autoimmune disease blog

Chronic inflammatory disease that causes pain, joint swelling, and stiffness is called rheumatoid arthritis. Please do not confuse rheumatoid arthritis with another form of arthritis known as osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an autoimmune disorder, a condition when the immune system attack the healthy tissue, while osteoarthritis is a condition due to the wear and tear we put on our joints as we age.

Most medicines and treatments for rheumatoid arthritis are made to help manage and control the whole symptoms that caused by this disease. Some rheumatoid arthritis medicines are made to try and reduce joint damage caused by the inflammation though, and try to maintain mobility for a longer period of time.

There are two strategies employed with rheumatoid arthritis medicine. The first is to help reduce the inflammation, and the second part of rheumatoid arthritis medicine attempts to break the degenerative effects of the disease.

Over time rheumatoid arthritis destroys the tissues and muscles of the body’s joints, and this causes deformities as well as loss of movement and mobility. By slowing down this damage, patients are able to function normally for longer periods of time.

The severity of pain and stiffness experienced by rheumatoid arthritis patient does not usually indicate the extent of the disease or damage though, so early detection is a high priority. Sometimes even a few months can make a difference with how slow or fast the joint damage occurs.

There are several rheumatoid arthritis medicines that are designed to help reduce or relieve pain, inflammation and swelling. Some of these are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, and include Aspirin, Naproxen, Advil, Motrin, and Ibuprofen. These rheumatoid arthritis medicines work by reducing the inflammation in the joints, which helps reduce the pain and swelling caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

Another type of medicine used for treating rheumatoid arthritis is known as corticosteroids. These are much stronger than NSAIDs and they also reduce inflammation while helping to improve the function and mobility of the joints affected. These medicines are often injected with a needle, and are often only used for short periods when the disease flare ups are at their worst.

Corticosteroids can cause weight gain, thinning bones, higher risks of infection, puffiness in the face, muscle degeneration, and large joint destruction.

The second type of rheumatoid arthritis medicines are designed to try and slow down the destruction of joints. These medicines are known as Disease-modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), and they tend to work at a slower rate than the first type of rheumatoid arthritis medicines. The speed at which these medicines work will vary from one person to another.

In some cases results can be seen in weeks or months, while in others it can take years. Sometimes your doctor will need to try various combinations of medicines for your rheumatoid arthritis, before finding the best combination for your specific needs.