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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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.
Is joint pain rheumatoid arthritis?
Firstly, it should be noted that there are many causes of joint pain in clinical practice, and it is not necessarily caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Of course, rheumatoid arthritis can also cause joint pain in patients. In addition, there are some other reasons, for example, local joint bacterial infection in patients can also cause joint pain. Furthermore, joint injuries leading to fractures, dislocations, soft tissue damage, ligament injuries, and meniscus injuries can also cause joint pain. Additionally, the presence of osteoarthritis or gouty arthritis can similarly lead to joint pain in patients.
Does rheumatoid arthritis hurt?
Rheumatoid arthritis damages joints and bones, displaying as symmetrical polyarthritis. It is an autoimmune disease and a chronic condition that cannot be cured but can only be managed through medication to control disease progression. The primary symptoms include symmetrical pain and swelling in multiple joints, particularly in both wrists, therefore it is invariably associated with pain. Some individuals may also experience joint swelling accompanied by morning stiffness, fatigue, low fever, and weight loss. The onset of the disease is generally slow, although a few cases may have a sudden onset. It can also affect specific joints, such as the cervical spine, shoulder joints, and hip joints.
The difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
In everyday life, many patients confuse osteoarthritis with rheumatoid arthritis, but these two diseases are indeed very distinct. Generally speaking, osteoarthritis is mostly caused by hyperplastic arthritis due to trauma or, in some cases, osteoarthritis resulting from overuse, The characteristic of osteoarthritic pain is that it is related to activity. The more a joint affected by arthritis moves, and the greater the overuse, the more severe the pain becomes. When resting, the pain in that joint will decrease, However, rheumatoid arthritis is different and has clear distinctions from osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis typically affects the small joints of the limbs, usually occurs symmetrically, and rarely affects only one limb. Once it occurs, it generally affects other parts too, appearing in both hands or both feet. These small joints are usually the first to be affected, with symptoms presenting symmetrically, and there is significant morning stiffness; that is, joints are stiff in the morning, Furthermore, rheumatoid arthritis can cause pain at rest or pain during inactivity, and nocturnal pain does not necessarily correlate with activity. Sometimes, pain may intensify after rest or during the night, and sometimes, physical activity may actually alleviate the pain. Thus, this symptom is a primary distinguishing feature from osteoarthritis. Understanding these points, the differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can basically be mastered.
Rheumatoid arthritis commonly occurs at what age?
Rheumatoid arthritis is primarily a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by pain in multiple joints throughout the body. The causes of the disease are not yet clear, but it is believed to be related to a combination of genetic, infectious, and environmental factors. The main pathological basis of the disease is synovitis. It commonly occurs in individuals aged between 35 and 50, and is more prevalent in females, with a significantly higher incidence rate in women than in men. Additionally, this disease can lead to disability and loss of work capacity. Therefore, early diagnosis and standard treatment are crucial. Once the condition stabilizes, the dosage should be gradually reduced to maintain the disease in a stable state.