Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication

Rheumatoid arthritis medication is only administered to relieve the pain and reduce swelling of joints. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often regarded as the most serious, painful, and disabling of all forms of arthritis. It usually begins between the ages of 20 and 40 and is three times more likely to affect women than men. Likewise, it occurs most often in the same joints on both sides of the body, such as the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, ankles, and feet.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis. As the name implies, inflammatory types of arthritis are characterized by inflammation in joints and tendons. In inflammatory arthritis, the synovial membrane becomes swollen and inflamed, causing pain and stiffness. To reduce pain, patients with arthritis may favor affected joints, holding them in a fixed position. This causes the muscles surrounding the joints to stiffen and weaken and the tendons, which attach muscles to bone or to other muscles, to tighten. As a result, joints may contract or change shape and patients may eventually lose mobility.

There is no known cure for most forms of arthritis and related conditions. The primary goal of rheumatoid arthritis medication is to reduce joint pain and inflammation and to maximize joint mobility. To this end, rheumatologists work closely with patients and their families to develop a treatment regimen incorporating exercise and rest as well as pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs, and in some types of arthritis, drugs that slow the progress of the disease.

You can perform low impact, regular exercise along with your rheumatoid arthritis medication. It is very important in maintaining muscle strength and joint mobility. One of the best forms of exercise for people with arthritis is swimming, an activity that lets participants use muscles with minimal joint strain. Arthritis sufferers benefit from physical therapy programs specially tailored to their age level and degree of mobility. Stretching and hot showers before exercise and applying ice packs to muscles and joints after exercise minimize discomfort related to exercise.

Rest is another crucial element of arthritis treatment. In addition to recommending at least eight hours of sleep a night, rheumatologists may also advise patients to use a cane, splint, sling, or special footwear to rest or stabilize affected joints periodically during the day. Rheumatoid arthritis medication could only be effective if done properly and regularly.