Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease that causes severe joint pain. Although this condition can affect anyone between the age of 30 and 50, you can also get RA quite suddenly between the age of 60 and 65. [1] Luckily, there are effective ways to treat and manage symptoms caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Here is what seniors should know about the condition.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
As a very common autoimmune disorder, RA causes swelling and pain in your joints when antibodies attack synovial joint fluid by mistake. Rheumatoid arthritis differs from ordinary arthritis in that it can affect your whole body.
There are more than 1.3 million people in the United States that suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, [2] but since the condition is so widespread, there are many different treatment options as well as new and emerging ones.
What Are the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis is joint pain, but you may also feel a warm sensation in your elbows, knees, feet, and hands. Unfortunately, RA is progressive; even if it starts in just one part of your body, it spreads and worsens if you don’t treat and managed it.
Common Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis doesn’t have a cure, but you can manage your symptoms. In most cases, treatment aims to make symptoms less severe and to slow down the spread or progression of RA.
Among the most popular treatments for this disease are medications. You can take a few different types of drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis, [3] including:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help reduce pain and inflammation and joint swelling, and are available as over-the-counter or prescription medications.
Corticosteroids act fast while controlling pain and inflammation.
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) slow down the progression of RA and can be taken in pill form, as injections, or through infusions.
Biologics are like DMARDs but they act fast and target inflammation. These prescription drugs can stop, modify, or slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.
Remember to go to the doctor as soon as possible to try and prevent the progression of RA. Moreover, people with rheumatoid arthritis often combine different treatments into one custom-tailored approach.
Alternative Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Medications should be your first line of defense against rheumatoid arthritis, but you can also see benefits from alternative approaches, including:
Exercise and Stretching
Moderate stretching and regular exercise such as cycling or swimming can help a great deal with RA but always consult your doctor beforehand.
Hot and Cold Therapy
Applying ice or heat packs can bring down joint pain and swelling. Some people prefer one or the other, or a mixed approach.
Changes in Diet
Overall, a diet relying heavily on plants can help greatly with inflammation. Try to add more vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and grains to your diet.
Supplements
Omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce swelling and inflammation, as well as turmeric. Other than that, probiotic foods like pickles, cheese, and yogurt can also be of help.
Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis by Staying Informed
Living with rheumatoid arthritis doesn’t have to be as painful as you think. A variety of treatments are available that will let you live a full and active life. However, it’s important to stay informed about new treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.
[1] https://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/what-need-know-elderly-onset-ra#1
[2] https://www.rheumatoidarthritis.org/ra/facts-and-statistics/
[3] https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/rheumatoid-arthritis/treatment.php