Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

Inflammation of the joints along with severe pain and the reduction of joint function are some of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Unfortunately, there is no cure for RA, but individuals find some relief through treatment, and prevention of deformity and destruction to the joints are major goals. An important factor in the treatment of RA is the ability to detect it early in order to ensure that individuals minimize the damage to joints and deformities.

The aggressive management of rheumatoid arthritis can even stop the damage done to joints altogether, based upon X-rays of joints, and the overall improved function of joints with RA is possible. With the combined treatment of medication, joint-strengthening exercises, family and patient education, rest and joint protection, individuals can enjoy a better quality of life.

In order to assess the proper treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, an individual's activity of that disease must be assessed as well as the age, type of joints that are affected, the general health of the patient and the type of work that the patient does for a living are considered. When the patient, doctor and family members work closely together to treat rheumatoid arthritis, the best types of plans for relief are created, helping patients to enjoy a quality of life that is comfortable and in tune with their well being.

There are two different types of medications used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, the first being fast acting and the second being slow acting. The fast acting medications are called "first-line drugs" and are used as pain relievers and to reduce any instances of inflammation that occur with this disease. Examples of first-line drugs are cortisone and aspirin. The second-line drugs used are hydroxychloroquine, also known as Plaquenil, methotrexate, as well as gold. These second-line drugs prevent the destruction of joints and allow rheumatoid arthritis to go into a state of remission, however they are not anti-inflammatory in their ability to reduce pain, and are not well used for that purpose.

Unfortunately, RA is chronic and cannot be cured. Prevention is always the easiest and cheapest route in managing symptoms, helping to slow down the process of degenerating joints, and medication therapies assist in helping individuals live a normal life for as long as possible. Medications are considered to be "disease modifying", helping to slow its progression down throughout an individual's life, which helps tremendously in the preservation of activities and a quality of life that is similar to what a person is used to.