Connection between Psoriatic Arthritis and Dizziness: Exploring Links, Vertigo, and Related Symptoms
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis associated with a skin condition called psoriasis. Beyond joint pain and swelling, PsA can cause a variety of symptoms, including dizziness and vertigo.
Dizziness in PsA can manifest as feelings of unsteadiness, weakness, lightheadedness, wooziness, and nausea. While there is no cure for PsA, its symptoms may disappear without treatment in a few days or weeks. However, for those experiencing persistent or severe dizziness, effective treatment is available.
Effective treatment of dizziness and vertigo in PsA patients involves a combination of approaches. Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT), an exercise-based program, may be recommended to retrain the brain to compensate for balance disturbances. This therapy, which has been suggested by research from 2011, may be a treatment option for vertigo and dizziness in people with PsA.
Canalith repositioning maneuvers such as the Epley maneuver treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a frequent cause of vertigo caused by displaced otolith crystals in the inner ear. This approach is safe and effective.
Medications to alleviate symptoms include meclizine or promethazine for motion sickness and nausea related to vertigo, and betahistine, used primarily for Meniere’s disease to reduce vertigo and dizziness by improving inner ear blood flow and reducing fluid buildup.
Lifestyle interventions such as staying well hydrated, avoiding abrupt head movements, reducing alcohol and caffeine intake, managing stress, and ensuring proper rest support these medical treatments and reduce vertigo episodes.
Regarding PsA specifically, managing systemic inflammation through PsA-directed therapies (e.g., DMARDs or biologics) may indirectly improve symptoms if inflammation contributes to vestibular dysfunction. It is important for patients with PsA experiencing dizziness or vertigo to be evaluated to rule out other causes including medication side effects or central nervous system involvement.
If vertigo symptoms are persistent or severe, referral to ENT specialists or balance clinics for tailored diagnosis and management including potential vestibular testing and advanced therapies is advised.
In addition to these treatments, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) and methotrexate (Trexall) may be prescribed to slow down PsA and protect joints from permanent damage. A doctor may also prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) to alleviate dizziness and vertigo in people with PsA.
A study concluded that individuals with PsA are more likely to experience dizziness, tinnitus, vertigo, and unsteadiness than those without the condition. PsA may damage the inner ear through immune-related inflammation, impacting both balance and hearing.
It is crucial to address severe symptoms like difficulty walking, chest pain, difficulty breathing, vision impairment, and falling immediately by consulting a doctor to prevent the symptoms from worsening. Vestibular rehabilitation may benefit individuals with vertigo or dizziness caused by conditions other than PsA.
In summary, effective treatment of dizziness and vertigo in PsA patients involves a combination of vestibular rehabilitation, repositioning maneuvers, symptom-targeted medications, lifestyle adjustments, and appropriate management of underlying systemic inflammation.
- Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can cause symptoms beyond joint pain and swelling, such as dizziness and vertigo.
- Dizziness in PsA can lead to feelings of unsteadiness, weakness, lightheadedness, wooziness, and nausea.
- Effective treatment for dizziness and vertigo in PsA patients involves vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT), an exercise-based program.
- Canalith repositioning maneuvers like the Epley maneuver can treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a common cause of vertigo.
- Medications such as meclizine, promethazine, betahistine, sulfasalazine, and methotrexate may be prescribed to alleviate dizziness and vertigo in PsA patients.
- Lifestyle interventions like staying hydrated, avoiding sudden head movements, reducing alcohol and caffeine intake, managing stress, and ensuring proper rest can reduce vertigo episodes.
- DMARDs like sulfasalazine and methotrexate may be prescribed to slow down PsA and protect joints from permanent damage.
- PsA may damage the inner ear through immune-related inflammation, affecting both balance and hearing.
- If vertigo symptoms persist or become severe, referral to ENT specialists or balance clinics may be necessary for diagnosis and treatment.
- It's crucial to address severe symptoms immediately to prevent them from worsening, and vestibular rehabilitation may benefit individuals with vertigo or dizziness caused by conditions other than PsA.
