In the United States, arthritis is ranked after heart disease as the most common reason for work disability. It affects millions of people and renders most of them incapable of moving freely.

Despite the continuous development of technology and the numerous scientific breakthroughs, there is still no specific treatment for arthritis that could permanently cure it. All doctors could offer to arthritic patients are treatments for the pain and discomfort.

Drugs are the commonly used treatment for arthritis. For people who suffer from osteoarthritis, pain relievers like acetaminophen could be effective since there is little inflammation. But those with rheumatoid arthritis should use aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen to decrease severe swelling. But some patients do not respond to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They could try disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. But administration of this medication has to be monitored by a medical specialist to avoid side effects.

Patients can also use biological response modifiers as treatment for arthritis. Biological response modifiers are new drugs that minimize joint swelling by blocking the reaction of tumor necrosis factor, an immune system protein substance. Hormones called corticosteroids can also be an extremely beneficial treatment for arthritis, but it could cause a lot of side effects. Corticosteroids could be injected or taken orally. There are other treatments that could lubricate joints or filter the blood for harmful antibodies.

Patients could also opt for medical procedures to treat arthritis discomfort. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation block pain messages from reaching the brain. This is done by stimulating nerve endings in the affected area through mild electric pulses.

Surgery can also be used in the worst cases. A surgeon can perform osteotomy, which is the procedure done to realign joints. Synovectomy, or the process of removing the synovium, could also be done. But severely damaged joints can be replaced, through arthroplasty, to provide relief from pain.

However, simpler remedies could also help arthritic patients. Placing ice packs or heating pads on the affected area for several minutes could alleviate the pain and swelling. But using ice packs is not advisable for patients that have poor blood circulation as it may only worsen the swelling.

Exercise is also a recommended treatment for arthritis. Swimming, aerobic exercises and brisk walking are only some of the exercises that can be therapeutic. Stretching exercises are good too. Exercise can also help the patient lose weight, which can be relieving. Extra pounds can mean more pain for patients with arthritis since the weight-bearing joints, such as the knees and hips, are strained more.

The administration of a therapeutic course is vital for patients who suffer from arthritis. Unevaluated symptoms can stop a person from living a normal life. If untreated, arthritis can be more than just a physical annoyance. It could drastically change your life.