Types of arthritis medication and other effective medications

People with arthritis or arthritis need to get medicine or treatment immediately to overcome the disease. The reason is that arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, or even joints that are difficult to move, which of course makes you uncomfortable in your activities. So, how do you treat arthritis that can be done? Is there a certain lifestyle or diet that can help with arthritis?

Types of medication and medical treatment for arthritis or arthritis

Treatment for arthritis can vary from person to person. This depends on the type of arthritis you have, the severity, and the location of the joints that are inflamed.

However, arthritis or arthritis is not a completely curable disease. The treatment given is generally only to relieve symptoms and improve joint function.

With this treatment, people with arthritis can control their condition well even in the next few years. Here's how to treat arthritis medically that is commonly given by doctors:

1. Medicines

Medicines, both those that can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies and a doctor's prescription, can relieve symptoms and reduce inflammation. The medication given to treat this arthritis depends on the type of arthritis you have and the severity of the symptoms. Here are some medications that doctors commonly give to treat arthritis:

• Painkillers

Painkillers, such as acetaminophen, are generally given to reduce joint pain in arthritis sufferers. For more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe opioids, such as tramadol, oxycodone, or hydrocodone, which act directly on the central nervous system to relieve pain. However, opioids can cause dependence when used for a long time.

• NSAID drugs

You may also be given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, to reduce inflammation in the joints. You can generally find both of these drugs at a pharmacy, while other NSAIDs need to be prescribed by a doctor. Apart from being in the form of oral drugs (drinking), NSAIDs can also be creams or gels that are applied to inflamed joints.

• Corticosteroids

Corticosteroid drugs, such as prednisone and cortisone, may also be given by your doctor to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. This type of medicine can be taken by mouth or injected directly into the inflamed joint.

• Drug counterirritant

Medicines for arthritis are generally in the form of creams or ointments, which contain menthol or capsaicin. This type of drug works by blocking pain signals from the joints to the brain.

• Other types of drugs

Other types of medication may also be given to treat arthritis, depending on the type you have. For example disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMRADs), such as methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine, are given to treat one type of arthritis, namely rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or medications for other types of arthritis.

2. Physical therapy

Apart from drugs, another way to treat arthritis is physical therapy. Physical therapy can help increase your range of motion and strengthen the muscles around your joints, so you can move more effectively and safely.

To undergo this therapy, you should be assisted by a professional and licensed therapist so you don't make any movements wrong. You can consult a doctor to find the therapist in question.

3. Operations

Surgery can also be the treatment of choice for arthritis sufferers, especially if previous medications and medications haven't helped your condition or your condition has gotten worse. There are three types of surgery for arthritis that may be undergone, namely:

• Joint repair

In this procedure, the joint surface can be smoothed or adjusted to reduce pain and improve joint function.

• Joint replacement (arthroplasty)

This procedure is performed by removing the damaged joint and replacing it with an artificial joint. This type of surgery is usually performed on arthritis of the knee and hip joints.

• Joining joints

This procedure is done by removing the ends of two bones that meet at a joint and then joining or locking the ends of the bones together until they become one rigid unit. Generally this is done on small joints, such as the wrists, ankles, and fingers.

4. Latest treatment

Treatments for arthritis have continued to evolve over the past few years. The latest treatment, researchers in the UK have been researching a drug for arthritis that claims to decrease the activity of the immune system in people with arthritis, but not to reduce its ability to fight infection. This drug is also believed not to interfere with other immune system functions.

The drug is a combination of apocynin and paeonol (APPA) plant compounds. Steve Edwards, professor of neutrophils expert at the University of Liverpool, UK, believes APPA works directly on neutrophils that play a role in inflammation.

This drug can be given to people with osteoarthritis, but it may also have the potential to treat another type of arthritis, namely RA. However, this drug has only been tested on blood cells in the laboratory. Researchers still have to study the effect of APPA on joint tissue before they can test it as a real drug.

Healthy lifestyle to treat arthritis (arthritis)

Apart from medically, other treatments can also be done to help treat arthritis. Here are some other ways you can make a choice:

1. Eat healthy foods

Food cannot be a cure for arthritis. However, some foods have been shown to help fight inflammation, strengthen bones and boost the immune system, thereby helping to relieve any arthritis symptoms you have.

Here are some foods that are good for arthritis sufferers to eat.

• Fish: The omega-3 content in certain fish, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, and herring are believed to fight inflammation.
• Soybeans: Soybeans contain omega-3s which can fight arthritis, and are low in fat, high in protein, and fiber which are good for health.
• Olive oil: This type of oil contains oleocanthal, which has the same properties as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis.
• Broccoli: Broccoli vegetables contain sulforaphane compounds that can prevent or slow down osteoarthritis.
• Green tea: Green tea is rich in polyphenols that are believed to reduce inflammation and slow down cartilage damage, as well as another antioxidant, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which inhibits the production of molecules that cause joint damage.
• Vitamin C-rich fruits: Oranges, grapes, and limes which are rich in vitamin C are believed to prevent arthritis and maintain joint health in people with osteoarthritis.

Apart from the above types of food, arthritis sufferers are also advised to consume such as peas, garlic, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and cherries.

On the other hand, certain foods are taboo for arthritis sufferers, such as fried and processed foods, high-sugar foods, and high-fat milk and dairy products. Talk to your doctor about the right foods for arthritis sufferers.

2. Moderate to moderate exercise

Exercise can also be a way to treat other arthritis, apart from medication. Moderate to moderate exercise can help you strengthen the muscles around your joints, control your weight, strengthen bones, and provide energy for activities.

Some sports you can do, such as range of motion or stretching exercises, strength training, low-impact aerobics (walking, cycling, swimming), yoga, tai chi, or just doing everyday activities, such as mowing grass, sweeping, or walking your pet dog.

Of these types of sports, range of motion exercises are the easiest because they can be done anytime and anywhere. For this exercise, you only need to do a few stretching movements, such as raising your arms above your head or turning your shoulders back and forth.

If you experience joint pain in the neck, you can do several movements, such as lowering your head and tilting your head up, tilting your head to the right and left, turning your head, moving your head forward and back, and rotating your shoulders.

Even though it's easy to do, it's a good idea to first consult with a doctor or therapist to find out the right type and method of stretching or exercise, which suits your condition.