Rheumatoid arthritis is the chronic inflammatory condition affecting the joints. It can also affect other tissues throughout the body. The basic causes for rheumatoid arthritis are still unknown.

The symptoms of arthritis develop slowly and it is not possible to know when the disease first developed. Rheumatoid arthritis can create diffuse inflammation in lungs, pericardium, pleura, and sclera. It is most common in subcutaneous tissue. The symptoms and severity of rheumatoid arthritis can vary from person to person. The joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis may cause swelling, pain, stiffness, and redness in joints. The inflammation can also occur around in tissues around the joints such as tendons, ligaments and muscles.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment:

Treatment plays an important role in controlling the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis and minimizing joint damage. Treatment involves the combination of drug therapy and non-drug therapy.

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment depends on severity of the disease, effectiveness of specific therapies and occurrence of any side effects.

The treatment for arthritis involves a long-term medical care with regular scheduled visits. This care often includes medical visits and tests to assess the effectiveness of treatment and monitor for side effects.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the progressive inflammatory disease. This means that the condition will continue to get worse, unless the inflammation is stopped or slowed. Starting treatment soon after the diagnosis of the disease is strongly recommended. The best medical care combines medication and non-drug approach.

Drug Treatment:

�The drugs such as aspirin and cortisone (corticosteroids) are used to reduce pain and inflammation.
�The secondary drugs like gold, methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine promotes disease remission and prevent progressive joint destruction, but they are not anti-inflammatory agents.
�Rheumatoid arthritis is treated with stepwise approach starting with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and progressing through more potent drugs like glucocorticoids, disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic response modifiers.
�DMARDs are avoided early in the disease due to their side effects and they do not bring on remission.

Non Drug Treatment:

�Physical therapy helps to improve the range of motion, increase the muscle strength and reduces pain.
�Hydro therapy involves exercising or relaxing in warm water. Water reduces the weight on your joints and warmth relaxes the muscles and relieves pain.
�Relaxation therapy teaches techniques for releasing muscle tension helping to relieve pain.
�Heat and cold treatment can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Heat can be applied by ultrasound, wax, microwaves, and moist compresses. Cold can be applied with ice packs at home.

Rheumatoid arthritis cannot be completely cured, but taking proper care and measures one can reduce the effects of it. The above tips for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can help you to some extent in curing your disease.