Gout Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating disease that is probably one of the worst variants of the autoimmune disease, arthritis. The other variant is osteoarthritis. The distinguishing factor between the two is the merging together and clubbing together of joints that can happen in the rheumatoid arthritis, disfiguring one for life. Rheumatoid arthritis does not even just restrict itself to the joints and can spread to other organs of the body like the lungs.
Arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means that the disease is not caused by an infectious bacterial agent or a cancer, but rather by the immune system attacking the healthy tissues of the body. Another disease with a similar background is diabetes. The reasons for the immune system suddenly turning on the body lie in genetic predisposition, with most sufferers having a family history of the disease. Treating the disease may require surgery, depending on the extent of the disease and disfigurement of the joints. Joint replacement surgery is one of the techniques used to deal with arthritic joints that have been totally wasted. In less severe cases, the strategy employed is to deal with inflammation that destroys the ligament bed on which the joints rest. This requires a class of drugs called corticosteroids that suppress the human immune system. The higher category of drugs from this is immunosuppressants. Interestingly, one can end up with an arthritic joint as a by-product of another disease or infection like osteomyelitis, which is an infection of the bone. Another causative disease is gout. Gout is a disease in which there is a high uric acid build up in the blood that further causes uric acid crystallization in the joints. This causes the joints to inflame from injury, and from the coating of uric acid on the joints causing friction damage.
Gout related arthritis requires the treatment of gout and corticosteroids to arrest further inflammation. Whether the ligaments and connective tissue to the bones are able to heal themselves depends on the age of the patient. Treating requires a complete switch to a vegetarian diet and no alcohol or carbonated drinks. This will reduce the amount of uric acid in the system from protein synthesis. Coffee taken liberally will also help by serving as a diuretic. You can also indulge in some herbs that also have diuretic properties like horseradish and wasabi. It therefore goes without saying that your water intake should be doubled you’re your present consumption levels with a conscious effort.
