Reactive Arthritis and the Alternative Treatments Used

The occurrence of reactive arthritis in a person can vary in ways. Some would emerge as a chronic condition, others can be self-limiting. Typically, when reactive arthritis strikes, it would take weeks or even months for its symptoms to last. Thus, in order to help patients overcome the pain and discomfort caused by such condition, appropriate medications need to be applied.

The application and type of treatment used in dealing with reactive arthritis symptoms will depend on which joint segments are affected and the condition itself. Treatment options would include NSAIDs, corticosteroids, methotrexate, cortisone creams and injections. Patients who endure from joint inflammation are usually prescribed with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Below are the commonly used medications to alleviate symptoms of a specific condition.

• Corticosteroids -- Short-term medications like corticosteroids are given to patients suffering from inflamed tendons.

• Methotrexate -- In case of chronic joint inflammation, treatments like methotrexate will be utilized. The use of methotrexate should be based on a doctor's prescription, usually in weekly basis. While methotrexate is known to offer significant relief, it may also cause possible toxicity to the liver and bone marrow. Hence, patients under this kind of treatment should also undergo a frequent monitoring of blood counts. And so, a series of blood liver tests are usually conducted to make sure everything is fine with the bone marrow and the liver.

• Cortisone injections -- Reactive arthritis patients suffering from eye inflammation symptoms are given with local cortisone injections to alleviate the condition, likewise to avoid complications like blindness to arise.