When asking the fundamental question about a cure for rheumatoid arthritis, one needs to also try to define what is meant by a “cure.” In the realm of normal treatment, there are periods of time that patients can be completely free of rheumatoid symptoms. The symptoms of RA can be gone for a while, and then the symptoms return. Some RA patients can cycle in and out of having RA symptoms multiple times throughout their lives.

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment can even completely relieve some people of symptoms for the rest of their lives. The modern medical community would be quick to point out that the total absence of RA symptoms does not constitute “a cure.” If you ask the person who has been free of symptoms for years, they would tell you that the distinction is simply a matter of semantics.

Part of the reason that the modern medical community is reluctant to talk about cures for rheumatoid arthritis is that they still do not completely understand the disease. Modern science does not completely understand how the disease starts, or what constitutes a cure. At the end of the day, it would be hard for your physician to tell you that you have been cured of RA when there is not yet a full understanding of what starts and stops the disease. At this point, the definition of a “cure” might be better understood as the absence of symptoms. Sometimes, this is called being asymptomatic.

So, there are times when the symptoms of RA will go away completely for some people. Then, for reasons that are not fully understood, the symptoms will usually return. Yet, just about every physician you will ever meet can tell you stories (if they would) about people who have been asymptomatic for years. For some people, the problem simply never comes back.

Many times, the people who have had the most success in staying asymptomatic have been willing to look for treatment options that go beyond the norm. They have been willing to look at diet, exercise, relaxation techniques, experimental treatments, and the role of their religious beliefs. In order for you to look for the possibility of a cure for RA, you may have to be willing to broaden your mind.

Scientific research is fine. It certainly has a role in fighting the disease of rheumatoid arthritis. But modern scientific methodology is empirical in nature. You must be able to test a hypothesis. But how do you test faith in any scientific way? How do you scientifically account for miracles that happen in medicine all the time? How are you supposed to scientifically prove you have been cured of rheumatoid arthritis, when the disease cannot be fully understood?

Can RA be cured? It depends upon your definition, and it depends upon who you ask. If you are willing to look past traditional treatments, you will be able to find a host of other treatment options for your rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, these treatments for RA can be done in consort with treatments from your physician. If you can live with being asymptomatic for rheumatoid arthritis, then you might very well have your cure.

Rheumatoid arthritis disease (or RA disease) is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints and possible the organs of the body. The disease itself starts out slowly and with very vague symptoms. This can make rheumatoid arthritis disease very difficult to diagnose in the early stages.

RA disease starts with fatigue, low grade fever, general muscle aches, and loss of appetite. Those symptoms can also be the same as for any passing virus. The one symptom that may go unrecognized by the patient is joint stiffness that lasts longer than one hour. While stiff joints are common when arising in the morning or after a long car ride, a little movement generally loosens up the stiffness.

The rheumatoid arthritis joint will become painful as the disease progresses. But that is usually not the first symptom. The same joints on both sides of the body are usually affected. While any joint can be affected, the usual targets are the fingers, toes, hands, feet, ankles, and wrists. Knees, hips and elbows are not immune from this disease either.

Rheumatoid arthritis disease is more prevalent in women than in men. The disease itself is not well understood, so why one group has a higher incidence of the disease than others is not understood either. People that live in the Mediterranean have a much lower incidence than the rest of the world.

This has lead some to wonder if the Mediterranean diet might be the perfect diet for those with rheumatoid arthritis disease. There is no solid evidence that a Mediterranean diet will help or prevent the disease; it certainly won’t hurt if you want to give it a try.

Do not stop conventional therapies when trying something new for rheumatoid disease. Always discuss dietary changes and the addition of vitamins or other medications with your physician. Even natural herbs can have nasty interactions with your medications. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

The key to saving the rheumatoid arthritis joint from damage as long as possible is early intervention. You will want to be referred to a rheumatologist. This is a physician that specializes in rheumatoid disease.

One of the best resources available is a book by Hillary Tolmen who now lives pain free after being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis just a few years ago. To learn how Hillary achieved this, you can click on this link: Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Free

There are medications that will help with the discomfort of the rheumatoid arthritis joint. RA joints that are too painful to move may become reddened and swollen. A combination of joint rest during active stages of the disease, and gentle exercise to keep the joints loose during periods of remission, is very important.

