The pain and swelling you experience in your joints can be due to arthritis. You need to understand that you should immediately see your doctor as arthritis is a serious medical problem. You may be able to ignore the pain every now and then, but arthritic pain won’t go away. In fact, it could only worsen if you don’t get treatment for it. Fortunately, science has advanced tremendously that pain and swelling caused by arthritis can now be controlled by medications.

Myths About Arthritis

There are several myths regarding arthritis. First, don’t ever think that arthritis affects only the elderly. You would be surprised to learn that more than two-thirds of those afflicted with the condition are aged 65 years and older. In fact, more than 300,000 children are also experiencing pain and discomfort due to arthritis.  So the point here is that arthritis is not age-related.

The Consequences of Not Seeking Medical Help

Don’t even think that arthritis is not a serious health problem. Did you realize that arthritis is the top cause of disability in the United States? If left untreated, it could worsen to the point that you may find yourself on a wheelchair and disabled for the rest of your life. Seventeen years from now, it is estimated that 67 million Americans will be suffering from arthritis.

Drugs to Control Pain Caused by Arthritis

Now that you have learned alarming facts about arthritis, you should also know more about the drugs that you can take to control this condition.  One of the more effective medications against arthritis is Enbrel that is used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. It is used for treating various types of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.  It comes in two forms- liquid solution and powder mixed with liquid. It can be injected under the skin, usually once a week. The best place to inject Enbrel is the front of the middle thighs, or in the lower stomach below the navel.  You should also remember that it will control the pain, swelling and discomfort caused by arthritis but will not totally cure the condition.

Like other drugs, Enbrel can cause side effects. You may experience side effects like headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, weakness, and cough. The area where the drug was injected can also have redness, itching, pain or swelling.

Humira is another drug that is given to people with arthritis. The name actually stands for Human Monoclonal Antibody in Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is also called Adalimumab. The drug helps in lessening the pain and swelling caused by arthritis. Simply put, you will experience less pain and swelling if you take Humira. The drug is approved by the FDA for treatment of both rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. It is also prescribed for inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s Disease. It is taken orally and can be administered through injections.  Like Enbrel, Humira can cause side effects like back pain, headache, nausea and itching, redness, bruising, swelling and pain in the area where the drug was injected.