A corticosteroid called prednisolone is usually the preferred choice.
Prednisolone can be given as an injection into a joint or as a tablet. Eye drops are also available if you have inflamed eyes conjunctivitis. Contact your GP as soon as possible if you notice any changes in your thoughts or behaviour. Read more about the side effects of corticosteroids.
It can take a few months before you notice a DMARD working, so it's important to keep taking medication even if you don't see immediate results. Common side effects of sulfasalazine include feeling sick, loss of appetite and headaches , although these usually improve once your body gets used to the medication. Home Illnesses and conditions Muscle, bone and joints Conditions Reactive arthritis.
Reactive arthritis See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts About reactive arthritis Symptoms of reactive arthritis Causes of reactive arthritis Treating reactive arthritis. About reactive arthritis Reactive arthritis, formerly known as Reiter's syndrome, is a condition that causes inflammation redness and swelling in various places in the body.
What causes reactive arthritis? How reactive arthritis is treated There is currently no cure for reactive arthritis, but most people get better in around six months. Who is affected Reactive arthritis can occur at any age, but it most commonly affects young adults aged Symptoms of reactive arthritis The symptoms of reactive arthritis usually develop within four weeks of an infection.
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Causes of reactive arthritis It's not known exactly what causes reactive arthritis, but it's thought to be the result of the immune system reacting to an infection. The immune system Your immune system is your body's defence against illness and infection. Exactly how the gene contributes to the development of reactive arthritis is unclear.
Treating reactive arthritis There's no cure for reactive arthritis, but the condition is usually temporary and treatment can help to relieve your symptoms. There is also a risk you could develop the condition again after another infection. Share Tweet Print. Source: NHS Last updated:.
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Reactive Arthritis
If you have mild to moderate pain and inflammation, you doctor may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs. These include ibuprofen or naproxen. Before prescribing NSAIDs, your doctor will consider your medical and lifestyle history for other risks, such as:. This will stop you getting stomach upsets, indigestion, or damage to the lining of your stomach.
A major part of reactive arthritis is the fatigue — or extreme tiredness — it causes. Bed rest can do more harm than good. When your symptoms are at their worst, you should try to get plenty of rest and avoid putting too much strain on the affected joint. If you can gently move it, this should stop it becoming too stiff.
After a couple of days, when the pain starts to improve, try to move the sore joint more by doing some light stretching and strengthening exercises. This will help support the muscles and tendons around it. Your doctor may refer you to an occupational therapist or a physiotherapist fizz-ee-oh-thair-row-pist.
An occupational therapist can help you find ways to stop your pain getting worse and show you how to work or do tasks without putting too much strain on your joints.
They can show you equipment, aids or adaptations. Equipment such as hand and wrist supports, or heel and shoe pads can help ease your inflammation and pain. Ice packs and heat pads can also help with joint pain and swelling. Remember to protect your skin by wrapping a cloth around the pack.
The Ultimate Arthritis Diet
You can either buy an ice pack from a pharmacy or use a bag of frozen vegetables, wrapped in a damp towel. Place the pack on your affected joint for 10 to 20 minutes. Check the skin colour under the ice pack at least once during that time. The area should be very pink and should never have a blue tinge.
The ice pack can be re-applied every two hours. Heat packs can be useful if your muscles around the joint feel sore and tense. You can use reusable heat pads, a microwaveable wheat bag, or a hot water bottle, wrapped in a dry towel, on the painful area for up to 20 minutes. If the area starts to feel too warm, place an extra towel between the heat pack and your skin.
This is called aspiration.
Reactive Arthritis Diet and Treatment
Once the inflammation has gone down, you may be given a steroid injection into the joint. This is often used to help with knee pain. If your reactive arthritis is bad, you may need a steroid injected into a muscle. This will help the steroid spread through your body. Alternatively, you may be given low-dose steroid tablets, which often work very well in the short term. DMARDs work on the underlying condition, rather than treating symptoms. They're not painkillers, but they'll reduce pain, swelling and stiffness over weeks or months by slowing down the condition and its effects on the joints.
There are two kinds you may be prescribed for reactive arthritis: conventional DMARDs and biological therapies. They can take between six weeks and six months to work. DMARDs can cause changes in your blood or liver, so it's important to have regular blood tests while taking them. Methotrexate and sulfasalazine can sometimes make you feel sick, have diarrhoea, headaches or lose your appetite, at first. These are common side effects and should clear up, once your body gets used to the drug.
What are the causes of reactive arthritis?
These are also called biologics. You should also see your doctor if you come into contact with anyone who has chickenpox or shingles, or if you develop chickenpox or shingles yourself. If you are prescribed a drug you may find more information about it here. Learn about the drugs used to treat arthritis including what they're prescribed for, how to take them, who should take them, risks and side-effects. When your joints are inflamed and painful, you can feel tired and generally unwell. Fatigue plays a major role in reactive arthritis and can have a huge impact on all aspects of your life.
A good bedtime routine can also make you feel better. Try to get an early night and give yourself an hour before to have a warm bath and relax, try to avoid using your computer, phone or TV in that hour, as they can disrupt your sleep.
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There is no specific diet proven to help reactive arthritis, but a well-balanced diet is important to your general health and wellbeing. Some people say rose hip extract and fish body oil reduce their need for anti-inflammatory drugs. They are known to support your immune system and help reduce inflammation and joint damage. Complementary and alternative treatments , such as acupuncture ak-you-punk-cher , massage and supplements, may help your symptoms. There can be risks associated with some complementary and alternative treatments.
Before you make an appointment, check that your therapist is registered with an official governing body or has a set code of ethics and is insured.