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Psoriatic Arthritis – Symptoms, Causes, and Management

Psoriatic Arthritis – Symptoms, Causes, and Management

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease. It is a kind of arthritis that affects those who have psoriasis, a condition where patients develop red patches of skin layered with white-greyish scales. People with psoriatic arthritis develop psoriasis years before arthritis sets in. While there is no cure for it, healthcare experts recommend treatments to reduce the symptoms and prevent dangerous joint damage. Here are a few critical aspects of this condition.

Signs and symptoms
Many indicators of psoriatic arthritis overlap with similar other health conditions. So, detecting it without expert help may be challenging. Doctors can diagnose this condition when people show specific symptoms, including:

Chest pain
Chest pain and shortness of breath are among the most common signs of psoriatic arthritis. These symptoms may be accompanied by pain in and around the rib cage. Psoriatic arthritis can also trigger a series of inflammations in the chest wall or cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone. As a result of the inflammation, patients feel like there is some kind of blockage in their chest. In worst-case scenarios (or instances where the condition has been left untreated), this inflammation may adversely affect the lungs and blood vessels going towards and away from the heart.

Foot pain
People with psoriatic arthritis generally feel pain in their soles, heels, and toes. Like in the case of chest pain, inflammation and tissue damage are the main reasons for foot pain. Essentially, this pain is experienced at points where ligaments and tendons attach to the bones, specifically at the back of the heel.

Swelling
Besides pain, the condition causes extensive swelling, with a person’s fingers and toes growing to the size of sausages. Swelling is mainly experienced in the knees, ankles, hands, and feet. The inflammation of the joints is responsible for this painful and puffy growth of toes and fingers. Swelling affects pairs of joints on both sides of a person’s body, for instance, both ankles, elbows, knees, or hips. Since psoriatic arthritis is a chronic condition, the swelling can worsen with time.

Lower back pain
Many with this disorder develop spondylitis. It is a condition where the joints between the vertebrae and spine and between the spine and pelvis become inflamed. This results in intense pain in the middle and lower back. Healthcare experts can immediately detect psoriatic arthritis in patients who show spondylitis and other aggressive forms of inflammation.

Eye inflammation
In some patients, this kind of arthritis may lead to uveitis, a condition characterized by blurry vision, eye pain, and redness. This symptom is dangerous as it can cause permanent vision loss in patients if left untreated. So, one must visit a doctor immediately to determine the cause.

Nail changes
Psoriatic arthritis causes tiny dents and ridges in the nails. In many cases, the nails pull away from the nail bed. The problem is known as onycholysis. The separated nail piece may have a white, green, or yellow tint with an opaque texture.

Causes and risk factors
Psoriatic arthritis is caused when an individual’s immune system inadvertently attacks their skin and joints, causing painful inflammation across multiple body parts. The exact reason or trigger of such immune system attacks is unknown. However, genetic factors, environmental factors, and other aspects, such as a person’s food choices, lifestyle choices, and pollution, may increase the risk of psoriasis and, eventually, psoriatic arthritis. As a result, it is safe to say that psoriatic arthritis is a painful condition with unknown sources.

Genetics is a significant risk factor. Healthcare research has found frequent cases of psoriatic arthritis to be hereditary. In other words, it tends to run in families across generations. Nearly half of those with this condition have one or more relatives suffering from it. While people with a family history of psoriatic arthritis may not develop the disorder right away, they are seemingly more vulnerable to the environmental triggers that cause it than others.

Treatments and remedies
Many therapies reduce the ferocity of psoriatic arthritis in patients. A few such treatment alternatives include:

Joint replacement surgery
Psoriatic arthritis adversely affects various joints in the body, either through inflammation or epidermal damage. Treating the condition in its early stages gives doctors a much-needed headstart and enables them to reduce its severity. Joint replacement surgery is among the more efficient solutions. In this surgery, doctors carefully remove a person’s affected joints. They then replace them with joints made of plastic and metal. It is one of the more effective solutions to address psoriatic arthritis.

Light therapy
Light therapy involves using a mix of specific tried-and-tested treatment alternatives followed by exposing patients to bright light. This light helps treat psoriasis-based skin rashes effectively in patients. Light therapy is an effective treatment option for several other types of skin conditions too.

Besides these treatment alternatives, patients can follow specific lifestyle changes and home remedies to lower the aggressive nature of psoriatic arthritis. A few examples are:

Daily exercise
One of the leading causes of psoriatic arthritis is joint stiffness. Exercise facilitates the movement of joints, muscles, bones, and other body parts, preventing stiffness from setting in. Patients must incorporate at least 30 minutes of exercise daily to gain more energy and keep the joints healthy. Besides helping with joint movement, exercise relieves stress and anxiety that may arise as a result of such chronic conditions.

