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Rheumatoid Arthritis: Pain
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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an immune disorder that attacks other parts of your body causing pain and inflammation in your joints that can ... affect your internal organs, eyes, lungs and heart. Joints often affected are fingers, wrists, elbows, neck, shoulders, jaw, feet, ankles, knees and hips.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients usually take pain-killers, like aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or similar medications to help reduce symptoms. Unfortunately, many of these medications can cause side-effects, ranging from mild stomach upset to more severe problems like ulcers. Long-term use of these medications can lead to bleeding of the stomach or other parts of the digestive tract. These symptoms add to an already uncomfortable condition.
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NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Available over the counter or by prescription, they fight inflammation or swelling and relieve pain. NSAIDS are usually the first drug prescribed to a person newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. NSAIDS may relieve pain and swelling, but they do not slow the disease process. Some well known NSAIDS are Aleve, Asiprin, Advil and Excedrin. These older medications can be problematic because, with continued use, serious side effects often develop: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, kidney problems, liver problems, and bleeding ulcers.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a very common form of arthritis. Having rheumatoid arthritis can be a very painful experience. It can be so severe that you find it hard to perform even simple tasks like washing and bathing and dressing yourself. With the discomfort and the inabilities that you are experiencing, you can feel easily depressed.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease where the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues. It causes inflammation and painful joints, and ... may attack other organs such as the heart. About 2.1 million Americans, or 1 percent of the population, have rheumatoid arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
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Traditional treatment of rheumatoid arthritis ranges from simple, conservative measures such as rest and adequate nutrition to drugs and surgery. Treatment starts with the least aggressive measures, moving to more aggressive ones if needed. A basic principle of rheumatoid arthritis treatment is to rest the affected joints, because using them aggravates the inflammation. Regular rest periods often help relieve pain, and sometimes a short period of total bed rest helps relieve a severe flare-up in its most active, painful stage. Splints can be used to immobilize and rest one or several joints, but some systematic movement of the joints is needed to prevent stiffening.
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