Chronic Reactive Arthritis And Lifestyle Modification Approaches

In as many as 30 percent of cases, the patient can develop chronic symptoms and this poses many challenges therapeutically for doctors and specialist physicians. In these cases, the condition is usually treated with disease-modifying anti-thematic drugs (DMARDs), which are administered in the form of an injection and help to remove fluid build-up in the joints. If the joints are particularly inflamed, steroid injections are sometimes also recommended in the joints and muscles, and these work by blocking the effects of the chemicals in the body that triggered the inflammation.

Rest, Physical Exercise And Diet To 'Treat' Reactive Arthritis

Overall, the best medicine for inflamed joints is rest and sleep. This is often easier said than done in today’s busy and hectic lifestyle, but it is important not to put undue strain on the inflamed joints. In many cases of reactive arthritis, a series of exercises are usually prescribed by a physiotherapist in order to keep the joints moving and maintain the muscle strength.

There is also a school of thought that diet has a role to play in treating the reactive arthritis. Fish oils and rose hip extracts have been reported by some to aid in reducing the inflammatory pain in the joints, therefore cutting out the need for as many anti-inflammatory drugs. However this has not been scientifically proven, although a well-balanced diet and an active lifestyle goes a long way in promoting health and well-being in general. 

As long as reactive arthritis is caught early on and treated effectively, the outlook is generally very good. In some cases, the symptoms last just a few weeks, but for the majority treatment is needed for at least 3 months but disappear after 6 months with no lasting effects. Most people experience a complete recovery and are left with just a few small aches and pains, especially if the initial infection that caused it is identified and eradicated quickly.

Recurrent Disease

But is it likely to return again? Can anything be done by a patient do to prevent a relapse?

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Unfortunately, reactive arthritis can sometimes come back. It has been known for symptoms to return in a patient who has previously been diagnosed with reactive arthritis after several months or even years. The reasons for this are largely unknown; sometimes it is simply a reaction to a new infection, other times the symptoms seem to flare up again for no particularly obvious reason. At present, patients who have experienced an episode of reactive arthritis are advised to take particular care against food poisoning and sexually transmitted diseases in order to limit the chances of a relapse. This, combined with a healthy diet and an active stress-free lifestyle, will go a long way in preventing any re-occurrence of the disease.