Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of arthritis that results in painful inflammation to a person's joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is believed to be caused by an immune system problem that causes healthy joints to be attacked by white blood cells, precipitating swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis is much more frequently seen in women than in men and most cases occur in people between the ages of 40 and 60 years old. Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis cannot cure the affliction but can allow a person to be able to have more flexibility and less pain in the affected joints. In addition to drugs such as corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which can help with the pain and inflammation, there are several other treatments available for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs
The joint damage attributed to rheumatoid arthritis can often be minimized by a type of medications known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Drugs of this nature are normally prescribed by a physician to a patient with rheumatoid arthritis when the condition first appears. They can work to slow the advance of the arthritis and to keep joints such as the hands, knees, and wrists from becoming severely damaged. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs have to be taken over a span of weeks and sometimes even months before any appreciable benefit is noticed. Plaquenil, Azulfidine, Minocin, Rheumatrex, and Ridaura are all types of this medication.
TNF-alpha Inhibitors
A cell protein called TNF-alpha is active in causing the inflammation that goes with rheumatoid arthritis. There is strong evidence that TNF-alpha inhibitors--drugs designed to block the affects of these proteins--can keep rheumatoid arthritis from worsening. TNF-alpha inhibitors such as Enbrel, Remicade and Humira are usually taken in conjunction with other medications. However, there are serious side effects linked to these drugs, with possible blood disorders, lymphoma, and an increased chance of infections among them.
Anakinra
Anakinra, also called Kinaret, is designed to be much the same as a chemical that occurs naturally in the human body. This chemical, called interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, helps to short-circuit chemical signals that result in inflammation in instances of rheumatoid arthritis. People that have severe cases of the condition may be aided by Anakinra, as it can limit swelling in the joints. Daily shots of Anakinra are self-administered just under the skin. A side effect of this medication is a potential reaction where the shot is given. Other possible problems include headaches, lowered white blood cell counts and upper respiratory infections.
Abatacept and Rituxan
Abatacept is able to bring inflammation under control and reduce the damage to joints that occurs during rheumatoid arthritis. It does so by affecting the white blood cells that cause the trouble. Given monthly by intravenous injections, Abatacept can cause headaches and nausea. Rituxan does its work by keeping down the amount of B cells in an individual with rheumatoid arthritis. B cells are also involved in the inflammation process but Rituxan, taken in a manner similar to Abatacept, can reduce these cells significantly. Symptoms that resemble those of the flu, chills and nausea have been connected to this rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
Surgical treatments
Sometimes medications cannot halt the damage done by rheumatoid arthritis to joints or control the level of pain in a patient. Surgery is a possibility for some people that have this problem. Total joint replacements are frequently performed when joints such as hips, knees and ankles have been ravaged by rheumatoid arthritis. Surgeons can remove the lining of joints in some cases, eliminating swelling and painful symptoms of the ailment. Surgery to repair affected tendons can also be an option.
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