| Treatment for Arthritis |
| Written by John Sinatra | |
Rheumatoid Arthritis TreatmentRheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic and debilitating disease that has no cure. There are many different treatment options for people that have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis to consider. One of the most important things a person who has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis should do is to educate themselves on all the available treatment options to determine what the possible side effects may be and what the benefits and risks are of the different rheumatoid arthritis drugs . The goal of treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis is to help them have lower levels of disease activity and minimize damage to the joints. Doctors also try to focus on helping the patients to be able to enjoy normal daily activities and a high quality of life.Most treatment for rheumatoid arthritis focuses on combining emotional, social and medicinal aspects to give patients a comprehensive level of support and care. Rheumatologists seek to reduce pain and inflammation while helping the patient to maintain an active and normal life. Once a patient has educated themselves on the effects of different rheumatoid arthritis medications they will be able to make a more informed choice regarding their care. Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis will be based on how progressive the disease is, and what treatments have been given in the past.Some of the different ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis are through medicine to reduce the joint stress and inflammation, physical and occupational therapy, and surgical intervention. There are three different types of rheumatoid arthritis drugs used in the treatment of the disease including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, also known as NSAIDs; corticosteroids, and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, known as DMARDs. NSAIDs and corticosteroids work fairly quickly to relieve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms but the DMARDs may take several weeks or even months to show any significant improvement of symptoms. Most patients will take NSAIDs until the DMARDs begin to take effect at alleviating symptoms. It is believed that DMARDs may prevent joint damage so many Rheumatologists will prescribe the drugs as soon as a person is diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis to help prevent cartilage damage and bony erosion. NSAIDs help to reduce inflammation which in turn minimizes pain and helps increase movement and flexibility. None of the drugs given for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis will cure the disease or prevent the disease from progressing, but they can help to give the patient a higher quality of life. Over the counter medications such as Aleve, Motrin, and Advil as well as prescription medication such as Mobic, Codine, Relafin and Climoril may also be used to help with inflammation. Celebrex is another class COX 2 inhibitor that is available by prescription. NSAIDs have high levels of gastrointestinal toxicity and may cause discomfort, gas, belching, burning, irritation and ulcers. Side effects also include impaired renal function, edema and increased blood pressure. Corticosteriods are very effective in treating inflammation but it is also very difficult for patients to stop taking them once they have begun. Side effects from the corticosteroids may include weight gain, red cheeks, increased fat deposits on the face and the formation of a buffalo hump on the neck. Because of these side effects many people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis are reluctant to begin this type of treatment. It is imperative that anyone who is diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis talks to their doctor at length and researches the different treatment options to be sure that they are getting the care that they are the most comfortable with. Exercise and physical therapy can also be very effective for managing rheumatoid arthritis and are a very viable way to alleviate joint pain and reduce swelling. |
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