Rheumatoid Arthritis: Best Known Treatments

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Best Known Treatments

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Best Known Treatments

Rheumatoid arthritis is on the increase on a
global scale and more and more people are
looking for ways to cure this debilitating
disease.


From a conventional medical viewpoint, it is
an autoimmune disease that cannot be
cured, and only the symptoms can be
treated.

In other words taking painkillers is all you
can really do.


But the question is: Is that the only option
for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis?


What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

 An autoimmune disease

 A chronic ailment

 Affects both men and women

 Results when immune system of body
mistakenly attacks the thin membrane lining the
joints called synovium

 Can cause permanent deformity and joint
destruction


If the patient does not undergo
treatment, the disease can
potentially lead to bone and joint
damage, eventually causing
disability.


Characteristics of Rheumatoid Arthritis
 Can begin anytime in life

 Speed of onset is relatively rapid and can
be anywhere within a few weeks to months

 Painful, swollen and stiff joints

 Duration of morning stiffness lasts longer
than 1 hour

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Characteristics of Rheumatoid Arthritis


 Affects small and large joints on both sides
of the body (symmetrical), such as both
hands, both wrists or elbows, or the balls of
both feet

 Frequent fatigue and a general feeling of
being ill are present


A Closer Look at Rheumatoid Arthritis


People suffering from this ailment are also at a
greater risk to develop and suffer from other
diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis and
heart disease.

This is why it is important for people who are
suffering from this ailment to work with their
doctor and submit to a suitable rheumatoid
arthritis treatment.


What are the Symptoms of
Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Some of the common symptoms of
rheumatoid arthritis that you
should watch out for are the
following:

 Morning stiffness which
lasts for at least one hour.

 Swelling and pain in the
joints, which usually
occurs for at least 6 weeks.


What are the Symptoms of Rheumatoid
Arthritis?

 Flu-like symptoms such as fatigue and
fever may also be present.

 Inflammation on affected areas.

 Fluid accumulating in joints that were
affected, especially in areas within the
ankle.


Although this chronic disease oftentimes develop in
joints located in wrists and knuckles, the joints at the
knees, as well as joints found on the ball of the foot
are also usually affected.

Other joints that can be affected by rheumatoid
arthritis include those in the cervical
spine, shoulders, elbows, jaw or
temporomandibular, and even those joints located
between the inner ear.


What is the Cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
While its cause is not entirely known, it has been
suspected that genetics and environment play a
major role.

Scientific researchers believe that genetics
predispose some groups of individuals to rheumatoid
arthritis. Within this group, environmental factors,
viruses and bacteria can trigger the development of
the disease.

If you have a high predisposition to this ailment, then
working with your doctor to get the best treatment for
rheumatoid arthritis should be top priority.


Some of the Best Treatments
for Rheumatoid Arthritis
 Conventional Medications

 Alternative Treatment

 Surgical Procedures

 Lifestyle Change


Conventional Medications

This is by far the most broadly used approach in
treating this chronic ailment and involves the use of
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or
NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, corticosteroids, disease-
modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or DMARDs, immune
suppressants, and biologic agents.


Alternative Treatment

There are many types of alternative treatment for
rheumatoid arthritis available for patients who have
been suffering from the painful symptoms. Patients
can always turn to supplements and herbs to
acupuncture and balneotherapy.


Surgical Procedures
In cases where the joints have already been severely
damaged, then surgical procedures may have to be
performed. The success rate of this type of treatment
for rheumatoid arthritis varies, with the most
successful ones usually performed on the hips and
knees.


Lifestyle Change
As with many methods of
treatment for rheumatoid arthritis,
the need to undergo a lifestyle
change is also necessary for
patients suffering from this ailment.

Regular exercise consisting of
aerobic, and flexibility or range of
motion exercises can help relieve
the pain brought about by the
ailment.


Proper exercise works best with a healthy diet.
Consuming a daily diet that is high in antioxidants and
low in saturated fat can definitely help patients who
are undergoing conventional or alternative treatment.


For more information on how to treat rheumatoid arthritis
effectively, visit the rheumatoid arthritis treatment site and
read more about the disease and the various treatment
options that you have.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis: Best Known Treatments

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