Comprehensive Guide to Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition that causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. It is an autoimmune condition that may affect individuals of any age. Regretfully, its symptoms are not visible in the first place and are similar to those of many other diseases. Additionally, they can worsen quickly, so early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for intensive treatment. 

Additionally, as an anti-inflammatory disease, rheumatoid arthritis can damage joints and other parts of the body. 

This blog explores information about how you can treat rheumatoid arthritis to control inflammation, ease pain, and reduce disability. Let’s get started! 

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) leads to joint inflammation and pain. Unlike osteoarthritis, during this condition, the immune system attacks the lining of your joints. This further causes swelling and eventually results in bone erosion and joint deformity. The main target areas are knees, ankles, and hands. 

Due to advancements in technology, many improved rheumatoid arthritis treatment options are available. Nevertheless, its severity can make you physically challenged. 

What are the primary causes of rheumatoid arthritis?

Experts believe that rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a combination of genetics, hormones, and environmental factors. Normally, the immune system shields the body from disease, but in this condition, it attacks the joints. 

Listed below are some common causes of rheumatoid arthritis:

• Infection with certain viruses and bacteria 
• Smoking
• Weight
• Physical or emotional stress
• Unhealthy diet
• May be generic 
• Age and sex

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in the joint and can cause the following symptoms: 

• Joint pain
• Joint swelling 
• Stiffness
• Fatigue and lack of energy 
• A poor appetite 
• Weight loss
• Sweating
• Dryness and chest pain (due to inflammation) 

How is Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosed?

It is important to get an accurate diagnosis as early as possible. Consult with a specialist (rheumatologist), as he is the best person to make a correct diagnosis. 

• Medical History: The healthcare expert will ask you about your medical history, such as joint symptoms such as pain, swelling, and difficulty moving. He will ask you how severe they are, when you feel better or worse, and whether you have family members with RA or another autoimmune disease. 
• Physical Examination: The healthcare professional will also physically examine you. He may look for swelling, warmth, joint tenderness, bumps under the skin, stiffness, or low-grade fever. 

Additionally, they may suggest blood tests to look for inflammation and antibodies that are linked to RA: 

• Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): Your healthcare professional may suggest the test to show how fast your red blood cells (RBCs) sink faster than normal. This condition can cause inflammation. Additionally, faster ESR indicates higher levels of inflammation. 
• C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Levels: Again, this test helps check for inflammation caused by infection, injury, or chronic disease. Additionally, your CRP test report showing higher levels may indicate serious health concerns. 
• Rheumatoid Factor (RA Test) is an antibody in approximately 80% of people with this condition. Cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) is also present in the body of people with RA.
• Imaging Tests: Imaging tests can be performed using X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI. These tests help the expert look for erosions in the bones, which may or may not show up in the first tests. Hence, there is no damage to your bone yet. Nevertheless, imaging tests are also recommended to check the effectiveness of the treatment. 

What are the treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis?

Although there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, it can be managed. Dedicated medicines are available for its treatment. Besides, supportive therapies, lifestyle changes, and surgery could help reduce the risk and symptoms of joint damage and minimize the impact of the condition. 

1. Pharmacological Strategies: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are three drugs used for treating rheumatoid arthritis. 

Additionally, your healthcare professional may also suggest analgesic drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis. 

Some of the benefits include: 

• These drugs are useful in reducing acute inflammation pain and improving function. 
• Corticosteroids help treat the early signs of the disease. It is because of the temporary adjunctive therapy in patients that is not controlled well on NSAIDs and DMARDs
• NSAIDs and corticosteroids may show results quickly, but DMARDs take weeks or months to show results. Thus, meanwhile, analgesic drugs can be suggested to minimize the pain's effect.

Note: Aspirin, which is the oldest non-steroidal drug, may not be suggested due to its high rate of GI toxicity. 

2. JAK Inhibitors: Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are newly introduced medicines for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. They are used in combination with methotrexate. 

Additionally, this medicine is recommended for adult patients who cannot take methotrexate as it can make them feel sick and cause loss of appetite, diarrhea, headaches, and hair loss. 

Its benefits include: 

• The intake of this medicine can slow down the overactivity of the immune system, resulting in inflammation and pain. 
• It can target various aspects of the RA. 

3. Pain Killers: Medicines such as paracetamol are used to relieve pain and progression of disease. They are taken in combination with codeine to ease the pain and symptoms of the disease. 

Note: Paracetamol (PCM)is not typically used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. However, they may reduce their pain. 

