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Rheumatoid Arthritis
Can rheumatoid arthritis be cured?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by systemic damage to multiple joints with an unclear cause. Thus, it cannot be cured, meaning it cannot be completely healed. Treatment can only alleviate joint pain and morning stiffness through medication, delay the onset of complications, reduce bone damage, decrease disability rates, and improve quality of life. This is the comprehensive purpose of treatment. Therefore, early diagnosis and standardized treatment of this disease are essential to prevent joint deformities and to maintain quality of life.
What medicine is used for rheumatoid arthritis?
First, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease and a chronic condition that cannot be cured. The primary goal of treatment is to alleviate symptoms, delay complications, improve quality of life, and reduce disability through conventional drug therapies. Treatment methods include general treatment and medication. General treatment consists of functional exercise and lifestyle considerations, such as avoiding cold water and raw, cold foods, and emphasizing the importance of exercise. Additionally, the first-line drug treatments include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), with traditional DMARDs being the current preferred and anchor treatment option.
How to cure rheumatoid arthritis?
Firstly, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple joints throughout the body and has an unclear etiology, meaning it cannot be cured. It can only be managed with medications to control the progression of the disease, alleviate symptoms, and delay the appearance of joint deformities. Therefore, it is essential to undergo standardized and formal treatment. Once the condition stabilizes, the dosage of the medication should gradually be reduced to maintain stability. Do not believe in folk remedies or rumors that claim this disease can be cured; it cannot be cured. During the treatment process, it is important to regularly monitor complete blood counts, liver and kidney functions, electrolytes, and other relevant indicators to avoid damage to liver and kidney functions due to long-term use of medications.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnostic Criteria
The diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis include the following aspects: The first is symmetrical joint pain, primarily characterized by tenderness and swelling in the metacarpophalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal joints, and both wrists. Secondly, it also includes abnormalities in inflammation markers, which comprise erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), along with abnormalities in certain antibodies, mainly rheumatoid factor, CCP antibodies, and AKA antibodies. If the above symptoms are present, and these inflammation markers and antibodies are found to be abnormal upon blood testing, a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis can be made.
Differences between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly people, primarily due to long-term joint wear, leading to degeneration of the cartilage in the joints, causing symptoms of pain, swelling, and discomfort in movement. In contrast, rheumatoid arthritis often begins in younger individuals and is linked to genetics and viral infections, primarily being an autoimmune disease. It is characterized by positive rheumatoid factor, including elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. Additionally, the treatment methods for these two diseases are different. Osteoarthritis can mainly be managed with massage therapy, injections of sodium hyaluronate, and oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, might require the use of immunosuppressants, steroids, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain. Importantly, rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects the small joints of the fingers, whereas osteoarthritis most frequently affects larger joints, such as the knee, highlighting the fundamental differences between the two conditions. (Note: The answers provided are for reference only. Medications should be taken under the guidance of a professional physician, and self-medication should be avoided.)
Can people with rheumatoid arthritis have children?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease primarily affecting multiple joints throughout the body and cannot be completely cured. Research by experts has linked it to genetic and environmental factors. Therefore, patients with rheumatoid arthritis can have children, but this depends on whether their condition is in a stable phase. If the condition is active and medication is being used, then it is not advisable to become pregnant at this time. Decisions about having children should be made in consultation with your specialist, or your primary care physician, under their guidance and advice. Firstly, the condition should be stable and the medication reduced to the minimum. Additionally, during pregnancy, it is essential to monitor the side effects of the medication.
How to treat rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis-induced joint pain has several distinct characteristics: The first is that it initially affects the small joints of the limbs, typically involving the hands, feet, wrists, and ankles, before spreading to larger joints. It rarely starts in the large joints first. Secondly, the onset is generally symmetrical, meaning it seldom affects just a single limb or joint. Typically, if the disease manifests, it affects both limbs simultaneously. Another characteristic is significant morning stiffness, meaning a feeling of stiffness upon waking up in the morning. Generally, by combining auxiliary tests such as blood tests and imaging, a clear diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis can be made. Once diagnosed, it is advised that patients seek treatment at a reputable hospital in the rheumatology and immunology department or orthopedics, targeting specific treatments and avoiding unlicensed practitioners. Common rheumatoid arthritis treatment plans start with medications to alleviate symptoms, using immunosuppressants. In severe cases, a small, short-term dose of steroids may be used. Additionally, symptomatic treatment may include topical applications of ointments to improve blood circulation, reduce swelling, and alleviate pain. Patients can also take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs orally to relieve symptoms. Furthermore, traditional Chinese medicine is also a very effective method, and patients can take specific herbal medicines as symptomatic treatment for rheumatic joint pain, which are also very effective. (Please follow a professional physician's guidance when using medications and do not medicate blindly.)
What to eat for rheumatoid arthritis?
Firstly, rheumatoid arthritis is also a chronic, destructive autoimmune disease, and therefore cannot be cured. It can only be managed through medication to control the progression of the disease and delay the onset of joint deformities. The principle is to diagnose and treat as early as possible. Once diagnosed, the preferred treatment is medication that improves rheumatoid conditions, followed by the use of non-steroidal drugs. If the onset is acute, a small amount of steroids can be used to alleviate symptoms until the condition stabilizes, after which the steroids can be gradually reduced. Dietarily, attention should be paid to a low-salt, low-fat, and light diet, avoiding raw and cold foods to prevent exacerbating symptoms of joint soreness and discomfort. Drinking more milk and eating more calcium-rich foods is advisable.
The difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is primarily a degenerative joint disease, most commonly occurring in weight-bearing joints and the distal joints of both hands. Therefore, if there is pain in the distal joints of the hands or in joints like the knee, it may be osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis mainly affects the metacarpophalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal joints, and both wrists. It is also important to distinguish that in patients with osteoarthritis, inflammation indicators such as sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and endocrine factors are usually normal. However, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, these indicators, including sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and rheumatoid factor, are abnormally elevated.
The difference between rheumatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatic arthritis is a reactive joint pain that occurs after a streptococcal infection. In addition to joint pain, common symptoms include mitral valve stenosis in some patients, skin erythema, and some patients may also exhibit symptoms such as chorea. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis often show symmetrical swelling and pain in the joints of both hands. Blood tests reveal significantly elevated levels of rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP antibodies, and AK antibodies. Inflammatory indicators such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein also tend to be significantly elevated. The main difference between rheumatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is that rheumatic arthritis can involve cardiac and skin pathologies, while rheumatoid arthritis primarily manifests as joint-related pathologies.