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Easy Relief from Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease affecting the joints. The affected joints will have swelling due to inflammation. You will have a severe pain in the joint due to swelling. In addition to that you will have stiffness also at joints. There can be tissue damage at the joints leading to loss of function and possible deformity. In America more than 20 million people are affected. It affects all races, all ages, and both sexes. Fatty people are more prone. It can also affect tendon, ligament, bones, and tissues around the joints. It is a chronic disease. It is also progressive disease. The cause of the disease is yet to be ascertained.

Early treatment will give a better relief. If the coordination between the patients is better, better are the results. The main aim of the treatment is to reduce the pain and the inflammation, so as to prevent the tissue damage and to restore the normal function of the joint. The signs of rheumatoid arthritis are fever, pain, stiffness of joints and anorexia. Aspirin and cortisone are the first line drugs. They are fast acting. They are anti- inflammatory drugs. They reduce the inflammation and pain. Gold and hydroxy chloro quine are second line drugs. They are slow acting. They are not anti-inflammatory drugs. They reduce the progressive tissue damage that follows inflammation.

Leflunomide [avara] is a newer second line drug. These acts faster and it reduces the symptom and also prevents the tissue damage. It works by intercepting an important enzyme that is essential for immune activation. Avara cause birth defects, when used at the time of pregnancy. Avara may also cause side effects like loss of hair, liver damage etc for some patients when used. Enbrecet, humira, remicade, kinaret are biological medicines or biological response modifiers. Their onset of action is faster. They arrest the tissue damage immediately. They act on a protein in the joint that triggers inflammation. These medicines can be used with DMARDS for better results. These biological response modifiers are expensive when compared with first line drugs and second line drugs.

Disclaimer : The text presented on these pages is for your information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It may not represent your true individual medical situation. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting a qualified health care provider. Please consult your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns.

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