Meiyu is here? How to relieve joint pain?

The wettest and muddy season of the year in Shanghai is coming.

Shanghai Meteorological Bureau announced that today (June 17), the city officially entered Mei, and the precipitation process tends to increase. Affected by the vortex shear line from tonight to tomorrow, there will be heavy rain to heavy rain in this city, accompanied by lightning and short-term heavy precipitation.

Meiyu days not only make people feel ugly, but also make arthritis patients miserable. Why do arthritis patients have unbearable pain in rainy days? Is there any way to alleviate it?

Is joint pain "bad weather"?

"The stiffness and soreness of the spine and limbs joints that we usually feel are the main symptoms of rheumatism, but rheumatism is not a single disease, but a general term consisting of a series of diseases with different etiology, pathogenesis and pathological treatment methods. There are dozens of types, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, local myofascitis and so on. The treatment of these diseases is different, even the opposite. Human autoimmune disorder is the main pathogenesis of such diseases, and rainy, humid, windy and cold weather are inducing factors, which will aggravate the symptoms. "

Tang Jianping, chief physician of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of tongji hospital affiliated to Tongji University, said in an interview with the paper (): "As a representative of common rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease, and its cause is still unknown. The patient's immune system will produce some autoantibodies against its normal tissues, which will cause systemic inflammatory response. The affected parts are mainly joints, which will also cause damage to cardiovascular, lung, kidney and other organs, and some people will also have skin and eye problems. If rheumatoid arthritis cannot be effectively treated and controlled, it is not only the joint system that is injured, but also important internal organs may be involved in the later stage. "

Every time on the eve of the rainy season, some elderly patients around will sigh that the joint pain is getting worse and know that it is going to "change the weather". Lesions are like weather forecasts.

Tang Jianping, chief physician, said, "When the weather changes from sunny to rainy, the air pressure and temperature usually drop and the humidity increases. Compared with healthy normal people, the inflammatory reaction of synovium and surrounding tissues in the diseased area of arthritis patients will be aggravated, the blood circulation will be reduced, and the ability to resist external stimuli will be weak. It is impossible to respond to changes in air pressure, temperature and humidity in a timely and defensive manner, leading to joint symptoms. Aggravated. "

Is arthritis caused by joint pain in rainy days? Chief physician Tang Jianping pointed out that occasional joint pain caused by climate change cannot be called arthritis. "If the joint pain lasts for more than 6 weeks, it is probably arthritis and should be diagnosed by a doctor."

It is worth noting that before treatment, you must find out what kind of rheumatism and joint pain you have. If you can't make a clear diagnosis, you can prescribe drugs at random, which will not only cure the disease, but also delay the illness. For example, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, two common rheumatic diseases, are essentially two diseases with completely different pathogenesis.

"Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease characterized by articular cartilage degeneration and secondary hyperosteogeny, and usually only one or several joints are damaged; Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic immune system disease. At first, the lesion is in synovium instead of cartilage. Usually, multiple joints occur at the same time, and other organs of the body will also be involved. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have different drugs, and the treatment can only be effective after the patients have determined the nature of the disease in the rheumatology immunology department of a general hospital. Patients with long-term symptoms of joint swelling and pain should not blindly use drugs before going to a regular hospital for diagnosis, otherwise it will be counterproductive, delay treatment and aggravate the condition. " Chief physician Tang Jianping said.

Don't moxibustion yourself, the diet is light.

"Correspondence between man and nature" is an idea of traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times. There is a complex and close relationship between human health and living environment. A healthy human body has the ability to adjust quickly according to the changes of environment and weather, so even in the continuous cold and rainy weather, there will be no obvious discomfort. When the function of viscera is weakened, qi and blood are deficient, and diseases occur, the adaptability of human body will also be reduced.

Huangdi Neijing wrote: "Wind, cold and dampness are mixed, and they become arthralgia." The arthralgia syndrome here mainly refers to the symptoms of impassability of limbs and meridians, with pain and numbness of muscle joints as the main clinical manifestation.

Lawrence Wang, deputy chief physician of Rheumatology Department of Longhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, told reporters that arthritis patients should pay more attention to keep dry in rainy days to avoid clothes getting wet by rain.

"The greater the humidity, the faster the heat transfer. Rain will cause the body to dissipate heat faster. Avoid getting wet, change your clothes and socks frequently, and don't get wet and wrap yourself up. At the same time, be sure to keep warm and avoid washing your face, feet or even taking a bath with cold water. "

Lawrence Wang, deputy chief physician, suggested that in rainy days, arthritis patients can try well-trained Chinese medicine prescriptions specially prepared for the rainy season, as well as external fumigation, external application or acupuncture treatment.

Many patients like to try moxibustion at home, but the effect is often poor. This is because moxibustion treatment is very strict about the accuracy and dosage of acupoint selection, and it is by no means a simple "baking the moxa stick again".

Lawrence Wang, deputy chief physician, reminded that if the relevant knowledge and skills are lacking, not only the expected curative effect will not be achieved, but also "accidents" such as "fire" or skin burns will be caused. It is recommended that patients go to regular hospitals, and they must not blindly believe the advertisements of so-called commercial health centers or operate at home by themselves.

In addition, the diet should be light, digestible and balanced, eat less spicy or greasy food, and avoid smoking and drinking.

When arthritis patients are in stable condition, aerobic exercise, such as jogging and swimming, should also be properly strengthened on the premise of good exercise protection. Reasonable and regular exercise not only helps to regulate immune function, enhance cardiopulmonary function and improve blood circulation, but also can strengthen bones and ligaments, maintain joint function and promote rehabilitation.