How should rheumatoid arthritis be treated?

Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
Updated on December 05, 2024
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The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis includes several aspects. First, general treatment: keep a light diet, avoid spicy and stimulant foods, ensure joints are kept warm, and avoid excessive fatigue. Second, medication treatment: during acute flare-ups, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac sodium or etoricoxib can be used, possibly combined with low doses of corticosteroids. During stable phases, immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or leflunomide are needed. If conventional treatments are ineffective, biological agents like adalimumab or tofacitinib can be combined. Most patients can effectively control their condition after combined treatment. Third, traditional Chinese medicine: alongside Western medicine, Chinese herbal medicine such as total glucosides of paeony or tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside can be used.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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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.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Does rheumatoid arthritis hurt?

Firstly, rheumatoid arthritis belongs to autoimmune diseases and is a chronic condition. The main symptoms include symmetric pain in multiple joints across the body, accompanied by morning stiffness, which is why joint pain occurs and is the most common symptom. The onset is slow for most people, but some experience an acute onset, with joint mobility issues appearing within a few weeks or days. Therefore, this disease cannot be cured; it can only be managed with medications to control symptoms, delay the deformity of joints, reduce disability rates, and enhance the quality of life, which are the objectives of comprehensive treatment. It is important to avoid exposure to cold and fatigue in daily life, avoid contact with cold water, keep warm, also avoid raw and cold foods, spicy and irritating foods, and eat more light, easy-to-digest, and high-protein foods to boost the immune system.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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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.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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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.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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What should you pay attention to with rheumatoid arthritis?

Firstly, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. It cannot be cured but can only be managed with medications to control the condition, relieve clinical symptoms, delay the onset of joint deformities, reduce complications, and improve quality of life. These are the main goals of treatment. Therefore, in the treatment process, the following points should be noted: First, do not stop taking medication on your own. After the condition stabilizes, reduce the medication slowly under the guidance of a physician; Second, diagnosis and treatment should be as early as possible to prevent the appearance of joint deformities; Third, during treatment, it's important to periodically recheck blood routine, liver and kidney functions, and electrolytes; Fourth, avoid excessive fatigue. However, one should not be inactive; physical exercise is an important part of the treatment process for rheumatoid arthritis; Fifth, pay attention to keeping warm, avoid getting cold, and avoid the intake of raw and cold foods. These are some important precautions to take.