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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered an autoimmune condition, which means it is caused by your immune system making antibodies which attack your tissue. Experts are not sure why the immune system in some people does this, but they have identified certain risk factors that make some people more likely than others to develop RA.
Since rheumatoid arthritis can affect other organs, your doctor may also monitor you for cardiovascular or respiratory health. Many of the medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis may increase the risk of infection. Doctors may monitor you for infections. Vaccines may be recommended to lower the risk and severity of infections.
How is rheumatoid arthritis treated? Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can give you relief from symptoms, improving your quality of life. Doctors may use the following options to treat RA: Medications to relieve pain and swelling, and to slow joint damage. Physical therapy and occupational therapy. Surgery, such as joint replacement surgery.
Overview of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disease that mostly affects joints. RA occurs when the immune system, which normally helps protect the body from infection and disease, attacks its own tissues. The disease causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in joints.
What is rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that mostly affects joints, such as the wrist, hands, feet, spine, knees, and jaw. In joints, RA causes inflammation that leads to: Pain. Swelling; Stiffness. Loss of function. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder because the immune system ...
Some medicines may only be needed when you have arthritis pain. You may need to take others every day to prevent arthritis from getting worse. It is important to take the medicines as directed, even if you start to feel better. You can continue to have joint damage and inflammation even if you do not feel it.
DMARDs work to slow the progression of joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis. For more information on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, see Rheumatoid Arthritis: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Options. New Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis - Latest FDA Approvals
Compare risks and benefits of common medications used for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Find the most popular drugs, view ratings and user reviews. (Page 2)
Xeljanz (tofacitinib) is an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that may be used alone or with other medications to treat inflammatory and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Research Progress Related to Rheumatoid Arthritis. Over the last several decades, research has greatly increased our understanding of the immune system, genetics, and biology. This research is now showing results in several areas important to rheumatoid arthritis. Scientists are thinking about RA in exciting ways that were not possible years ago.