| The most debilitating form of arthritis is rheumatoid | | | | only problem is that in many cases they are far too |
| arthritis (RA). Unlike other forms of arthritis, | | | | expensive - to the point where most health insurance |
| rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. It | | | | policies do not cover such treatments. |
| attacks joints and internal organs, causing severe | | | | There is also a cheaper alternative to BRM, |
| inflammations and pain. | | | | commonly used to combat rheumatoid arthritis: |
| The most important thing in all rheumatoid arthritis | | | | Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (example: |
| treatments is detecting this disease as soon as | | | | Methotrexate). Their main goal is to reduce the |
| possible. Unlike other forms of arthritis, RA does | | | | damage done to joints by the disease. Needless to |
| most of the damage during first twenty-four months. | | | | say, they are prescription-only drugs. |
| As there is no cure to this disease, the best thing we | | | | Besides medications, there is also a few other things |
| can hope for is to stop its progress as soon as | | | | you may want to do in order to make your life with |
| possible or at least alleviate the pain and minimize the | | | | rheumatoid arthritis easier. First, you need to accept |
| secondary damage. | | | | that RA won't go, so you can't simply "wait until it is |
| There are several drugs that can be used to reduce | | | | gone." While some activities are beyond of your |
| the effects of rheumatoid arthritis. First, there are | | | | reach, it does not mean that you can only sit down |
| NSAID - Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs such | | | | and watch TV. Another important thing is that you |
| as acetylsalicylic acid and ibuprofen. Most of them are | | | | need to do some sport. While you may feel it is |
| available over the counter, but in more severe cases | | | | safer to put no stress at all to your joints, this will |
| you may want to ask your doctor for stronger | | | | only speed up the disease progress. Strong muscles |
| NSAID that are prescription-only. Other means of | | | | reduce the impact of RA and increase the flexibility |
| reducing the symptoms of RA is increasing the intake | | | | of your joints. However, you'd better choose such |
| of Omega-3 fatty acids by taking Omega Daily food | | | | exercises that do not harm your joints - usually |
| supplement or simply by eating more fish oil. These | | | | swimming is the best idea. |
| nutrients are known to decrease periods of morning | | | | Remember, rheumatoid arthritis is too common |
| stiffness as well as for reducing inflammations. | | | | disease to ignore it. It affects about 1% of the |
| Another category of anti-RA drugs are BRM (biologic | | | | population and can't be cured. If you feel some pain |
| response modifiers). They are extremely effective | | | | in the joints and you feel stiff in the morning, contact |
| and try to alleviate the symptoms of the RA by | | | | your doctor immediately - there is a good chance |
| affecting its source - the organism's response. The | | | | that you've got rheumatoid arthritis. |