Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis Sufferers
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a painful disorder that affects the joint linings in the hands and the feet. It is an inflammation that can cause pain and swelling and may result in the wearing away of the bones and cause the areas to become deformed. As of now, the condition has no cure; instead, efforts focus on management and reversal of the symptoms.
In particular, management efforts focus on reducing inflammation and minimizing pain. Additionally, they are meant to stop the bones from eroding, slow or halt the progress of deformation, and improve the function of the affected area.
The ideal treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is a combination of things including medications, exercises that strengthen the affected parts, protecting the joints through physical and occupational therapy, and education of both the patient and the family. Treatments may differ on a patient-by-patient basis.
There are three main modalities used either separately or in combination:
€ Medication
€ Therapy
€ Surgery
Medication
Since a number of the drugs commonly used to treat RA can potentially have some severe side effects, doctors will first prescribe those that have fewer. Many people require strong medications to get results or a combination of different medications. Besides non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), some of the drugs used to treat RA include:
€ Steroids €" One such drug is prednisone and can help reduce the inflammation, lessen the pain, and slow down damage.
€ Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) €" They slow down the progress of the disease and can prevent tissues from being damaged permanently.
€ Immunosuppressants €" RA is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body's immune system is literally attacking its own tissues. This is the root cause of the symptoms and what makes them so very difficult to treat. Suppressing the immune system can potentially stop the body from attacking itself.
Therapy
A physical therapist can show rheumatoid arthritis patients exercises that will help with joint flexibility, strength, and durability. Therapists can also teach them different ways to perform normal activities that reduce stress and protect vulnerable areas that are under attack by the disease.
There are also tools designed to help people with RA enjoy comfort and ease in their daily life. Some examples include grabbing tools for picking things up without bending over and electric can openers which remove the need to open manually. The goal is to reduce stress and effort, thus protecting the areas under assault by RA.
Surgery
If medications do not produce results, surgery is another option. It can help make joints usable again, reduce pain, and correct any deformities that the disease has caused. Common procedures are:
€ Complete joint replacement €" The damaged parts of the area are removed and replaced with artificial components made from plastic and metal.
€ Repair of the tendon €" The tendons that surround the affected area can become loose or even rupture. It is possible for a surgeon to repair this damage.
€ Joint fusion €" This procedure can stabilize or realign a joint and relieve pain. This is sometimes performed when damage is severe enough that replacement cannot be done.
The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).
In particular, management efforts focus on reducing inflammation and minimizing pain. Additionally, they are meant to stop the bones from eroding, slow or halt the progress of deformation, and improve the function of the affected area.
The ideal treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is a combination of things including medications, exercises that strengthen the affected parts, protecting the joints through physical and occupational therapy, and education of both the patient and the family. Treatments may differ on a patient-by-patient basis.
There are three main modalities used either separately or in combination:
€ Medication
€ Therapy
€ Surgery
Medication
Since a number of the drugs commonly used to treat RA can potentially have some severe side effects, doctors will first prescribe those that have fewer. Many people require strong medications to get results or a combination of different medications. Besides non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), some of the drugs used to treat RA include:
€ Steroids €" One such drug is prednisone and can help reduce the inflammation, lessen the pain, and slow down damage.
€ Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) €" They slow down the progress of the disease and can prevent tissues from being damaged permanently.
€ Immunosuppressants €" RA is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body's immune system is literally attacking its own tissues. This is the root cause of the symptoms and what makes them so very difficult to treat. Suppressing the immune system can potentially stop the body from attacking itself.
Therapy
A physical therapist can show rheumatoid arthritis patients exercises that will help with joint flexibility, strength, and durability. Therapists can also teach them different ways to perform normal activities that reduce stress and protect vulnerable areas that are under attack by the disease.
There are also tools designed to help people with RA enjoy comfort and ease in their daily life. Some examples include grabbing tools for picking things up without bending over and electric can openers which remove the need to open manually. The goal is to reduce stress and effort, thus protecting the areas under assault by RA.
Surgery
If medications do not produce results, surgery is another option. It can help make joints usable again, reduce pain, and correct any deformities that the disease has caused. Common procedures are:
€ Complete joint replacement €" The damaged parts of the area are removed and replaced with artificial components made from plastic and metal.
€ Repair of the tendon €" The tendons that surround the affected area can become loose or even rupture. It is possible for a surgeon to repair this damage.
€ Joint fusion €" This procedure can stabilize or realign a joint and relieve pain. This is sometimes performed when damage is severe enough that replacement cannot be done.
The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).
