Don't Ignore These Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms!

Psoriatic arthritis causes the body’s immune system to attack itself. The bad part for us is that it even attacks our healthy tissues.

My body has been attacking itself for over 35 years. Will it ever stop? I would say it probably won't but I thought I would ask anyway.

What are the additional symptoms of psoriatic arthritis?

I have met plenty of people over the years whose psoriatic arthritis has cause deformities and even bone erosion. This disease is unpredictable. It has to be taken care of by a medical practitioner. It can lead to joints being permanently damaged.

We should always report our joint symptoms to the doctor. Don't forget to be on the look out for other new symptoms so they can be observed in case of complications. Here are some of the symptoms that you should never ignore:

Cardiovascular signs

It's important for a patient to know when warning signs indicate a heart attack. This is according to the National Heart Lung and blood institute. The signs include: pain in the upper body, shortness of breath, and extreme fatigue

According to the American Stroke Association, the warning signs for a stroke include arm weakness (mostly on one side), difficulty talking, and drooping on one side of the face.

Depression

I can't speak for everybody but I was very depressed for years. I had to get help, could not manage on my own. We have so many emotional upheavals that we are not prepared for.

Some of the potential signs of depression include: just want to sit and cry all day, loss of interest in all activities, not wanting to be around friends or family, you do not see any light at the end of the tunnel and you find yourself always sad and hopeless.

Whether your psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is mild or severe, we both still have the same mental health issues or depression.  Of course, if your illness is well controlled it certainly helps with your mental health.

Digestive problems

The symptoms below are signs of inflammatory bowel disease, they include cramping, abdominal pains, loose bowels, and blood in your stool.

Persons who suffer from both psoriasis and psoriasis arthritis are at a high risk of developing Crohn’s disease. Gene mutations of people with Crohn’s disease and those with psoriasis arthritis are similar. If you have problems with your digestive system, contact your doctor.

Appetite, dehydration and weight

Well, this is another group that I am part of. Persons with severe PsA are at a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome describes factors that increase your risk of developing some health conditions. They include high blood pressure and belly fat. They increase your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

If you have extra pounds around the waistline it is advisable to get your blood pressure monitored regularly. Signs of type 2 diabetes include feeling hungry and thirsty constantly or very tired.

Fatigue

Fatigue may be characterized by unrelenting exhaustion that is not relieved by rest. Fatigue is a disabling and difficult to manage symptom of psoriatic arthritis. It has been estimated that as many as 50% of patients with psoriatic arthritis have moderate-to-severe fatigue, and 29% have severe fatigue.

A physician diagnoses fatigue during a physical examination. Physicians will ask a variety of questions to assess the patient’s activities and quality of life that may be impacted by fatigue.

Be your own best advocate

It is no secret that having PsA is susceptible to other dangerous diseases. It is important that we be our own best advocates and report any new symptoms to your doctor immediately. We need to protect ourselves against any added health issues.