Rheumatoid arthritis severity

The severity of rheumatoid arthritis can be divided into mild, moderate and severe according to the symptoms, and its impact ranges from joint inflammation to systemic damage. Knowing the severity of the disease can help patients choose the appropriate treatment plan, control the progression of the disease and prevent complications.

1Symptoms and treatment methods of mild rheumatoid arthritis

Mild patients usually experience mild joint pain, morning stiffness, local swelling and limited movement, but the symptoms are mostly mild and will not affect daily life.

For mild rheumatoid arthritis, it is recommended to relieve inflammation and pain through nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and to use appropriate thermal therapy such as hot compresses to promote blood circulation. Low-intensity joint stretching exercises such as yoga can be performed to enhance joint mobility, but overuse of the affected joints must be avoided.

2 Moderate rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and coping methods

Moderate patients may experience worsening symptoms due to the spread of inflammation, and may experience widespread joint swelling and pain, restricted movement, as well as general fatigue and discomfort, and even sleep affected by pain at night.

Moderate patients should consider using anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate or sulfasalazine, to slow down the progression of the disease, combined with corticosteroids such as prednisone to control acute inflammatory attacks. In daily life, cold stimulation should be avoided, joint protection should be done in a timely manner, such as wearing joint protectors, and physical therapy such as low-frequency electrical stimulation should be performed according to doctor's orders.

3 Symptoms of severe rheumatoid arthritis and how to deal with it

Severe rheumatoid arthritis patients have extremely obvious symptoms, not only showing severe joint deformity and severe pain, but may even develop into complete loss of joint function. It may also cause systemic complications such as heart and lungs, endangering life.

At this stage, strong anti-rheumatic drugs such as biological agents such as etanercept, adalimumab and immunosuppressants are needed to control the disease. For severe functional impairment caused by arthritis, surgical treatment such as joint replacement can also be considered. At the same time, under the guidance of a doctor, patients can choose a specific anti-inflammatory diet such as eating more fish and nuts rich in Omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammatory responses.

The progression of rheumatoid arthritis not only affects the quality of life, but may also cause more serious health problems. Patients need to pay close attention to their physical condition, regularly check joint function, take personalized treatment measures according to their condition, and follow the doctor's guidance to ensure long-term management.