There is no way to get rid of arthritis right now. But they can be kept. The most recent treatment for arthritis is biological therapy. What is it and when is it used?
Despite the progress in research onrheumatism , all its causes are not fully understood. The most insidious are chronic inflammatory diseases:rheumatoid arthritis( RA ), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). They happen when the immune system, which is responsible for fighting germs and diseased cells in the body, suddenly starts to function improperly and its own he althy cells are mistakenly recognized as foreign or damaged and begin to destroy them. This causes inflammation and the joint is destroyed as a result. These diseases are included in the group of autoimmune (autoimmune) diseases. Some specialists say that they can be caused by severe stress, hormonal disorders or a cold. There is also talk of a family predisposition, although rheumatism is not hereditary. And until an answer to the question of the genesis of the disease is found, doctors will only remove the symptoms, not the causes of the disease.
Arthritis treatment: a different therapy for everyone
Chronic arthritis is accompanied by severe pain that becomes unbearable and can exclude you from an active life. The sick are constantly sleepy, tired, and this causes irritation, even depression. In addition, the disease progresses rapidly and leads to permanent changes in the joints that make it impossible to perform daily activities. Over time, it can attack the heart, lungs, kidneys and nervous system. Unfortunately, the changes that have been made to the pond cannot be undone. Therefore, treatment is mainly based on preventing or at least delaying destruction and reducing pain. Unfortunately, there is no golden mean that would quickly get everyone back on their feet. Arthritis is an unpredictable disease. Everyone can develop differently, sometimes with unusual symptoms. Each organism also reacts differently to pharmaceuticals. Therefore, the selection of an effective therapy can take a lot of time. The basis is drugs that are selected individually, depending on age, general conditionhe alth, advancement and course of the disease. Various combinations and doses of the preparations are used. Treatment must be continued in various forms throughout life. Disease-modifying drugs are most important - they are designed to stop or reduce inflammation. They help in 60-80 percent. They have the disadvantage that they only start working after 2-6 months and can cause side effects. But because the effects of "waiting for a miracle" are much more dangerous than taking medications, you should take them as prescribed and systematically monitor your he alth.
Arthritis treatment: methotrexate
Due to its high effectiveness, convenience and relatively rare side effects, methotrexate is the most widely used in the world today. It was first recommended for the treatment of leukemias. Now it is also given in arthritis, but in much smaller doses: 15-25 mg once a week (in tumors several times more), usually in tablets. There are few contraindications: severe liver damage, alcoholism, obesity, pregnancy (women should discontinue it 4-6 months before the planned pregnancy, and men 2-3 months before). However, due to the long list of side effects listed on the leaflet, patients are afraid of this preparation. Experts reassure you that the information provided with the tablets relates to the high doses used in cancer. So if we divide the risk by the dose and the frequency of taking the drug, it turns out that it is really small. Occasionally there is an increase in liver enzymes in the blood. But only when the result exceeds the norm three times, the specialist stops the treatment. You must take folic acid during treatment to prevent anemia. Gold s alts bring very good results in the treatment of RA. Currently, they are not available on the Polish market, but the most determined patients buy this drug abroad. A very important advantage of the treatment is long-term, sometimes long-term remissions of the disease. Unfortunately, these drugs often bring complications, mainly skin allergies, bone marrow and kidney damage. If one drug taken in full dose by the patient does not help, then the doctor tries to start another drug modifying the course of the disease. Arechin, cyclosporine or leflunomide are the most frequently added drugs (this drug is recommended at the beginning of treatment if the patient cannot take methotrexate).
You must do itGrit your teeth and exercise!
No treatment will be effective without daily exercise, which prevents contractures and improves joint mobility, strengthens muscles and relieves pain. Exercises should be selected by a therapist, gradually increasing the intensity as he alth improves. To avoid stiffness and deformation, alreadyduring the exacerbation of the disease, try to make the fullest possible movements in the affected joint several times a day. When the joints are not working, bone cells decline and degeneration occurs at an accelerated rate. Even when you find it difficult to move around, keep active. Go for walks, meet people. Closing yourself in four walls increases the development of the disease.
Arthritis treatment: steroid power
In the period of exacerbation of the disease, sometimes small doses of steroids, usually orally (10-15 mg per day), need to be added to modifying drugs. They quickly inhibit inflammation, bringing relief (reduce swelling, relieve pain). But they have numerous side effects (e.g. bone loss, risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, depression). Therefore, they are administered in the lowest effective dose and gradually reduce it as soon as it improves. To prevent osteoporosis, people taking steroids should take 800-1000 mg of calcium with 400-800 units of vitamin D per day.
ImportantThis will help you
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help to relieve symptoms. Although you can buy them over the counter, you should not take them on your own or increase the recommended dose yourself, because they are harmful to the stomach. Gels and ointments with a similar effect work well in degenerative rheumatic diseases. They relax muscles, improve joint mobility, act locally and do not irritate the gastric mucosa. However, warming preparations should not be used in arthritis. Therefore, before use, you should read the leaflet carefully or consult a doctor.
Biological therapy
This is the newest, very effective form of treatment. But due to the high price, biological drugs are recommended for those who are not helped by other drugs. Therapies are carried out in some centers dealing with the treatment of rheumatism, under the supervision of experienced specialists. The essence of treatment with Remicade and Enbrel is to block the activity of cytokines (proteins that signal inflammation). The first is administered in a hospital setting in the form of a drip according to the scheme: infusion, the next after 2 weeks, then after 6 and every 8 weeks. At the same time, methotrexate is taken. The second preparation is administered subcutaneously once a week. There are also biological drugs that destroy lymphocytes involved in the pathogenic process. In Poland - Mab Thera. It is administered intravenously only twice, 2 weeks apart, the improvement lasts up to 8-9 months. In Poland, due to the cost, biological treatment is used until improvement is achieved (usually the drug starts working after 3 months), which is determined on the basis of the DAS 28 coefficient (28 joints are tested). Calculatesin a rather complicated way. A score below 2.6 indicates remission of the disease, 2.6-3.2 indicates moderate activity, and around 5 indicates that the disease is very active. Biological medications are discontinued at an index of less than 2.6. If inflammation returns, treatments can be repeated.
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