Rheumatoid arthritis: treatment methods

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease of connective tissue. Clinically, such a disease, as a rule, manifests itself in the progressive lesion of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis, the treatment of which is given below, is chronic.

For the therapy of such arthritis, a set of measures is used, including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory treatment, as well as rehabilitation and surgical procedures. The main principle of treatment consists of three stages: a hospital, a polyclinic and a health resort. Or it can be individual therapy, which is distinguished depending on the form of arthritis, the degree of activity, the stage and nature of the course. In the treatment of the use of anti-inflammatory agents of rapid action, which inhibit synovitis and other inflammatory processes in the body. Also, basic slow preparations are used, but the action of which is long. Such drugs are aimed at increasing the body's immune defenses. In addition, various medications are injected into the joint to influence the local inflammatory process. Do not forget about therapeutic exercise, muscle massage and other physiotherapy procedures to improve the function of the joints.

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Arthritis( rheumatoid) develops due to disorders in the immune system. That is why drugs that have a stimulating effect on immunity are considered basic. Such drugs in this case are: gold salts, aminoquinoline preparations, sometimes cytostatics, and also D-penicillamine. Such a basic treatment together with drugs with anti-inflammatory effect( non-steroidal type) is first-line therapy. If the effect of such treatment is not observed, as well as in the case of development of systemic manifestations, corticosteroid agents are prescribed. This is already a second-line treatment. Preparations from the third row are considered immunosuppressants. To drugs from the third row are usually resorted only if the funds from the first and second rows do not work.

If rheumatoid arthritis articular form, it is even more worth starting with non-steroidal preparations for inhibition of inflammatory processes. Now this type of drugs is quite a lot.

If the activity of the inflammatory process has started to decrease, then patients can already be prescribed physical therapy and massage, and if necessary, then physiotherapy. Very often appoint applications with dimethylsulfoxide, phonophoresis of analgin or hydrocortisone, as well as electrophoresis, thermal procedures, namely mud, paraffin applications, etc.

A very effective method of treating the disease is treatment with mineral medicinal water and medical mud. However, such treatment is not well tolerated, because it affects the state of the cardiovascular system.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect in rheumatoid arthritis has small doses of X-ray irradiation. Such treatment can be used with moderate or maximal activity, especially if small joints of the hands and feet are affected.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the resort is used only if it is an articular form of the disease without exacerbation, with the degree of activity first or second. If there is no joint change during the course of the disease, which has a pronounced character, and in general the course of the disease is benign, then Tskhaltubo is prescribed radioactive baths. If the flow is progressive, then the baths are designated as hydrogen sulphide.

Over time, conservative therapies are developing, but along with them, surgical methods are also used. The main principle of such treatment is an early synovectomy. Such treatment allows to eliminate inflammation in the joint at an early stage. The cartilage is preserved from destruction, while the functions of the joint are preserved and restored. Granulation tissues are removed, which reduces the autoimmune reaction of the body, and also has a beneficial effect on the general condition of a person.

In addition to the above methods of treatment, there are other, not so popular - it is acupuncture, phytotherapy and others.