Around 1% of people around the world suffer from a severe inflammation of the joints known as rheumatoid arthritis. This painful disease can be debilitating and is three times as likely to effect women among the population as it is to affect male patients. There are a variety of ways to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis including Xrays and blood work and health care professionals will use a specific set of diagnostic criteria to accurately diagnose the condition and to suggest the best possibilities for treating rheumatoid arthritis.

While there currently is no cure for this condition, there are several options available for treating rheumatoid arthritis and helping sufferers to cope with the symptoms including both traditional drug therapies and non-drug methods as well. Treating rheumatoid arthritis is aimed at achieving two goals: to ease the pain and symptoms caused by the disease and to prevent further damage from occurring to the joints which can lead to a very painful and disabling state for the patient. For this reason, medications known as DMARD's (Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug) are usually used in treating rheumatoid arthritis along with pain killers and other treatment for the patient's comfort.

While the long term effects of using cortisone injections in treating rheumatoid arthritis have been less than desirable, adding low doses of cortisone to a treatment plan on a daily basis has shown to be somewhat helpful in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, a regimen of anti-inflammatory medications are also used in treating rheumatoid arthritis and can help to bring some comfort and relief as the inflammation of the joints is reduced, there by easing the amount of pain the patient is suffering from.

In addition to standard drug therapies and medications that are used in treating rheumatoid arthritis, there are an array of other therapies and approaches that have also been useful for patients. Getting proper amounts of rest and regular physical activity that is appropriate for the individual patient for example can be a very important part of treating rheumatoid arthritis and easing symptoms caused by this painful disease. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, occupational therapy, and regular physical activity to keep the joints loosened up, such as swimming, is also a great addition to your plan for treating rheumatoid arthritis.

Since every patient and every case is different it is important to work closely with your health care provider when treating rheumatoid arthritis to insure that you are getting the best results possible.