If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the onset of new symptoms can come as the worst kind of surprise. When faced with new symptoms, it’s not uncommon to feel like you’re out of control of your own health.

更令人困惑的是一个事实 42％ of Americans with RA experience remission periods after their initial treatments. This sometimes leads people to falsely believe that their RA can be cured. When inevitable flare-ups occur, a lot of people with RA feel disappointed.

It’s true that RA is very unpredictable, but the good news is there are ways to monitor your RA and keep it in check.

If you think your RA symptoms may be worsening, it’s time to put your detective hat on. Think about your everyday life. What has changed since you’ve started to feel as though your RA is acting up? Sometimes there’s a clue that can help you find out what’s causing a flare-up. Potential factors might include:

  • 压力
  • insomnia
  • 流感
  • 新食物
  • pregnancy or new motherhood
  • 抽烟
  • 新的存在类风湿因子（RF）在你的血液
  • 侵略性RA的家族史

进行性类风湿关节炎（PRA）是疾病的一种更具侵略性的形式。PRA的处理与温和版本不同。但是确定您是否有PRA可能很棘手。有特定的迹象需要寻找。请务必与您的医生分享任何更改，以便他们可以帮助确定您是否具有更具侵略性的RA形式。

这是关注的标志：

  • You’re having more flare-ups, or the active
    stages of RA are becoming more frequent and are lasting longer.
  • 您正在经历极端的炎症
    tissue around the joints. This may be damaging the cartilage and the bone.
  • 您正在经历明显的减少
    mobility and muscle strength, and in some cases, you have no mobility at all.
  • You’re experiencing increased pain and swelling
    in new joints and muscles that were previously unaffected.
  • 您正在发展rheumatoid
    nodules    on your joints.
  • Your blood tests are showing higher levels of RF.

的确，RA可以自己恶化。但是，如果您要管理药物，压力，睡眠方式和整体例行工作，并且仍在遭受RA症状恶化，则可能需要考虑变化。处方RA治疗的目标是“临床缓解”。这意味着您感觉足够好，您不必全天考虑RA症状。

如果您的医生规定的药物似乎对治疗症状的有效效果不佳，并且您觉得自己已经用尽了所有选择，那么可能是时候获得第二意见了。请记住，您应该看到风湿病学家或类风湿关节炎专家，而不仅仅是普通医生。

Living with RA is all about managing the symptoms. The following list can help you do just that:

  1. 追踪
    your triggers. Write down in a journal specific details about your habits, so
    您可以跟踪您认为可能引起的压力，食物或活动
    your RA symptoms to flare.
  2. 寻找
    合适的医生给你。RA是终生的状况，因此很重要
    find a specialist who you’re comfortable with and trust.
  3. 改变
    你的药物。如果您的药物不适合您，请与您的医生交谈
    关于做出改变。
  4. 总是
    speak up. If you notice something feels off about your treatment or your RA
    symptoms, don’t wait to tell your doctor.
  5. 定制
    治疗计划。RA是独一无二的，因为没有人100％确定为什么
    发展，没有两个人以相同的方式体验RA。制定一个计划
    speaks to your condition and its needs.
  6. Make
    exercise a priority. This can be challenging when your RA flares up. But it’s
    important to keep your body moving and the blood flowing through your joints
    and muscles.
  7. 尝试
    physiotherapy. If mobility is becoming an issue, it might be time to find a
    可以帮助您移动的物理治疗师。
  8. Give
    自己休息。您没有导致RA发生，并且正在尽力而为
    管理它。
  9. 吃
    均衡饮食。这包括一致的绿叶蔬菜，水果，
    全谷物和低脂蛋白。

10.如果您可以选择更多的性爱。一些学习暗示积极的性生活可以提高自尊心，并有助于防止这些关节和肌肉僵硬。

RA symptoms can come and go. However, the key to living with RA is to advocate for your health. Be an active participant in your treatment. It’s also important to take time to relax, and do all that you can to enjoy pain-free days. Having a great team beside you that includes your doctor, family, and friends will help you meet these goals.