4. Vitamin K2 Supplements: Vitamin K2 supplements prevent and treat RA. 

Other Treatments that Might Help You With Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms:

Other treatments that might help you to get relief from RA include: 

• Physiotherapy: Hire a specialist to help improve your fitness and muscle strength. 
• Occupational Therapy is needed when you face problems every day due to rheumatoid therapy. 
• Podiatry: A specialist (podiatrist) may help if you have problems with your feet. 
• Surgery: Sometimes, even medicines don’t work to treat joint problems and may still become damaged. In that case, your healthcare provider may suggest finger, hand, and wrist surgery to correct joint problems in your hand. 
• Arthroscopy: This procedure is suggested to remove inflamed joint tissue. 
• Joint Replacement: Joint replacement therapy or arthroplasty during rheumatoid treatment involves replacing all of a joint, such as a hip, knee, or shoulder joint.

Complimentary Therapies 

Apart from all these procedures, if you are diagnosed with RA, you can try complimentary therapies for short-term benefits, such as:

• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic
• Massage
• Osteopathy

Note: Consult your doctor before you start getting any treatment to reduce the impact of rheumatoid arthritis on your body. 

What is the ideal dosage of NSAIDs in Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Lower doses of NSAIDs have shown significant results in treating mild RA, and for inflammatory arthritis, a higher dose of the drug is suggested to decrease inflammation. 

Note: Your healthcare provider will look into your rheumatoid arthritis test reports and suggest the ideal dosage for treating the disease. 

What are the risk factors involved with the consumption of NSAIDs?

If needed, your healthcare provider will recommend the ideal dosage of NSAIDs to treat the common cause and symptoms related to rheumatoid arthritis. 

Still, there are chances to experience some adverse side effects related to consuming the drugs: 

• Gastrointestinal Disturbance is the most common toxicity associated with consuming NSAIDs, resulting in burning, belching, or irritation. 
• Bleeding: Conditions such as erosion and ulceration can result in bleeding. 
• Cardiovascular risks: The intake of NSAIDs is likely to cause cardiovascular disease (CVD). They can affect your BP and put additional pressure on the vascular beds. 

Treatment Goals Related to Rheumatoid Arthritis: You May Like to Know

The goals associated with RA treatment include: 

• To stop inflammation or to minimize the impact to the lowest possible level. 
• It helps patients relieve symptoms. 
• Improves the patient’s well-being. 
• Helps reduce long-term complications. 
• Also, it minimizes the chances of organ and joint damage. 

Book a blood test for Rheumatoid Arthritis from Redcliffe Labs! 

Healthy India Ki Trusted Lab—Redcliffe Labs is the fastest-growing diagnostic service provider in PAN India. It focuses on blood tests, preventive health checks, and a wide range of other services for your convenience. 

If suggested, call directly or download the Redcliffe Labs mobile app to book a blood test online for rheumatoid arthritis. The phlebotomist will come to your place with a blood sample collection kit. Get the most accurate reports typically within deadlines. 

Step-by-step information on booking a blood test online from Redcliffe Labs. 

1. Visit the official Redcliffe Labs website: https://redcliffelabs.com/.
2. Browse or search for the specific test you need. 
3. Add the test to the cart. 
4. Complete the payment process online.
5. You will receive confirmation through SMS and WhatsApp.

Brief Information Regarding Tests at Redcliffe Labs: You May Like to Know

• C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Levels

CRP levels check inflammation in the body. The normal c-reactive protein test ranges less than 0.9 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). 

Other names	CRP, Protein C-Reactive, C Reactive Protein
Fasting	Not Required
Reports Availability	12 hours
Price	INR 399

• Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

An ESR is a blood test that helps the experts find the inflammation inside your body. In men, the normal values are 0 to 15 mm/hr, and in women, 0 to 20 mm/hr. 

Other names	Sed Rate, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, and ESR
Fasting	Not Required
Reports Availability	12 hours
Price	INR 117

Conclusion

Do not ignore any unusual symptoms in your body, such as swelling in the joints, inflammation, pain, or fever. These could be related to rheumatoid arthritis. These symptoms can be mild to severe, damaging your bones. 

Discuss your condition with a specialist to determine the actual cause of the problem. He may suggest some blood tests and imaging tests to diagnose the exact cause and begin treatment, including surgery. 

Nevertheless, a healthy and nutritious diet is important. It should be a mix of protein, calcium, and other nutrients to maintain overall health. A Mediterranean-style diet, including vegetables, legumes, beans, fish, cereals, grains, and unsaturated fats, can do wonders for your health.