New Treatment Offers Relief From Rheumatoid Arthritis

[Guest guest]

And another *weapon* in the *armoury*...when are they going to wake up to

what *causes* all this auto-immune disease?

Love, light and peace,

Sue

" Many people will walk in and out of your life but only true friends will

leave footprints on your heart. "

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http://www.nbc5i.com/health/2735695/detail.html

New Treatment Offers Relief From Rheumatoid Arthritis

DALLAS -- The more than 2.1 million people, mostly women, in the United

States who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis now have the promise of relief

within reach.

Researchers have developed a new treatment, called biologic response agents,

that inhibits the human body's immune system's ability to produce tumor

necrosis factor, which causes pain and swelling in joints. Scientists

continue to study why the immune system attacks joints, and they hope

research results in a vaccine to prevent rheumatoid arthritis.

''TNF is one of the most important players in causing the pain and

swelling, " Dr. Larry Moreland, a rheumatologist at the University of

Alabama, Birmingham, said. ''When you get rid of TNF you greatly decrease

inflammation. "

Gloria Baswell is one of the 2 million rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. The

disease struck her at age 32 and worsened during subsequent years.

Over-the-counter drugs stopped working for Baswell, and standard prescribed

treatments made her ill.

" There's not one single pain reliever I ever took -- and I took some strong

ones -- that ever touched it, " Baswell said.

Desperate, she tried the biologic response agents, which helped her regain

movements and activities that once were out of reach.

Like a smart bomb, the biologic response agents target TNF and block its

development.

When you get rid of TNF you greatly reduce inflammation, " Dr. W.

, a rheumatologist from Atlanta, said. " These medicines have literally

gotten people out of a wheelchair and walking. "