There are also medications that will slow down the progression of the RA disease. Your rheumatologist will put you on a combination of medications that will be tailored specifically to you. Medications may be changed to give you optimal results with the least amount of side effects possible.

There are support groups available for those living with the rheumatoid arthritis disease. These groups are invaluable, as the members are all living with the disease too. They can share with you what is working for them. Or what they have tried and aren’t working. It is a place to discuss your issues and seek support. You aren’t alone in walking this path, there are others living life to the full and thriving despite RA disease.

The first tip to finding rheumatoid arthritis relief is to seek medical treatment. While there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, there are treatments that can slow down the progression of the disease. Find a physician that specializes in arthritis treatments, who is called a rheumatologist. These physicians keep up on the latest medications and treatments.

Medications are available to relieve the discomfort of painful joints. There are also medications to lessen the swelling and shorten the active period. Medications are also available to slow down the degenerative process on the joints. Do not stop your medical treatments while pursuing other treatments that will give you relief from RA.

Stay informed by reading or joining an arthritis support group. Who else besides your physician can give you advice on rheumatoid arthritis relief? Be patient and keep in mind what works for one person might not work for you. That is why the journaling is so important, keeping a record so you can tie any rheumatoid arthritis flare up with a particular activity, or food.

Dietary advice is really starting to play a role in rheumatoid arthritis pain relief. Start slowly with the changes so you can really see what is working for you. You might want to start with the addition of anti-oxidants to your diet. Try adding at least one colorful fruit or vegetable serving to your diet per day.

There is some evidence to suggest that vitamin E may help reduce joint pain for some patients. Talk with your physician about starting vitamin E and appropriate dosages. While it may sound silly to talk with your physician about starting vitamins that are sold over the counter, some vitamins can change the clotting power of your blood. Some vitamins can also interact negatively with the medications you are already on. Always discuss changes you would like to try for rheumatoid arthritis pain relief with your physician.

The application of heat or cold may provide relief from RA pain to aching joints. Typically ice feels better on acutely inflamed joints. Heat usually feels better on chronically tender joints. Try them both in the order listed here, but if relief isn’t obtained try them the other way around. Or you may find that only heat makes you feel better.

A nice daily soak in a hot tub may just be the treatment that provides you relief from RA symptoms. Or it might be gentle daily exercise to keep all your joints moving. A combination of both may be your favorite daily therapy.

It is not easy to be positive while you are in pain, but a positive attitude can change your whole perspective of living with a chronic condition. In addition to a positive attitude, laughter may truly be the best medicine. Laughing releases tensions and just generally makes you feel better. A funny movie might just be the ticket for RA pain relief in the middle of a flare up. Keep a list of funny movies you would like to see.

Acupuncture has been around for centuries and is becoming a mainstream treatment in western cultures. This is a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis pain relief that you might want to consider. Check around in your area and with folks in your support group to gather information about acupuncture and local practitioners.

Stay active with friends and family. It is easier to forget your discomfort when you are seeing new sights and doing new activities. Naturally, some accommodation may have to be made for tender joints, but don’t retire from life. The goal of rheumatoid arthritis relief is to get you comfortable in your normal activities of life. Technorati claim token A2P6NK2KSVGX

It is essential that you find a rheumatologist that you like, respect and trust. You and your physician are going to make some serious decisions that will affect the quality of your life. Your rheumatologist can also guide you to other professionals who can provide you with rheumatoid arthritis help and other information.

Finding advice on appropriate rheumatoid arthritis exercises can be an important part of getting Rheumatoid Arthritis help – or RA help. One such person that can give you help for rheumatoid arthritis exercises is your physical therapist. Your rheumatologist may be able to recommend one. It is hard to think of doing exercise when your joints are stiff and sore during a flare up of RA. While joint rest is key during these periods, gentle exercise and mobility are essential when your joints aren’t painful. Your physical therapist can help you stay loose and mobile.

Another key player in offering you help for RA is an occupational therapist. These professionals can help you with the day to day activities of life. They can give you helpful information such as open doors with a non-infected hip joint rather than tender, painful hands. They will help you discover new ways to do normal activities so that you still can function even during painful flair ups.

Help for rheumatoid arthritis patients can also come from support groups. Information on these groups can usually be found at your rheumatologist’s office or on the internet. These groups are well worth joining. You will here about the latest treatments, get tips from other patients about what is working for them and just generally be around people who understand what you are talking about.

