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Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
About me
Graduated from Anhui Medical University in 2005, working in the Department of General Medicine at the Second People's Hospital of Anhui Province, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of common and prevalent internal medicine diseases.
Proficient in diseases
Conventional diagnosis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and gouty arthritis, as well as regular diagnosis and treatment of prolonged unexplained fever.
Voices
What should people with allergic purpura avoid eating?
People with allergic purpura should avoid the following foods: First, foods like celery, coriander, and mushrooms that may trigger photosensitivity should be consumed minimally. Also, seafood such as crabs and shrimp, which are high in protein, should be consumed in limited quantities. Additionally, overly nourishing foods like dog meat and mutton should also be minimized, as these foods may trigger outbreaks of allergic purpura. Besides dietary considerations, individuals with allergic purpura should also avoid getting cold, prevent infections, and avoid strenuous exercise.
Can people with ankylosing spondylitis drink alcohol?
Patients with ankylosing spondylitis are advised not to drink alcohol. This is because alcohol consumption often harms the stomach, and patients with ankylosing spondylitis, due to the needs of their condition and the long-term pain they suffer, need to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief over a long period. NSAIDs can also damage the gastric mucosa, causing mild erosions or even severe complications such as gastric ulcers and bleeding. Therefore, if patients with ankylosing spondylitis drink alcohol while also taking NSAIDs, they are very likely to develop gastric lesions. Thus, it is not recommended for those with ankylosing spondylitis to consume alcohol. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)
Why is the erythrocyte sedimentation rate accelerated in rheumatic fever?
Patients with rheumatic fever exhibit accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) for two main reasons. The first reason is that rheumatic fever itself is triggered by a streptococcal infection, and infections can also lead to an increase in ESR. The second reason is that patients with rheumatic fever may also experience symptoms such as joint swelling and pain. Aseptic arthritis can also cause an increase in ESR. If a patient with rheumatic fever shows an accelerated ESR, it indicates that the patient is in the acute phase of rheumatic activity. Therefore, the treatment should include the use of anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs, commonly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like sustained-release diclofenac sodium, and also the use of anti-infective treatments, typically second-generation cephalosporin antibiotics. (Please use medication under the guidance of a physician.)
Is moxibustion useful for ankylosing spondylitis?
Patients with ankylosing spondylitis are not recommended to receive moxibustion treatment because it can easily cause skin burns and local soft tissue infections. Moreover, moxibustion does not address the root cause of ankylosing spondylitis. It is recommended to continue with regular oral medication treatments. The medications used to treat ankylosing spondylitis mainly include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as sustained-release diclofenac sodium. Commonly used medications to control the condition include sulfasalazine and thalidomide. Currently, the most effective treatment for ankylosing spondylitis involves biologic agents, commonly tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)
How to treat rheumatic fever arthritis?
Rheumatic fever joint pain initially can be treated with anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications. The most commonly used are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as slow-release diclofenac sodium tablets. Since rheumatic fever is triggered by a streptococcal infection, if the streptococcus is not controlled, joint pain may reoccur. Therefore, fundamentally, an adequate course of anti-infection treatment is also needed. In the acute phase of rheumatic fever, antibiotics such as penicillin or second-generation cephalosporins can be used for a 10-14 day treatment. Subsequently, treatment may require sequential benzathine penicillin for possibly up to six months or more than a year. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)
What department should I go to for ankylosing spondylitis?
Patients with ankylosing spondylitis should visit the Rheumatology and Immunology department. After visiting, they need further screening for the HLA-B27 gene, and tests for inflammation markers such as ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) and CRP (C-reactive Protein). A CT scan of the sacroiliac joint is also necessary. These tests help confirm the presence of ankylosing spondylitis. Once diagnosed, anti-inflammatory pain medications are required. Commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include Diclofenac Sodium Sustained Release Tablets, along with disease-controlling medications such as Sulfasalazine and Thalidomide. If the patient's financial situation allows and there are no conditions like hepatitis, tuberculosis, or cancer present, biologic therapies can also be considered. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a doctor.)
Can allergic purpura cause fever?
Patients with allergic purpura may experience fever, which we call immune fever. To treat such fevers, we need to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly used ones include diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets. Also, if patients with allergic purpura develop fever symptoms, we need to rigorously differentiate whether there is a concurrent infection. We must inquire whether the patient has symptoms of infection such as cough, expectoration, abdominal pain, diarrhea, frequent urination, urgent urination, etc. If the patient shows these symptoms, we then consider that the patient with allergic purpura may also have an infectious fever. In such cases, treatment should include the use of antibiotics like cephalosporins, penicillin, etc. Note: Follow medical advice regarding medication use.
Rheumatoid arthritis affected areas
Clinically, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as rheumatic fever. It primarily affects the large peripheral joints, such as the shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle joints, with these being the main areas of affliction. The pain often migrates and has a certain self-limiting nature, generally improving on its own in about two weeks. Additionally, rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the heart, with some patients experiencing palpitations and shortness of breath after activity, as well as discomfort in the precordial area. Rheumatoid arthritis may also present with symptoms like ring-shaped erythema on the skin. These are the common sites of affliction for rheumatoid arthritis.
Recurrent symptoms of allergic purpura
The clinical manifestations of recurrent allergic purpura primarily include purpuric rashes on the lower limbs. If the patient experiences joint pain, it is also a clinical symptom of recurrent allergic purpura. Some severe cases of allergic purpura may even present with abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Additionally, some patients may exhibit significant amounts of protein in the urine and impaired creatinine levels. This indicates allergic purpura with purpuric nephritis, which is considered severe in the context of allergic purpura. Therefore, if a patient presents with the aforementioned symptoms, the recurrence of allergic purpura should be considered. At this point, further examinations such as blood tests, urine tests, and kidney function tests can be conducted to assess the condition.
Is the hair loss due to connective tissue disease?
Patients with connective tissue disease may experience hair loss, especially in diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, where some patients may suffer from severe hair loss. Hair loss is also one of the symptoms of active connective tissue disease. Apart from hair loss, patients with connective tissue disease may also experience fever, oral ulcers, facial erythema, dry mouth, and dry eyes. Some patients may also exhibit clinical signs such as white or purple hands when exposed to cold. The fundamental treatment for connective tissue disease involves corticosteroids, and depending on the severity of the disease, treatment may also include immunosuppressants. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a professional doctor.)