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Overview

RA usually requires lifelong treatment, including medications, physical therapy, exercise, education, and possibly surgery. Early, aggressive treatment for RA can delay joint destruction. MEDICATIONS Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs: These drugs are the current...[read article]

Tests for Rheumatoid Arthritis

1.
During a physical examination, a health care provider studies a patient''s body to determine the presence or absence of physical problems.  More
2.
ESR stands for erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It is a test that indirectly measures how much inflammation is in the body.  More
3.
A complete blood count(CBC) test measures the following:.The number of red blood cells(RBCs) The number of white blood cells(WBCs) The total amount of hemoglob...  More
4.
Rheumatoid factor(RF) is a blood test that measures the amount of the RF antibody in the blood.Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or t...  More
5.
C-reactive protein is produced by the liver. The level of CRP rises when there is inflammation throughout the body.This article discusses the blood test done to mea...  More
6.
The antinuclear antibody panel is a blood test that looks at antinuclear antibodies(ANA).Antinuclear antibodies are substances produced by the immune system that at...  More
7.
Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (CCP) Antibody Level Test
8.
Arthrograpy is a procedure involving multiple x rays of a joint using a fluoroscope, or a special piece of x-ray equipment which shows an immediate x-ray image. A c...  More
9.
Joint fluid culture is a laboratory test to detect infection-causing organisms in a sample of fluid surrounding a joint.A sample of joint fluid is needed. This may ...  More
10.
Diagnostic Aspiration of Joint
11.
X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. In a health care setting, a machines sends are individual x-ray particles, called photons.  More
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Over the Counter Medications for Rheumatoid Arthritis

1.
NAPROXEN (na PROX en) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to reduce swelling and to treat pain. This medicine may be used for dental pain,...  More
2.
KETOPROFEN (kee toe PROE fen) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to reduce swelling and to treat mild to moderate pain. This medicine may...  More
3.
CAPSAICIN (cap SAY sin) is a pain reliever. It is used to treat pain in muscles or joints.This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provide...  More
4.
ASPIRIN (AS pir in) is a pain reliever. It is used to treat mild pain and fever. This medicine is also used as directed by a doctor to prevent and to treat heart at...  More
5.
IBUPROFEN (eye BYOO proe fen) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used for dental pain, fever, headaches or migraines, osteoarthritis, rheumato...  More
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Prescribed Medications for Rheumatoid Arthritis