On the RA exercise front, one of the new ideas that offer help for rheumatoid arthritis patients are warm pools. These warm pools are warmer than a normal swimming pool, but cooler than a hot tub. The temperature is ideal to soothe tender joints. The buoyancy of the water takes the strain off the weight bearing joints and allows some freedom of movement. Because the temperature is cooler than a hot tub, you can stay in the water for longer periods of time.

Dietary modifications may offer some help for rheumatoid arthritis patients. There is some evidence that certain foods trigger flair ups in some patients. The addition of certain foods to your diet may lessen the severity of symptomatic periods and increase the time between flair ups.

Information is essential to finding help for RA symptoms. There is no official cure today for RA, but that does not mean that one won’t be developed soon. In addition, many people have learned to live entirely symptom free and RA pain-free (to read how one person achieved this, read Hillary Tolmen’s book at www.RheumatoidArthritisPainFree.com). Stay informed, ask questions, and belong to RA groups online. Visit other pages on this website, which is dedicated to getting you the information you need. Yesterdays treatments may not be the best ones for tomorrow. Your rheumatologist will stay current on the traditional medicine trends but you may want to investigate alternative RA treatments to compliment your current therapy.

Acupuncture is an alternative treatment that may offer some rheumatoid arthritis help for tender and stiff joints. Acupuncture has been used in non-traditional medicine for years. In fact, acupuncture and acupressure are becoming mainstream therapies in the western world.

Before you make any changes in your treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, get help. Be sure to check with your rheumatologist. There are certain over the counter herbs and vitamins that may interfere with your medications. Always ask before starting a new treatment that is not prescribed by your physician. A simple call to the office can save you a lot of trouble later on, if your medications are incompatible.

The first step in dealing with RA pain is understanding the sources of your pain. There are, typically, three different types of pain that go along with chronic RA. The first of these types of pain is often called “flair up pain.” It is caused by the inflammation of the joints that goes along with times when your RA is flaring and active.

The second type of rheumatoid pain is often just called joint pain. It is caused by damage to the joints, which is a result of the inflammation. This is the day to day pain that is present, even when your RA is not active.

Finally, the last rheumatoid aspect of the pain equation might be called “emotional pain.” It involves the emotions, your psychological well being, and your stress level. The tiredness that you will feel plays a factor also. This aspect of RA just makes “everything hurt worse.”

Dealing with the rheumatoid arthritis pain requires that you have a strategy for addressing all three types of Rheumatoid pain. You will want to educate yourself on three types of pain, so you can have a pain management strategy that can help you deal with all types of rheumatoid arthritis pain.

One of the best resources available is a book by Hillary Tolmen who now lives pain free after being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis just a few years ago. To learn how Hillary achieved this, you can click on this link: Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Free

The first part of your plan might include therapy for mind and soul. You might consider learning cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques. As you will learn, focusing on pain will make it worse. In addition, just “giving in” and constantly laying down will not help the pain either. Your doctor will tell you physical therapy is one of the best treatments for RA pain, but all that physical therapy is, in truth, is a systematic way to get activity in your life, to help you maintain joint movement and range of motion. Much of the time, just making the decision to get active in times of pain will decrease the pain level. If nothing else, it will help you feel as though you have some control over your life.

Medication will be part of the treatment plan. The best thing to do is make sure you stay on schedule with your medication. You can’t just “make up” a dose. Stay educated about the medications you are given, and ask questions of your doctor as to why you are taking them (Hillary does covers a lot of this ground at Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Free). Many of the drugs used to treat RA, like NSAID’s, can have lots of side effects. You need to make good decisions for yourself on the risks you will take. If you do decide to use medications, then you will need to listen to the advice of your doctor.

One of the best overall methods for dealing with the rheumatoid factor for pain is through three simple ideas: heat, cold, and massage. Alternating applications of heat and cold will make your joints feel better. In addition, message therapy can be a life saver. It will really help you deal with pain, while also improving your state of mind. It is also helpful with range of motion for joints. In a similar note, saunas and hot tubs should become part of your treatment plan also.

