| I recently read an article in a local newspaper | | | | Cellular immunity, that is, what takes place inside |
| pertaining to the subject of Psoriatic Arthritis. It | | | | the cell, involves T-cell and macrophage activity. |
| brought out that the same biological medications | | | | Humoral immunity, outside the cell, typically |
| used for conditions such as, RA (Rheumatoid | | | | involves the activities of antibodies. In a healthy |
| Arthritis), are also used for psoriatic arthritis | | | | immune system Th1 and Th2 activity switches |
| sufferers. | | | | back and forth between the two responses as |
| It highlighted that there are five different types | | | | needed. However, an inability to respond |
| of psoriatic arthritis currently known. They are: | | | | adequately with a Th1 response can result in |
| - Asymmetric Psoriatic Arthritis (joint pain usually | | | | chronic infections and cancer; while an overactive |
| on one side of the body) | | | | Th2 response can contribute to allergies. |
| - Symmetric Psoriatic Arthristis (joint pain on both | | | | The failure of Th1 arm of the immune system |
| sides of the body) | | | | and an overactive Th2 arm is implicated in a wide |
| - Distal Interphalangeal or DIP joint pain | | | | variety of chronic illnesses. These include: |
| predominant psoriatic arthritis (joint pain of the | | | | - AIDS |
| fingers and toes) | | | | - CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) |
| - Spondylitis Psoriatic Arthritis (affects the spine) | | | | - candidiasis |
| - Arthritis Mutilans (destructive arthritis) | | | | - Multiple Allergies |
| The article also mentioned that the risk factors | | | | - MCS |
| included: | | | | - Viral Hepatitis |
| - Already having psoriasis | | | | - Cancer, and other illnesses |
| - A family history of psoriasis | | | | If these two arms of the immune system could |
| - Being between 30 and 50 years of age | | | | be balanced, by stimulating Th1 and decreasing |
| Sadly, it mentioned, there is no cure for psoriatic | | | | Th2, then many of the symptoms associated |
| arthritis. Conventional treatments involves the use | | | | with the chronic illnesses would diminish, or, |
| of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). | | | | disappear and we would have found the answer |
| Of course, the common problems of these drugs | | | | to immune restoration and balance. With more |
| and others like them, are the number of serious | | | | than eighty (80) types of autoimmune diseases |
| side effects that can occur. If you presently use | | | | currently known, such an approach would make a |
| any of these types of medications, you know | | | | significant difference in the lives of suffers and |
| what I mean. | | | | their families. |
| Interestingly, these drugs are immunosuppressant | | | | One treatment for immune system imbalance |
| medications that literally suppress the immune | | | | (Th2 Dominance) is raising glutathione levels. |
| system, because both arthritis and psoriasis are | | | | Glutathione levels in antigen presenting cells |
| autoimmune diseases. This essentially means that | | | | determine whether Th1, or, Th2 response |
| the body's ability to differentiate between self and | | | | patterns predominate. Increasing glutathione levels |
| invader is hampered. | | | | helps reduce Th2 dominance. |
| In other words, the body's first line of defense, | | | | Glutathione (pronounced "gloota-thigh-own") is a |
| the immune system, is imbalanced. | | | | naturally produced protein manufactured within |
| On the one hand, a healthy immune system is | | | | each of the trillion cells in the body. This small |
| both balanced and dynamic. According to one | | | | protein maintains three crucial protective functions. |
| internet medical source ( it should be balanced | | | | It is the body's master antioxidant, immune |
| between Th1, cellular immunity and Th2, humoral | | | | system modulator and potent detoxifier. |
| immunity. | | | | |