Currently, there are about 5 million patients with rheumatoid arthritis in China, but misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are very common. A recent survey on the current status of rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and treatment found that only 23.2% of patients with the disease first consulted a rheumatologist, while the majority of patients visited orthopedic and general internal medicine departments. In China, the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis has reached 0.2% – 0.4%. It is an autoimmune disease that can cause joint pain, enlargement, and even severe deformation of the joints, resulting in deformity. Because the process of rheumatoid arthritis develops relatively slowly, mostly in women aged 30-50, and the early symptoms of the disease, such as joint redness, swelling, heat and pain, are similar to some common orthopedic diseases in middle-aged and elderly people, many early patients often think that the “natural aging of the body or bone degeneration”, think that taking some anti-inflammatory and painkilling drugs or calcium supplements can cure the disease. However, this misconception can delay the development of the disease. However, this misconception delays the best treatment time for many patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, so that the development of the disease is not effectively controlled, making the joints painful and even deformed, resulting in physical disability. Symptoms: symmetrical joint swelling and pain Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation in the inner layer of the joints (i.e. synovium), most often in the small joints of the fingers, palms and wrists, causing inflammation, joint pain, stiffness and swelling. So, what kind of symptoms are likely to be rheumatoid arthritis when they occur in the early stages? The most immediate symptom of early rheumatoid arthritis is symmetrical pain or swelling in small joints, such as swelling and pain in the joints of the hands, including the wrists. Next, there is simultaneous swelling of three or more joints. Usually, after the disease has progressed to a certain level, the patient’s joints will become deformed. Some patients may say, “When I wake up in the morning, my hands are so stiff that I cannot make a fist”, which is called morning stiffness. Typical morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis is more than one hour. Some patients have obvious physical fatigue, which is actually one of the systemic manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis, and some patients also have low fever and lethargy. Treatment: Early treatment, regular review Rheumatoid arthritis is often referred to as the “undead cancer” because it cannot be completely cured, and as the disease progresses, the joints become swollen and deformed, making it difficult for patients to take care of themselves. However, with the current level of medical care, the disease can be effectively controlled. However, experts remind: early treatment and standardized treatment are especially important! In the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, there are three principles to keep in mind: first, early treatment, early treatment can relieve pain and avoid the progression of the disease; second, to emphasize the combination of treatment, both to relieve symptoms, but also to take into account the patient’s systemic medication to completely control the symptoms, that is, both the symptoms and the root cause; third, to emphasize the principle of individualized treatment. Some patients can use biological anti-rheumatic drugs, which are highly effective and long-lasting compared with traditional drugs. There is no rheumatoid arthritis that cannot be controlled. As long as the medication is standardized and individualized, each patient’s condition can be controlled.