Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments
… it’s NOT your Grandparents’ Arthritis
By Michelle Eberwein – Author & Certified Holistic Health Coach in Cape Coral, Florida
- ‘About 1.5 million people in the US have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis’ (Link)
- ‘Both incidence and prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis are 2-3 times greater in women than in men’ (Link)
- ‘RA usually begins between the ages of 30 and 60 years old’ (Link)
WHAT IS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS EXACTLY?
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to turn on itself by attacking your body tissues. The immune system is designed to protect your body against infections and viruses by attacking them. In RA, the immune system attacks healthy parts of the body such as the joints and even organs. Unlike osteoarthritis, which is a ‘wear & tear’ type of damage to your joints, RA affects the lining of your joints, causing painful swelling that results in bone erosion and joint deformity. Sometimes it begins with “flu-like” symptoms of fatigue, fever, weakness, and minor joint aches.
HOW IS THE BODY AFFECTED BY RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS?
The inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis can damage other parts of the body as well, including skin, eyes, heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Early RA symptoms tend to affect smaller joints first such as finger joints and toe joints. As the disease progresses, symptoms often spread to the wrists, knees, elbows, hips, and shoulders. The fatigue, flares, swelling, and pain increase without treatment.
Symptoms usually occur in the same joints on both sides of the body.
IS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS CURABLE?
RA can be effectively treated and managed with medications and self-care, but there is no cure. Two types of medications slow the disease and joint deformity: Antirheumatic drugs called DMARDs or biological response modifiers called biologicals are medications that are effective treatments. In addition to medications, people can manage their RA with self-care strategies to help reduce pain and inflammation.
SELF-CARE STRATEGIES FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS TREATMENT:
HEALTHY EATING
A balanced, nutritious diet consisting of anti-inflammatory foods helps to keep inflammation down while providing the body with essential nutrients.
DAILY MOVEMENT
Even if you cannot find time to exercise, incorporating movement into your daily routine can be beneficial. Taking a few minutes each day to stretch and connect with your body can help.
BALANCE ACTIVITY WITH REST
During a flare-up, it’s essential to continue being physically active, but it’s also vital to prioritize rest when you experience pain, swelling, or stiffness in your joints due to RA. Resting helps reduce inflammation and fatigue that can accompany a flare, so taking breaks throughout the day is crucial to protect your joints and help your body return to a state of calm. Always pay attention to your body and remember to take breaks whenever necessary.
HEAT THERAPY
Heating pads or warm baths, tend to work best for soothing stiff joints and tired muscles. There are even hot patches that can help when you have to drive or sit for an uncomfortable length of time.
TOPICAL PRODUCTS
These creams or stick-on pain relieving patches can ease the pain in a joint or muscle. My favorites are Voltaren gel and Topricin cream. Both of these can be bought on Amazon.
Stress Reduction & Complementary Therapies
There are a variety of methods that can be used to relax and alleviate pain. These include meditation, deep breathing, and visualizing happy thoughts or images. Additionally, massage therapy can help reduce pain, relax tense muscles, and alleviate stress and anxiety.
SUPPLEMENTS
Many patients find that taking Omega-3 fish oil and Turmeric supplements helps with rheumatoid arthritis pain and morning stiffness. (Always consult with your doctor before taking any supplements to discuss potential side effects and how they may interact with other medications).
ABOUT OSTEOARTHRITIS:
Osteoarthritis, which is also known as wear and tear arthritis, is a condition that occurs when the cartilage that cushions and protects the ends of your bones gradually wears away. As a result, you may experience pain and stiffness that gets worse over time, making it challenging to perform daily activities. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and it usually develops slowly, mostly affecting middle-aged and elderly individuals.
Osteoarthritis results from the mechanical wear and tear on joints, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s joints. Joint pain may be the initial indication of arthritis, or it could start with flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, fever, weakness, and minor joint aches.
Today, my role as a Holistic Health Coach is to guide you on your journey to and through recovery. If you think you have what it takes to turn your life around, I will work with you to formulate the ultimate lifestyle plan according to your physical, mental, and emotional requirements. I would also like to say if any one of you is feeling down in the dumps, I am here. You can reach me on WhatsApp at any time, or send me a message here, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Sometimes, it feels good talking to an outsider.
In my book, Turning Pain into Strength, I share my experience of pain medication addiction and how I overcame it. To get a copy, click here.
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