How To Spot And Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that typically starts presenting itself in people from 30 to 60-years-old. The condition is often painful and has the ability to hinder a person's normal everyday activities. The condition becomes more common with age and anyone is capable of developing the chronic condition.
Thankfully, if you are one of the more than 1.3 million people living with rheumatoid arthritis in the United States, it is a manageable disease with various treatments that may help reduce many of the painful symptoms you are experiencing.
While RA affects both men and women, it is more common in women.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
RA is an autoimmune disorder that causes swelling in the joints. The condition is capable of affecting the entire body which means different people may experience pains in different areas.
Rheumatoid Arthritis flares up when antibodies attack normal synovial joint fluid, causing inflammation.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms You Should Be Looking Out For
RA's most telling symptom is joint pain, often leading to severe joint pain that can feel almost unbearable at times.
If you are noticing a warm feeling in common areas of joint pain this may be a sign you are experiencing RA.
If joint inflammation is becoming increasingly worse, this may be another sign that you are suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Waking up in the morning and paying attention to RA symptoms may also help you self-diagnose the condition. Swelling can often be worsened by sleep while muscle movements can help reduce that pain once you are active.
Finally, damage caused by RA can potentially lead to joint damage which may reduce your range of motion.
Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis WIth Various Options
The first course of action taken by many RA sufferers involves doctor prescribed drug treatments. There are various options available and those listed below are among the most popular and often effective options.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs are a popular option that is available both as over-the-counter and doctor-prescribed. These drugs specifically target inflammation with the goal of reducing pain.
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs of DMARDS are another popular choice that aim not only to reduce pain but slow the actual progression of RA. Doctors can prescribe these in pull more, with injections, or via infusion.
Corticosteroids are another anti-inflammatory medication that can help reduce pain quickly. While they don't offer a cure, many RA sufferers swear by this option. Finally, you may choose to use a biologic. These medications target inflammation and have been shown to stop RA in some patients. For others, biologics have slowed RA and changed the symptoms for some users.
In some cases, you may need to change the medication being used as your rheumatoid arthritis progresses.
RA Treatments Without Medication
While medications have proven effective against rheumatoid arthritis, some patients may choose a more natural path before turning to a prescription or over-the-counter product.
One of the most effective natural remedies is simple exercise and stretching. Low-impact exercise has been shown to reduce joint swelling while strengthening the muscles around areas of joint pain.
Any great exercise routine should be partnered with dietary changes and with RA a great diet can help you reduce swelling. In the case of RA simply eating more fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and legumes can work wonders, especially with low-impact exercise thrown into the mix.
Finally, attempt to apply hot and cold compresses to provide temporary relief when your RA flares up.
With millions of people around the world suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, it's not surprising that there are a number of proven medications and natural steps you can take to avoid the daily pain that is often associated with RA.
Ultimately, not every medication or natural remedy works for everyone and we recommend taking responsible steps to treat your RA. Talk to your medical provider and be sure to research all of the over-the-country, prescription, and natural options that are currently available to you at this time.
References: CDC, CDC RA Treatments, Mayo Clinic
