will aim to manage symptoms and prevent flares and disease progression.
Treatments for gout include:
Taking oral colchicine can help shorten an attack. It may take 24 hours to take effect. Colchicine, NSAIDs, and corticosteroids are most likely to be effective if the person takes them in the first 24 hours after an attack begins.
RA treatments and management strategies include:
Medications such as DMARDs and biologics interfere with the immune response. They may help prevent flares, a worsening of symptoms, and long-term damage. The Arthritis Foundation recommends early, aggressive treatment to reduce inflammation or prevent it from developing.
A person may need to try various medications before finding the ones that best manage their condition.
What are some foods to avoid with arthritis?
RA and gout are both forms of arthritis, but the causes, symptoms, and long-term effects are different. A person with RA may have a higher risk of developing gout than a person without it, possibly because they share some risk factors.
Gout usually affects one or a few joints to start with and often starts in the big toe. RA often involves several joints symmetrically and can impact many organs of the body.
Blood tests can help a doctor distinguish between gout and RA. An early and accurate diagnosis is essential for finding the right treatment and may help prevent each condition from worsening.
Can Turmeric Help Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term autoimmune condition that causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joints. Some research suggests that the spice turmeric may help relieve inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Turmeric is a common ingredient in many dishes, including curries. However, it also has a long history in traditional medicine.
Scientific research indicates that turmeric may offer several health benefits. In particular, turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties that may benefit people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
However, there are some things to consider when taking turmeric supplements, and people with RA should speak with their doctor before adding the spice to their treatment regimen.
This article discusses whether turmeric can help treat RA and look at what the research says. It also covers how to use turmeric, and the possible side effects and risks.
Turmeric, or Curcuma longa, is a bright yellow or orange spice that is a popular ingredient in a variety of food dishes. Turmeric also has a place in traditional medicine practices, such as Ayurveda, which uses the spice to treat:
Researchers have also studied the potential health benefits of turmeric and its compounds in Western medicine.
According to a 2015 review article, study findings suggest that curcumin, one of the main active compounds in turmeric, may lower blood sugar and have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.
RA is an autoimmune condition, which means that the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissue. These attacks cause inflammation that eventually leads to bone and joint damage in the affected areas.
As such, the natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of turmeric may benefit people with RA.
Turmeric contains several different compounds, including curcumin. Much of the available scientific research focuses specifically on curcumin rather than turmeric as a whole.
However, some studies do suggest that both turmeric and its compounds may be helpful for the symptoms of arthritis, including RA.
A 2016 systematic review examined data from eight randomized clinical trials that investigated the effectiveness of turmeric and curcumin extracts for treating symptoms of joint arthritis.
The authors concluded that there was enough evidence to suggest that taking 1,000 milligrams (mg) of curcumin each day for 8–12 weeks can help reduce pain and inflammation due to arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis.
The results also indicated that curcumin extracts might be as effective as taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) and diclofenac (Voltaren).
However, the authors stated that the small size and moderate quality of the studies mean that further research is necessary to confirm these findings. In the meantime, they recommend that people with arthritis use curcumin as a dietary supplement in addition to conventional therapy.
A 2017 study involving 36 people with RA tested a bioavailable formulation of curcumin. After 90 days of treatment, the participants who took curcumin reported significant improvements in their pain and inflammation compared with those in the placebo group.
A 2018 study investigated the effects of curcumin in a rat model of RA. The study indicated that curcumin reduced joint inflammation and redness in these rats by blocking an intracellular signaling process called the mTOR pathway.
The authors concluded that the results provide evidence of the anti-arthritic properties of curcumin and its potential for treating RA. However, further research in humans is necessary to confirm these findings.
Turmeric is widely available as a powder as well as in whole root form. The powder or sliced root can make a good addition to a variety of meals, including curries, soups, and rice dishes.
Many people use ground or grated turmeric to brew herbal tea. A variety of prepackaged turmeric tea bags are also available.
Although people can add turmeric to their diet in these ways, much of the research around the anti-arthritic effect of the spice focuses specifically on curcumin, which is available in dietary supplement form.
There are many curcumin supplements on the market, which tend to come in the form of capsules or tablets. Manufacturers may also add other ingredients, such as black pepper, to make the compound easier for the body to use.
The recommended dosage for curcumin supplements can vary. The authors of a 2016 systematic review recommend taking 1,000 mg of curcumin each day to treat the symptoms of arthritis. Highly bioavailable forms of curcumin may be effective at lower dosages.
However, it is important to purchase dietary supplements from reputable manufacturers and to follow their guidance on what constitutes a safe and appropriate dosage.
It is also advisable for people to speak with their doctor before taking turmeric or curcumin to relieve some of the symptoms of arthritis. It is vital not to stop or replace any other treatments without consulting a doctor first.
Turmeric and curcumin can cause mild side effects, such as digestive upset or headaches, in some people. Individuals who are sensitive to these substances or take very high doses may experience symptoms that include rashes, nausea, and diarrhea.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should seek advice from their doctor before taking turmeric or curcumin supplements.
Turmeric may also interact with some medications, which may make them more or less effective. People taking blood thinners should consult a doctor before using turmeric or curcumin supplements as they may interfere with blood clotting.
As with other supplements, there may be a risk of contamination with heavy metals, such as lead, so it is essential to purchase these products from a reputable manufacturer.
RA is a long-term condition that can cause inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joints.
A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that turmeric and its major compounds, such as curcumin, may help alleviate or prevent symptoms of arthritis.
However, people with symptoms of RA should always see a doctor for evaluation and treatment.
Although turmeric may help alleviate symptoms of arthritis, there is not enough evidence to suggest that it can replace standard medical treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment of RA are important to reduce or prevent irreversible joint damage.
A person can purchase a variety of turmeric and curcumin products online, including:
People should speak with a doctor before taking curcumin supplements, particularly those currently taking other medications.
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