There is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis, nor is there one test that can prove that a person has RA. However, if a person knows the causes and the symptoms that come along with rheumatoid arthritis, they can go to their doctor to begin diagnosis and treatment before the arthritis becomes crippling. Before going to a doctor’s appointment, you should take note of any of the symptoms you are feeling, like joint pain and swelling, fatigue, or stiffness, especially early in the morning or after you sit for a long period of time. Take note of when the symptoms started, and where the pain and swelling was. This type of arthritis affects joints on both sides of the body, so if you are experiencing swelling in either both hands or both feet, this unique symptom could alert your doctor to rheumatoid arthritis.

First and foremost, your doctor will want to know about your symptoms. There are few ways to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, since there is no single test that allows a doctor to see if a person has it. They may perform X-rays and blood tests, or check for bumps and nodules under the skin called rheumatoid nodules. They will see if there is symmetry in the location of the painful joints, if you haven’t already alerted your doctor to that symptom already. Most people, but not all, have the rheumatoid-factor, or RF, in their blood if they have rheumatoid arthritis. Sometimes, people who do not have RA have the rheumatoid-factor in their blood, so doctors will still look at the combination of the blood test and the joint problems before they diagnose anyone.

There is a newer blood test that is specifically for the test of rheumatoid arthritis. It is called the cyclic citrulline antibody test, also known as anti-CCP. If a person has anti-CCP antibodies, it could suggest a tendency to a much more aggressive form of RA. Another way that a doctor can diagnose a person with RA is to see if patients have a positive antinuclear antibody test, which can indicate an autoimmune disease. Unfortunately, this test cannot determine what type of autoimmune disease a person has.

After a doctor diagnoses you with RA, it is time to begin treatment. Like many diseases, conditions, or ailments, rheumatoid arthritis does not have a cure. Your specific treatment will depend on factors like age, medical history, how severe your case is, and your overall health. There are many medications that a person can use in order to treat their RA. You can ease swelling, joint pain and stiffness with medicines like: aspirin, ibuprofen, corticosteroids, and pain relievers that you can put directly onto the skin. There are also a number called disease-modifying anti rheumatic drugs or DMARDs, which interfere with or suppress the immune system’s attack on the joints. Some of these include: plaquenil, immune suppression drugs like Imuran or methotrexate, and biologic treatments like Simponi, Humira and Rituxan.

You should also try and get plenty or exercise if you have rheumatoid arthritis, but make sure that if you are having severe flare-ups, or you are in a lot of pain to get some rest. If you are having a flare-up, use a cane or joint splints to help ease the pain. Although there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, if you treat it early and aggressively, you can prevent disability and increase the chance to be in remission.