Diet

Most people understand that eating a healthy diet is important to overall joint and muscular health. However, for rheumatoid arthritis patients, it is also important to eat foods that decrease inflammation in your body. It is just as important to stay away from foods that can lead to more inflammation.

Fatty Fish

Fatty fish like salmon and sardines contain Omega 3 fatty acids that are great for addressing inflammation concerns in the body. These foods also help to lower the amounts of bad cholesterol in the body. This is important because RA is a significant indicator of heart disease and less cholesterol in the body will decrease your chances of experience heart and other cardiovascular problems.

Beans

Beans come packed with fiber. Fiber will lower the presence of C-reactive protein in your body. This protein is associated with higher levels of inflammation. Beans will also provide your body with the protein necessary for the muscles surrounding the affected joint to remain strong.

Green Leafy Vegetables

Vitamins A, C, and K are present in abundance when you eat green, leafy vegetables. These vitamins help protect your cells from free radical damage. They also provide the calcium needed for bone strength.

Green Tea

The polyphenols present in green tea have shown the ability to decrease inflammation.

Olive Oil

A chemical compound present in olive oil acts in a manner similar to NSAIDs to decrease inflammation in your body. Use extra virgin olive oil to ensure you provide yourself with the most beneficial nutrients possible from the oil.

Medications

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly prescribed to combat the pain of rheumatoid arthritis. It is important to note that while these medications alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with RA, they do nothing to slow the progress of the disease.

There are a number of prescription-strength NSAIDs your doctor can prescribe to treat your RA. There are also a variety of possible side effects associated with some of these NSAIDs. You should discuss these issues with your doctor. Possible side effects include elevated blood pressures, ulcers, and stomach irritations.

Exercise

Regular exercise is extremely useful for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers and is often prescribed by physicians. It is important to remember that some pain is likely when exercising joints that are affected by RA. You should speak with your doctor concerning the amount of pain you should tolerate while exercising as part of your RA treatment program.

The exercises used to treat RA have proven useful at increasing the range of motion in a joint, improving joint flexibility, and boosting the mood of the RA sufferer.

Common exercises that can benefit you in your battle with rheumatoid arthritis:

• Stretching- Daily stretching is beneficial to sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis. The stretching routine you choose should take into account which of your joints is affected by RA.
  
• Walking - Walking is easy on the body and a great way to increase heart health while improving the function of your joints.
  
• Pilates - A Pilates routine will help to stabilize the affected joint and build muscle strength surrounding the joint
  
• Water Exercises - Water will support your body weight when you perform your exercise routine at a pool or beach. Exercises like swimming and water aerobics will add to your strength while improving the flexibility and range of motion in the joint.
  
• Strength Training - Lifting weights two to three times per week will help strengthen the muscles near the affected joints. You will also benefit from a decrease in symptoms pertaining to your RA.
  

"As part of a well-rounded treatment strategy, it is important to include exercise for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Though it may seem difficult or challenging to exercise, especially when dealing with chronic pain, physical activity is necessary to increase joint function, strengthen muscles, and improve overall health and energy levels."

medicalnewstoday.com

Surgery

There are times when the joints and muscles have been damaged by rheumatoid arthritis to the point that surgery is necessary. The complexity of these surgeries can range from small corrective procedures to complete replacements of joints. These surgeries have been beneficial to arthritis sufferers in most cases. You should discuss this option with your physician if you feel you are not getting the RA relief from methods you have already tried.

Bottom Line

Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious disease that can decrease the quality of life for sufferers if not properly managed. Fortunately, there are a number of treatments available to RA sufferers that can decrease the debilitating effects of RA and allow patients to live the most normal and productive life possible.

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