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Most patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be treated non-surgically.
A treatment plan is designed to control the disease, alleviate pain, maintain
function (activities of daily living), and maximize quality of life.
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, although there are medications that
can relieve symptoms and slow disease progression. The medication recommended
by the doctor is based on your medical condition, age, other drugs you currently
take, safety, cost, and your preference. In other words, not everyone with RA
will be on the same medications and doses.
Medications
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve
pain and inflammation. NSAIDs should be taken with food to prevent stomach
upset and stomach bleeding.
- COX-2 inhibitors are a new class of NSAIDs used to alleviate
pain and inflammation. These work with much less risk of stomach upset and
stomach bleeding.
- Corticosteroid drugs reduce inflammation and can slow joint
damage. Initially, you'll feel much better as the drug combats inflammation.
However, over time the drug becomes less effective because your body adjusts
to the anti-inflammatory effect. Side effects can include bone thinning, bruising,
weight gain, and high blood pressure.
- Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) act slowly
to "modify" the disease. It can take several months before any benefit is
noticed. These drugs may slow disease progression and save joint tissue from
damage. DMARDs are usually combined with an NSAID. The NSAID treats the symptoms
while the DMARD works on modifying the disease.
- Immunosuppressants can be used in some patients to quiet
the immune system. IN RA, the immune system is malfunctioning, so immunosuppressants
can help deal with that.
- Anti-depressant drugs can help some patients to cope with
their chronic disease in a couple of ways.
As surprising as it may seem, anti-depressants can be effective drugs for
treating pain because they block pain messages on their way to the brain.
They can also help increase your body's production of endorphins, a natural
pain killer.
Anti-depressants can also help you sleep better, which can be a major concern
for people in chronic pain.
Finally, chronic pain from RA can take a toll on your mental health, so an
anti-depressant can help.
To learn more, read our article on drugs and medications for rheumatoid arthritis.
Other Non-surgical Treatments
Physical therapy (PT) for rheumatoid arthritis can help restore muscle strength,
flexibility, improve mobility, coordination, and maintain body functions through exercise. Massage, hydrotherapy, and other modalities can help relieve pain.
It's very important to maintain a
healthy lifestyle. This includes eating a good diet, exercising to help relieve your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms (when
your body allows it), and resting. You may also want to consider alternative treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, such as acupuncture or relaxation therapy. Reducing your stress to reduce your rheumatoid arthritis pain is also an important, and many times undervalued, treatment option.
It's not that a healthy lifestyle will cure
rheumatoid arthritis; rather, a healthy lifestyle will help you get through
each day better and help you better deal with the effects of RA.
It is helpful to keep a medical diary noting medications that work, drug side
effects, severity of symptoms, flare-ups, and remissions.
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