Sufferers of arthritis can tell you, there is no pain quite like it. The joints swell, the cartilage breaks down, stiffness sets in and each step can be a painful jolt of lightning. Fortunately, where once there were a few arthritis medications that would relieve pain and inflammation with limited results, but new drugs have been and are being introduced on the market in great numbers.

To date there are over a hundred different arthritis medications available to physicians. These medications come in several classes which approach the disease from different directions. This gives the sufferer many options not available in the past with a greater chance of the right combination providing great relief.

Know Your Arthritis

Arthritis is an umbrella term that covers a number of similar diseases. On one end of the spectrum there is Rheumatoid arthritis, the most debilitating condition. This is a disease that rises from an immune deficiency that allows disease to attack the joints and connective tissue. Another kind of arthritis is Osteoarthritis.

This type of arthritis is caused by changes in bone structure resulting from calcium and bone loss as one ages. The bones become porous and brittle and persons experience pain as bones and joints become more and more misshapen. These are the two most identifiable forms of arthritis, but by no means the only types. Depending on what type of arthritis one has, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatments and drugs.

Types of Arthritis Medication

The most used type of drugs are known as NSAIDS (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs). These can range from aspirin all the way to the most sophisticated, the COX-2 inhibitors. These drugs include Celebrex and Vioxx. These drugs target inflammation and as a result also reduce pain.

Another type of arthritis medication is cortiosteroids. These have been used for many years and are used to strengthen the body to fight off inflammation. These steroids often have unwanted side effects such as weight gain and fluid build up, especially in the face that cause a bloated appearance. Of all the options, this one is the most disliked among patients.

Among the most promising new treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis are the DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) are now being used increasingly. At one time these were last resort drugs when the disease would respond to no other arthritis medication. Unlike other anti-inflammatories, DMARDs have been seen to not only stop symptomatic inflammation but actually slow the course and even, some cases reverse the course of the disease.

Biologic Response Modifiers are naturally recurring biologic agents that also were last resorts that have become more common even in early stages and offer surprising results. These too have been shown to cause long remissions in some patients.
Arthritis medication has come a long way. Doctors have many options for treatment now and these treatments can help sufferers lead a more normal life. See your doctor and ask about the treatment options. Your quality of life could vastly improve.

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