What Can I Do To Prevent Pain Associated With Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Dr. Jeffrey Lisse answers the question: 'Preventing Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain?'

ByABC News
December 24, 2007, 10:55 AM

— -- Question: What Can I Do To Prevent Pain Associated With Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Answer: Well, for prevention of pain, the important things would be: adequate rest, adequate nutrition, adequate exercise -- but all of these done in moderation, no smoking, and consulting with your physician and healthcare providers as to the appropriate medications. Preventing the pain in rheumatoid arthritis early on, since it's due to inflammation, has a lot to do with preventing the inflammation.

Later on, in the later stages of the disease, in addition to the things I just mentioned, you may even want to consult a surgeon for possible correction of some the damage and deformities that have been done. Joint-replacement surgery, for example, is very effective in certain joints at completely getting rid of the pain because you literally replace the joint.

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