Rhuematoid Arthritis: What Are Your Best Treatment Options?

Recent research is providing interesting insight intodeadening the autoimmune response, as can taking
beneficial treatments for arthritis, especially in theprobiotics (supplements containing beneficial
area of rheumatoid arthritis. Those who are one ofmicroorganisms). Supplementing your diet daily with
the more than 4 million North Americans withbetween 2-3 grams of the Omega-3 fatty acids EPA
rheumatoid arthritis have more treatment optionsand DHA also is very beneficial in diminishing the
then ever before, with several of these options,autoimmune response. Identifying and addressing any
especially when used together with one another,food allergies or sensitivities, which will typically
showing great promise for effectively managingaggravate autoimmune diseases, is quite essential.
rheumatoid arthritis.It is worthwhile to note that while treatment for
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?rheumatoid arthritis may involve introducing several
Before we dive right into these highly effectivesupplements to your diet, supplements that are
treatment options, it is important to get a firm gripmeant to enhance your immune system should be
on what this beast called rheumatoid arthritis actuallyavoided. Since the immune system is already
is. Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a form of arthritis inoveractive, stimulating it through herbs such as
which the body's immune system turns on itself andGinseng, Echinacea or others may actually make your
begins to attack the joints throughout the body. ThisRA worse.
causes swollen, painful joints, fever and many timesInflammation is a key factor in rheumatoid arthritis
deformity of the joints. Those between the ages oftreatment. The more inflammation present, no
20-40 are most commonly diagnosed, except inmatter if it is due to a localized injury or part of a
cases of juvenile RA, in which children 16 years ofsystem-wide chronic condition, the worse your RA
age or younger are typically affected.symptoms will be.
Rheumatoid arthritis is three times more likely toReducing inflammation is possible through
affect women then men, and has been shown tosupplements and herbal therapies. Omega-3 fatty
favor certain geographical regions with a highacids including EPA and DHA have shown positive
concentration in North America. If left untreated, RAeffects in improving joint function that are enhanced
will cause rapid degeneration and will quickly begin toby GLA, a key element in the herb Evening Primrose.
deform the joints it affects, especially those in theRestricting arachadonic acids, which are plentiful in
wrists, hands and fingers. It is also commonly found ineggs, red meat and organ tissue such as liver, from
the elbow, shoulder, neck, jaw, feet, ankles, kneesyour diet also helps to minimize inflammation within
and hips.the body.
The affected joints will usually feel hot, consistentBeyond nutritional and dietary treatments for
with the inflammatory process occurring in theserheumatoid arthritis, herbal therapy can also be an
joints. One of the landmark signs of rheumatoideffective means of reducing inflammation and pain
arthritis is that the same joints will be affected onassociated with rheumatoid arthritis. Tumeric,
both sides of the body.Astaxanthin and Ginger extracts may reduce the
What Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments are Mostneed for medications for RA if used judiciously.
Effective?However, it would be wise to seek expert advice
Until recently prescribing expensive and slow-workingbefore using these herbal remedies as drug
drugs known as disease-modifying anti-rheumaticinteractions and gastrointestinal problems are possible.
drugs, or DMARDs, was the favorite treatment forPhysical activity, especially in the early stages of the
rheumatoid arthritis. While medication may certainlydisease, is showing excellent results in slowing the
be warranted and beneficial in some cases of RA,progression and diminishing pain associated with RA. It
research is revealing that a combination of dietaryhas been shown to provide hugeimprovements in
changes along with supplements and herbs as well asjoint function, fitness and mental outlook. Resistance
physical activity in the early stages of RA is provingtraining utilizing exercise bands and tubing along with
to be a highly effective method of managing RA.endurance training, sports and stretching at least two
As any health professional with tell you, prevention istimes per week may well slow the progression of
always more effective than any cure, andthe disease.
rheumatoid arthritis is no exception. Vitamin DInterestingly enough, however, those with severe
therapy, either through diet (dairy products -rheumatoid arthritis actually did worse when physical
especially milk) or supplements (Vitamin D3 -activity was introduced into their regular routine. As a
cholecalciferol) has been shown to preventresult it is important not only to identify RA
auto-immune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis,symptoms early but also to begin rheumatoid arthritis
multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes. Dosages up totreatments as quickly as possible.
2000 units have shown promising results and alsoUnfortunately there is no cure for RA, but the
have been shown to reduce a key factor in chronicquicker you begin to manage it, the better results
inflammation throughout the body, which commonlyyou will see and the slower your disease process will
occurs alongside RA.progress. Living with rheumatoid arthritis is never
Blunting the autoimmune response while at the samesimple nor easy, but pursuing natural treatments for
time reducing inflammation throughout the body isRA can improve the results you see in the short
the best way to effectively manage rheumatoidterm and also greatly improve your long-term quality
arthritis. Periodic fasting can be very helpful inand quantity of life.