In a quiet town, there lives a retired teacher named Zhang Bo. Uncle Zhang is 60 years old, with silver hair and wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, which bear witness to the passage of time and his rich life experience. Since retiring, Zhang Bo has devoted more time and energy to his favorite hobby – gardening. His small garden is filled with all kinds of flowers and plants, from tulips in spring to roses in summer to chrysanthemums in autumn.
Recently, however, he noticed that he began to feel pain and stiffness in his fingers and knee joints, especially when he got up every morning. At first, he didn't pay much attention to it, just regarded it as an ordinary geriatric disease, so he went to the pharmacy and bought some painkillers and rheumatism plasters. But over time, these symptoms have not been relieved, but have become more severe. He found that he didn't even have the strength to pick up the pots, let alone prune the soil and prune the branches as usual.
This situation made Zhang Bo feel anxious and helpless. Gardening was the greatest joy of his retirement, and now he can't even enjoy it. He began to wonder if it was a sign of some serious illness. At the suggestion of his family, Uncle Zhang decided to go to the hospital for a comprehensive examination.
At the hospital, after a series of examinations and tests, doctors told him that he had rheumatoid arthritis. This is undoubtedly a heavy blow to Uncle Zhang, who loves gardening. Doctors explain that it is an autoimmune disease that affects multiple joints, especially the small joints of the hands and feet. Moreover, it is a chronic disease that requires long-term or even lifelong treatment.
Uncle Zhang listened to the doctor's explanation, and there were both doubts and fears in his heart. He knew that from now on, his life would be turned upside down because of this diagnosis. But he didn't know it yet, and this was just the beginning of the story......
With Chamber's rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis, he began to understand the complexities of the condition. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints, but it can also affect other tissues throughout the body. The exact cause of it is not fully understood, but it is generally accepted by the medical community to be the result of an abnormal interaction of genetics, environment, and immune systems. The patient's immune system mistakenly attacks its own joint tissue, leading to inflammation, pain, and joint damage.
The main drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis are antirheumatic drugs. The goal of these drugs is to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and most importantly, slow or stop disease progression. Common antirheumatic drugs include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologics. While effective, these medications can also come with a range of side effects, such as gastrointestinal problems, abnormal liver function, and an increased risk of infection.
Uncle's doctor prescribed him a number of DMARDs, including methotrexate, a widely used drug for rheumatoid arthritis. After starting to take it, his symptoms improved significantly. His joint pain has decreased and his mobility has improved. But at the same time, he also began to focus on the long-term effects of drugs. Zhang Bo learned that although DMARDs can significantly control symptoms, they need to be taken for a long time or even for life. He began to worry about the possible long-term side effects of this on his body.
At a family gathering, Uncle Zhang met his old friend, Uncle Li, who also suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike Uncle Zhang, Uncle Li chose a more natural treatment modality, relying on traditional Chinese medicine and lifestyle adjustments. This meeting raised a deep question about whether he should try other treatments as well, whether he should continue to rely on Western medicine or consider a more natural treatment?
Chambers began to actively seek more information, and he read medical studies on rheumatoid arthritis and learned about the pros and cons of different treatments. At the same time, he also had an in-depth conversation with the doctor to discuss his concerns and possible alternatives. The doctor explained to him that while some natural remedies can help relieve symptoms, traditional anti-rheumatic drugs are still the most effective treatment for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. He also stressed that stopping or changing treatment regimens could worsen the condition and even lead to irreversible joint damage.
Uncle Zhang's heart was full of contradictions. On the one hand, he was worried about the effects of long-term medication on his body, and on the other hand, he was afraid of the further deterioration of the disease. In the process, he also began to realize that lifestyle modifications are equally important in addition to medication. He began to pay more attention to his diet and tried gentle exercises such as walking and tai chi to reduce the burden on his joints and improve his physical condition.
Uncle Zhang's story is a typical dilemma faced by many patients with rheumatoid arthritis. With the help of modern medicine, they were able to achieve symptom relief, but long-term treatment and life adjustments have also become a real challenge that they have to face. Uncle Zhang's choice will undoubtedly affect his future quality of life and disease management.
After several months of anti-rheumatic medication, although his symptoms were alleviated, his inner contradictions and uneasiness did not dissipate. His biggest concern is whether he will need to rely on these drugs for a long time and the possible side effects of the drugs.
On this day, Uncle Zhang came to the hospital again, and he wanted to have an in-depth conversation with the doctor to learn more about the disease. The doctor patiently listened to him express concerns about long-term medication and explained in detail the principles of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and the need for drugs. Doctors emphasize that although there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis at present, through long-term rational medication, the condition can be effectively controlled, joint damage can be reduced, and the quality of life can be improved.
After listening to the doctor's explanation, Uncle Zhang's confusion in his heart was somewhat reduced, but he still felt uneasy. Back at home, he had an in-depth communication with his family. His family showed full understanding and support for his condition, encouraged him to follow the doctor's instructions, continued treatment, and cared about his emotional state.
It was at this time that Zhang Bo was exposed to some information about the benefits of lifestyle modifications for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. He learned that in addition to medication, a reasonable diet, proper exercise and a good mindset also play an important role in managing the disease. This made Zhang Bo realize that he could be more actively involved in the management of the disease by adjusting his lifestyle.
Over the next few months, under the guidance of his doctor, Zhang Bo adjusted his diet and began to do moderate exercise, such as walking and gentle tai chi. He also joins a support group for people living with rheumatoid arthritis to share experiences and feelings with other patients. These changes have not only helped him better manage his symptoms, but also made him more positive and optimistic.
Eventually, Zhang Bo decided to continue taking anti-rheumatic drugs for a long time, as recommended by his doctor. He realizes that while it may be a long journey, he can still live a fulfilling and happy life with the right treatment and handling. He regained his hobby of gardening, and was busy in his small garden every day, and the growth of flowers and plants seemed to tell the power and hope of life.
At the end of the article, Uncle Zhang stood in the garden, looking at the blooming flowers, with a long-lost smile on his face. He knows that although there will be many uncertainties and challenges in life, as long as there is love and hope, there will always be warmth and light.