Rheumatoid Arthritis: key treatments to combat it

When you first get rheumatoid arthritis you’re unlikely to know that’s what you have. The condition mimics the symptoms of many other diseases, making it hard to successfully diagnose. One thing is certain, you’re going to want to make sure you’re paying as little as possible for your health insurance.

The most common symptoms of Rheumathoid arthritis are:
Joint swelling
Pain in affected joints
Redness and excessive heat at the source of arthritis
Reduced movement in joint

Blood tests: The condition can lead to elevated levels of erythrocyte sediment which can show up in a blood test. Tests can also show up C-reactive protein which confirms inflammation is present.

Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The key is to see your doctor as soon as possible, there is no cure but there are many rheumatoid arthritis treatments that can ease suffering and maintain your quality of life:
Steroids: Steroids are very effective at relieving joint pain and slowing the damage to your joints. They also reduce inflammation but long-term use leads to bone thinning.
NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs do exactly what they say, reduce inflammation and they can lower the pain. But, they can lead to stomach upsets and kidney damage.
DMARDs: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs can prevent any more damage from occurring to the affected joints. However, side effects do include live damage, suppression of bone marrow, and the possibility of severe lung infections.
Biologic Agents: This is technically a class of DMARDs but they target specific parts of the immune system to reduce inflammation. However, they do increase the risk of infection in your body.

Taking medication to deal with rheumatoid arthritis is sometimes the only option to maintain quality of life. However, all the medications have possible side-effects, that’s why you need to consult with your doctor first.