Rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia are two different diseases that both affect your ability to move.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain and swelling in the joints because the immune system has started to attack the joints. This categorizes rheumatoid arthritis as an autoimmune disease.
Fibromyalgia can also cause pain and stiffness in parts of the body, but it is not an autoimmune disease. This condition makes people more sensitive to physical pressure put on the body.
It is important that you go to your doctor to receive an appropriate check-up and diagnosis on which of these diseases is affecting you.
Since rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia are two different conditions, they will have different treatments even if they have similar effects on the body.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments
Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, can help to reduce inflammation in the joints. Hence, it decreases the amount of pain that you are feeling. Depending on the amount of pain you are feeling, you may have to get a doctor to prescribe you a specific anti-inflammatory medication.
Steroid injections are another way to reduce inflammation but are usually only recommended for short-term use.
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) help treat rheumatoid arthritis by affecting the immune system. You should talk to a doctor before taking this type of treatment, as the side effects may reduce the ability and strength of your immune system.
Fibromyalgia Treatments
Over-the-counter medications, such as Aleve, can help to manage your fibromyalgia. However, if you require something stronger you should talk to your doctor who can then prescribe you a different treatment.
Anti-seizure medications can also help with the treatment of fibromyalgia by making you less sensitive to pain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Fibromyalgia Treatments
Non-medicinal treatments for both rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia include physical therapy, exercise, and getting a proper nights sleep.
It is important to talk with a doctor before you consider any treatment for either your rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia.
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