Effective Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis must be done by taking into consideration the severity of the disease since it presents itself on many different fronts and in many different ways. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the easier it will be to start the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Earlier treatment of rheumatoid arthritis will help to control the illness, limit damage and preserve joint mobility.
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has improved over years. The goal of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is to slow down the development of the disease and reduce its symptoms. If in active state rheumatoid arthritis can cause irreversible damage to joints, even in the earlier stages. The ideal treatment of rheumatoid arthritis includes physical therapy and regular checkup by a specialist. With proper treatment, the complications of the newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis can be prevented or delayed. Most of the treatments for rheumatoid arthritis involve medications, but for more serious cases surgery may be necessary.
Medication Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis
The proper medical treatment is important for controlling rheumatoid arthritis. Medications for rheumatoid arthritis can relieve its symptoms and slow down its progression. There are many medications available for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; you must help your health care provider to determine the best combination for you. The medications used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These drugs, which include medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen and indomethacin helps to relieve both pain and inflammation if taken regularly. Other NSAIDs such as naproxen, ketoprofen, diclofenac, tolmetin, diclofenac, nabumetone and indomethacin are available by prescription. Except aspirin, NSAIDS have some side effect or other. COX-2 inhibitors such as valdecoxib and celecoxib come under NSAIDS and may be less damaging to your stomach as compared to some NSAIDS.
- Corticosteroids: These drugs, which include prednisone and methylprednisolone helps to reduce inflammation and pain, and slow down joint damage. They make you feel better when used for short term, but when used for long term, they may become less effective and cause serious side effects.
- Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs): These drugs are typically used with NSAIDs or corticosteroids. DMARDs help to limit the amount of joint damage that occurs in rheumatoid arthritis. When taken in early stages these medications help to slow joint destruction caused by rheumatoid arthritis over time. Commonly used DMARDS include methotrexate, injectable gold, penicillamine, azathioprine, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine and oral gold. Immunosuppressants and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers are other forms of DMARDS used in treatment of arthritis, but they have certain side effects.
- Abatacept (Orencia): Abatacept is a type of costimulation modulator, which is directed monthly through a vein in your arm approved. It helps to reduce the inflammation and joint damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis. They may have some side effects like nausea, headache and infections.
- Antimalaria drugs: These medications when taking in combination with methotrexate are beneficial in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. These include hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine). Since these medications are associated with toxic side effects, the patient must have frequent blood tests.
- Analgesic Drugs: These medications, which include acetaminophen, propoxyphene, mepeidine and morphine helps to relieve pain, but don't necessarily have an effect on inflammation.
Surgical Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis
When all the medications and other treatments fail to show their result, surgery becomes necessary. In severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis surgery is performed. There are two methods of surgery, which include:
- Prosorba column: In this method, certain antibodies that contribute to pain and inflammation in your joints and muscles are removed. It is usually performed once a week for 12 weeks as an outpatient procedure. There are some side effects associated with this surgery, which include fatigue and a brief increase in joint pain and swelling for the first few days after the treatment. For the people having heart problems, high blood pressure or blood-clotting problems this treatment is not recommended.
- Joint replacement surgery: In some cases where the joints are severely damaged, joint replacement surgery can often help to restore joint function, reduce pain or correct a deformity. In this surgery an entire joint is replaced with a metal or plastic prosthesis. This surgery may also involve loosening tendons that are too tight, tightening tendons that are too loose, fusing bones to reduce pain or removing part of a diseased bone to improve mobility. Synovectomy, a joint lining, which becomes inflamed may also be removed.