From medicalnewstoday.com
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) does not have a cure, and is a progressive condition, which means it continually develops over time.
Treatment for RA may help to slow the condition’s progression and aims to prevent irreversible joint damage. People with RA who do not have treatment may experience disability and a less favourable outlook.
Research suggests that around 40% of people with RA have functional disability that affects their daily lives and ability to work within 10 years of a diagnosis.
Seeking early treatment, which means within six months of first experiencing symptoms, can improve a person’s joint functioning and may lead to lower levels of swollen, tender joints. It also decreases the risk of bone erosions.
Early treatment can also increase a person’s chance of remission, a period in which they have no signs or symptoms of the disease. Some people may choose to slowly decrease treatment if they achieve remission.
However, even late treatment can offer benefits and significantly improve a person’s outlook. People with RA tend to have similar mortality rates if they have treatment, whether it is early or later.
Healthcare professionals
- pain relief
- lower inflammation and swelling
- improve daily functioning
- slow, stop, or prevent joint damage
- slow, stop, or prevent organ damage, including a decreased risk of heart and vascular diseases
A doctor may recommend the following treatment options:
- physical therapy
- occupational therapy
- medications, such as:
- joint surgery
- nutrition consult
People with RA also benefit from regular exercise, which may involve creating a tailored exercise plan, stress reduction, and dietary changes.
A person’s healthcare team will continually monitor them and adjust the treatment plan when necessary. It is important for someone with RA to attend regular check-ups, which may involve blood tests, imaging tests, bone health assessments, and more.
People with RA may also develop complications that require treatment and affect a person’s quality of life and outlook. Common complications of RA include the following:
- irreversible joint damage
- risk of cardiovascular disease, which can cause stroke or heart attack
- vasculitis, in which inflammation damages blood vessels
- osteoporosis, which involves weakened bones
- interstitial lung disease, a progressive lung condition
- cancerous tumours
- Sjögren’s disease, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks moisture-producing glands
Anyone who develops symptoms of RA can benefit from speaking with a healthcare professional to create a treatment plan as quickly as possible.
People with RA can also benefit from speaking with their healthcare team if they develop new symptoms or challenges with their daily function. A doctor may suggest making changes to their current treatment plan.
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