Psoriasis affects approximately 7.5 million people in the United States. It is a skin condition that causes red patches with silvery scales. Of those millions of people, an estimated 36 percent have psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is a condition in which people with psoriasis experience pain, swelling, and stiffness in their joints. Usually, a person develops psoriasis first and later experiences joint-related symptoms, but it is possible for the joint symptoms to begin first. Psoriatic arthritis is most likely to strike when a person is between the ages of 30 and 50. There is currently no cure for psoriatic arthritis, so treatment revolves around managing the symptoms.
Elder Care in Floral Park NY: What is Psoriatic Arthritis?What are the Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis?
The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis sometimes come on slowly, but other times they begin suddenly. The disease is chronic and progressive, so the symptoms get worse over time. However, many people experience periods of remission in which symptoms improve or disappear altogether. The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis can affect just one side of the body or both. Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include:
- Fatigue.
- Reduction in range of motion.
- Feeling stiff and tired in the morning.
- Swelling in fingers and toes.
- Pain in the lower back.
- Painful feet.
- Swelling and pain near tendons.
- Stiff, painful, throbbing, and swollen joints.
- Changes in the fingernails or toenails that resembles a fungal infection.
Experts say there is no correlation between the severity of psoriasis symptoms and psoriatic arthritis symptoms. In other words, if a person has a particularly bad case of psoriasis, it does not mean that their psoriatic arthritis symptoms will be equally as bad.
What Causes the Disease?
Scientists aren’t sure why some people get psoriatic arthritis and other people don’t. However, they do know that it is the result of an immune system problem in which healthy cells are mistakenly attacked. There seem to be both genetic and environmental reasons for the immune system going awry. The disease runs in families, but there is also evidence of something in a person’s environment triggering the disease. Someone with the genetic makeup that increases their likelihood of psoriatic arthritis may experience a physical trauma or an infection that causes symptoms to appear.
How Can Elder Care Providers Help?
Psoriatic arthritis is painful and can make it difficult for a person to get around. Hiring an elder care provider through an agency can help those stricken with the disease by handling tasks they can no longer do. For example, an elder care provider can help an older adult to do laundry and prepare meals. They can also assist with mobility by ensuring the senior remains safe when they move about the house. Elder care providers can also drive seniors to medical appointments and remind them to take their medications.
If you or an aging loved one are in need of elder care services in Floral Park, NY or the surrounding areas, contact the caring professionals at Star Multi Care Services today at (631)956-8835. We are the Right Choice for Home Health Care Services!
Sources
http://www.webmd.com/arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis#1
https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriatic-arthritis
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/home/ovc-20233896
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/symptoms-causes/dxc-20233899
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