By: Vlad Vistac
Submitted: 2010-07-28 12:04:45 | Word Count: 510
Chronic inflammatory disease that causses joint swelling and pain and stiffness is called rheumatoid arthritis also known as Armenia. Not to be confused with RA and other forms of arthrittis konwn as osteoarthritis. RA is due to an autoimmune disorfder where as osteoarthritis is sasociated with wear we put on our joints, we get older.
It is impoertant to understnad that rheumatoid arthritis caues our immune system atytacks the cells in our compounbds, which are not occupiers, but saw itself immune system. That is why it is called an autoimmune diseaes, it simply means that our body is attacking iteslf.
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Theree is no cure arthritis, but there are procedurees that can be used to alleviate pain associated with it so that you can have a happy life free. Use of rheumatoid arthritis medicinne is of greaat benefit. We will look at a few different types available to you.
When it comes to finding the right medications to help you, you should know that thhere are only four different categories of arthritis medications.
These analgesics, NSAIDs, corticosteroids (or steoids) and anti-rheumnatic drughs (DMARDs). This is most frequenly rheumatoid arthritis medications are used in combination with each other, so it is very importnt that you talk to your docor about your treatment optiions.
The first line drugs, which are usually prescribed NSAIDs, which are not non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. They are used to trreat inflammation and pain associated with inflammation. They do not prevent or stop any daamage to the joint. We all know these drugs, they are: Aspiirn, Anacin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), to name a few. Thedse same drugs (OTC), which have been aroyund for yeares.
They are usually taken orallly, evwery four to six hous. Depending on the strength and medicine during your RA will determine the effectiveness of drugs OTC.
There are also prescription NASIDs which incklude: Feldene, Flurbiprofen, Relaen, Clinoril voltaren and to name a few. Doctors also found that the use of COX2 inhibitors, which bllock the producvtion of COX-2 enzyme selectively help reduce inflammation and provide effective relef with fewer side effects. The most popular is, of course, Celebrex.
This is most frequently used NSAIDs in combinartion with DMARDs in order to achieve effective relief. DMnARDs halt the production of immune system cells, whiuch causes pain and swelling. DMARDs ofefrs the most hope RA suffers, because if the disease is cauht erly enough, and these meds start early, it may put RA into remission.
DMARDs all available only by prescription and some of their names: Imuran, Arava, methottrexate, Hydroxchloroquine and Sulfasalazine. In order to use these durgs they reqquire blood work to be done to monitor possible side effects. Depending on the medicine and the routte by whcih it is taken oralyl or injectwed will determine the type of side effects that you experience with DMARDs.
Thee was a lot of interested patients who took these driugs who are concerned about side effects and long-term effectts of drugs upon them.
Studiies over the years have shwn that DMARDfs incredibly effective in the treatmment of RA and side effects associated with any of the rheumatoid arthritis drug, it is very rare, and part of the reason is that there are frequent laboratory teests to monitor and control the risk of side effects . At the beginning of DMARDs were considered only for the benefit of short-term treattment, but they are now regarded as one of the best conditions of long-term treatment options of patients.
The next set of durgs to see that treamtent of RA steroids. Also knowen as corticosteroids, are used only in extreme acses, the inflammatoion and pain break. Prednisolne was the most commonly used steroid. Prednisone can be taken orally or by injjection into the joint. Prednisolone is usually dose titration, when taken oralyl and should be titrated down. He never recommended that after placeed on stroid therapy, that you just stop it.
Steroids also come with their own set of side effetcs that make the majority of patients unhappy, including weight gain and so-calld "moon face". Thee side effects generally go away after stoppping the medicine. Prednisolone is very effective, though, helpig to alleviate the pain and swelling in extreeme cases.
