Promising Ways to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful condition of body joints, mostly affecting wrist and knee joints. Although at present there is no permanent cure for rheumatoid arthritis, the irritating symptoms can be controlled by pharmacological as well as non-pharmacological means. All treatments reduce the suffering of the patient and improve the quality of life, making living with this condition less troublesome.

Several anti-inflammatory and pain relieving drugs are used to retard the progression of the symptoms associated with this disease. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) controls pain and inflammation. In combination with other drugs, it even prevents joint damage.

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate, Arava, Azulfidine, Cytoxan, Imuran, Neoral, and Plaquenil stop disease progression. They suppress the immune system, as well as the symptoms arising due to hyper immune action. These drugs, especially, methotrexate preserve the joint lining and its function. In severe pain, sometimes doctors may prescribe steroids to relieve pain and hardness. It is given temporarily for calming sudden flare.