A thief steals your possessions just as arthritis steals
your joint mobility. Generally referring to inflammation
throughout the body’s joints, the word arthritis refers to a
compilation of over 100 different types of arthritis and not
just one single condition.

Known as rheumatic diseases, arthritis and its cousin
diseases can invade the body and destroy your health. It
can rob you of your mobility and your ability to enjoy basic
daily activities.

Arthritis causes the joints and surrounding structures, such
as tendons and muscles to become horribly inflamed which
leads to pain. Your body’s natural reaction to an injury or
illness is to respond with inflammation. With this
protective response, your body can respond with pain,
swelling and redness in the joints.

Of all of the different types of arthritis, the root cause
varies among them all. But the one thing most often found
to be in common is the fact that arthritis often attacks the
muscles, the joints and the connective tissues of the body.
Another interesting battle of arthritis is that this disease
moves from exacerbation to quiet and then back again. It is
one of the frustrating parts of this condition. One day you
are living quietly with the disease seemingly under control
and then the next day, you are battling raging joint pain
that stalks you like a nighttime intruder.

With arthritis, it is important to remember that you do not
need to give up just because of this diagnosis. It is a
known fact that you are going to have to be vigilant to
maintain the highest level of health possible, but with
active life style management you have a shot at reaching
that goal.

Don’t settle for less than the best life that you can live
even if you have been diagnosed with arthritis. Many
diagnosed enjoy a full and active life after making some
adjustments and adaptations to life.

While there are many arthritis resources available to assist
you, the Arthritis Foundation is one of the best available
on today’s market. Designed to provide you with the tools
and resources you need to better manage your arthritis and
your life, the Arthritis Foundation is such a valuable
resource to anyone fighting arthritis.

Yes, there is not currently a known cure for arthritis, but
there are definitely better treatment options available on
today’s market. Researchers continue to search for the
precise reason why arthritis develops in the first place as
well as continuing to search for even more improved
treatment options for those currently battling the disease.

While it may seem that arthritis is a dirty rotten scoundrel
invading your life and taking control, the fact is that with
today’s medical advances and your decision to actively
manage your life and condition will give you a leg up on
taking back control of your life.

So make a decision today to get more involved in your
treatment plan. Show arthritis who is in charge!

In the beginning, there was a medicine was marketed as an antimalarial drug. Then it was found that in addition to being effective with malaria it was also beneficial when used to treat rheumatic diseases such as Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

This drug contains the ingredient hydroxychloroquine. It is a DMARD (Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug) which has long been known for decreasing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis such as pain and swelling as well as reducing the risk that the patient will develop a long-term disability. Scientists aren’t exactly sure why hydroxycholoroquine works so well in treating rheumatoid arthritis. They do believe, however, that the drug somehow interferes with the communication of cells within the immune system.

The normal prescription is two doses of 200 mg. per day or sometimes one dose of 400 mg. You take the drug orally with food or milk so that the medication doesn’t upset your stomach. After you’ve been on the medicine long enough for your condition to start to improve, your doctor will want to lower your dosage so that you aren’t taking more of the medication than you really need. By doing this he will lower your risk of side effects.

Because of the low dosage taken by the average rheumatoid arthritis patient, side effects aren’t usually an issue. The most serious side effect of the drug is when a patient develops toxicity in the back on an eye. If you take it for an extended period of time, it’s essential that you have special eye exams done regularly in case you should develop toxicity.

If you should develop toxicity and allow it to develop without being treated, it can lead to major visual problems such as color blindness and even a complete loss of vision. Less severe side effects which can occur include headaches, irritability, hair bleaching or loss, nausea, weakness, and itching.

You need to take your medicine on schedule every day. If you once start taking it at a certain time during the day, then you need to take it at the same time every day. It will probably take between one and two months in order for you to begin seeing improvements in your health. It may take as long as six months for you to finally be getting the full benefit of the medication.

You’ve probably noticed that this medicine is a creature of habit and wants everything done the same way day after day. If your doctor prescribes the medication for a certain length of time, do not stop taking it before then. Quitting before you’ve finished the regimen could result in you developing an infection. And never ever think about stopping the drug cold turkey. If you’re considering stopping, talk with your doctor before you do it.