Joint pain on one side of the body may be an indication of arthritis.
Arthritis refers to a group of diseases that cause inflammation and swelling of one or more joints.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Most people noticesymptoms of psoriasisbefore experiencing psoriasis-related joint pain.
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A common symptom of psoriasis is dry, scaly skinplaques.
Psoriatic arthritis can affect the joints of the entire body and result in permanent joint damage if left untreated.
Medications may help reduce symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, like joint pain and inflammation, and prevent disease progression.
Treatment is aimed at promoting remission and preventing joint damage.
You usually won’t start to have symptoms ofreactive arthritisuntil after you’ve healed from the infection.
Some people may have pain in thesacroiliacjointin the lower back as well.
Foot pain in reactive arthritis is usually due to inflammation ofenthesesthe places where tendons or ligaments attach to bones.
Diagnosis
It is important to seek medical attention if you think you have symptoms of arthritis.
The prognosis for those diagnosed with arthritis becomes worse the longer your condition goes untreated.
A clear diagnosis can help you to address symptoms and possibly slow disease progression.
Inflammatory arthritis like psoriatic arthritis,ankylosing spondylitis, and rheumatoid arthritis aretreated by a rheumatologist.
The results of this test can help rule out other conditions or forms of arthritis.
Your provider may check for symptoms of psoriasis to determine if you have psoriatic arthritis.
Diagnosing Psoriatic Arthritis vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Both conditions are autoimmune, inflammatory types of arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis also often affects your nails, eyes, and tendons.
Unlike psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis often causes elevated levels of rheumatoid factor in the blood.
Rheumatoid arthritis is symmetric.
Treating Asymmetric Arthritis
Symptoms of arthritis can worsen over time if left untreated.
Tips for a healthy lifestyle include:
Summary
Some forms of arthritis cause asymmetric symptoms.
For psoriatic arthritis, symptoms may start on one or both sides of your body.
Reactive arthritis occurs after an infection and is typically asymmetric as well.
Strengthening the muscles surrounding arthritic joints is essential for decreasing strain on your joints and preventing arthritis from progressing.
In addition to medical treatment, healthy lifestyle habits can help you reduce inflammation and manage symptoms.
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