Finally, you will want to develop a healthy diet, to help your overall body health. As your body fights with RA, it will need all the vitamins and nutrients that come with a balanced diet (this was an important part of Hillary’s success in how she became Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Free). The best RA diets are centered on basic good nutrition. You will also want to educate yourself on taking vitamins and minerals. You may also want to consider adding fish oil to your diet. The fish oil has been known to help with overall pain and joint movement, as well as being good for helping to fight cholesterol and heart trouble.

Dealing with rheumatoid arthritis pain will require you to develop a treatment plan for the body, mind, and soul. It should be based on common sense strategies for pain relief, diet, and exercise. It should also have a mental and emotional component that helps you to cope with the pain, as gives you a way to still feel in charge of your life.

This can be confusing for a person who does not know anything about rheumatoid arthritis. Here are the excerpts taken from two websites:

Excerpt taken from University of Pittsburgh Arthritis Institute website:

Can Rheumatoid Arthritis be cured?

- Currently, there is no known cure for RA.

Excerpt taken from Arthritis Trust of America website:

You’ve been told that rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of arthritis are not curable. That’s false!

So, which one is true? Let me tell you one thing: the causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis are still unknown. Unless the reason is known, how can one expect solutions to the diseases? However, treatment, medication, rheumatoid arthritis joint pain relief, diet and exercise can improve the condition and patients may lead a normal life.

RA Treatment:

Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment covers physical and mental aspects, such as:

• Minimizing joint damage
• Reducing joint pain
• Making the joints movable
• Improving physical activities
• Correcting structural abnormalities
• Enhancing the quality of life by providing mental support

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment is a long and on-going process; proper treatment can result in as much as 80% cure and patient can lead a productive and active life like a normal person. But, if they stop following their diet, exercise or medication plan, condition may deteriorate.

At the same time, the patients and their family members must learn the basics of rheumatoid arthritis. Knowledge provides emotional support to fight the battle. Keep reading this blog for Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms and Treatment.

Hence, if one morning your knees start to pain suddenly it becomes difficult to pin-point the type of arthritic pain you are suffering from! Unless you know the type of disease, you cannot start medication. At this situation, the best solution is to see a doctor as soon as possible.

A rheumatologist orders certain medical tests to know whether it is a rheumatoid arthritis attack or not. These are the tests that affirm rheumatoid arthritis:

• Rheumatoid Factor
• Anti-CCP Test
• C-reactive Protein
• ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentaiton Rate)

X-ray and MRI can also help to detect the disease and to track the effects of the medicines on the infected joints.

Medication, diet and exercise can help rheumatoid arthritis patients get back on to the normal track of life. Sooner the disease is detected the better; otherwise proper medication cannot be started. Do not delay consulting a doctor if you experience any of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms.

We will learn about the rheumatoid arthritis tests mentioned above in the upcoming articles. Keep watching!

Here are some facts that will help you identify rheumatoid arthritis early symptoms so that you can take suitable steps as early as possible.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

This is an inflammatory and chronic type of arthritis that attacks joints; there are instances where organs are also affected. Rheumatoid Arthritis is also known as Autoimmune Disease as the healthy tissues of human body are attacked by the immune cells.

What are the Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

The exact cause behind Rheumatoid Arthritis disease is still unknown; however, there are some theories. Majority of Rheumatoid Arthritis victims are women; here are some possible causes behind the disease.

• Genetic Factors
• Environmental Factors
• Bacterial/Viral attack
• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Contraceptive Pills

Men suffering from rheumatoid arthritis might have the gene combination that is suspected to lead to arthritis and some triggering factor such as accident involving the joint, viral or bacterial attack may initiate the pain.

The genetic theory also holds true for women; however, women can suffer from rheumatoid arthritis due to many other reasons as mentioned above.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms:

Common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are:

• Joint pain
• Joint swelling
• Stiffness around joint
• Redness around the infected joint
• Warmth around the infected joint
• Restricted movement
• Fatigue
• Morning stiffness

These are the common signs of rheumatoid arthritis; however, all of these symptoms may not be visible together in one subject.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment:

Rheumatologists start medication to reduce the severity; at the same time, a suitable diet and exercise regimen are suggested as well. Injection may also help to reduce the swelling and rheumatoid arthritis pain.

No two cases of rheumatoid arthritis are similar; it is always suggested to consult a rheumatologist if you notice rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in you or someone you care for.

If you want to add any points here; feel free to leave a comment.