What is Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms
Do you suspect that you may suffer from psoriatic arthritis symptoms? If so, you should know the symptoms. If you have some of them or all of them, we recommend going to your family doctor. Doing so will be the best way to know for sure whether or not you have this form of arthritis.
Symptoms to Watch For
This type of arthritis will affects the lower back, the toes, the fingers, the ankles and the knees. You may feel discomfort in your lower back, due to inflammation from arthritis which fuses the vertebrae and joints. As well, the tip of your finger may become swollen and this may make you suspect gout, as it's a shared symptom of this form of arthritis and gout.
However, psoriatic arthritis tends to cause stiffness when a person wakes up or after they've been resting for a while and this differentiates it from gout.
Some people with this arthritic health condition suffer from dactylitis, which causes the fingers and toes to swell up in a sausage-like way. This characteristic “sausage swelling” makes it different from the rheumatoid form of arthritis. With rheumatoid arthritis, swelling is generally found in only a single joint.
Related: Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Do You Suffer from Tendon or Ligament Discomfort?
Another sign that you have psoriatic arthritis is the presence of a condition called enthesitis, which triggers pain or tenderness in tendons and ligaments. It may happen in the heel area or at the base of the foot. However, some people experience this type of tendon or ligament discomfort in one elbow.
Sometimes, people who have sports injuries get these symptoms, too. For example, pain at the base of the foot is common in runners and is known as plantar fasciitis. Pain in the elbow is so common among tennis players that it is known as tennis elbow.
Two other problems which are linked with psoriatic arthritis symptoms are changes to the nails and skin rashes. For example, the skin may get red and flaky and it may have scaled patches with a silvery-white hue. Nails may have pits or look as though they are infected. Sometimes, the nails may lift off of their nail beds.
These symptoms are common in those who have psoriasis, as well as in those who have psoriatic arthritis. They are something that doctors definitely look for while they are diagnosing the conditions.
Fatigue is a Common Symptom
Those who have psoriatic arthritis sometimes feel very tired. In addition, they may find that it's harder to move their limbs and joints. Also, their eyes may become inflamed and this may lead to irritation, disturbed vision, and redness. Basically, they'll have pink eye or conjunctivitis because of their psoriatic arthritis.
Flare-ups are common, so there will usually be periods when symptoms are more severe, followed by a lack of symptoms. Some people will get a lot of flare-ups, while others won't.
Related: Psoriatic Arthritis Diet | Foods to Consume and Avoid
See Your Family Doctor Today
Now that you know the symptoms, why not schedule an appointment with your family doctor today? When you do, he or she will be able to confirm or exclude the presence of this condition.