From healthcentral.com
Rheumatologists and dermatologists are the primary doctors for this condition, but you may require additional experts to treat PsA complications
You may know psoriatic arthritis (PsA) as a joint and skin condition, but this disease can cause symptoms from head to toe. The unpredictable nature of psoriatic arthritis symptoms that can come and go without explanation is frustrating. So it’s no surprise that managing your condition may require a team of health care experts with varying skills. Rheumatologists and dermatologists may end up being your go-to PsA providers, but you may recruit others to your team in order to reach your wellness goals.
Some of the various psoriatic arthritis doctors and other experts you may work with to treat this complex condition include:
General Practitioner (overall health care)
Cardiologist (heart specialist)
Dermatologist (skin specialist)
Gastroenterologist (gut specialist)
Nutritionist (diet specialist)
Occupational Therapist (everyday activity specialist)
Ophthalmologist (eye specialist)
Physical Therapist (movement specialist)
Psychologist (mental health specialist)
Rheumatologist (autoimmune specialist)
Let’s take a closer look at the professionals you’ll be relying on most and how they may be able to help you better manage your psoriatic arthritis.
Primary Care Providers
It’s likely that before your PsA diagnosis, you had a general practitioner (a.k.a. GP or family doctor) who you saw on a regular basis. With a psoriatic arthritis diagnosis, it’s important to continue your relationship and not to lose contact with your GP, says Eric Ascher, M.D., a family medicine physician at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
“Your general practitioner will keep a large and detailed history so they are able to ensure your other medical conditions are being monitored and be sure your medications will not interact with psoriatic arthritis treatment plans from specialists, like a rheumatologist,” he explains. Your general practitioner will likely see you in closer intervals than you see your specialists, Dr. Ascher adds, so they will able to keep close tabs on your treatment.
Research suggests that strong communication with your doctor improves treatment outcomes, and that starts with your primary care doctor. “One of the most important reasons to follow up with a primary care doctor is for the physician-patient relationship,” says Dr. Ascher. “Patients will likely feel comfortable sharing and opening up.”
Rheumatologists
Rheumatologists are medical doctors who completed extra training in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases (a.k.a. rheumatic diseases). Their role in the care of your psoriatic arthritis is to diagnose what type of disease you have and then treat it with nonsurgical methods, according to the American College of Rheumatology. Because psoriatic arthritis medications often require a trial-and-error process, your rheumatologist will follow your progress throughout the year to determine if any change in your treatment is needed.
Dermatologists
Psoriatic arthritis affects about one in three people with the skin condition psoriasis. This means that there is a good chance your skin is involved in your PsA symptoms. A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in skin, hair, and nail issues, so if you had psoriasis first, your dermatologist may also have been the first to diagnose your psoriatic arthritis. If you start a new treatment for your psoriatic arthritis, you’ll want to keep your dermatologist in the loop to monitor your skin, hair, and nails.
Other Doctors Who Treat Psoriatic Arthritis
Along with your core team of medical experts, you may need to branch out and include one of these providers in the mix, depending on your psoriatic arthritis symptoms.
Cardiologist
The inflammation that you feel in your joints may also impact your cardiovascular system. That’s why individuals with psoriatic arthritis have a greater risk of cardiovascular disease and more cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. This means that even if you are relatively young with PsA, a regular check-in with a cardiologist, or heart doctor, may be necessary.
Gastroenterologist
People with psoriatic disease have a up to a four-fold increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) compared to the general population, according to the journal Frontiers. The likely reason: The same inflammatory response that is triggered by your immune system to cause PsA symptoms is also responsible for aggravating your digestive system in conditions like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis. A gastroenterologist is trained to diagnose and treat digestive diseases, including these types of IBD.
Ophthalmologist
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who treat conditions of the eye. Bringing an ophthalmologist onto your health care team may be beneficial. Over 40% of people with psoriatic disease develop uveitis (a.k.a. inflammation of the eye) during their lifetime. So it’s important when you go for your regular eye exam to let your eye doctor know that you have PsA.
Who Helps With Daily Psoriatic Arthritis Challenges?
Beyond regular check-ups with your general practitioner and specialty health care providers, there are resources available to help you manage the day-to-day challenges of your condition.
Psychologist
“Mental health providers can make a big difference for those with chronic diseases like psoriatic arthritis,” says Naomi Torres-Mackie, M.D., a clinical psychologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Dr. Torres-Mackie says that adjusting to a chronic medical diagnosis can be difficult, and therapy is known to be effective in this area. “Psychotherapists can help those with PsA learn coping skills to manage social or generalised anxiety, depressive feelings, and/or low self-image associated with their diagnosis,” she explains.
Who should you look for to join your team? Dr. Torres-Mackie recommends social workers, mental health counsellors, psychologists, and psychiatrists who have training in psychotherapy for mental health symptoms related to chronic illness.
Physical Therapist
Physical therapists can help you improve your movement and manage pain. A 2022 review of physical therapy for psoriatic arthritis concluded that physical therapy helped people with PsA improve their strength, cardiovascular condition, and range of motion, while decreasing pain associated with the chronic disease. Your general practitioner may have a recommendation for a physical therapist. The American Physical Therapy Association also has a locator option on their website.
Nutritionist
Gut conditions, intestinal inflammation, and psoriatic arthritis are linked together, says Megan Hilbert, R.D.N., with Top Nutrition Coaching in Madison, WI. “If you have PsA, a registered dietitian can help you determine what foods can promote inflammation in your body—like added sugars, fried foods, refined carbohydrates—and what foods can help reduce inflammation, like dark leafy greens, nuts or seeds, and berries,” she says.
Changes in eating habits can be an overwhelming thought for many people, which is why a registered dietitian may be useful on your team. “A registered dietitian can also help come up with an individualized diet for you that can help remove trigger foods and promote a healthy gut microbiome,” Hilbert explains. How do you get started? Hilbert suggests reaching out to your general practitioner for a referral or checking out the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics locator to find an expert who may be a good match for you.
Why Do You Need More Than One Doctor for Psoriatic Arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic and progressive condition that can extend beyond your skin and joints. That’s why a multidisciplinary approach is essential for the best health outcomes. From dermatologists to cardiologists, each provider can bring the latest knowledge in their field to ensure that all of your concerns are being addressed.
How to Choose the Right Doctors
Your go-to providers will be the first resources to help you build your health care team. Talk with your GP, rheumatologist, and dermatologist about your needs: They will know your medical history and personal preferences better than anyone. And don’t forget to ask the nurses in their offices for recommendations—they often have their ears to the ground and can tell you what they have heard. Your insurance provider may also be a good resource to determine which specialty providers are both nearby and participate in your plan.
https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/psoriatic-arthritis/doctor-psoriatic-arthritis
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