How Can People With Psoriasis Prevent Periodontitis
Practicing good oral hygiene is the most effective way to prevent periodontitis. This is true whether you have psoriasis or not. Maintaining a healthy mouth, teeth and gums relies on the following:
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Brushing your teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes. At a minimum, you should do this after breakfast and before bed. For optimal care, brush after every meal and before bed.
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Flossing at least once a day
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Rinsing with mouthwash after you brush
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Seeing your dentist every six months for a cleaning and exam
People with psoriasis may need to see their dentist more often than standard recommendations. Make sure your knows you have psoriasis. And consider asking for a comprehensive periodontal exam on a regular basis. It can help identify early gum disease before tissue destruction begins.
See your dentist right away if you notice signs of gum disease or periodontitis including:
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Bleeding when brushing or flossing
The Psoriatic Arthritis And Heart Health Connection
According to a meta-analysis published in April 2016 in the journal Arthritis Care and Research, people with psoriatic arthritis were 43 percent more likely to have or develop heart disease compared with the general population. They also had a 31 percent higher risk of heart failure.
The reason patients are at risk is not entirely known, says Dr. Ritchlin. People with psoriatic arthritis more commonly develop metabolic syndrome a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease and other health problems. But there are patients with psoriatic arthritis who do not have metabolic syndrome and are still at an increased risk for heart events, he says.
The Impact Of Comorbidities
Some comorbidities can affect your health and quality of life with psoriasis more than others. If you do have any of these underlying health conditions, it is important to speak with your doctor about how to manage and treat them. Addressing these conditions can help you lead a healthier, more comfortable life.
Condition Guide
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Surprising Ways Psoriatic Arthritis Can Affect Your Health
The autoimmune disease can cause more than joint pain and may target several different organs.
Psoriatic arthritis is most often associated with joint pain. Like psoriasis, its an autoimmune disorder that commonly impacts the skin in the case of psoriatic arthritis, the immune system also targets the joints. But the disease can affect many parts of the body, and its symptoms vary widely.
causes a lot of inflammation, says Christopher Ritchlin, MD, MPH, a rheumatologist from the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York. I dont think many patients fully understand that if you have inflammation, youre at risk for inflammation in other areas of the body.
Here are eight surprising ways psoriatic arthritis can affect your body:
When To Seek Medical Advice
You should speak to your GP if you experience constant pain, swelling or stiffness in your joints even if you haven’t been diagnosed with psoriasis.
If you have been diagnosed with psoriasis, you should have check-ups at least once a year to monitor your condition. Make sure you let your doctor know if you’re experiencing any problems with your joints.
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What Organs Can Be Affected By Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a condition that is visible on the skin, the largest organ in the human body. But can it affect other organs too? In this blog, we investigate if psoriasis is more than skin deep.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by the immune system attacking the skin, leading to a rapid build up of excess cells. These manifest as itchy patches, often covered in plaques or scales. The patches may be raised and inflamed and, depending on the colour of a persons skin, might appear flushed or darker, while scales may appear silvery.
The skin is the largest organ and psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body, although it is most common on the scalp, arms, legs, torso and back. It can also appear in sensitive areas where skin touches skin for example in the armpits, groin, under the breasts, around the genitals and in skin folds. It can also show up on the hands, fingertips, feet and on fingernails and toenails.
But although psoriasis is classed as a dermatologic disease, the systemic inflammation it causes can also affect the joints, arteries and other internal organs. As a result, psoriasis sufferers are more likely to be at risk of developing conditions, such as:
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Metabolic diseases
- Liver diseases
Take a look at our other blogs on the subject, particularly psoriasis-campaigner Jude Duncans article on how to manage psoriasis triggers.
Home Remedies To Manage Gum Disease And Psoriasis
Gum disease is a risk factor not only for psoriasis, but also for heart disease and dementia, suggesting that periodontitis treatment is crucial for your overall health. Here are some home remedies to manage gum disease:
- Mix together hydrogen peroxide and water, rinse your mouth for a few seconds, and spit it out.
- Massage your gums with aloe vera.
- Drink pure cranberry juice a few times a day.
- Swish around sesame or coconut oil for oil pulling.
- Swish around sea salt and water.
- Place a steeped, cooled-down tea bag on the affected gums to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Use chamomile tea as a mouth rinse.
Prevention is the key for the overall gum health, and there are many measures you can take in order to avoid gum disease. Below are preventative steps to ensure you stay healthy.
- Get regular checkups with the dentist.
- Brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash.
- Manage and control diabetes, high cholesterol, and blood pressure.
- Dont smoke.
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Who Will Be Responsible For My Healthcare
Youre likely to see a team of healthcare professionals.
