Rheumatoid Arthritis TreatmentRheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease. For a person who has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, there are a number of treatment options available. Medications and surgery are two ways to attempt to control symptoms. Medications for Rheumatoid Arthritis Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) are often used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. One of the most commonly-used NSAID medications is Aspirin. It is inexpensive and readily available. Since Aspirin has been known to cause stomach upset and rheumatoid arthritis sufferers must take multiple doses during the day, most doctors recommend one of the newer NSAIDs to their patients. If the patient is prescribed a long-lasting NSAID, he or she may have less difficulty with joint stiffness first thing in the morning. (Long-lasting medications are taken only once or twice per day, as opposed to every four hours.) The person taking an NSAID will start to experience relief from inflammation within about an hour. After about four weeks, the doctor will be able to evaluate how well the medication is working. Corticosteroids Corticosteroids are also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Prednisone is commonly prescribed to those people who do not get symptom relief from NSAIDs. It is usually administered in small doses. Weight gain is a common side-effect of this medication. Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are prescribed in an attempt to slow down the damage to joints caused by rheumatoid arthritis. DMARDs can be taken in conjunction with an NSAIS or a corticosteroid medication. It is important that DMARD therapy be started shortly after diagnosis. It takes a period of time before DMARDs start to take effect. The other prescribed medication will help with to relieve pain and inflammation, but DMARDs must be taken for several weeks (in some cases, months) before the patient gets the full benefit from the drug. Surgery for Rheumatoid Arthritis If a person is in a lot of pain from rheumatoid arthritis, then surgery may be recommended. Surgery may be performed to: * Remove inflamed tissue around the joint * Relieve severe neck pain and/or nerve difficulties * Replace the knee or hip joint (Full or partial replacement) Since rheumatoid arthritis can and does affect joints in various parts of the body, surgery may not be the best way to proceed if the symptoms are concentrated the small joints of the hands and/or the feet. After joint replacement surgery, the person may have enough physical relief to be able to perform normal activities but the joint will likely not be normal again. The best results for patients are obtained when surgery is performed on the wrists (carpal tunnel release), the feet, the knees, and hips. To find out whether surgery is the best treatment option for your particular situation, consult with an orthopedic surgeon. All forms of surgery carry some risk, and you will need to consider whether the likely benefits of the surgery outweigh the risks. Discover how a Thirty Five year Arthritis Suffererer cured herself in one month, without pills or diets ... Get "Arthritis Free For Life!" |