Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by what?

Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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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.)

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
40sec home-news-image

Rheumatoid arthritis should be seen in the rheumatology department.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis should visit the department of rheumatology and immunology, as it is an immune-related disease. The primary mechanism of the disease involves the production of abnormal antibodies in the body, which attack the joints themselves, leading to symptoms such as joint swelling and pain. Additionally, rheumatoid arthritis can also manifest symptoms outside of the joints. The most common of these is interstitial lung disease in some patients, primarily presenting as asthma. Furthermore, some patients may experience kidney involvement, mainly characterized by significant proteinuria.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
1min 9sec home-news-image

Is the ankle pain due to gout or rheumatoid arthritis?

In clinical practice, the first reason for ankle pain is rheumatic or rheumatoid arthritis, which mainly involves the synovium of the joint in the early stages, causing synovial hyperplasia and effusion leading to pain. The second cause is gout, which is due to dietary habits, such as frequent consumption of greasy or seafood-based foods, and a preference for beer, leading to increased uric acid levels and gout. The third cause is osteoarthritis in middle-aged and elderly people, which leads to degeneration of joint cartilage and pain. The fourth cause is sprains, which can lead to damage to cartilage and ligaments within the joint, causing pain. To determine whether ankle pain is caused by gout or rheumatic arthritis, one can simply visit a hospital for a checkup, such as a uric acid test to see if there is a significant increase in gout uric acid levels. If the uric acid level is significantly elevated, it is likely caused by gout. Additionally, one can check for a rheumatism panel to see if the anti-O test is positive; if it is, it may suggest that rheumatic factors are causing the pain.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
48sec home-news-image

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.

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Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
1min 8sec home-news-image

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.)

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Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
1min 28sec home-news-image

Difference between arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Arthritis is typically osteoarthritis, a chronic inflammation characterized primarily by degenerative changes in joint cartilage, followed by bone proliferation, making it a chronic disease. Early pathological changes include alterations in joint cartilage, such as subchondral bone extrusion, followed by changes in the muscles surrounding the periosteum and joint capsule. Early radiographic examinations can provide a definitive diagnosis. Its symptoms primarily manifest as pain. For rheumatoid arthritis, it generally presents as morning stiffness and joint swelling and pain more severe than in the surrounding area, which can essentially confirm a diagnosis. It usually affects large joints such as the knee, shoulder, or wrist joints, typically presenting as migratory pain. A definitive diagnosis can usually be made by testing for rheumatoid factor, with an anti-O level exceeding 500 units. Additionally, there may be a slight increase in white blood cells, accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and elevated C-reactive protein. Examination of the synovial fluid shows increased white blood cells and neutrophils. In such cases, using anti-rheumatic drugs might suffice, but it’s also crucial to ensure rest and local heat application. These two types of arthritis fundamentally differ.