“In addition to joint pain, I have recently experienced dry cough, chest tightness and shortness of breath. And I drank cough syrup to no avail. Director Chen What’s the matter with me?” Rheumatoid patients should be vigilant if you have had this problem, because it may be suffering from interstitial pneumonia.
Rheumatoid arthritis is not only a chronic Disease. It has extra-articular features of a range of major organ systems. Interstitial pneumonia is the most common extra-articular injury in rheumatoid arthritis!
I. What is interstitial pneumonia
Interstitial pneumonia is a diffuse and inflammatory disease that damages lung tissue, causing interstitial inflammation and Pulmonary fibrosis, mainly involving the pulmonary interstitium, alveoli, alveolar septa and adjacent small airways.
The pathological changes are mainly interstitial inflammation and fibrosis alveolar septal inflammation, vasculitis, microvascular embolism, alveolar effusion, alveolar hemorrhage, and granulomas.
In recent years, relevant studies have shown that about 30% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis In addition to joint damage, complications of interstitial pulmonary disease also occur. In severe cases, they may only have 3-5 years to live!
2. What are the factors of rheumatoid arthritis complicated with interstitial pneumonia?
The pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis complicated with interstitial pneumonia is unclear. It may be related to changes in immune response, infectious factors, genetic factors, endocrine disorders, and abnormal tissue repair.
3. What should rheumatoid patients do when they have dry cough and chest tightness?
The first thing to do is to see a rheumatologist right away, a specialist will help identify whether the infection is causing the infection or the Interstitial pneumonia caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
In case of infection, anti-rheumatic drugs should be considered (methotrexate, flunomide, sulfasalazine, biologics, etc.) The dose is too large, resulting in a weakened immune system, and then the antirheumatic drugs are adjusted in conjunction with the infection.
4. What are the treatments for interstitial pneumonia?
1, Early: Generally, it belongs to deficiency of both lungs and spleen, mainly to invigorate the spleen and benefit the lungs.
2. Mid-term: Qi-yin deficiency, lung-yin deficiency, etc. may occur , mainly for qi and yin deficiency, the use of qi and yin treatment.
3. Late stage: Due to the long course of disease, lung qi, lung yin and lung yang , Kidney yin and kidney yang are damaged, resulting in deficiency of lung, spleen and kidney yang, mainly benefiting temperature and yang.
Finally, remind most rheumatoid patients that if they have symptoms such as dry cough, shortness of breath, and upset, they should go to the corresponding rheumatism immunization immediately. Consult a specialist hospital to determine the cause.
Once diagnosed, it should be treated immediately. The combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine has strong pertinence, reduced toxic and side effects, and can significantly improve symptoms, signs and lung function. Improve long-term treatment effects.