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Causing substantial amounts of pain to psoriatic arthritis sufferers, swelling in the joints is one of the most obvious symptoms related to this condition. Besides being painful, this swelling also leads to patchy skin. Since psoriatic arthritis is related to psoriasis and therefore can be responsible for other health problems throughout the body, including issues in the scalp, knees, and elbows and the appearance of lesions on the fingers and toenails. Swollen fingers and swollen toes are also commonly seen in psoriatic arthritis sufferers. Causes Not Fully Understood Although researchers have come to believe that contracting psoriatic arthritis seems to be linked to a person's living environment and their genes, the specific causes of psoriatic arthritis are still not fully understood by doctors. It is important for an individual who begins to notice symptoms commonly associated with psoriatic arthritis to visit their doctor and find out whether or not their symptoms are indeed related to this disease. Diagnosing psoriatic arthritis can be done by a doctor after they have conducted a physical examination that could involve taking x-rays and doing blood tests. Doing these tests will allow the doctor conducting them to determine with more certainty whether or not they are being caused by psoriatic arthritis or some other disorder. It is always better to visit your doctor as soon as possible so that you can begin to treat your symptoms properly. Typically, psoriatic arthritis symptoms involve the nails, skin and joints which will become adversely affected. In addition, these symptoms also affect the patient's ankles and knees as well as joints in their feet. However, not every joint will become inflamed; though, many joints will start to ache and become hot as well as red and swollen. Psoriatic arthritis can cause a finger or toe to swell up so much that is begins to look like a little sausage. This, though, is a less obvious symptom than stiffening in the joints. This stiffening is most commonly experienced with more severity in the mornings. Other outstanding symptoms include a stiff neck, stiff buttocks, stiff lower neck, and inflamed spine. If a doctor does diagnose you with psoriatic arthritis, you will have several different treatment options available to you. Some are simple self-help treatments while others involve taking medication that has been specially designed to treat psoriatic arthritis. Remember that there are other negative symptoms that psoriatic arthritis can cause apart from swelling of the joint; acne can form, nails can change, tendonitis can occur, and the lungs, eyes, and aorta can swell.
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