Your doctor, usually a rheumatologist, will be responsible for your overall care. And a specialist nurse may help monitor your condition and treatments. A skin specialist called a dermatologist may be responsible for the treatment of your psoriasis.
You may also see:
- a physiotherapist, who can advise on exercises to help maintain your mobility
- an occupational therapist, who can help you protect your joints, for example, by using splints for the wrist or knee braces. You may be advised to change the way you do some tasks to reduce the strain on your joints.
- a podiatrist, who can assess your footcare needs and offer advice on special insoles and good supportive footwear.
Psoriasis And Interstitial Lung Disease
Interstitial lung disease is a group of lung disorders that affect the tissue surrounding the air sacsthe interstitium. It includes sarcoidosis, idiopathic , and interstitial . ILD causes scarring of the lung tissue and difficulty breathing. In most cases, the cause is not known. However, some medications, such as immunosuppressants that treat psoriasis, can cause it. These links led researchers to examine the relationship between psoriasis and ILD.
Studies looking at imaging exams of the lungs of people with psoriasis have found evidence of ILD. They observed this even for people who had not yet taken any immunosuppressants. This suggests a link between ILD and psoriasis itself, and not just with certain medicines that treat the disease.
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Certain Types Of Cancer
People with psoriasis are also at an increased risk for developing certain types of cancer, due to the systemic inflammation from the skin condition. In addition, certain treatments for psoriasis that affect the immune system have also been found to increase the risk of developing cancer specifically lymphoma.
Research shows that people with psoriasis are 18 percent more likely to develop cancer compared to healthy individuals this risk is increased to 22 percent for people with severe psoriasis.
Types of cancer more common in those with psoriasis include:
- Skin cancers Specifically squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas
- Lymphomas
- Esophagus cancer
- Feels of worthlessness or guilt
- Suicidal thoughts
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor about treatment options. It is important to take care of yourself both mentally and physically. Options can include:
- Therapy or counseling
- Support groups or group therapy
- Exercising regularly
Psoriasis: More Than Skin Deep
The first accurate medical discussion of psoriasis dates back to 1801, but the disease itself is much older. In fact, its very name is borrowed from an ancient Greek word meaning an itchy or scaly condition. About 7 million Americans are plagued by this itching and scaling, and many of them have serious complications involving other organs. Although psoriasis is classified as a dermatologic disease, it doesn’t start in the skin, and its damage may be more than skin deep.
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Blood Tests Can Be Confusing
PsA patients often test positive for blood markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein or erythrocyte sedimentation rate . But psoriatic arthritis is considered a seronegative arthritis, which means that it doesnt have telltale antibodies the way rheumatoid arthritis does with rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP. This can cause confusion between PsA and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, in which RA patients dont have these antibodies either. Seronegative RA occurs in 20 to 30 percent of RA cases. Read more here about seronegative RA vs. seropositive RA.
Symptoms Of Psoriatic Arthritis And Kidney Disease
Psoriatic arthritis sometimes develops in patients with psoriasis, an autoimmune skin condition that causes red, itchy, scaly, and inflamed plaques on the skin. Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness.
The widespread inflammation that affects the skin and joints in psoriatic arthritis can also extend to other areas of the body, causing:
- Nail changes
- Swollen fingers or toes with a sausage-like appearance
- Inflammation of the eyes
- Inflammation of the sites where tendons and ligaments attach to bone
Other systemic symptoms can include chronic fatigue, digestive symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea, and organ damage from inflammation of the heart, lungs, or kidneys.
With kidney disease, because toxic byproducts are not effectively being filtered out of the blood, increased inflammation throughout the body can manifest in several ways, including:
- Fatigue
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When Should I Call My Doctor About A Bladder Infection
If you experience the symptoms of a bladder infection or urinary tract infection, call your healthcare provider to discuss a treatment plan.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Bladder infections are common urinary tract infections. You might feel pain and burning when you pee, as well as the urge to pee more frequently than you normally do. If you have these inflammatory symptoms, call your healthcare provider. You should start to feel better after a few days of antibiotic treatment, but its important to finish the entire prescription so the infection doesnt return.
How Does It Affect Cartilage
In arthritis, the cartilage at the end of the bones becomes damaged and breaks down. In PsA, this damage results from persistent inflammation. As the cartilage erodes, the bones rub together, causing further pain and joint damage. Inflammation can also lead to bone erosion and extra bone growth.
Chronic inflammation can also affect the ligaments and tendons around the joint.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Psoriasis
There are different types of psoriasis. The most common is chronic plaque psoriasis. This causes patches of red, raised skin, with white and silvery flakes.
It can occur anywhere on the skin, but most commonly at the elbows, knees, back, buttocks and scalp.
Psoriasis can cause small round dents in finger and toe nails, this is known as pitting. Nails can also change colour, become thicker and the nail may lift away from your finger.
