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Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
About me
Graduated from Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, with a Master's degree. Specializes in various rheumatic diseases, especially proficient in dealing with complex rheumatic conditions.
Proficient in diseases
Rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Behçet's disease, Sjögren's syndrome, scleroderma, osteoarthritis, etc.
Voices
Does rheumatoid arthritis have anything to do with drinking alcohol?
Rheumatoid arthritis is not causally related to alcohol consumption. There is a certain correlation between rheumatoid arthritis and Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus infection. Clinically, it is mainly manifested as joint pain or arthritis, primarily affecting major joints. Symptoms can include redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the joints, which are migratory, and generally do not leave joint deformities. During the acute phase of rheumatoid arthritis, it is important to immobilize the joints. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as etoricoxib or diclofenac sodium sustained-release capsules, can be used to relieve symptoms. If accompanied by myocarditis, glucocorticoids can also be applied in combination therapy.
How long will the skin itch in the early stages of lupus erythematosus?
The duration of itching in the early stages of lupus erythematosus is not fixed. It is not certain that early-stage lupus erythematosus will cause itching. Some patients may experience itching, which can subside on its own, but it tends to recur. Additionally, some patients may have itching due to allergies, which can result in rashes accompanied by itching. It is possible to check immunoglobulin E to see if there are any allergic factors present. If allergies are involved, treatment can include antihistamines or corticosteroids, or topical calamine lotion can be used to relieve symptoms. Besides affecting the skin, early-stage lupus erythematosus can also cause symptoms such as oral ulcers and arthritis in many patients.
How is rheumatoid arthritis treated?
The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is divided into general treatment and pharmacological treatment. General treatment mainly involves avoiding overexertion, having a light diet, and not staying up late. Pharmacological treatment is mainly divided into treatment during the acute flare-up phase and the remission phase. The acute phase focuses on anti-inflammatory and pain relief treatments, with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as the first choice, such as etoricoxib, meloxicam, or celecoxib. If the effect is not satisfactory, low-dose corticosteroid therapy may be combined. In the remission phase, slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs are preferred, such as methotrexate, leflunomide, or sulfasalazine. If the slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs are not effective, biologic agents such as tumor necrosis factor antagonists or JAK inhibitors may be combined.
Is a hot towel compress useful for rheumatism?
Rheumatic fever is not effectively treated by applying a towel. It is a systemic inflammatory disease caused by an infection of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Clinically, common manifestations include fever, erythema marginatum, subcutaneous nodules, joint pain or arthritis, chorea, and carditis. The heart involvement primarily affects the valves, with the mitral and tricuspid valves being the most commonly affected, leaving many patients with valvular vegetations. The incidence of rheumatic fever has become relatively rare, mainly due to the widespread use of penicillin in recent years. During the acute phase of rheumatic fever, if joint pain occurs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as etoricoxib or meloxicam can be used for treatment.
Rheumatoid arthritis skin manifestations
Rheumatoid arthritis does not have specific skin manifestations. Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune-mediated erosive arthritis, clinically characterized by systemic symmetrical multiple joint swelling and pain, accompanied by morning stiffness, often lasting for more than an hour. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect the proximal interphalangeal joints and middle joints of both hands, as well as both wrists, elbows, shoulders, ankles, knees, and other joints. Some patients may experience involvement of the temporomandibular joint. Rheumatoid arthritis can also have extrarticular manifestations, such as affecting the hematological system, which may result in mild to moderate anemia, or affecting the lungs, which can lead to interstitial pneumonia or pulmonary fibrosis.
What happens if someone with lupus occasionally drinks alcohol?
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple systems and organs throughout the body and is more commonly seen in women, particularly during their childbearing years. Clinically, it is mainly characterized by fever, rash, joint pain, oral ulcers, and hair loss. In terms of diet, it is recommended to eat light and avoid spicy and irritating foods. It is crucial to strictly abstain from smoking and drinking, avoid excessive fatigue, and direct sun exposure. Importantly, patients should strictly follow medical advice regarding medication and have regular check-ups.
Can early lupus nephritis be cured?
Early stage lupus nephritis does not have a cure. Some patients can achieve clinical remission by strictly adhering to a certain medication. Systemic lupus erythematosus can involve multiple systems and organs throughout the body. The kidneys are one of the most commonly affected target organs. Research shows that if systemic lupus erythematosus is diagnosed, performing a kidney biopsy will reveal lupus nephritis in almost 100% of the cases. The main treatment for lupus nephritis involves long-term maintenance with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Commonly used immunosuppressants include cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, azathioprine, and tacrolimus.
Rheumatic fever anti-O titer generally how much?
Rheumatic fever anti-streptolysin O is generally above the upper limit of the normal range. Since each hospital uses different testing methods, there are differences. You need to determine based on the reference range of your local hospital laboratory what is normal and what exceeds the normal range. Anti-streptolysin O, also known as anti-O, is typically abnormal in cases of rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is a systemic inflammatory disease caused by an infection with Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Clinically, it is primarily characterized by fever, erythema marginatum, joint pain, subcutaneous nodules, and it can also include carditis. Some patients may exhibit symptoms of chorea.
Is hot compress useful for rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis during the acute flare-up phase makes heat application useless; it might even exacerbate the symptoms of joint pain. Normally in daily life, applying heat to the affected joints can assist in treatment. However, during the acute flare-up phase of rheumatoid arthritis, the main symptoms are migratory pain in the major joints of the limbs. Cold application may help alleviate the pain, but heat should definitely not be applied during the acute phase. The development of rheumatoid arthritis is somewhat related to streptococcal infections. Therefore, penicillin antibiotics are generally used for anti-infection treatment. During the acute phase, it is common to also use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as etoricoxib or meloxicam, to relieve symptoms.
Does rheumatic fever cause night sweats?
Rheumatic fever can cause night sweats, but this symptom is not specific, as many patients with tuberculosis also experience night sweats. Rheumatic fever is a systemic inflammatory disease caused by Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection. Clinically, it commonly presents with symptoms like fever, joint pain, erythema marginatum, subcutaneous nodules, chorea, and carditis. During the acute phase of rheumatic fever, if there is joint pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used for treatment. If there is carditis, corticosteroids may be administered. For patients with rheumatic fever, long-term treatment with penicillin is also recommended, typically suggested for three to five years to control the disease.