The most established and widely used treatments for rheumatoid arthritis are
* Life style changes
* Physiotherapy
* Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (aspirin),
* Meds meant to limit joint damage, called Disease-modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs or DMARDs
The up and coming treatments for the disease include:
Low dose frequent long-term steroids, taken orally in pill form along with other established medications (read more). Especially when used from early on after the initial diagnosis. The steroids have anti-inflammatory effects. There are safety concerns over such long-term use, but the benefits may out-weigh the risks.
A number of fairly new drugs, that act by suppressing the immune system. These go by the brand names of Remicade, Enbrel, Humira, Orencia and Rituxan (and yet more new drugs still being developed and undergoing preliminary tests).
Swimming: Sufferers have traditionally been told to refrain from exercise during flare-ups, but keeping active is also known to help prevent the frequency and severity of attacks. Gentle swimming may be a good compromise activity that may in itself slow the progression of the disease.
* Life style changes
* Physiotherapy
* Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (aspirin),
* Meds meant to limit joint damage, called Disease-modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs or DMARDs
The up and coming treatments for the disease include:
Low dose frequent long-term steroids, taken orally in pill form along with other established medications (read more). Especially when used from early on after the initial diagnosis. The steroids have anti-inflammatory effects. There are safety concerns over such long-term use, but the benefits may out-weigh the risks.
A number of fairly new drugs, that act by suppressing the immune system. These go by the brand names of Remicade, Enbrel, Humira, Orencia and Rituxan (and yet more new drugs still being developed and undergoing preliminary tests).
Swimming: Sufferers have traditionally been told to refrain from exercise during flare-ups, but keeping active is also known to help prevent the frequency and severity of attacks. Gentle swimming may be a good compromise activity that may in itself slow the progression of the disease.