1.
METHOTREXATE (METH oh TREX ate) is a chemotherapy drug. This medicine affects cells that are rapidly growing, such as cancer cells and cells in your mouth and stoma...  More
2.
NAPROXEN (na PROX en) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to reduce swelling and to treat pain. This medicine may be used for dental pain,...  More
3.
CELECOXIB (sell a KOX ib) is known as a COX-2 inhibitor, a drug that belongs to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class. It is used to reduce swellin...  More
4.
DICLOFENAC (dye KLOE fen ak) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to reduce swelling and to treat pain. It is used for osteoarthritis and r...  More
5.
INDOMETHACIN (in doe METH a sin) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to reduce swelling and to treat pain. It may be used for painful join...  More
6.
AZATHIOPRINE (ay za THYE oh preen) suppresses the immune system. It is used to prevent organ rejection after a transplant. It is also used to treat rheumatoid arthr...  More
7.
DEXAMETHASONE (dex a METH a sone) is a corticosteroid. It is commonly used to treat inflammation of the skin, joints, lungs, and other organs. Common conditions tre...  More
8.
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE (hye drox ee KLOR oh kwin) is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. It is also used to treat malaria. This medicin...  More
9.
PENICILLAMINE (pen uh SIL uh meen) binds with heavy metals and cystine in the body. It is used to treat Wilson's disease and cystinuria. It is also used to tre...  More
10.
HYDROCORTISONE (hye droe KOR ti sone) is a corticosteroid. It is commonly used to treat inflammation of the skin, joints, lungs, and other organs. Common conditions...  More
11.
PIROXICAM (peer OX i kam) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to reduce swelling and to treat pain. It may be used to treat osteoarthritis...  More
12.
KETOPROFEN (kee toe PROE fen) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to reduce swelling and to treat mild to moderate pain. This medicine may...  More
13.
ETODOLAC (ee toe DOE lak) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to reduce swelling and to treat pain. This medicine may be used to treat ost...  More
14.
NABUMETONE (na BYOO me tone) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to reduce swelling and to treat pain. It is used for osteoarthritis or rh...  More
15.
FLURBIPROFEN (flure BI proe fen) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to reduce swelling and to treat pain. This medicine may be used for o...  More
16.
OXAPROZIN (ox a PROE zin) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to reduce swelling and to treat pain. It may be used for for rheumatoid arth...  More
17.
FENOPROFEN (fen oh PROE fen) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to reduce swelling and to treat pain. This medicine may be used to treat ...  More
18.
GOLD SODIUM THIOMALATE (gold SO dee um thye oh MAH late) lowers the swelling of rheumatoid disease. It is used to treat both adult and juvenile type rheumatoid arth...  More
19.
DICLOFENAC; MISOPROSTOL (dye KLOE fen ak; mye soe PROST ole) is a combination of two different drugs. Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). ...  More
20.
CAPSAICIN (cap SAY sin) is a pain reliever. It is used to treat pain in muscles or joints.This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provide...  More
21.
NAPROXEN; LANSOPRAZOLE (na PROX en; lan SOE pra zole) is a combination of two medicines. The naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used ...  More
22.
ADALIMUMAB (a dal AYE mu mab) is used to treat several types of arthritis. It is also used to treat Crohn's disease and plaque psoriasis. This medicine may be ...  More
23.
ASPIRIN (AS pir in) is a pain reliever. It is used to treat mild pain and fever. This medicine is also used as directed by a doctor to prevent and to treat heart at...  More
24.
PREDNISONE (PRED ni sone) is a corticosteroid. It is commonly used to treat inflammation of the skin, joints, lungs, and other organs. Common conditions treated inc...  More
25.
IBUPROFEN (eye BYOO proe fen) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used for dental pain, fever, headaches or migraines, osteoarthritis, rheumato...  More
26.
INFLIXIMAB (in FLIX i mab) is used to treat Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It is also used to treat ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, and some forms ...  More
27.
ETANERCEPT (et a NER sept) is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in adults and children. The medicine is also used to treat psoriatic arthritis, ankylos...  More
28.
METHYLPREDNISOLONE (meth ill pred NISS oh lone) is a corticosteroid. It is commonly used to treat inflammation of the skin, joints, lungs, and other organs. Common ...  More
29.
SULFASALAZINE (sul fa SAL a zeen) is used to treat ulcerative colitis. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if ...  More
30.
LEFLUNOMIDE (le FLOO na mide) is for rheumatoid arthritis. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have que...  More
31.
ANAKINRA (an a KIN ra) is used to treat active rheumatoid arthritis in adults. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharma...  More
32.
ABATACEPT (a ba TA sept) is used to treat moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adults. This medicine is also used to treat juvenile idiopathic arthriti...  More
33.
AURANOFIN (au RANE oh fin) is a gold compound. It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis when other medicines have not worked. This medicine may be used for other pu...  More
34.
CYCLOSPORINE (SYE kloe spor een) is used to decrease the immune system's response to a transplanted organ. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask yo...  More
35.
RITUXIMAB (ri TUX i mab) is a monoclonal antibody. This medicine changes the way the body's immune system works. It is used commonly to treat non-Hodgkin'...  More
36.
SULINDAC (sul IN dak) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to reduce swelling and to treat pain. It may be used for painful joint and muscu...  More
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Medical Procedures for Rheumatoid Arthritis

1.
Cryotherapy is a technique that uses an extremely cold liquid or instruments to freeze and destroy abnormal or cancerous skin cells that require removal. The techni...  More
2.
Physical therapists provide services to restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities among those suffering...  More
3.
Occupational therapy is a holistic, patient-centered, occupation-based approach to life skill development. This health profession helps people whose lives have been...  More
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Self Care for Rheumatoid Arthritis

1.
Rest
2.
Although aerobic workouts like walking or running are important, they can't take the place of strength training when it comes to building and preserving muscle.  More
3.
Heat treatments are therapeutic applications of superficial or deep-heating agents to areas of the body.decrease muscle tightness and increase flexibility.increase ...  More
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Alternative Procedures for Rheumatoid Arthritis What's this?

1.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive technique in which a low-voltage electrical current is delivered through wires from a small pow...  More
Efficacy Grade C
2.
Water has been used medicinally for thousands of years, with traditions rooted in ancient China, Japan, India, Rome, Greece, the Americas, and the Middle East. Ther...  More
3.
Various forms of meditation have been practiced for thousands of years throughout the world, with many techniques originating in Eastern religious practices. In mod...  More
4.
The practice of acupuncture originated in China 5,000 years ago. Today it is widely used throughout the world and is one of the main pillars of Chinese medicine. Th...  More
5.
Relaxation techniques include behavioral therapeutic approaches that differ widely in philosophy, methodology, and practice. The primary goal is usually non-directe...  More
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Surgical Procedures for Rheumatoid Arthritis

1.
Synovectomy
2.
Tendon repair is surgery to repair damaged or torn tendons.Local anesthesia(the immediate area of the surgery is pain-free) Regional anesthesia(the local and surrou...  More
3.
Arthroplasty is surgery performed to relieve pain and restore range of motion by realigning or reconstructing a dysfunctional joint.The goal of arthroplasty is to r...  More
4.
Knee joint replacement is surgery to replace a knee joint with an artificial joint. The artificial joint is called a prosthesis.Total knee replacement; Knee arthrop...  More
5.
Hip joint replacement is surgery to replace all or part of the hip joint with an artificial joint. The artificial joint is called a prosthesis.Hip arthroplasty; Tot...  More
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Herbs and Supplements for Rheumatoid Arthritis What's this?

