Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic (long-term) inflammatory disease, which causes swelling and redness, pain, warmth, stiffness in the joints.

Eventually, the affected joints may possibly become damagedand misaligned. The joint tissue lining can become thick, and possibly wear out near by bones, cartilage and ligaments it spreads. Rheumatoid arthritis generally has a symmetrical pattern, that’s meaning if one of the knee or hand has it, usually the other one does too.

The main reason of rheumatoid arthritis is unidentified, even though it looks to be an autoimmune disease. In an autoimmune disease the body’s immune system does not works the way it should normally, white blood cells (WBC) that usually kills outside virus andbacteria or viruses starts attacking healthy tissue instead.

In case of RA the healthy tissues of the joints and the synovium are damaged. The swelling caused by Rheumatoid arthritis can have an effect on heart,eyes, lung and other parts of body. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most immobilize form of arthritis.

RA mainly affects :

• Joints of hips


• Knees and Neck


• Hands


• Elbows


• Wrists


• Shoulders


• Feet and Ankles

Rheumatoid arthritis can end result in misplacedand loose joints, diminishes strength and loss of mobility. It is also responsible for rheumatoid nodules which are painless lumps that are the size of a corn or peas. These will develop under the skin, particularly around the elbow or under the toes.

How is rheumatoid arthritis treated?

Therapy for RA has improved greatly in the past 30 years. Current treatments give most patients good or excellent relief of symptoms and let them keep functioning at, or near, normal levels. With the right medications, many patients can have no signs of active disease. When the symptoms are completely controlled, the disease is in “remission”.

There is no cure for RA. The goal of treatment is to improve your joint pain and swelling and to improve your ability to perform day-to-day activities. Starting medication as soon as possible helps prevent your joints from having lasting or possibly permanent damage. No single treatment works for all patients. Many people with RA must change their treatment at least once during their lifetime.

The best treatment of RA needs more than medicines alone. Patient education, such as how to cope with RA, also is important. Proper care often requires a team of providers, including rheumatologists, primary care physicians, and physical and occupational therapists. You will need frequent visits through the year with your rheumatologist. These checkups let your doctor track the course of your disease and check for any side effects of your medications. Also, you likely will need to repeat blood tests and X-rays or ultrasounds from time to time.

Foods to avoid with RA

There is no special RA diet or diet "cure" for rheumatoid arthritis. One hundred years ago, it was touted that "night-shade" foods, such as tomatoes, would aggravate rheumatoid arthritis. This is no longer accepted as true. There are no specific foods or food groups that should be universally avoided by individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.

There is no evidence that gluten bothers rheumatoid arthritis. Nevertheless, for those who are definitely sensitive to gluten (wheat, barley, and rye), the gluten-free diet can prevent poor intestinal absorption of important nutrients because the small intestines can become inflamed in these individuals. Bowel inflammation can be detrimental for those also affected by rheumatoid arthritis if they become deficient in nutrients, such as vitamin D.

Foods that fight RA inflammation

Nevertheless, there are some home remedies that may be helpful, although these are not considered as potent or effective as disease-modifying drugs. Fish oils, such as in salmon, and omega-3 fatty acids supplements have been shown to be beneficial in some short-term studies in rheumatoid arthritis. This suggests that there may be benefits by adding more fish to the diet, such as in the popular Mediterranean diet. The anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin in dietary turmeric, an ingredient in curry, may be beneficial in reducing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Some research and studies shows that there are also Natural Remedies and Herbs which helps in Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment like :

•  Turmeric (Haldi) : Oil from turmeric acts as very good anti-inflammatory agent.


•  Asafetida (Heeng): Asafetida with ginger paste or coconut oil helps in inflammatory diseases.


•   Garlic (Lehsun) : Garlic with anti-arthritic properties taken daily in small doses helps to strengthen the immune system

Supplements for RA

Supplements such as calcium and vitamin D are used to prevent osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Folic acid is used as a supplement to prevent side effects of methotrexate treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Alcohol is minimized or avoided in rheumatoid arthritis patients taking methotrexate.

The benefits of cartilage preparations such as glucosamine and chondroitin for rheumatoid arthritis remain unproven. Symptomatic pain relief can often be achieved with oral acetaminophen (Tylenol) or over-the-counter topical preparations, which are rubbed into the skin. Antibiotics, in particular the tetracycline drug minocycline (Minocin), have been tried for rheumatoid arthritis recently in clinical trials. Early results have demonstrated mild to moderate improvement in the symptoms of arthritis. Minocycline has been shown to impede important mediator enzymes of tissue destruction, called metalloproteinases, in the laboratory as well as in humans.

Exercises and home remedies for RA

Because impact loading the joints can aggravate inflamed, active rheumatoid arthritis and also be difficult when joints have been injured in the past by the disease, it is important to customize activities and exercise programs according to each individual's capacity. Physical therapy can be helpful. Movement exercises that are less traumatic for the joints, including yoga,can be beneficial in maintaining flexibility and strength as well as lead to an improved general sense of well-being.

Proper regular exercise is important in maintaining joint mobility and in strengthening the muscles around the joints. Swimming is particularly helpful because it allows exercise with minimal stress on the joints. Physical and occupational therapists are trained to provide specific exercise instructions and can offer splinting supports. For example, wrist and finger splints can be helpful in reducing inflammation and maintaining joint alignment. Devices such as canes, toilet seat raisers, and jar grippers can assist in the activities of daily living. Heat and cold applications are modalities that can ease symptoms before and after exercise.

Doctors often prescribe a corticosteroid to relieve acute symptoms, with the goal of gradually tapering off the medication. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These drugs can slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and save the joints and other tissues from permanent damage.

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment includes medications that slow the progression of joint damage from rheumatoid arthritis. These drugs are called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and they are an important part of an overall treatment plan. What are these drugs, and how do they work?

Disease-modifying drugs act on the immune system to slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. This is why they are called "disease-modifying." Many different drugs can be used as DMARDs in the treatment of RA, but some are used more often than others.

DMARD Side Effects and Use

Hydroelectrically (Plaquenil) and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) are used for mild rheumatoid arthritis. They are not as powerful as other DMARDs, but they usually cause fewer side effects. In rare cases, Plaquenil can adversely affect the eyes, and patients taking this medicine should be seen by an ophthalmologist at least once a year.

Leflunomide (Arava) works about as well as methotrexate and can work even better in combination with it. The side effects are similar to methotrexate. Sometimes, Arava causes diarrhea and can't be used. Since Arava is known to cause harm to a fetus, women must take special precautions to prevent pregnancy.

Methotrexate is the most commonly used DMARD. This is because it has been shown to work as well or better than any other single medicine. It is also relatively inexpensive and generally safe. Like other DMARDs, methotrexate has side effects; it can cause rash and stomach upset, can be toxic to the liver or bone marrow, and can cause birth defects. In rare cases, it can also cause shortness of breath. Regular blood work is necessary when taking methotrexate. Taking folic acid helps reduce some of the side effects. Methotrexate's biggest advantage could be that it has been shown to be safe to take for long periods of time and can even be used in children.

Minocycline (Minocin) is an antibiotic that is not often prescribed. But it may help RA by stopping inflammation. It can take several months to start working and up to a year before the full effects are known. When taken for long periods, minocycline can cause discoloration of the skin.

How Diet Kundali helps in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Balanced Diet Plan:

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Dietitian from Mumbai:

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