Many people have experienced joint pain in their lives. Especially the elderly, when they encounter cold and wet weather, they often feel pain all over their body, and some people call this symptom “rheumatoid”. So, is joint pain “rheumatoid”? In fact, modern medicine defines a group of diseases with specific clinical features as “rheumatoid arthritis”. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease that mainly affects peripheral joints. The main clinical features are pain, swelling and functional impairment of the joints. The disease often involves the small joints of both hands and has a symmetrical distribution, often accompanied by joint swelling and morning stiffness, and in severe cases, the swollen joints may become hot and red. If you have any of these symptoms, you need to come to the rheumatology department for further examination of rheumatoid factor, anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies, blood sedimentation and plain films of both hands or joint ultrasound to clarify the diagnosis. Once the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is clear, regular anti-rheumatic drug treatment is required. Although many side effects such as liver and kidney toxicity are indicated on the instructions of these drugs, rheumatologists have accumulated a wealth of experience in the use of these drugs, and the use of anti-rheumatic drugs under close monitoring is generally very safe. Some patients, because they are worried about the side effects of drugs, turn to some “prescriptions”, through the Internet and other informal channels to buy the so-called “special drugs” for treatment. This not only does not guarantee efficacy, but many “special pills” also contain a large number of hormonal ingredients, which can provide temporary relief, but long-term use can produce huge side effects. Therefore, it is recommended that patients who experience swelling and pain in the small joints of the hands, morning stiffness, and burning should go to a regular hospital for timely treatment. Even if you are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, don’t be discouraged, modern medicine has developed many drugs that can effectively control the progress of the disease and keep it in long-term remission.