Rheumatology Treatment
Treating rheumatic disorders
The treatment approach that your rheumatologist recommends will depend on the condition diagnosed and the symptoms present. At Mubadala Health Dubai’s Rheumatology clinic, we utilize a wide range of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies to address rheumatic concerns.
As a multidisciplinary team, we work with specialists from other departments to ensure every patient receives the complete medical and emotional support they need. We provide a treatment plan that is tailored to each patient’s unique needs and requirements.
Rheumatology treatment options
Many rheumatic disorders can be treated with carefully managed medication therapy. Medications aim to treat symptoms, such as inflammation and pain, and alter the course of the disease.
Commonly prescribed rheumatology medications include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Those are commonly prescribed medications to decrease pain and inflammation. They are usually taken orally or can be applied topically over a painful or inflamed joint or muscle. Your doctor will tell you which NSAID to take and for how long.
- Steroids: Those are anti-inflammatory medications used to treat a wide range of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. They can be given orally or sometimes as intramuscular injections or intravenously. Sometimes they can be injected into a joint to minimize pain and inflammation. The dose and duration of steroid treatment must be monitored by your doctor as they can be associated with side effects if taken for a long period of time.
- Conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (cDMARDs): Commonly used drugs include methotrexate, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine, and sulfasalazine. These drugs can help slow the progression of rheumatic diseases. They affect the body's immune function, decrease its inflammatory processes and reduce pain.
- Biologics: A subset of DMARDs, biologics are powerful drugs that block specific parts of the body's immune system that cause inflammation.
If necessary, your rheumatologist may prescribe oral analgesics or painkillers such as paracetamol or narcotics. These medications minimize pain but will not decrease inflammation or affect the disease progression.
In addition to medications, some rheumatic conditions may be treated with non-pharmacologic approaches. These may include:
- Lifestyle changes: Things such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and exercising more can all help in reducing the symptoms of certain rheumatic diseases.
- Physical therapy: Aiming to restore function and movement, physical therapy can help patients affected by musculoskeletal conditions to increase their strength and mobility.
- Occupational therapy: This helps patients improve their ability to perform everyday tasks when faced with difficulties caused by a rheumatic disease.
- Nutritional therapy: Dietary interventions may help some patients to manage the symptoms of certain rheumatic and autoimmune disorders.
Individualized rheumatology treatment for you
Our rheumatologists work as part of a multidisciplinary team, providing a comprehensive treatment and ongoing support plan that is unique to each patient.
Contact our rheumatologists in Dubai to find out more.
