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Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
About me
Graduated from Anhui Medical University in 2005, working in the Department of General Medicine at the Second People's Hospital of Anhui Province, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of common and prevalent internal medicine diseases.
Proficient in diseases
Conventional diagnosis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and gouty arthritis, as well as regular diagnosis and treatment of prolonged unexplained fever.
Voices
How long does it take to cure rheumatoid arthritis?
The symptoms of rheumatic arthritis, such as joint swelling and pain, generally improve on their own within about two weeks, with the longest duration not exceeding one month. However, since rheumatic arthritis is triggered by a Streptococcus infection, if the Streptococcus infection is not actively controlled, it is easy for the arthritis to relapse after the joint pain has improved. Therefore, for patients with rheumatic arthritis, it is essential to treat the Streptococcus infection early. Treatment with second-generation cephalosporin antibiotics for 10-14 days is recommended, followed by regular long-acting benzathine penicillin treatment at outpatient clinics to achieve a complete cure of rheumatic arthritis. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
Precursors of recurrent allergic purpura
The precursors of a relapse of allergic purpura typically occur in patients after exposure to cold, strenuous exercise, or allergens, manifesting as purpuric rash on the skin. Additionally, some patients may experience gastrointestinal reactions such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. More severe cases can present with symptoms of allergic purpura and purpura nephritis, primarily characterized by edema and significant proteinuria indicated in routine urine tests. If patients experience the aforementioned symptoms, it is crucial to be vigilant about the possibility of a relapse of allergic purpura and to seek medical attention promptly to prevent further progression of the disease.
Foods to Avoid with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis should adhere to a light diet and avoid spicy foods, overly nourishing and greasy foods. Specifically, the following foods should be avoided: vegetables such as celery, coriander, shiitake mushrooms, leeks, and seaweed. In terms of meat, one should reduce consumption of warming foods like lamb, beef, and dog meat. Also, it is advisable to limit intake of high-protein seafood such as shrimp, crab, and sea cucumber. Regarding fish, preference should be given to freshwater fish, while the consumption of sea fish should be minimized. These are the foods that should be avoided by those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
Can people with allergic purpura eat chicken?
Patients with allergic purpura can eat chicken. In the diet of patients with allergic purpura, the general principle is to try to reduce the consumption of spicy foods and some potential irritants such as celery, coriander, and shiitake mushrooms, which should be eaten sparingly. Chicken is not considered an irritant and can be consumed. In addition to strict dietary precautions to avoid allergens, patients with allergic purpura should also avoid vigorous exercise and strictly avoid getting cold and infections, as both vigorous exercise and infections can potentially trigger acute episodes of allergic purpura.
Characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis in the hand
The key hand features of rheumatoid arthritis primarily manifest as symmetrical joint swelling and pain in both hands in the early stages. These swollen and painful joints include both wrist joints, bilateral metacarpophalangeal joints, and bilateral proximal interphalangeal joints. Rheumatoid arthritis rarely affects the distal interphalangeal joints of the hands. In the later stages of rheumatoid arthritis, due to the destruction of the hand joints by synovitis, some patients may develop deformities in the hand joints, commonly including ulnar deviation, swan neck deformities, or boutonniere deformities. Some patients may experience significant stiffness leading to limited mobility of the hand joints.
What causes systemic lupus erythematosus?
Systemic lupus erythematosus mainly has four major causes: The first is related to the environment. Long-term exposure to sunlight, or living in a humid environment, may trigger the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus. Secondly, there is a certain genetic predisposition to systemic lupus erythematosus. If the parents have systemic lupus erythematosus, the probability of their offspring developing the disease is higher. Thirdly, systemic lupus erythematosus is also related to estrogen, which is why, clinically, lupus is more commonly seen in women of childbearing age and less often in men. Systemic lupus erythematosus is also associated with some specific infections, such as bacterial or viral infections, which may trigger a lupus flare-up.
What foods should not be eaten with rheumatic fever?
Patients with rheumatoid fever should avoid the following three major categories of foods: The first category is vegetables, such as celery, coriander, leeks, seaweed, and mushrooms, which should be consumed in moderation. The second category includes meats like lamb, beef, and dog meat, which are very warming and nourishing and should be reduced in consumption. The third category includes seafood such as shrimp, crab, and sea cucumber, which are high in protein and should also be avoided. For patients with rheumatism, the general dietary principle is to follow a light diet, avoid spicy and dry-heat foods, and reduce greasy foods. For patients with rheumatic fever, it is particularly important during the acute phase to rest and avoid catching colds and infections.
Treatment of rheumatic fever with aspirin
Patients with rheumatic fever use aspirin primarily for its anti-inflammatory effects to reduce the inflammatory response. Aspirin also has analgesic properties that can be used to treat symptoms like joint pain associated with rheumatic fever. However, it is crucial to monitor patients taking aspirin for any gastrointestinal reactions, such as stomach pain or black stools. During the use of aspirin, it's important to be vigilant about these gastrointestinal symptoms. Additionally, medications that protect the stomach, such as pantoprazole which reduces stomach acid, can be used to prevent the side effects of aspirin. (Use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)
What to check for ankylosing spondylitis?
The examination for ankylosing spondylitis mainly includes blood tests. The main components of the blood tests are erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), ANA along with CCP antibodies, and AKA antibodies, and of course, the most crucial test related to the gene - HLA-B27. Imaging exams can include the following: First, an X-ray of the pelvis, or an MRI of the sacroiliac joints. If the disease has been present for a longer time, a CT of the sacroiliac joints can be chosen. If the patient has elevated ESR and CRP, a positive B27, and lesions in the sacroiliac joints, then the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis can be confirmed.
Is systemic lupus erythematosus serious?
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can vary in severity. The main criterion for determining whether it is mild or severe is to check whether SLE has involved important visceral organs, such as the lungs, the heart, and most commonly, the kidneys, as well as the most severe form, neuropsychiatric lupus. If a patient shows involvement of the aforementioned visceral systems, then lupus is considered to be relatively severe, and may sometimes even threaten the patient’s life. However, if lupus does not involve the visceral systems, it is considered to be mild.