People with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) could soon benefit from a new drug treatment that not only suppresses inflammation but also significantly reduces patient-reported pain scores. What does this mean? Otilimab is a monoclonal antibody, biologic drug, which targets and suppresses the inflammatory cytokine GM-CSF.
Conventional DMARDs .
These drugs can slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and save the joints and other tissues from permanent damage. Common DMARDs include methotrexate (Trexall, Otrexup, others), leflunomide (Arava), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).
Methotrexate is widely regarded as one of the safest of all arthritis drugs, though it carries some potential downsides. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting are its most frequent side effects.
Recently, with the Janus–Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors, a new group of drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis was introduced. These targeted, synthetic DMARDS (tsDMARDS) are effective in inflammatory diseases by intracellularly blocking tyrosine kinase [67].
Stem Cell Therapy: A Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Breakthrough in 2023? Stem cell therapy has become increasingly popular as a therapeutic opportunity for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients due to mesenchymal stem cells unique capacity to modulate the immune system.
To help manage pain and inflammation from a rheumatoid arthritis flare-up, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Your doctor may also prescribe a steroid treatment or injection for more severe symptoms.
It is important for patients and caregivers to understand that current therapies, including stem cell treatment, does not provide a cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
NSAIDs are the most effective oral medicines for OA. They include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) naproxen (Aleve) and diclofenac (Voltaren, others). All work by blocking enzymes that cause pain and swelling.
Take Your Medication
Medications to treat RA include: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone. Conventional DMARDs, which can slow RA progression and possibly save the joints from permanent damage.
Heat and cold.
Use of heat, such as applying heating pads to aching joints, taking hot baths or showers, or immersing painful joints in warm paraffin wax, can help relieve pain temporarily. Be careful not to burn yourself. Use heating pads for no more than 20 minutes at a time.
Minocycline is an antibiotic that reduces inflammation. Doctors usually use minocycline to treat bacterial infections such as pneumonia, but one off-label use includes treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Minocycline is a medication in the tetracycline family of antibiotics.
Humira (adalimumab) is an expensive medication used to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis.
If rheumatoid arthritis is not treated early or is not well controlled, the inflammation in your joints could lead to significant and permanent damage. Problems that can affect the joints include: damage to nearby bone and cartilage (a tough, flexible tissue that covers the surface of joints)
While there is no permanent cure for rheumatoid arthritis, physical therapy, including stretching, exercise, and compression, can help manage symptoms.
Researchers think it's caused by a combination of genetics, hormones and environmental factors. Normally, your immune system protects your body from disease. With rheumatoid arthritis, something triggers your immune system to attack your joints. An infection, smoking or physical or emotional stress may be triggering.
“The best natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is an anti-inflammatory diet,” says Dr. Rosian. “This diet typically is low in animal protein. You would eat more plant-based proteins, including legumes, nuts and seeds.”
RA doesn't directly shorten your life. But it does raise your odds of getting some serious health conditions (your doctor will call them complications) that could affect your health and life expectancy: Heart disease. RA makes you more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lifespan
In the study, the median survival rate for healthy adults was approximately 82 years while the median survival rate for people with RA was approximately 77 years.
Heart disease should be considered a serious cause for concern among people with RA, even those who've yet to reach middle age.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Voted one of the most relaxing places to live, with the lowest rate of smoking in the U.S. (smoking can aggravate many health conditions, including osteoarthritis), Salt Lake City is one of the best cities to live with arthritis.