Managing Symptoms Of Autoimmune Arthritis
Several medications work for both psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications reduce pain and swelling.
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs protect joints and slow the disease, and less of the joint is destroyed, meaning theres less swelling, pain and less loss of joint function.
- Biologics target the specific parts of the immune system that drive inflammation.
As researchers learn more about the causes of inflammatory arthritis, theyre developing new medications to manage these diseases. Some of these new drugs are designed to specifically target one disease or the other.
Both psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are chronic diseases. They cant be cured, but they can be managed, Dr. Rosian says. By working with your doctor to get the correct diagnosis, you can manage symptoms to feel your best.
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Medications For Prolapsed Bladder
Estrogen replacement therapy may be used for a prolapsed bladder to help the body strengthen the tissues in and around the vagina. Estrogen replacement therapy can’t be used by everyone . Womenâs bodies stop creating as much estrogen naturally after menopause, and the muscles of the vagina may weaken as a result. In mild cases of prolapsed bladder, estrogen may be prescribed in an attempt to reverse bladder prolapse symptoms, such as vaginal weakening and incontinence. For more severe degrees of prolapse, estrogen replacement therapy may be used along with other types of treatment.Estrogen can be administered orally as a pill or topically as a patch or cream. The cream has very little systemic absorption and has a potent effect locally where it is applied. Topical administration has less risk than the oral preparations. The application of estrogens to the anterior vagina and urethral area may be very helpful in alleviating urinary symptoms, such as urgency and frequency, even in the face of prolapsed bladder.
What Is Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory type of arthritis that develops in some people with psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that causes itchy, scaly plaques on the skin. Psoriasis affects 74 million adults in the United States, and 30% of patients diagnosed with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis.
PsA causes inflammation in many joints of the body as a result of the body producing autoantibodies that attack healthy joints by mistake. This results in joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness, in addition to symptoms of the skin for some.
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What Are Treatments For A Prolapsed Bladder
Nonsurgical Treatment
Nonsurgical treatment consists of conservative management and the use of mechanical devices.
Behavioral therapy and pelvic floor muscle exercise are conservative therapies for management of bladder prolapse. The goal of conservative treatment is the reduction of symptoms, prevention of worsening pelvic organ prolapse, increased support of the pelvic floor musculature, and avoiding or delaying surgery. Behavioral therapy includes reducing risk factors such as treating constipation, weight loss if obese, and discontinuing smoking if COPD/cough, etc. PFME are muscle exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. The contractions should be held for two to 10 seconds and should be performed regularly several times per day. A set of 10 sustained contractions for a duration of about 20 minutes should be performed two to three times per day. This form of therapy is suitable for mild to moderate pelvic organ prolapse.
The Importance Of Early Diagnosis
Given all these factors, its no wonder that a 2018 study conducted by our parent non-profit organization, the Global Healthy Living Foundation, found that 96 percent of people who were ultimately diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis received at least one misdiagnosis first. For about 30 percent of PsA patients, it took more than five years to get diagnosed.
These diagnosis delays could lead to irreversible joint damage, which is why its key to identify the problem early and start treating it.
Here is a list of the most common health issues that can have symptoms that are similar to psoriatic arthritis. If you suspect you have any of them, share your concerns with your doctor or dermatologist and ask if further testing is right for you.
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Jaw Pain And Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis can affect any joint, including the temporomandibular joint that connects the jawbone to the skull. The TMJ is linked to the masseter the strongest muscle in your body based on its weight. Because it works so hard, the TMJ is at risk for damage.
About 35 percent of people with psoriatic arthritis will have symptoms in their TMJ, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.
Rheumatologists are encouraged to perform a 66-68 joint count, which essentially measures swelling in 66 joints and tenderness and pain in 68 joints. Still, doctors often miss signs of TMJ damage.
In clinical practice, rheumatologists arent necessarily used to looking at the TMJ. They are part of the 66-68 joint count, which was just recently endorsed as a mandatory measure for clinical trials and longitudinal studies, Ana-Maria Orbai, MD, an assistant professor of rheumatology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and an NPF medical board member, told the National Psoriasis Foundation. But most people in practice will just look at patients hands. Because practitioners arent doing the full joint count, they may miss the TMJ.
Treatment options, such as biologics and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs , can help prevent or slow TMJ damage. Additionally, you should try to avoid chewing hard foods to reduce pressure on your jaw.
Symptoms Of Psoriatic Arthritis
The severity of the condition can vary considerably from person to person. Some people may have severe problems affecting many joints, whereas others may only notice mild symptoms in 1 or 2 joints.
There may be times when your symptoms improve and periods when they get worse .
Relapses can be very difficult to predict, but can often be managed with medicine when they do occur.
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