Hot and cold packs
Muscle soreness is another major cause of psoriatic arthritis. Using hot compresses or warm packs helps relieve muscle soreness. On the other hand, cold packs reduce joint pain. Patients can consult a doctor to learn the correct method of using hot and cold packs. The remedy must be followed correctly for the best results in the long term.

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Known Signs of Hemophilia and Anemia

Bleeding disorders refer to a group of conditions like hemophilia or anemia that interfere with normal blood functions in the body. Hemophilia affects the ability of the blood cells to clot naturally, while anemia lowers hemoglobin count in the red blood cells. These conditions exhibit a unique set of symptoms that can be identified. Early diagnosis helps doctors form a viable healthcare plan. So, it pays to know and identify the following symptoms. Hemophilia and Anemia: Understanding the difference Both conditions are common bleeding disorders. However, anemia & hemophilia signs are distinctly different from each other when it comes to the disease progression. The latter is a genetic disorder that affects the red blood cell’s ability to clot and close wounds. Certain clotting factors in the blood bind with the red blood cells to prevent uncontrolled bleeding. Anemia is a condition where the body lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells in the first place. Also, a low hemoglobin count affects the red blood cell’s ability to carry oxygen to vital organs and extremities via the circulatory system. Genetic mutation triggers most known types of hemophilia, while certain nutritional deficiencies in the body trigger common forms of anemia. Symptoms of hemophilia The absence of essential clotting factors in the blood can trigger a variety of noticeable and unusual symptoms. Uncontrolled bleeding Bleeding is one of the primary symptoms of hemophilia. It can happen under the skin or in the joints. As the red blood cells are unable to bind and clot, this pool of blood can trigger swelling, pain, and tightness in the joints. This symptom is most commonly noticeable in the knees, elbows, and ankles. Blood collecting under the skin can lead to buildups under the muscle and soft tissue to cause more painful bruising. This symptom is called hematoma in medical terminology. Frequent nosebleeds When the bleeding is triggered externally, it can result in frequent nosebleeds that can be difficult to stop. Note that external environmental factors and physical injuries generally cause nosebleeds. So, any unexplained bleeding could indicate a developing condition. Bleeding caused due to cuts, bruises, and vaccinations Lack of essential clotting factor VIII can trigger bleeding from the lightest of impacts, cuts, bruises, or even after losing a tooth. Some people experience sudden bleeding after taking a vaccination. This could be the body’s reaction to producing antibodies, but the strain could be too much to bear, resulting in bleeding from the extremities. Blood in urine or stool Excess blood in the urine or stool is a clear sign of disease progression. The urine and stools appear dark red or even blackish due to the presence of red blood cells mixed with the excreta. Immediate medical assistance is advisable for visual symptoms. Bleeding in infants Complicated pregnancies can be physically taxing for both the mother and the child leading to possible symptoms of hemophilia at birth. But in some rare cases, infants may experience internal bleeding in the head. Symptoms of anemia The most common types of anemia, including iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemia, develop due to the lack of nutrients in the body. Therefore, anemia exhibits more physically taxing symptoms as the condition worsens. Tiredness Increased fatigue and weakness for no apparent reason is one of the main indicators of nutritional deficiencies. An unexplained decrease in overall stamina with no physical exertion or any activity during the day could mean low iron in the blood. Without iron, the body cannot produce enough red blood cells. And low hemoglobin means not enough oxygen is being circulated around vital organs in the body, thus resulting in fatigue induced by low energy levels. Respiratory symptoms Experiencing shortness of breath, chest pains, and even noticing an irregular heartbeat could indicate a possible anemic condition. An iron deficiency lowers hemoglobin count, and this means not enough oxygen is being circulated by the blood. Low hemoglobin affects the breathing rate as the body struggles to extract more oxygen resulting in shortness of breath. The heart must also put in extra efforts to pump the low hemoglobin blood forcefully, thus resulting in irregular heartbeats. Doctors refer to this condition as heart palpitations. These symptoms can also induce chest pains due to the sheer stress being put on the organ. Pale skin and damaged hair Skin and hair symptoms are visible indicators of a developing anemia condition. An iron deficiency results in low red blood cell production and indirectly affects the shade of the skin. Pale skin is noticeably visible around the face, gums, lower lips, lower eyelids, and even on the nails. This symptom is more visually obvious among people who flaunt a lighter skin tone. Also, hair thinning, hair fall, and a damaged scalp is a clear sign of iron deficiency. Treatment options Note that anemia & hemophilia signs never overlap. Once the primary indicators are confirmed, doctors quickly suggest blood tests to identify the leading causes or triggers. Knowing the differences can help with prompt diagnosis even though both the conditions are bleeding disorders. It is even possible to recover from common forms of anemia within 2 to 3 months. Hemophilia is a more serious bleeding disorder that is treated by introducing the missing clotting factors. Doctors also suggest prescriptions that help stimulate the body to release more clotting factors. However, a transfusion offers more promising results for moderate to severe progression. Effective preventive measures and home remedies can help lower the risk of bleeding. These conditions cannot be completely cured. But it is possible to improve the quality of life by incorporating healthy lifestyle habits. Prescriptions and treatments only help slow down the disease progression.

