Routine Monitoring and Ongoing Treatment for Psoriatic Arthritis
Regular medical care is important to monitor the course of a person's
psoriatic arthritis, determine the effectiveness and any negative effects of medications, and change therapies as needed. Monitoring typically includes regular visits to the doctor. It may also include blood, urine, and other laboratory tests, as well as x-rays.
As part of his or her long-term, ongoing care, a person with psoriatic
arthritis may want to talk with his or her healthcare provider about preventing
osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weakened and fragile. Having psoriatic arthritis increases the risk of developing osteoporosis for both men and women, particularly if a person takes corticosteroids. Such patients may want to talk with their doctors about the potential benefits of:
The Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment Team
A person with psoriatic arthritis will probably need to see several different types of healthcare providers, because psoriatic arthritis can affect different parts of the body. However, it may be helpful -- to both the doctors and the patient -- for one doctor to manage the complete psoriatic
arthritis treatment plan. This doctor will usually be a rheumatologist (a doctor specializing in arthritis). He or she can coordinate treatments and monitor the side effects from the various medicines the patient may take.
The following specialists treat other features that affect different parts of the body:
- Ophthalmologist (treats eye disease)
- Dermatologist (treats skin symptoms)
- Orthopedist (performs surgery on severely damaged joints)
- Physical or occupational therapist (supervise exercise regimens).
Previous
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print