Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis. This condition can be painful, and there is no cure, but there are treatments available. Symptoms of this condition include stiffness, swelling, and joint pain. Any part of the body can be impacted. Some people only experience mild symptoms while others can have more severe debilitating symptoms. If you have psoriatic arthritis, there are various treatments that may be able to help with your symptoms. Here's what you should know about treating this condition.

Types of Treatments

The first thing that you should know is that there are various treatments that may help ease your symptoms. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are available both over the counter and by prescription and may offer some relief. Other treatments include disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, or DMARDs, immunosuppressants, and biologic agents. Steroid injections and joint replacement surgery may also be needed in some cases. The treatment that works best for your needs will depend on the extent of your arthritis and whether or not previous treatments have had an impact. 

Costs Can Vary

Another thing to consider when it comes to treating psoriatic arthritis is how much it costs. The cost of your treatment will vary depending on the type of treatment used and the severity of your symptoms. Treatments can range in price from just a few dollars to thousands of dollars each month. Medications such as methotrexate and sulfasalazine which are used to treat psoriatic arthritis can cost as little as $75 per month. Biologics, on the other hand, can cost up to $10,000 per month. How much you pay will also be dependent on whether or not you have health insurance and how much your policy will cover. 

Lifestyle Changes Can Help

While medication and other treatments can help with your symptoms, lifestyle changes can also make a difference. In fact, lifestyle changes are a key part of treatment for many. Some recommended lifestyle changes include having a healthy diet, avoiding foods that are known to cause inflammation, staying at a healthy weight, getting ample rest, exercising regularly, and avoiding stress and alcohol. Changing up your lifestyle can help alleviate many of the symptoms associated with psoriatic arthritis.

If you suffer from psoriatic arthritis, there are a few things that you should know about treating this condition. First, there are a variety of medications and treatments available that can help you manage your symptoms. The costs of these treatments will vary depending on different factors including health insurance and the treatments needed. While medical treatments can help, there are also various lifestyle changes that you can make that may help you manage your symptoms.

If you have psoriatic arthritis, visit a professional like Sarasota Arthritis Center.