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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 lupus erythematosus transmit through living and eating together?
Lupus erythematosus is not contagious through sharing meals or living together. It is an autoimmune disease, not an infectious one, hence it cannot be transmitted to others by living or eating together. The exact mechanism of lupus is currently unclear, but it may be related to various factors such as sex hormones, genetics, infections, and physical and chemical factors, and it is more commonly seen in females. Clinically common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, oral ulcers, hair loss, etc. The clinical manifestations vary depending on the affected target organ. If lupus nephritis occurs, symptoms such as edema can appear. If the lungs are involved, it can promote pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, and in severe cases, patients may experience chest tightness, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties.
Can rheumatic fever be contagious?
Rheumatic fever generally is not contagious. Because the onset of rheumatism is somewhat related to infection by Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, and it is not a contagious disease, it does not spread. Common clinical manifestations of rheumatic fever include fever, erythema marginatum, subcutaneous nodules, joint pain, chorea, and carditis. During the acute phase of rheumatism, it is recommended to rest in bed and avoid overexertion. In terms of medical treatment, because it is related to streptococcal infection, penicillin antibiotics are generally recommended. If there is concurrent carditis, corticosteroids should be used in combination to improve the condition.
What should I do about lupus erythematosus?
Lupus erythematosus requires early and formal treatment to stabilize the condition. For mild cutaneous lupus erythematosus, topical immunosuppressants, such as tacrolimus ointment, and immunomodulators, such as hydroxychloroquine, can be used. Low-dose corticosteroids may be necessary for combination therapy. Systemic lupus erythematosus generally requires corticosteroids as the basis of treatment, combined with one or several immunosuppressants to effectively control the disease. Systemic lupus erythematosus often involves multiple organs, with the kidneys, hematological system, and lungs being the most common. Therefore, it is necessary to use corticosteroids in combination with immunosuppressants to control the progression of the disease, as using only immunomodulators is often insufficient.
Do you need to take X-rays for rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis requires imaging, especially of the affected joints. It is typically necessary to do this routinely. The main purpose is to check for any bone damage, primarily to differentiate it from rheumatoid arthritis. Because rheumatoid arthritis generally does not leave joint deformities, while rheumatoid arthritis, if not treated properly, can lead to bone destruction and in severe cases, joint fusion. In addition to imaging, rheumatoid arthritis also requires complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, anti-streptolysin O, and echocardiography among other tests to comprehensively assess the condition and determine the treatment plan.
The difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
Rheumatic arthritis is an inflammatory connective tissue disease caused by infection with Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. It is primarily characterized by migratory pain in the major joints of the limbs and may also present with fever, rash, erythema annulare, subcutaneous nodules, chorea, and carditis. Osteoarthritis mainly affects the major joints such as the hands, knees, shoulders, and lumbar spine, often without migratory symptoms. This condition is a degenerative change, primarily seen in middle-aged and elderly individuals. The treatment of this disease mainly includes calcium supplementation, keeping the joints warm, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and medications that improve the condition, mainly glucosamine sulfate and diacerein.
Is allergic purpura contagious?
Allergic purpura is not a contagious disease; it is an autoimmune disorder, and therefore it is not transmissible. This condition is a self-limiting disease commonly found in adolescents and children. It mainly comes in four types: simple, renal, abdominal, and articular. Common symptoms include purpura on the limbs and body, and it may also involve abdominal pain, joint pain, and hematuria among other organ impairments. During the acute phase, bed rest is required. Sometimes, when the kidneys are affected, corticosteroids are necessary for timely treatment. If there is joint swelling and pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to alleviate pain, and antispasmodic analgesics can be used for abdominal pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by what?
Rheumatic arthritis is a type of infectious arthritis caused by streptococcal infection and is one of the clinical manifestations of rheumatism. It primarily presents as migratory pain in large joints, most commonly affecting the large joints of the lower limbs, such as the knees, ankles, wrists, etc. Since rheumatic arthritis is related to streptococcal infection, treatment mainly involves the use of penicillin drugs, commonly long-acting penicillin, which requires strict adherence to the treatment course to completely cure the streptococcal infection. During the acute phase, joint pain often occurs, hence the common use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as diclofenac sodium and etoricoxib, to alleviate symptoms of pain. During acute episodes, bed rest is necessary, with attention to joint immobilization. During the remission period, getting out of bed and exercising is encouraged to restore joint function and flexibility. (Please use medications under the guidance of a professional physician; do not self-medicate.)
How to test for rheumatic fever?
Rheumatic fever is a systemic connective tissue disorder occurring one to four weeks after an infection by Group A Streptococcus, primarily affecting the heart and joints, and commonly infects children and adolescents. The usual clinical manifestations include carditis, polyarthritis, chorea, erythema marginatum, subcutaneous nodules, joint pain, and fever. Common laboratory tests for this disease include: 1. Complete blood count, often showing mild anemia and a slight increase in white blood cell count. 2. Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. 3. Elevated C-reactive protein. 4. Antistreptolysin-O antibodies often greater than 500 units. 5. Positive throat swab culture. 6. Echocardiogram, which may show vegetations.