Rheumatoid Arthritis commonly affects people at a very young age but can affect people of any age. This is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation throughout the body. There is no cure for it. Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis involves trying to reduce the symptoms so patients can live a normal life. The following treatment methods have been shown to be effective in treating symptoms and preventing or slowing the progression of the disease.
To best manage this chronic disease, treat to target Rheumatoid Arthritis and not just the symptoms. The treat to target approach has led to higher remission rates and lessening the number of symptoms. The treatment approach includes: lowering the pro-inflammatory immune response that can in some cases lead to more advanced disease. Another involves trying to suppress the immune system which can lead to fewer inflammatory immune cell changes and therefore less pain and swelling. Corticosteroids, a type of medication often used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, help control symptoms by suppressing the immune system’s release of chemicals known as cytokines.
Patients with RA are often given an immune suppressant to lower their immune response to the disease’s triggers. These include external agents such as chemicals and ultraviolet light rays. A lot of people with RA develop allergies as well, and switching to an all-natural diet can be helpful. Eliminate all organic foods and replace them with sprouted grains, nuts, and seeds. Vitamins and minerals can also be deficient in RA patients due to their weakened immune systems.
When severe forms of the disease develop, patients can benefit from more intense medications. Some drugs used for rheumatoid arthritis have strong side effects. Hence they need to be used cautiously. Some medications for RA can cause or worsen symptoms; hence consultation with your physician is crucial.
The joints of RA patients become inflamed and disfigured, resembling those of arthritis. Symptoms vary according to the severity of the disease. Pain is usually felt in the hands and feet, while the stiffness of the joints is seen in the knees and hips. Swelling of the joints and redness around the joints are also common symptoms.
When joints and the skin surrounding it become inflamed, inflammation is one of the main causes of redness. Inhaling chemicals or ultraviolet rays can irritate the airways and increase symptoms of RA. The lungs are another organ that can be affected. When breathing it can cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, chest pains, and increased rapid and irregular breathing. If this condition becomes serious it can lead to serious health problems such as pulmonary embolism, kidney failure, and heart attack.
Most people with RA suffer swelling in and around the joints. This is one of the main symptoms, along with extreme pain. Patients often experience chronic pain, although in rare cases it can affect the entire body. Fluid in the lungs is another symptom of RA, as the joints become inflamed and swollen. RA sufferers are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
One of the most serious symptoms of RA is fatigue. Patients can start feeling tired just after waking up. Extreme fatigue can lead to extreme weakness, which could result in loss of one’s ability to move. Other symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis include extreme inflammation and swelling in both the joints and the lymphatic system.
In order to find a cure for RA, the first step is to try to control the symptoms. Doctors may prescribe medications that reduce pain and control swelling, but they cannot reverse the damage caused by RA. The next step is to work on controlling the chronic risk factors. This means improving your diet and increasing your physical activity. Avoid taking large amounts of coffee, alcohol, and red meat, all of which are known to increase your cholesterol and overall risk of heart disease.
The most important thing you can do to treat your RA is to take anti-inflammatory medication. Taking NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and aspirin can relieve some of the symptoms of RA. However, these types of drugs are not without their own side effects. If you are trying to avoid some of the risk factors that can make you more likely to develop RA then an anti-inflammatory is not enough.
Other medications such as steroids and immunosuppressants can also be used to combat RA. Steroids help reduce inflammation, but they can have negative side effects such as loss of muscle bulk and joint pain. Immunosuppressant medications are best used under the care of a doctor and in some cases may be prescribed alone to treat symptoms of RA. Talk with your doctor to determine the best course of treatment for your particular case of RA.