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Drugs
Medications on rheumatoid arthritis treatment can reduce the symptoms and prevent worsen joint damage, but not curing them. Until now, there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Other treatment such as diet and physical therapy provide to teach you how to protect your joints and managing the pain caused by inflammation. If your joints are severely damaged by rheumatoid arthritis, then surgery may be the best choice.
Below are several types of rheumatoid arthritis drug:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) medications do not slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis but it focused on pain and inflammation reducing. People with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis often require additional medications to prevent severe joint damage. NSAIDs can raise blood pressure and may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, because of that, all prescription of the drug must do with carefully. Other side effects also can cause stomach irritation, ulcers, and bleeding.
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) help slow or stop progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Including to this drugs are methotrexate, Arava, Azulfidine, Cytoxan, Imuran, Neoral, and Plaquenil. In rheumatoid arthritis, an overactive immune system targets joints and other areas of the body. DMARDs work to suppress the immune system. However, they aren’t selective in their targets. Thus, they decrease the immune system overall and increase the likelihood of catching infections. DMARDs, particularly methotrexate, have produced dramatic improvements in severe rheumatoid arthritis and can help preserve joint function.
- Steroids may prescribed by doctor to ease the pain and stiffness of affected joints. For some people, steroids are needed long term use to manage pain and inflammation. In most case, steroid can be used temporarily to calm a symptom flare. Potential side effects of long-term steroid use include osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and diabetes. But when used appropriately, steroids are often effective in rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
Therapy
An occupational therapist can help you find different ways to approach everyday tasks in order to take stress off your painful joints. For instance, if your fingers are sore, pick up an object using your forearms. Lean into a glass door to force it open, rather than pushing on the door with sore arms.
Assistive devices can make it easier to go about your day without stressing your painful joints. For instance, using specially designed gripping and grabbing tools may make it easier to work in the kitchen if you have pain in your fingers. Try a cane to help you get around. Your doctor or occupational therapist may have ideas about what sorts of assistive devices may be helpful to you.
Surgery
surgery option will chose if other treatments fail to prevent damage, doctor may consider surgery to repair damaged joints. Surgery may help restore your ability to use your joint. It can also reduce pain and correct deformities. Rheumatoid arthritis surgery may involve one or more of the following procedures:
- Tendon repair. Inflammation and joint damage may cause tendons around your joint to loosen or rupture.
- Total joint replacement. During joint replacement surgery, your surgeon removes the damaged parts of your joint and inserts a prosthesis made of metal and plastic.
- Joint fusion (arthrodesis). Surgically fusing a joint may be recommended to stabilize or realign a joint and for pain relief when a joint replacement isn’t an option.
- Removal of the joint lining (synovectomy). If the lining around your joint (synovium) is inflamed and causing pain, your surgeon may recommend removing the lining of the joint.
Surgery carries a risk of bleeding, infection and pain. Discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor.
Biologics
The newest and most effective treatments for rheumatoid arthritis are biologics. Biologics are genetically engineered proteins. They are designed to inhibit specific components of the immune system that play a pivotal role in inflammation, a key component in rheumatoid arthritis.
Biologics are usually used when other medications have failed to stop the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis. Biologics may slow or even stop rheumatoid arthritis progression.
TNF blockers help to reduce pain and joint damage by blocking an inflammatory protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). There is some evidence that TNF blockers may stop the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Recent studies have shown benefits when they are combined with methotrexate. TNF blockers include Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Cimzia, and Simponi.
Other biologics suppress different areas of the immune system and include Actemra, Kineret, Orencia, and Rituxan.
