Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by what?

Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Rheumatic arthritis is a type of infectious arthritis caused by streptococcal infection and is one of the clinical manifestations of rheumatism. It primarily presents as migratory pain in large joints, most commonly affecting the large joints of the lower limbs, such as the knees, ankles, wrists, etc. Since rheumatic arthritis is related to streptococcal infection, treatment mainly involves the use of penicillin drugs, commonly long-acting penicillin, which requires strict adherence to the treatment course to completely cure the streptococcal infection. During the acute phase, joint pain often occurs, hence the common use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as diclofenac sodium and etoricoxib, to alleviate symptoms of pain. During acute episodes, bed rest is necessary, with attention to joint immobilization. During the remission period, getting out of bed and exercising is encouraged to restore joint function and flexibility. (Please use medications under the guidance of a professional physician; do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
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What should I do if rheumatoid arthritis deforms the knee joint?

Rheumatoid arthritis and knee joint deformity are serious conditions that may require joint replacement surgery. For less serious cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as etoricoxib or celecoxib, are generally used to treat and alleviate symptoms. The onset of rheumatoid arthritis is associated with streptococcal infections. Clinically, joint deformities are rare, so if joint deformity occurs, it is important to investigate the possibility of rheumatoid arthritis. Since rheumatoid arthritis is an immune-mediated erosive arthritis that can lead to bone destruction and joint deformity, rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies can be tested for diagnostic differentiation.

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Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
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Can rheumatoid arthritis be cured through exercise?

Rheumatoid arthritis can be somewhat alleviated by exercise in terms of disease recovery. Rheumatoid arthritis primarily manifests as migratory swelling and pain in the major joints throughout the body. The onset of the disease is somewhat associated with streptococcal infections. In recent years, due to the widespread use of penicillin, rheumatoid arthritis has become very rare in clinical settings. Since the onset of rheumatoid arthritis is related to infections, long-acting penicillin is generally used for treatment if there is no accompanying carditis. Joint pain can be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as etoricoxib or sustained-release capsules of diclofenac sodium; if carditis is present, corticosteroids can be used. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis can engage in gentle aerobic exercises like swimming, yoga, jogging, Tai Chi, etc.

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Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
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Can people with rheumatoid arthritis eat millet porridge?

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis can safely consume millet porridge, as it is highly nutritious and does not affect rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is somewhat associated with streptococcal infections, and clinically it mainly presents as migratory pain in the major joints of the limbs. With the widespread use of penicillin in recent years, the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis has become increasingly low. Nowadays, it is occasionally seen in clinical practice, mainly among patients with repeated streptococcal infections, such as those with recurrent tonsillitis, who may experience episodes of rheumatoid arthritis. In such cases, removing the cause can generally achieve clinical cure. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and penicillin antibiotics can be used to treat acute episodes.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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Can people with rheumatoid arthritis drink alcohol?

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis can drink a small amount of alcohol, but long-term heavy drinking is not recommended. This is mainly because patients with rheumatoid arthritis need to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief due to joint pain. The most significant side effect of these painkillers is their impact on the gastrointestinal tract. As alcohol is known to be harsh on the stomach, patients who take NSAIDs while drinking alcohol are at a higher risk of developing complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding. Therefore, it is advised that patients with rheumatoid arthritis should not engage in long-term heavy drinking. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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Rheumatoid arthritis massage techniques

For the acute phase of rheumatoid arthritis, which is when the joints are significantly swollen and painful, it is not advisable to perform any form of massage. Both massage and intense exercise could potentially worsen the joint swelling and pain. At this time, what is needed is strict bed rest. After the acute phase of the joints eases, then consider some methods of exercise. In managing the acute phase of rheumatoid arthritis, one can consider using some anti-inflammatory pain relievers. The most commonly used are non-steroidal pain relievers, such as diclofenac sodium, to control joint pain, rather than massaging the joints, as this could only make the condition worse. (Please follow medical advice regarding specific medications.)