Rheumatoid arthritis is different from other types of arthritis, because this condition actually affects your immune system. In this case, the immune system malfunctions, and begins to attack the lining of your joints. The result is permanent damage to the joints, pain and eventual deformity. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for rheumatoid arthritis and over the counter options like arthritis pain relief cream are rarely effective. However, there are options in rheumatoid arthritis pain relief that can help you to effectively manage your condition and keep your symptoms under control.
Medications
Since there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, most of the treatments for the condition are geared toward protecting the joints and finding methods of rheumatoid arthritis pain relief. The earlier this condition is diagnosed and treated, the better the prognosis usually is. In addition, there are a number of medications that have come out on the market recently and have proven to be effective for some in offering rheumatoid arthritis pain relief. Most of these medications are only available by prescription, so you will need to talk to your doctor about which one might be best for you.
Prescription strength nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is often the first course of action in providing rheumatoid arthritis pain relief. While these medicines can be effective, they cannot be taken long term without the risk of potentially serious side effects. Corticosteroids are another good choice in rheumatoid arthritis pain relief, since these drugs can slow the damage and alleviate the pain. However, corticosteroids are primarily used for acute flare ups, since there are also serious side effects that can occur if these medicines are taken for too long.
Other medications that are used for treating this condition are more focused on slowing the damage to the joints rather than rheumatoid arthritis pain relief. Some examples of the medications might include disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), immunosuppressants and TNF-alpha inhibitors that can address the immune system issues and the joint damage. These drugs are often used in conjunction with pain relievers so that the patient can experience more immediate relief from the pain as the course of the disease is effectively slowed. The type and number of medications that your doctor prescribes will greatly depend upon how advanced your disease is and how much pain you are experiencing.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful condition and there is no cure at this time. However, there are effective methods of rheumatoid arthritis pain relief that can offer you more symptom-free days and a higher quality of life despite your illness. If you are dealing with this painful condition, talk to your doctor about your treatment options today.