How to tell if it is rheumatoid
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease characterized by joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to controlling the progression of the disease. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to give you a detailed introduction to how to determine whether you have rheumatoid arthritis.
1. Common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis vary. The following are the most common clinical manifestations:
| Symptoms | Description |
|---|---|
| joint pain | Mostly symmetrical, common in small joints such as hands, wrists, knees, etc. |
| Morning stiffness | Joint stiffness after getting up in the morning, lasting for more than 1 hour |
| swollen joints | Significant swelling in the joint area, which may be accompanied by fever |
| Fatigue | Persistent fatigue that is not easily relieved after rest |
| low fever | Some patients will develop persistent low-grade fever |
2. Key examinations for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis
If you suspect you may have rheumatoid arthritis, the following tests are recommended:
| Check items | meaning |
|---|---|
| Rheumatoid factor (RF) | Positive suggests possible RA but is nonspecific |
| anti-CCP antibodies | High specificity, helpful for early diagnosis |
| Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) | Reflects inflammatory activity |
| C-reactive protein (CRP) | Reflects inflammatory activity |
| Joint ultrasound/MRI | Early joint disease can be detected |
3. Differentiation between rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis needs to be distinguished from other types of arthritis:
| disease type | Key points for identification |
|---|---|
| osteoarthritis | More common in the elderly, with short morning stiffness and no systemic symptoms |
| gouty arthritis | Acute attack, elevated blood uric acid, and urate crystals visible in joint fluid |
| ankylosing spondylitis | The spine and sacroiliac joints are mainly affected, and the HLA-B27 positive rate is high |
4. High-risk groups for rheumatoid arthritis
The following people are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis:
| high risk factors | Description |
|---|---|
| gender | The prevalence rate in women is 2-3 times that of men |
| age | 30-50 years old is the highest incidence age group |
| genetics | People with a family history are at increased risk |
| smoking | Smokers have significantly increased risk of disease |
5. The importance of early intervention
The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis emphasizes "early diagnosis and early treatment". Studies have shown that patients who start treatment within 3-6 months of onset have significantly less joint damage and a better prognosis. The goal of treatment is not only to relieve symptoms, but more importantly, to control disease progression and prevent joint deformity and dysfunction.
6. Latest Treatment Progress
According to recent hot medical topics, the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has the following new developments:
| Treatment | Features |
|---|---|
| JAK inhibitors | New oral targeted drugs with remarkable effects |
| biologics | Target specific inflammatory factors for precise treatment |
| stem cell therapy | It is still in the clinical trial stage and has broad prospects. |
7. Daily management and prevention
For patients with rheumatoid arthritis or those at high risk, daily management is very important:
1. Maintain moderate exercise and enhance joint stability
2. Eat a balanced diet and avoid high-fat and high-sugar foods
3. Quit smoking and reduce triggering factors
4. Keep your joints warm and avoid catching cold
5. Regularly review and monitor changes in condition
Summary:If you have persistent joint pain, morning stiffness and other symptoms, especially if accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fatigue, low-grade fever, etc., it is recommended to seek medical examination as soon as possible. Doctors can make an accurate diagnosis by combining clinical symptoms with laboratory tests. Early intervention and treatment can significantly improve prognosis and improve quality of life.
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