Encinitas CA specialist prevents irreversible damage by treating early stages of psoriatic arthritis

It’s estimated that up to 30% of people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA). If you have psoriasis, it’s important to be self-aware; watch for any changes that could indicate the presence of PsA, as the risk of developing this condition among psoriasis sufferers doesn’t wane over time. It can take 10 to 12 years after psoriasis is diagnosed for PsA to present itself.

Board-Certified Rheumatologist Dr. Peter Lloyd of Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center is trained to identify the early stages of psoriatic arthritis in Encinitas CA. Early diagnosis means the early intervention of the kind that helps to prevent damage to bones and cartilage, which can be irreversible and substantial if allowed to progress without treatment.

How psoriatic arthritis affects your body

Formerly, PsA was thought to affect only the skin and joints; however, in recent decades, research has shown that this disease can impair the body from the inside out. As an autoimmune condition, psoriatic arthritis causes your body’s cells to “turn on each other,” a process that can progress quite quickly and cause system-wide effects.

In its earliest changes, the psoriatic disease can’t be identified conclusively with a blood test, a challenge that underscores the need for expertise from a specialist like Dr. Lloyd who has extensive familiarity with psoriasis and related conditions. There are numerous conditions whose clinical presentation overlaps with psoriatic arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease.

When working with you, Dr. Lloyd may be looking for or asking you about the following aches and pains during your visit to Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center, including:

•   Painful swelling of the joints, on one or both sides of the body
•   Swelling that is warm to the touch
•   Deformities of the fingers and toes, which can precede joint swelling
•   Foot pain at the points where the tendons meet bone, especially at the back of the heel (your Achilles) and soles of the feet (a condition known as plantar fasciitis)
•   Lower back pain or sacroiliitis that can radiate to the legs and buttocks
•   Tenderness in the upper back and neck, or spondylitis
•   Inflammation of the joints between the vertebrae of the spin, and between the spine and pelvis
•   Limited mobility
•   Stiffness that is particularly pronounced upon waking or after prolonged sitting
•   Pitted nails, or nails that are detached from the fingers and toes
•   Scales that are characteristic of psoriasis, on areas such as the scalp, knees, and back

Since psoriatic arthritis can affect your entire body, a small percentage of people may also develop ocular problems such as red eyes and blurred vision. Patients with psoriatic arthritis are also at increased risk of developing frequent viral infections, and cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, and other complications.

To minimize your risk of these and other conditions, and to protect your quality of life and healthy function, schedule an appointment at Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center. Call 760-509-2429 . It’s important to be proactive about starting medications and other therapies early into the disease, as symptoms can progress so quickly and as a means of protecting your mobility and independence.

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