Steroids such as prednisone used to be the main treatment for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis. Over the years new drugs have been developed, and additional treatment plans have been found to be successful. Today, the prognosis for someone with rheumatoid arthritis is much more positive than it used to be.
Diagnosis
Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed through examination, blood work and radiological studies. Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease, so the prognosis is better for someone who is diagnosed in an earlier stage. Secondary illnesses such as fibromyalgia or thyroid disease also can affect the prognosis.
Condition of Joints
The prognosis for someone with rheumatoid arthritis can depend on the erosion of the joints at diagnosis and the speed at which they continue to deteriorate. If too much damage has occurred before treatment, the long-term prognosis is not as positive.
Flares
People with rheumatoid arthritis can go for periods (long and short) with few complaints. Flares can bring on extreme pain and can even cause problems with organs in the body, since rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease.
Pain Medication
Once the side effects and addictive properties of steroids such as prednisone were discovered, the drugs were used less frequently. Safer drugs, such as analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), were later recommended for rheumatoid arthritis.
Other Medications
Medication for rheumatoid arthritis has gone from just treating the pain to treating the disease. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologic response modifiers and Protein A immunoadsorption therapy can slow the progression of the condition.
Considerations
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, painful disease that can create problems for the entire body. However, with early diagnosis, medication, exercise and proper care, a patient with rheumatoid arthritis can live a long and productive life.
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