Rheumatoid Arthritis can be greatly helped by:
- Low-Dose Immunotherapy(LDI)
- ART testing and treatment
Rheumatoid arthritis can be referred to as an autoimmune disease that can cause joint damage and pain throughout your body. The joint damage that rheumatoid arthritis causes happen on both sides of your body, so when a joint is affected in one of your legs or arms, the same joint in the other leg or arm will be affected too. This is one way that doctors distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other types of arthritis. Treatments are effective when rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed early and it is vital to know the signs. Characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints and the surrounding tissues, this disease is a progressive illness that results in several symptoms, which include severe pain and aches, fatigue, stiffness, loss of appetite, and lack of energy. It is not always possible to know when the disease began because it develops gradually. Some realize that the disease is active constantly while others will show signs imminently. The specific symptoms and the extent of pain and discomfort will entirely depend on the individual and can worsen if the person is not active for extended periods of time.
Pain management
The main aim of treating rheumatoid arthritis is to manage the pain, reduce inflammation, and maximize the functioning of the joints. Prevention of joint deformity and damage forms part of the treatment. The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis needs to be tailored to the requirements of the patients because the severity of the symptoms varies from person to person. Generally, factors such as occupation, age, the types of joints that are inflamed, overall health, and whether the disease is active or not, are all considered when deciding on the course of treatment.
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis usually consists of a combination of medications and non-drug therapies. The types of drugs used include ones that promote remission and anti-inflammatory medications as well as slow down the progression of the disease.
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and cortisone are used for reducing inflammation and pain management. Hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, gold salts, and methotrexate are usually used to slow down the progression of joint destruction and promote remission. Surgery may be necessary in cases where joint deformity is severe.
Non-drug therapies
Non-drug treatments include physical therapy and some exercises to relieve stiffness and pain. Physical therapy not only reduces inflammation but also can be used to solve the specific effects of the disease and maintain the structure of the joints. Combinations of relaxation techniques, ultrasound, finger-splinting, and hot and cold therapies are used to get optimal results. To ensure that patients receive plenty of important nutrients, a dietary plan is recommended especially when there is a loss of appetite. To restore energy and help with fatigue, individuals are encouraged to rest.
Naturopathic Approach
Naturopathy is one of the therapies that combine herbal, nutritional, and other complementary practices to treat these conditions. Through some specific factors, naturopaths are vital contributors to rheumatoid arthritis treatment through therapeutic management. These factors include increased gut permeability, food allergy, excessive inflammatory processes, increased circulating immune complexes, and increased oxidative stress. Naturopathic treatment alleviates symptoms by changing these factors through modification of diets and antioxidants and proteolytic enzymes. Understanding the basis for these treatments and the appraisal of the evidence from their use of clinical environments will help in the combination of conventional and complementary practices in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Patients need to work closely with a medical health care provider for rheumatoid arthritis treatment to be successful. Anyone who follows an effective treatment plan that is designed for their particular case will have a better chance of improving.