1. Blend Different Treatments
A diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease, means the body's immune system is attacking and damaging parts of the body itself. Because of this rheumatoid arthritis treatment is more complex than treatment for osteoarthritis, the kind of arthritis that occurs with aging or after injury to a joint. No cure exists for rheumatoid arthritis, but there are ways to manage disease progression and symptoms. Treatment involves a combination of several strategies. Over the course of a person's life rheumatoid arthritis alternately flares up and goes into remission. This requires different treatment approaches to come into play at different times.
2. Get Comfortable
Visible symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are inflammation and pain, especially in the joints. The inflammation can lead to extensive joint damage, so one of the first treatment goals is to reduce inflammation. Inflammation causes pain too, so a person who is newly diagnosed most likely has been dealing with pain for awhile. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can treat these symptoms effectively. Doctors may also prescribe steroids to reduce inflammation. A person suffering from rheumatoid arthritis must rest the affected joints during the early stage of treatment so inflamed tissue can heal. The intention is to reduce troublesome symptoms and get the person feeling better.
3. Slow Disease Progression
Once rest and anti-inflammatory medications get the symptoms under control, a person living with rheumatoid arthritis begins the next course of treatment. The goal is to slow or stop the disease's progression. Doctors prescribe disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine or sulfasalazine for this purpose. These drugs not only reduce symptoms, but also interact with the body's chemistry to slow disease progression and decrease joint damage.
4. Keep the Information Coming
People with rheumatoid arthritis and their family members should be educated about the disease and stay up-to-date on new treatments. Remaining well-informed helps patients and their families select the best options for their circumstances. This knowledge empowers people with RA to take control of their medical challenges and exercise self-determination.
5. Ways to Live a Full Life
Treatments like physical therapy and occupational therapy can prove very beneficial to people with rheumatoid arthritis. Therapeutic treatments like these teach people how to reduce stress on their joints, increase mobility and physical functioning and help improve quality of life. People with rheumatoid arthritis can also have joint replacement surgeries like hip or knee replacements. Although there are no guarantees, these surgical interventions may also help people get the most out of life.