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Skin Cancer – Early Signs, Types, and Preventive Tips

Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells that most commonly occurs due to sun exposure. It can, however, develop for a variety of reasons. It is divided into three types: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. The risk of developing this cancer can be reduced by limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Early detection of this skin condition offers the best chance of treatment and cure. Early warning signs of skin cancer Abnormal markings on the skin Irregularities on the skin are a major warning sign of this condition. Any new mole, sore, lump, bump, lesion, or other mark that gradually gets worse, has multiple colors, oozes, bleeds, keeps coming back, or never goes away is extremely suspicious and needs to be checked right away. Examining your skin once a month is highly recommended. For a preliminary full body scan at home, a person needs to stand in front of a mirror and closely examine various regions of the body, including hidden areas such as between your fingers and toes, the armpits, and the genital area. It is best to consult a doctor if anything unusual is noticed. Sudden change in weight Many things, including physical activity and calorie-controlled meals, may help someone grow slimmer. However, consistent loss of muscle mass and fat without a known cause or physical activity may be an indication of skin cancer. This early warning sign means it is advisable to see a doctor and get tested. Extreme fatigue Feeling tired at the end of the day is common, but feeling exhausted and fatigued after doing little to no work can be concerning. Cancer consumes the body's nutrients in order to develop and spread; as a result, the nutrients are no longer replenishing healthy cells. This can result in significant fatigue. Painful and itchy skin conditions Red, itchy, and painful skin sores or pimples can be caused by toxins in the environment or a severe allergic reaction. If no obvious cause can be found, having it checked is the best way to avoid future complications. In terms of occurrence, basal and squamous cell skin cancers are more common and less severe than melanoma. They can appear anywhere on the body, but are most commonly noted on the face, head, or neck. Symptoms of basal skin cancer Basal cell carcinoma can appear as an itchy, elevated patch of skin or as a flat, firm region of skin similar to a scar. In dark-skinned individuals, it may be the same color as the skin or darker. If one has pale skin, it may appear pale, reddish, yellow, or pink. It causes tiny, pearly pimples with blue, brown, or black borders. It can also appear as raised edges and a lower center in growths, as well as abnormal blood vessels that spread from the growth. In some cases, it also leads to open sores that ooze or crust over and do not heal on their own. Symptoms of squamous cell skin cancer Squamous cell carcinoma can present as a raised growth or lump, possibly with a lower center, or as a rough or scaly red area that may crust or bleed. It appears to be a growth with a wart-like appearance. This skin condition can take many different forms. Other symptoms of this cancer include changes in skin color, a sore that does not heal, new swelling outside a mole's border, itching, pain, or tenderness in a mole, seeping, scaliness, or bleeding in a mole, and a black track around a nail. Symptoms of melanoma Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. There are two methods for detecting early melanoma symptoms. It is also known as the ABCDE method or the ugly duckling method. Keep an eye out for the following abnormal mole symptoms: A- Asymmetries If a mole's two halves are uneven, this can be an early sign of the condition. B- Border The edges of a harmless mole are uniform and smooth. A mole with uneven, scalloped, or notched edges may indicate the presence of melanoma in its early stages. C- Color Non-harmful moles are only one color, usually brown. Melanoma can change the color of the skin from tan, brown, or black to red, blue, or white. The lesion may be darker, or the color changes may be less noticeable on dark skin. D- Dimension Less dangerous moles have a smaller diameter, and a cancerous mole is typically one-quarter of an inch in size. E- Evolving It can be dangerous if a mole begins to change or evolve, such as in shape, color, or elevation from the skin. It may also begin to bleed, itch, or crust. The "ugly duckling" method is based on the idea that a person's moles tend to look alike. If one mole seems unusual in any manner, it may be an early warning sign of skin cancer. Although not all moles indicate this, it is still advisable to have them checked if any of the symptoms listed above are present. Preventive measures against skin cancer Stay inside during particularly sunny hours, such as 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Avoid using UV tanning beds, tanning in the sun, and getting sunburned. Apply sunscreen to all body parts exposed to the sun, including the face, when going outside. Always wear protective clothing, such as a hat with a wide brim and sunglasses with UV protection. Use a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection (UVA/UVB) and has an SPF of 15 or higher. Use a water-resistant, broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher if you intend to spend lots of time outside. Before going outside, apply 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) of sunscreen all over your body. Reapply every two hours, after swimming, and whenever you sweat profusely. Examine your entire body and skin from head to toe once a month. A dermatologist should be seen at least once a year for a thorough skin examination.  

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