Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that usually involves various joints in the fingers, thumbs, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, feet and ankles.
With autoimmune diseases, the body's natural defense system mistakenly senses a bacterial or viral threat and releases enzymes that attack healthy tissues. In RA, these enzymes destroy the linings of joints.
This causes pain, swelling, stiffness, malformation, and reduced movement and function. People with RA also may experience symptoms unrelated to a specific joint, such as fever, weight loss, eye inflammation, anemia, subcutaneous nodules (bumps under the skin) or pleurisy (a painful inflammation of the lung). One of the first symptoms of a flare-up is often extreme exhaustion.
Medications used to treat RA can be divided into two groups:
- Non-steroid, anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids (such as prednisone) to help relieve symptoms and reduce inflammation
- Biologic agents designed to put the disease into remission
Your physician may recommend using two or more together. Some medications affect the immune system or have other side effects—so careful monitoring is very important. Research on new medications for immune disorders is ongoing and new drugs are becoming available on a regular basis.
Pathways to Well Being Call VITAL WorkLife at 800.383.1908 or access resources through your VITAL WorkLife App.
