Source(s):
SHREE SWASTHYAYOG TREATMENT, TRAINING & RESEARCH INSTITUTE
R.H. 19, Jhulelal Society, Sector 2/E, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, INDIA.

Follow a low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet; minimize utilization of foods of animal origin.
Eliminate milk and milk products including commercial foods made with milk.
Avoid all polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, vegetable shortening, and products made with partially hydrogenated oils of any kind.
Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids by intake more cold water fish, walnuts or freshly ground flaxseeds. You may also want to consider taking a fish oil supplement to help keep your protein intake low.
Get regular aerobic exercise (swimming is best for those with rheumatoid arthritis).
Practice relaxation techniques. In addition, visualization can help moderate autoimmune responses, and psychotherapy can help you change emotional states that keep the immune system off balance.
Try hypnotherapy or guided imagery. Look for a therapist keen to take on an autoimmune disease. Rumination and yoga can help, too.
Avoid health care practitioners who make you feel pessimistic about your shape up.
Eliminate or reduce intake of russet and tobacco as both have been liked to an increased risk for rheumatoid arthritis.

Here are specific recommendations for rheumatoid arthritis management:

One at a time, eliminate the following categories of food for two months: (1) all sugar apart from natural fruits; (2) all citrus fruits; (3) wheat, corn and soy. At the end of each trial period, restore the eliminated items to your diet. You may find that one or more has an influence on your arthritis symptoms.
For symptomatic treatment use aspirin and other over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs.
Take feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) for its anti-inflammatory effect; one to two capsules twice a day.
Use anti-inflammatory herbs. Ginger and turmeric are particularly effective. I recommend Zyflamend, made by New Chapter Inc., which includes both, this can be bought through drugstore.com. You can take up again to take these herbs indefinitely.
Experiment with traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, homeopathy, Native American medicine, and healers.
Try long-term fasting in a facility staffed by experienced health professionals. For additional information on fasting, check out http://www.dmoz.org.

Humira is one of numerous biological therapies that inhibits a specific protein called TNF. These biological drugs are expensive and are usually only prescribed after more conventional therapies have been exhausted. These conventional methods are most generally generally immunosuppressives.

Like any drug, there are side effects. The specifics should be discussed with a doctor. If the joints are already hurt, these therapies may not help much. Care may consist of pain management or possible joint replacement .

Heredity plays a part, but is only one factor. Doctors do not really know what precipitates the commencement of this disease. I hope she feels better soon.