Understanding RA
类风湿关节炎(RA) is an autoimmune disease. In it, your own immune system attacks the cells lining your joints. Symptoms include pain and swelling of the joints, especially in your hands and feet. As the disease progresses, it may cause deformities in these small bones and joints. It may even cause problems with major organs.
目前还没有治疗类风湿性关节炎的方法。然而,有一个re a number of treatment options that can effectively treat both short- and long-term symptoms of the condition. They can also prevent more damage to the joints.
There are three types of treatments commonly used for RA.
Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
这些药物已成为RA的首选治疗方法。这是因为它们非常有效。这些药物可以减慢RA的进展。这有助于防止永久的关节损害和其他长期问题。但是，dmards可能需要几个月的时间才能完全工作。
非甾体类抗炎药（NSAIDS）
Over-the-counter NSAIDs include drugs like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve). For RA, they are often used with prescription medications. NSAIDs can control pain and inflammation to help you feel better. However, they don’t prevent joint damage or offer any long-term benefit.
Biologics
生物药物是最新的治疗选择。它们是一种专业的DMARD。它们针对免疫反应的特定部分。生物制剂通常在几周内工作，这比标准DMARD生效要早。
There are many different ways to treat moderate to severe RA. What works for one person may not work for you. On top of this, what works for you today may not work so well in the future.
这是五件事可能暗示是时候与您的医生谈论更改治疗计划了。
1. Your medication no longer seems to be working
这是许多类型的药物发生的常见问题。曾经控制症状的治疗方法可能会变得降低，甚至完全停止工作。这被称为“宽容”。当您的身体习惯药物时，它会发生这种情况，并且您不再像以前那样对药物做出反应。
2.症状爆发
当您的症状在短时间内恶化或爆发时，您的医生可能建议增加药物的剂量。这可以帮助减轻您的痛苦和僵硬。否则您的医生可能建议服用另一种药物来帮助您的症状。例如，他们可能会告诉您服用NSAID或皮质类固醇。
3. You have new symptoms
如果您注意到新症状，例如身体不同部位的疼痛和肿胀，这可能意味着您的RA变得越来越严重。可能是时候从DMARDS转变为生物制剂了。否则您的医生可能建议将两种或更多药物结合在一起。这种治疗方法可能会更好地降低RA的影响。
4.您的副作用不可控制
不同的RA药物会导致不同的副作用。有些可能对您的整体健康有害，而另一些则只是困扰。典型的RA药物引起的一些副作用包括：
如果您不能忍受副作用，请与医生交谈。他们可能会向您开一种药物。
另外，与您的医生谈谈您对副作用的任何担忧。他们将确保药物的好处大于潜在的副作用和并发症。
5. Your symptoms have disappeared
If your symptoms have gone away for at least a few months, this could mean that your RA has gone into remission. Even though you’ve found relief, this does not mean that you’re cured.
If your doctor thinks that your RA has gone into remission, they may suggest reducing the dosages of your medications. Or they may have you step down from a biologic to a DMARD. This would also be the time to stop taking NSAIDs for a while. This is because NSAIDs only treat symptoms (which you don’t currently have) and can have side effects of their own.
有很多可用于治疗RA症状的选择。确切地告诉您的医生您的感受以及您的副作用。这可以帮助您的医生找到适合您病情的最佳治疗方法。
Even if an RA treatment used to work for you, know that it’s normal for it not to work as well now. Many people need to change their RA treatment plan from time to time. If you think you may need to adjust your RA medication, talk to your doctor sooner rather than later. Finding the right drugs for your RA can make a real difference in your health and quality of life, both now and in the future.