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10 Ways to Relieve Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain

Steroids are synthetic drugs that resemble cortisol, a hormone that your body produces naturally. Steroids work by decreasing inflammation and reducing the activity of the immune system. They are used to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases and conditions. Corticosteroids are different from anabolic steroids, which some athletes use to build bigger muscles. Examples of steroid medications include triamcinolone, cortisone, prednisone, and methylprednisolone.

How Are Steroids Given?

Steroids can be given topically (cream or ointment), by mouth, or even by injection. When injected, they can be given into a vein or muscle, directly into a joint or bursa (lubricating sac between certain tendons and the bones beneath them) or around tendons and other soft tissue areas.

How Do Steroids Work?

Steroids decrease inflammation and reduce the activity of the immune system. Inflammation is a process by which the body's white blood cells and chemicals protect the body against infection and foreign organisms such as bacteria and viruses. In certain diseases, however, the body's defense system doesn't function properly and is overactive. This may cause inflammation to work against the body's own tissues and cause tissue damage. Inflammation is characterized by redness, warmth, swelling and pain.

Types of Steroids for Rheumatoid Arthritis

There are several types of steroids for rheumatoid arthritis. They are sometimes also called glucocorticoids. Here are the common forms of corticosteroids used to treat rheumatoid arthritis symptoms:

Prednisone is the most commonly used corticosteroid in treating rheumatoid arthritis.

What Are the Benefits of Steroids?

When inflammation threatens to damage critical body organs, steroids can be organ saving and, in many instances, life-saving. For example, they may help prevent the progression of kidney inflammation, which can lead to kidney failure in people who have lupus or vasculitis. In these cases, steroid therapy may eliminate the need for kidney dialysis or transplant. Moreover, low doses of steroids may provide significant relief from pain and stiffness for people with conditions including rheumatoid arthritis. Temporary use of higher doses of steroids may help a person recover from a severe flare-up of arthritis.

Side Effects of Steroids

Though steroids can be very effective at reducing inflammation and alleviating pain, they carry many serious side effects. Side effects from steroids are more likely to occur when they are used as regular treatment over a longer period of time. This is why physicians try to limit the long-term reliance on steroids for rheumatoid arthritis treatment.

Side effects of steroids in rheumatoid arthritis patients may include:

  • Increased risk of viral or bacterial infection
  • Sudden withdrawal symptoms like weakness and fatigue
  • High blood pressure
  • Increased blood sugar
  • Swelling in legs
  • Weight gain
  • Insomnia

Usually, intra-articular steroid injections don’t produce as severe side effects as oral steroids produce. However, steroid injections may produce separate side effects than oral steroids. For example, many patients develop skin irritation and rashes at the injection site.

Today, many physicians choose to avoid using steroids as a reliable rheumatoid arthritis medical treatment. Many doctors will try to minimize its use and eventually eliminate it completely from the medical treatment strategy. The decision to prescribe steroids is always made on an individual basis. Your doctor will consider your age, your overall health, and other drugs you are taking. Your doctor also will make sure you understand the potential benefits and risks of steroids before you start taking them.