Rheumatoid arthritis is a long term chronic ailment that causes the inflammation of joints and adjacent tissues which can be painful, thereby leading to the limitation of body movements. It usually starts in the ages of between 40 and 50, and women are three times more likely to get afflicted than men. If not treated properly, it may affect other organs as well which can lead to a more serious condition on the part of the sufferer. It has been reported that some medications for rheumatoid arthritis can help reduce the development of diabetes.
The disease can be treated in a variety of ways like exercise, physical therapy, biological drugs, and surgery. But a more common approach is to take medications for rheumatoid arthritis which are used to:
– ease the pain.
– Improve body movements.
– minimize joint inflammation.
– Prevention of joint damage and deformity.
– Prevention of lifetime disability.
– Improvement of the quality of life.
DMARDs (Disease-modifying antirheumetic drugs) are used to stop or slow down the joint destructions caused by RA. This is usually undertaken during the early stages of the disease where it is beneficial to the patients because they are more likely to respond to the medication.
Although DMARDs are known to be very effective against rheumatoid arthritis, most of the drugs can cause serious side effects on the body.
Constant use of DMARDs can lead to the development of bone marrow and liver disease, infections, and skin allergies just to name a few.
Anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil are used in the treatment of reducing pain and inflammation, but these do not prevent additional damage to the joints. NSAIDs stop the human body from developing a substance that is responsible for causing pain and inflammation. But prolonged usage of these drugs has some serious side effects like gastric ulcer and stomach bleeding even including damages to the kidney and liver as well as heart problems.
Corticosteroids are used to treat swelling in the joint and inflammation by suppressing the immune system. Although these drugs are very effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, they should be taken with great caution since it can trigger long term side effects like cataracts, weight gain, diabetes, and glaucoma. These should only be administered for short periods and, as much as possible, in low doses.
Biological drugs or agents are served when all the other medications for rheumatoid arthritis failed. They are primarily used to reduce inflammation and doctors usually start administering these drugs along with other medications for rheumatoid arthritis. Although they are very helpful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, these drugs must be watched closely because it can lead to bacteria infection, fungi, leukemia, and psoriasis. Most of them are administered just under the skin or into the vein.
And lastly, pain relief drugs can also be administered as one of the medications for rheumatoid arthritis. It allows the patients to feel better and function comfortably in their daily lives.
