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    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Guide
    • Overview
      • What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
      • Types
      • RA in Women
      • RA in People of Color
    • Symptoms
      • RA Symptoms
      • Locations
      • Joint Pain
      • Joint Stiffness
      • Flare-Ups & Triggers
      • Symptom Tracking
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    • Tests & Diagnosis
    • Treatment
      • Understanding RA Treatment
      • Disease-Modifying Therapy
      • Symptom Management
      • Complementary & Alternative Treatment
      • Surgery
    • Living With
      • Tips for Living With RA
      • Diet
      • Exercise
      • Mental & Emotional Health
      • Family & Relationships
      • Your Environment
    • Mobility & Assistive Devices
    • Complications
    • Support & Resources
    • View Full Guide

    Treatment

    Finding the most effectivUe RA treatment is crucial to managing RA. Learn about the latest treatments to see which one works best for you.

    1. Understanding RA Treatment

      1. Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis: Treatment

        Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis usually includes medications, occupational or physical therapy, and exercise.

      2. Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment: More Than Meds

        If you have RA, medication is just the first step in what you can do to take care of yourself and feel better.

      3. Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Guide

        Arthritis meds play a role in controlling the progression of RA. Starting treatment soon after diagnosis is essential. 

      4. How to Manage Side Effects of RA Medications

        Medications for your rheumatoid arthritis could have side effects, but there are steps you can take to manage them.

      5. How to Manage Your RA If You Can’t Visit Your Doctor

        Here’s what to know about managing your RA if you can’t visit your doctor or have trouble getting your regular meds.

      6. The Cost of Rheumatoid Arthritis

        Although RA expenses are high, you may be able to make them more manageable.

    2. Disease-Modifying Therapy

      1. Drugs That Slow RA's Progress

        If you want to slow down RA, your doctor may suggest meds that get at the root of your trouble -- your immune system.

      2. Do RA Drugs Cause Cancer?

        Early research found that certai nRA drugs, especially ones called biologics, might make you more likely to get cancer.

      3. Give DMARDs Time

         If you're still adjusting to a DMARD or want to understand how it slows joint damage, take some time to learn more.

      4. Track DMARD Effects

        Even if you've been taking DMARDs a while, you still need to track how well they work and watch for side effects.

      5. How Does Methotrexate Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis?

        Methotrexate is one of the most effective meds to treat RA. It's the first drug most doctors prescribe after diagnosis.

      6. How Biologics Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

        Biologics work on your immune system to curb inflammation. They target the causes of joint inflammation and damage in RA.

      7. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Biologic Drugs at a Glance

        Biologic drugs are one type of medicine doctors use to treat moderate to severe RA. Get to know the different types.

      8. What Is a TNF Inhibitor?

        TNF inhibitors are drugs that help stop inflammation. They're used to treat diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

      9. Tips to Make Injections Easier With RA

        Self-injections may be an option for you if your rheumatologist prescribes a powerful type of drug called a biologic.

      10. Infusion Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis

        If you have RA, your doctor may suggest you get an infusion treatment. One drug you may take as infusions are biologics.

      11. Why Doesn't a Biologic Drug Help My RA Symptoms?

        There are a lot of reasons your biologic drug for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) might not work the way you hoped it would.

      12. Next Steps When a Biologic Doesn't Help Your RA

        It may take some trial and error to find the biologic drug that works best for your RA. There's a reason to keep at it.

      13. Tips for Managing an RA Medication Change

        If you have RA, chances are you’ll need to change your medication one or more times along the way.

      14. JAK Inhibitors for Rheumatoid Arthritis

        If you have RA, your doctor may suggest Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors to help ease your joint pain and swelling.

      15. RA Vaccines and Other New Immune Treatments

        In the future, an RA “vaccine” and other drugs that affect your immune system may be an option.

    3. Symptom Management

      1. Which Drugs Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain?

        There are many medications you and your doctor could consider using to treat your RA pain.

      2. What Are NSAIDs for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

        NSAIDs -- or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs -- are commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

      3. Steroids to Treat Arthritis

        Steroids work by decreasing inflammation and reducing the activity of the immune system.

      4. Prednisone: What to Know About Withdrawal Symptoms

        How and when do you stop taking prednisone? You could go into steroid withdrawal, which can have severe symptoms.

    4. Complementary & Alternative Treatment

      1. Natural Remedies for RA Pain

        You’ll need to keep up with your usual medical care, but some natural remedies might help relieve RA pain and stiffness.

      2. Physical and Occupational Therapy for RA

        Because you have rheumatoid arthritis, you'd probably benefit a lot from physical therapy and occupational therapy.

      3. Range of Motion Exercises for RA

        Research shows that physical activity actually improves the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

      4. Supplements for RA: What to Know

        Medication and other forms of treatment play a major role in managing rheumatoid arthritis.

      5. Fish Oil for Rheumatoid Arthritis

        You may have heard that fish oil, which contains omega-3 fatty acids, can help decrease RA swelling and irritation.

      6. Neuromodulation for Rheumatoid Arthritis

        Neuromodulation can be done with either chemical or electrical stimulus. For RA, electrical currents are being looked at.

      7. Essential Oils for RA

        Plant-based “essential oils” can play a part in your RA treatment. They’ve been used for centuries to lessen joint pain.

    5. Surgery

      1. When Is Surgery Right for Rheumatoid Arthritis

        The main reasons to choose surgery for rheumatoid arthritis are to get relief from pain and to help you move better.

      2. Recovery After RA Surgery: What to Expect

        Your recovery from surgery for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) goes can vary a lot depending on your type of procedure.

      3. Synovectomy for RA

        Synovectomy is surgery to remove part or all of the synovium, a layer of connective tissue lining the inside of joints.

      4. Hand and Wrist Surgery for RA

        RA in the hands or wrists often causes swelling in the lining of the joints or tendons. Surgery can ease pain.

      5. What Is Elbow Replacement Surgery?

        If a disease such as RA or an injury has harmed your elbow, your doctor may recommend surgery to replace the joint.

      6. Spine Surgery for Rheumatoid Arthritis

        Usually, when you have RA, it affects the neck region of your spine (an area called the cervical spine).

      7. Is Hip Surgery Right for Your RA?

        When RA attacks your hip joint, you may have less mobility and feel pain and swelling in your groin, thigh, and buttock.

      8. Foot and Ankle Surgery for RA

        Surgery isn’t first-line treatment for RA in your feet and ankles. Your doctor will likely suggest other treatments.

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