How do I relieve the pain of rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disorder that mostly affects the small joints in your hands and feet, according to MayoClinic.com. Unlike other types of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, which causes painful swelling and, if not treated, could eventually cause bone erosion and joint deformity. For these reasons, and for the purpose of general comfort, it is important to treat the pain of rheumatoid arthritis rather than ignore it.Increase MedicationNumerous medications are available to reduce inflammation in the joints, such as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids and immunosuppressants. If you are on medication and are still experiencing frequent spurts of severe pain, or a constant ache, talk to your doctor about switching medications or increasing the medication on days when the pain is worse. According to Healthcentral.com, because people with rheumatoid arthritis tend to experience flare-ups, or random periods of severe pain,