stick to the recommended dosage.
Patients who only suffer from arthritis in one or two joints may be able to rub an NSAID on the skin over the affected joint(s) instead of taking pills.
Another first-line option for osteoarthritis is the pain reliever acetaminophen (Tylenol), which is not an NSAID. It does not reduce swelling, but can be effective at relieving arthritis pain.
Over-the-counter or prescription pain medicines are also helpful for rheumatoid arthritis, but treatment usually doesn’t end there. Doctors often combine pain relievers with powerful disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS). These drugs can be “biologic” or “nonbiologic” — the differences between them have to do with how pharmaceutical companies manufacture them and how doctors administer them.
Doctors frequently treat other types of arthritis by going after the source. Gout, for instance, often improves with the help of medications and lifestyle changes that reduce the amount of uric acid in the blood. Likewise, septic arthritis is treated with antibiotics.
When is surgery an option?
If a joint is badly deformed by arthritis, joint replacement surgery sometimes provides a new lease on life. Artificial hips, knees, and wrists are now commonplace. Surgery may also help fix bone deformities or remove debris that irritates joint tissues.
RELATED: What Arthritis Surgeries Help With Pain and Other Symptoms?
What can I do for myself?
You and your doctor will have to work together to manage your arthritis. In addition to taking medications as directed, you must take proper care of your joints. First and foremost, you need to find the right balance between rest and exercise. You don’t want to put undue strain on your sore joints, but you should use them as much as possible.
Your doctor can recommend range-of-motion and endurance exercises and other activities that will help keep your joints strong and flexible: Hydrotherapy, stretching, weight training, massage, relaxation exercises and t’ai chi have all been reported to relieve pain. Even simple steps like using ice and heat — including taking a warm bath or shower in the morning — can help ease pain and stiffness by relaxing muscles.
It is also important to eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and good fats such as omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, flax seed and walnuts. If you’re overweight, your doctor may also suggest slimming down to take the extra strain off your joints. This can be especially helpful to overweight people with osteoarthritis in the knee or hip, according to the American College of Rheumatology. One small study of 40 overweight patients who had osteoarthritis in the knee found that losing excess body fat through exercise relieved pain and other symptoms.
You may also want to enroll in a patient education program, like the six-week self-help program sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation. Participants in such programs have reported a 15 to 20 percent decline in pain, as well as lower healthcare expenses, according to a Johns Hopkins report. The course is taught by nonprofessionals who have arthritis and have undergone special training. Contact your local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation for details.
Finally, many special devices can help you manage daily tasks. Canes and walkers may be useful if you’re having difficulty walking. Labor-saving tools, including lever handles, foam-handled utensils, tongs, rubber bottle and jar openers, and wheeled carts, can also make life a lot easier.
No matter what form of arthritis you may have, take it seriously. There’s no reason to put up with the pain, and there’s no reason to tackle it alone.