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Treatment Options for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis affects an estimated 1.3 million adults in the country. Performing daily activities with this disease can be a struggle and the condition can get worse if not handled effectively. It is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the body. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system primarily attacks the joints. It is a systemic disorder that affects other organs in the body such as the heart, eyes, and lungs due to inflammation. It is can be very painful and can affect the quality of life. Treatment options are tailored to each patient; however, the main goals of these treatments are to Improve physical function Reduce pain Reduce fatigue To eliminate tenderness and swelling Reduce flare-ups Treatments options to manage rheumatoid arthritis There are several ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Disease-modifying medications are used to treat this autoimmune disease. These medications change the course of the disease and prevent erosions in the joints and permanent damage. These are key medications to get started to ease discomfort associated with early signs of rheumatoid arthritis. There are two main types under this treatment method. Conventional oral disease-modifying medications Biologic disease-modifying medications Conventional oral medications Some of the common medicines used to treat discomfort at the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis are sulfasalazine, methotrexate, and leflunomide.