How to Know if You Have Psoriatic Arthritis Or Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Joint pains are troublesome and complex. Do you feel unexplainable and exhausting joint pain? Well, before you panic and look for a joint doctor, it is important to know the kind of joint pain that you are suffering. That is, either you have Psoriatic Arthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Since both of these joint pains share extreme similarities, it is hard to tell which side of the aisle you are on. However, understanding these joint pains is essential for timely treatment. With that said, there are certain symptoms, causes, and diagnosis that differentiate Psoriatic Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Schwable Pharma / CDC refers to Psoriatic Arthritis as “an autoimmune joint ailment.”

Now, let us have a deeper look into these two chronic ailments to develop an understanding of them. Consequently, this will help you in dealing with your joint pain more efficiently.

What is Psoriatic Arthritis Exactly?

Psoriatic Arthritis comes from the origin of Psoriasis, which refers to an abnormal function of the body where one’s immune system interferes with the joints and skin of the victim. Similarly, the immune system disturbs the functionality of healthy cells.

Essentially, victims of Psoriatic Arthritis develop skin disease first and joint pain second. One of the commonest symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis is feeling difficulty in grabbing objects. As Psoriatic Arthritis attacks fragile joints like fingers and toes, the patient faces hazardous difficulty in making use of their fingernails.

Nonetheless, at a chronic stage, Psoriatic Arthritis attacks the spinal cord, which may lead to disastrous consequences and malfunction of the overall body.

Tatiana / Pexels / Arthritis Mutilans is the most chronic stage of Psoriatic Arthritis, where moving hands and feet become impossibly difficult.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis, Then?

Just like Psoriatic Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis is also a joint disease that is directly linked with the immune system of the body. The function of the immune system is to protect your body from diseases and disorders. In Rheumatoid Arthritis, however, it malfunctions against vital tissues and cells in your body. Consequently, this malfunction results in either back pain, neck pain, or joint pain.

Kindel / Pexels / Back pain, neck pain, and stiffness are the commonest signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Given the similarities between these two joint diseases, doctors often label them as similar. “Since the symptoms of both are acutely similar, it is convenient for us to label them as same and to treat them alike,” says the Director of Chicago University’s Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatric’s Director Coughi Edens.

However, it is pertinent to mention here that a typical Rheumatoid Arthritis patient may develop Psoriatic Arthritis as the ailment progresses. In either case, a quick consultation with a doctor is highly recommended.