If you experience swelling and pain in your joints for no reason, you probably suffer from an autoimmune disease called rheumatoid arthritis. The joints, including the wrist, hands, and feet, are the main target of this disease. It can lead to low fever, appetite loss, and decreased energy if the condition is overlooked. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women ages 30 to 50, and about 1.3 million Americans suffer from this disease.
To date, there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. However, for people suffering from this painful disease their treatments to relieve pain and symptoms and improve their quality of life.
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Reviewed by Liss Sullivan
Written by Debrah Henn
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Available Options for Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment
Various drugs are available to relieve the pain and symptoms of RA patients. These are essentially antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs, whose primary function is to slow the progression of joint damage. There are also non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) that are also helpful in relieving pain.
Most of the time, people do not want to take medications to treat RA. Fortunately, there are some natural remedies available for these people.
These natural remedies include a combination of treatments and different therapies to help relieve symptoms. However, before choosing a natural remedy, you should consult your doctor about all the treatment options.
Exercise
Gentle exercise under the supervision of a physical therapist will help you a lot in fighting joint pain and stiffness due to RA. In addition, it also affects your overall mood and boosts your energy.
RA patients should mainly opt for exercises that are low-impact and do not put additional stress on already aching joints. Warm water exercises and hydrotherapy are very effective. Other easy joint exercises include Tai Chi, yoga, stretching, and walking. These exercises are gentle, flexible, and help increase energy levels.
It's best to start any new form of exercise slowly so your body can get used to the new level of activity. Even if you do gentle exercises, overworking your body can lead to injury or worsening pain.
Acupuncture
This is one of the best therapy that has been originated from China. It is the best alternative remedy, and many people have had good results with acupuncture treatment for various inflammatory conditions.
In acupuncture, the therapist inserts tiny hairpins into the skin at specific "acupressure points" along the "meridians" of the body. These meridians are connected to nerve pathways throughout the body. This is why acupuncture is said to be the most effective treatment.
However, the scientific community does not agree, and the debate is still ongoing. But the procedure is safe and relatively non-invasive when carefully performed by an experienced person. Moreover, some believe that this procedure relieves the symptoms of autoimmune diseases, limits swelling and pain, and strengthens the body's self-regenerative powers.
Diet and Supplements
You can also control the symptoms of RA with your diet and supplements. According to The Arthritis Foundation, a few foods can be more or less helpful in reducing inflammation for RA people. The diet includes increased portions of:
Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables.
Nuts and seeds.
Beans and legumes.
Olive oil
Also, reduce or limit the intake of:
Nightshades like peppers, potatoes, eggplant, and tomatoes.
Processed foods.
High-sodium foods.
Alcohol.
Moreover, a few people claimed that they feel a reduction in pain and inflammatory symptoms by cutting down on wheat-based products. However, there is no clear evidence for this.
Eating a “clean” diet, including fresh foods and dietary supplements, can also help reduce RA symptoms or other autoimmune diseases.
Some of the renowned natural supplements are:
Boswellia Serrate (Indian frankincense).
Capsaicin.
Tumeric.
Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa).
Fish oil.
Gamma-linolenic acid.
Ginger.
Turmeric and ginger are the common spices easily found at home, and including them in your daily diet can help you fight RA. However, for other dietary products, you can use oral capsules or purchase them from health stores in various forms.
Besides, it is necessary to get a piece of advice from your doctor before starting any sort of herbal supplement or remedy. So you will be acknowledged of the possible side effects beforehand.
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