When it comes to rheumatoid arthritis, old people usually think of: back and leg pain, arthritis, old cold legs, is the “immortal cancer” and so on, in fact, such a view is one-sided, is not scientific. Rheumatoid arthritis not only causes joint swelling and pain, but also causes joint deformity and disability if not treated correctly and in a timely manner, which can seriously affect daily life. Of course, with the in-depth research of human beings on its disease, as well as the continuous updating of the treatment concept, rheumatoid arthritis is already a preventable and treatable disease, and not an undead cancer.
I. Etiology and overview of rheumatoid arthritis
The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not completely clear, and is closely related to genetics, environment, bacteria, viruses, sex hormones and other factors. Cold, humidity, fatigue, malnutrition, trauma, etc. can trigger the disease or cause aggravation of joint pain symptoms.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a common disease in China, which is characterized by “three highs and three lows”, i.e. high morbidity, high disability and high cost. The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in China is about 0.3%, with a high prevalence in women, seen at any age, with a peak incidence of 30-50 years old, and a disability rate of 60-70%, with 10-20% of patients losing their labor force, which not only endangers the health and lives of patients, but also brings a serious economic burden to families and society.
However, for this common disease, the public has a low awareness rate, low consultation rate, and low treatment rate, the “three low state”. Due to the relatively limited investment in health care in China, the public is generally not aware of rheumatoid arthritis, and most patients do not receive early diagnosis, let alone timely and proper treatment. Some patients also go to general internal medicine, orthopedic surgery, or even some small clinics specializing in rheumatism, leading to incorrect diagnosis and treatment. This also reminds everyone that if you have red, swollen and hot joints, don’t forget to visit the rheumatology department of a regular hospital.
Second, the performance of rheumatoid arthritis
The onset of rheumatoid arthritis is relatively insidious. At the beginning of the disease, most people just feel that their hands are stiff in the morning and can be reduced or disappear after activity, so they don’t pay much attention to it; gradually, there is slight swelling and pain in the finger joints, and the pain will gradually intensify, and there is swelling and pain in the elbow joints, shoulder joints, knee joints, foot joints and many other joints throughout the body. If this is not treated correctly, the joints gradually start to deform, and it becomes a problem to hold things, and finally it becomes difficult to put on clothes, wash mouth and brush teeth, and gradually lose the ability to work and live. In addition, some patients may also have dry eyes, dry mouth, severe chewing of teeth, difficulty in breathing and other life-threatening conditions. Therefore, we advocate early diagnosis and early treatment; the earlier the treatment, the more beneficial.
Third, the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis misconceptions
The old uncle surname that rheumatoid arthritis is an incurable disease, mainly caused by irregular treatment. Patients in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the process of the following aspects of the misconceptions.
1, only to treat the symptoms not the root cause: some patients based on their own symptoms of their own medicine, such as joint swelling and pain, just take painkillers or external pain cream, not standardized medication, leaving the system guidance of a specialist physician is not good for the disease.
2, there are sicknesses to seek medical advice: some patients listen to some unqualified clinic doctors, such as ancestral special rheumatoid arthritis, eat a variety of prescriptions, secret recipes, blind medication, was cheated of money, but also delayed the disease.
3, abuse of hormones: this is more serious, hormones can only be used for some patients, and the dose and course of treatment has a strict limit, long-term mass non-standard use of hormones, will cause many adverse reactions. For example, obesity, full-moon face, edema, hypertension, diabetes, gastrointestinal perforation and bleeding, femoral head necrosis and other serious complications. However, some unscrupulous medical institutions or businesses in the society often sell patients “special drugs”, “specialized drugs” or “pure herbal medicine” for rheumatoid arthritis through a large number of advertisements and other forms. “These include “rheumatism capsules” purchased in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macao, and so on; in fact, these pills or tablets have a certain amount of hormones secretly added.
As a result, at the beginning of use, these drugs do have “special effects”, but gradually, these “special drugs” become less effective, need to increase the dose to be effective, the patient also formed a “dependence “At this time, the patient also began to become fat, and even hypertension, diabetes, femoral head necrosis, gastric bleeding perforation, joint deformity and functional decline and other complications. Both money is spent and the condition is missed. The most unfortunate thing is also that the inflammation of the disease is not controlled and the joint destruction is irreversible, at this time, the patient comes back to seek medical help, often having lost the best time for treatment. Therefore, we must be highly alert to these so-called “special drugs” “pure Chinese medicine”.
4, worry about the side effects of drugs Some patients worry about the toxic side effects of drugs, increase or decrease or change drugs at will, which is not scientific. The current listing of drugs is relatively safe, patients taking medication process to regularly monitor blood and urine routines, liver function, found in time to deal with the problem, will not cause serious harm to patients.
Four, rheumatoid arthritis patients daily precautions
1, emotions to maintain optimism and cheerfulness, establish the belief to overcome the disease
2, diet light and delicious, rich in nutrients and easy to digest and absorb, less cold food
3, living to avoid cold, damp, winter, pay attention to warmth, summer to avoid excessive blowing cool wind or sleeping in the open, do not cold water bathing.
4, rest and exercise arthritis acute period, more rest, avoid strenuous exercise; remission period, more exercise, adhere to physical exercise, enhance physical fitness.
Five, how to properly treat rheumatoid arthritis
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, in addition to relieving joint pain, more importantly, to prevent joint deformation. At present, it is drug-based. With the development of clinical treatment drugs and the updating of the treatment concept, the effect of rheumatoid arthritis treatment has been greatly improved. Commonly used drugs are divided into chemical drugs and biological drugs, which have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Chemical drugs are divided into two categories, the first is the past common clinical use of hormones, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, such as dexamethasone, furosemide, fenbuterol, etc., this type of drugs can significantly relieve pain symptoms, but the effect is short, the treatment of symptoms but not the root cause, the joint inflammation still exists, can not prevent joint destruction. The second category is the current clinical use of anti-rheumatic drugs to improve the condition, such as methotrexate, leflunomide, salazosulfapyridine, and leucovorin, etc. The effect of this category of drugs is slow, requiring 1-2 months to take effect, but the effect is long-lasting, not only to improve the pain symptoms, but also to alleviate the progress of the disease and prevent joint destruction and deformity.
Biological drugs, also known as biologics, are another class of drugs that have been developing rapidly in the past 10 years. This type of drug is fast-acting and effective, not only to relieve pain symptoms, but also to prevent joint destruction and deformity, treating the symptoms and the root cause, but the price is also more expensive.
Sixth, the prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, like diabetes and hypertension, is a lifelong disease that cannot be completely cured and requires long-term follow-up under the guidance of a rheumatologist. The doctor can adjust the treatment plan according to the specific condition, and take to reduce the dosage or stop the medication. Patients should not stop the medication according to their senses, because the pain disappears, but the inflammation still exists, so if they stop the medication immediately, they will be at risk of relapse. Therefore, the patient must follow the doctor’s advice and communicate with him/her more.
Here is a solemn reminder to the public, rheumatoid arthritis, must go to the regular hospital rheumatology immunology, do not believe in “pure Chinese medicine” “special drugs” “special drugs”. The actual fact is that you will have the same hands as a healthy person as long as you diagnose, treat, standardize your medication, and follow up for a long time. The rheumatoid arthritis is not terrible, and it is not a “cancer that will not die”.