Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a well know chronic autoimmune disorder that mainly affects the joints. It causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joints, and can also affect other parts of the body such as the skin, eyes, and lungs. A progressive disorder can lead to joint deformities and disability if left untreated. Treatment options include gels, medications, physical therapy, and surgery in severe cases. Conferring with a healthcare professional to properly diagnose and manage the disease is essential.

What is arthritis?

RA, known as rheumatoid arthritis, is a chronic ailment that causes inflammation of the joints. This inflammation is a result of the body's immune system attacking its own tissues, which results in pain, swelling and tenderness of the joints. It may also induce other signs such as exhaustion, fever and loss of hunger.

Physicians need a foolproof understanding of why some people develop rheumatoid arthritis. They believe that there are certain genes that make a person vulnerable to developing the disease and that it takes a chemical or environmental trigger to activate these genes. This trigger can include infection, smoking or physical or emotional stress.

Usually, doctors start with prescription drugs that ease pain and prevent the progression of the disease. These medicines are called DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs). You will require frequent blood examinations to check how these medications affect your liver and blood cells.

Diclofenac Gel Application

Diclofenac gel (Voltaren Arthritis Pain, Pennsaid, Solaraze) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that's applied to the skin. It's used to treat arthritis pain in joints that benefit from treatment through the skin, such as the hands and knees. It can also be used to improve actinic keratosis, a type of warty overgrowth of skin caused by long-term sun exposure.

Use this prescription as required by your medic. Before using, clean and dry the skin area where you'll apply the gel. Use a dosing card included with the medication to measure out ten drops of the gel for each knee. Wash your hands after each application.

Warm/Cold Compress

Both warm and cold compresses can reduce discomfort in human joints and muscles. Cold compresses decrease inflammation and swelling, while warm ones increase blood flow to the area and numb the tissues.

Some people like to alternate between hot and cold therapy. For example, they may use a hot compress in the morning to loosen stiff arthritic joints and then apply a cold pack later in the day to reduce swelling.

A cold compress is best used immediately after an injury, while a warm one can be applied several times per day to ease chronic pain and stiffness. Moist heat is more valuable than dry heat. You can buy a moist hot/cold compress or make your own with items you have in the kitchen.

Topical Capsaicin

Capsaicin, which comes from the capsicum in chilli peppers, works by reducing the transmission of pain impulses to the brain. It also depletes and prevents reaccumulation of substance P, which is the primary neurotransmitter involved in pain signals from peripheral nerves to the central nervous system.

It is available in various strength creams and as a prescription patch (Qutenza) containing 8% capsaicin. It provides good levels of pain relief in a small proportion of people with some forms of neuropathic pain, such as the pain after shingles and HIV-neuropathy.

Apply the patch to cleanse your dehydrated skin on the painful area of your body three times a day. When applied, the patch will produce a burning sensation, and you should wash your hands thoroughly to avoid putting it on other parts of the body.

Topical NSAIDs

NSAIDs are available as creams, gels and sprays and come in patches (such as Icy Hot). These medications produce a cooling or warm sensation to reduce pain. They also reduce the inflammation that causes the pain. They can be utilized independently or in a mix with other therapies.

A 2016 Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of head-to-head trials comparing topical diclofenac, ketoprofen or ibuprofen with placebo in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain, including osteoarthritis found that they had comparable efficacy to oral NSAIDs but with a more benign adverse event profile. This has led to international clinical practice guidelines positioning topical NSAIDs on par with or ahead of oral NSAIDs in treating knee and hand osteoarthritis and as first-line therapy in patients >=75 years of age.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

TENS involves using small electrical currents to help block pain. You use a device about the size of a personal stereo with electrode pads you stick on your skin. The pads are hooked up to electric wires, and the end of each wire is connected to a pin connector on the TENS unit.

The TENS device can be set at different pulse frequencies and intensities. It is thought that TENS works by stimulating specific non-pain-carrying nerves to interfere with ('close') signals from pain-carrying nerves and stimulates the production of the body's own natural pain-easing chemicals called endorphins.

It has been found that TENS improves pain control and quality of life in some people with rheumatoid arthritis, primarily when used with other treatments. However, the results are short-term, and more research is needed.

Aromatherapy

It can take time to get a diagnosis and start treatment. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, do a physical exam and order blood tests and X-rays. These include swelling, tenderness, a low-grade fever, fatigue, and bumps under the skin on your joints (rheumatoid nodules).

You may be prescribed pain medicine, including NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or corticosteroids.

Mind-Body Techniques can help you relax and not focus on your pain. These include yoga, meditation and breathing exercises, acupuncture and massage and supplements like curcumin/turmeric and omega-3 fish oil. A physiotherapist can teach you how to improve your muscle strength and flexibility. If you have hand problems, a physiotherapist can help with tailored hand exercise programmes that you can do at home.

Before deciding, one should consult with a physician to comprehend the pros and cons of each technique. Some physical therapies are very safe and helpful when used regularly at home.