1.
Dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fish oil and certain plant/nut oils. Fish oil contains both docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA...  More
Efficacy Grade B
2.
Borage ( Borago officinalis ) is an herb native to Syria that has spread throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean. Borage flowers and leaves may be eaten and bo...  More
Efficacy Grade B
3.
Borage ( Borago officinalis ) is an herb native to Syria that has spread throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean. Borage flowers and leaves may be eaten and bo...  More
Efficacy Grade B
4.
Zinc formulations have been used since Ancient Egyptian times to enhance wound healing, although the usefulness of this approach is only partially confirmed by clin...  More
Efficacy Grade C
5.
Glucosamine is a natural compound that is found in healthy cartilage. Glucosamine sulfate is a normal constituent of glycoaminoglycans in cartilage matrix and synov...  More
Efficacy Grade C
6.
Selenium is a trace mineral found in soil, water, and some foods. It is an essential element in several metabolic pathways. Selenium deficiency can occur in areas w...  More
Efficacy Grade C
7.
The rhizomes (underground stem) and stems of ginger have assumed significant roles in Chinese, Japanese and Indian medicine since the 1500s. The oleoresin of ginger...  More
Efficacy Grade C
8.
The rhizome (root) of turmeric ( Curcuma longa Linn.) has long been used in traditional Asian medicine to treat gastrointestinal upset, arthritic pain, and low ener...  More
Efficacy Grade C
9.
Black cohosh is popular as an alternative to hormonal therapy in the treatment of menopausal (climacteric) symptoms such as hot flashes, mood disturbances, diaphore...  More
Efficacy Grade C
10.
Feverfew is an herb that has been used traditionally for fevers, as its name denotes, although this effect has not been well studied. Feverfew is most commonly take...  More
Efficacy Grade C
11.
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is an endogenous hormone (made in the human body), and secreted by the adrenal gland. DHEA serves as precursor to male and female sex ...  More
Efficacy Grade C
12.
Dimethyl sulfoxide (C 2 H 6 OS), or DMSO, is a sulfur-containing organic compound. DMSO occurs naturally in vegetables, fruits, grains, and animal products. DMSO wa...  More
Efficacy Grade C
13.
Guggul (gum guggul) is a resin produced by the mukul mirth tree. Guggulipid is extracted from guggul, and contains plant sterols (guggulsterones E and Z), which are...  More
Efficacy Grade C
14.
Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) is a dietary omega-6 fatty acid found in many plant oil extracts. Commercial products are typically made from seed extracts from evening ...  More
Efficacy Grade C
15.
Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is essential to all life, and is a component of coenzyme A (CoA), a molecule that is necessary for numerous vital chemical reactions t...  More
Efficacy Grade C
16.
The black currant shrub is native to Europe and parts of Asia and is particularly popular in Eastern Europe and Russia. Traditional herbalists uphold that black cur...  More
Efficacy Grade C
17.
Podophyllum gets its name from the Greek words podos and phyllon , meaning foot shaped leaves. Podophyllum rhizomes have a long medicinal history among native North...  More
Efficacy Grade C
18.
Chlorophyll is a chemoprotein commonly known for its contribution to the green pigmentation in plants, and is related to protoheme, the red pigment of blood. It can...  More
Efficacy Grade C
19.
Classified as an herb, bromelain is a sulfur-containing proteolytic digestive enzyme that is extracted from the stem and the fruit of the pineapple plant ( Ananas c...  More
Efficacy Grade C
20.
Resin extracts from the Boswellia serrata tree have been found to have anti-inflammatory effects. Animal and laboratory studies suggest possible efficacy for inflam...  More
Efficacy Grade C
21.
Astaxanthin is classified as a xanthophyll, which is a carotenoid pigment, and can be found in microalgae, yeast, salmon, trout, krill, shrimp, crayfish, crustacean...  More
Efficacy Grade C
22.
In the United States, willow bark is used by herbalists as an antipyretic (fever reducer), a mild analgesic (pain reliever), and an anti-inflammatory. There is curr...  More
23.
Evening primrose oil (EPO) contains an omega-6 essential fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is believed to be the active ingredient. EPO has been studied...  More
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This feature is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the care and information received from your healthcare provider. Please consult a healthcare professional with any health concerns you may have.