Those who are faced with joint diseases are often interested in: arthritis and arthrosis - what is their difference. These diseases affect a third of the population aged 36 to 49, as well as one out of two 50 to 70 year olds. In older people, pathology occurs in 90% of people. These diseases have their similarities and their differences.
How is arthritis different from osteoarthritis?
In general, the difference between these diseases is manifested in their names. From the Latin language, ailments, in the terminology of which there is a suffix "-it", indicate an inflammatory process taking place in the body. If the name contains the combination "-oz", this indicates the destruction of tissues. Arthritis and osteoarthritis are no exception. The first condition is manifested by swelling and inflammation of the synovial membrane. The second disease is the destruction of cartilage and nearby bone areas.
Cause of arthritis and osteoarthritis
Several factors can contribute to the development of the first and second conditions. There are five such "provocateurs":
- Intense and prolonged stress on the joints. Most often, this reason is observed in athletes.
- Hypothermia - regular contact with cold water, snow, etc.
- Joint injury.
- Genetic predisposition - diseases are hereditary.
- Congenital diseases of bones and connective tissues.
Specific arthritis "provocateurs" include:
- infections that have entered the body, causing inflammation;
- Overweight;
- poor nutrition (due to the lack of valuable substances, the body's defense system suffers).
Arthrosis is a disease that develops independently of diseases of other organs and systems. That is, this disease is not associated with the general condition of the body. It is called by such "provocateurs":
- hormonal disturbances in the body;
- Perthes disease;
- haemophilia;
- severe intoxication of the body;
- age-related cartilage degeneration.
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause osteoarthritis if the disease is not treated properly. This situation is quite natural, because due to the degeneration of the synovial fluid, the nutrition of the cartilage tissue is disturbed. As a result, this leads to its destruction. For this reason, it is so important to immediately contact a doctor when detecting alarm signals from the body.
Symptoms of Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
These diseases differ from each other in their clinical presentation. Moreover, arthritis and arthrosis - what is the difference between them, you can see by the area of localization of ailments. The inflammatory process attacks these parts of the body:
- joints;
- liver;
- heart and blood vessels;
- lungs;
- kidneys.
Osteoarthritis only affects the joints:
- hip;
- metatarsophalangeal to feet;
- knee;
- interphalangeal on the hands.
There are common signs of arthritis and osteoarthritis. These include the following symptoms:
- motion stiffness;
- pain sensations;
- loss of motor ability.
Arthritis - signs
The following factors indicate the development of this disease:
- stiffness in the morning;
- an increase in body temperature in the area where the inflammatory process occurs (this area becomes hot to the touch);
- soft tissue swelling near the affected joint;
- pain (at rest and during exercise);
- redness of the skin.
Symptoms of arthritis when the disease affects other organs and systems:
- prostration;
- violation of heart rhythm;
- chills;
- conjunctivitis;
- an increase in body temperature up to 39 ° C;
- pain when urinating.
Osteoarthritis - signs
One of the main symptoms of this disease is pain. They appear both at rest and when the joint is loaded. In addition, the symptoms of osteoarthritis can be:
- decreased range of motion;
- crackle (due to erasure of the cartilaginous membrane);
- limb deformity.
Treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis
Before starting treatment, a diagnosis is made. It includes such activities:
- x-ray;
- delivery of a general blood test;
- arthroscopy;
- Connective tissue ultrasound.
The difference between arthritis and arthrosis in the treatment of these conditions is practically absent. The therapy includes the following steps:
- elimination of pain;
- connective tissue maintenance;
- elimination of stiffness;
- reducing the risk of relapse.
The treatment of these diseases involves an integrated approach. In arthritis, it aims to reduce the inflammatory process, and in osteoarthritis, it aims to restore cartilage tissue. Treatment involves the use of such methods:
- physiotherapy;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- pharmacotherapy;
- diet food.
The difference in how arthritis and osteoarthritis are treated can be seen in the doctor's prescriptions. So, if the inflammatory process is infectious in nature, antibiotics are prescribed during treatment. When autoimmune arthritis is diagnosed, steroid hormones are prescribed. However, you cannot choose the drugs yourself. This treatment is not safe. At first, you may even have the impression that the disease has receded: the pain subsides, the stiffness disappears. However, in reality, the situation is not what it seems. Although the obvious signs disappear, the disease continues to progress.
Arthritis and arthrosis are treated with injections, tablets and ointments - what is the difference between such treatment, the doctor will tell you in detail. He will prescribe the optimal scheme of drug treatment. To enhance the effect, orthopedic correction of violations is performed. If drug therapy fails to cope with these diseases and they turn into a severe form, surgical intervention is performed.
Which doctor treats arthritis and osteoarthritis of the joints?
In order for the disease not to take a neglected form, you need to consult a doctor in time. To do this, you need to know which doctor treats arthritis and arthrosis. In domestic clinics, the following specialists are involved in the treatment of such ailments:
- Rheumatologist - they turn to him with mild symptoms of the disease. The doctor will conduct an examination, refer the patient for an X-ray examination, and then prescribe the optimal treatment.
- Surgeon - helps to cope with unbearable discomfort.
- Orthopedist - specializing in chronic pain.
Ointments for arthritis and arthrosis
External Agents have the following effects:
- blood circulation improves;
- an antimicrobial effect is achieved;
- cartilage nutrition is normalized;
- pain sensations decrease;
- provides a warming effect.
In how to treat arthritis, arthrosis at home, the following groups of ointments have proven themselves:
- vasodilators;
- warming up;
- painkillers;
- anti-inflammatory.
The effectiveness of using external agents is low. About 7% of the active substances are delivered through the skin to the affected joint. For this reason, doctors recommend ointments only at the initial stage of the disease. In addition, these drugs can be used as an additional tool in complex therapy. The duration of use of such an ointment is determined by the doctor individually in each case.
Most often, such anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, warming and vasodilating ointments are prescribed.
Pills for osteoarthritis and arthritis
The following antibiotics may be prescribed:
- macrolides;
- tetracyclines;
- fluoroquinolones.
Additionally, such nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis and arthrosis and chondroprotectors can be prescribed.
Arthrosis, arthritis - treatment with folk remedies
In the fight against these diseases, various healing methods can be used. Folk remedies are very popular. They have undeniable advantages: availability, ease of manufacture and naturalness. However, they should only be used after consulting a doctor. He knows what arthritis, osteoarthritis are, what is the difference between them, so he will help you choose the best remedy. Uncontrolled consumption of homemade "medicines" is dangerous.
Osteoarthritis, arthritis - alternative treatment with black currant
Ingredients:
- currant leaves - 4-5 g;
- water - 250 ml.
Preparation, application:
- Raw materials should be poured with boiling water and kept in a water bath for 20 minutes.
- The drug should be filtered and drunk 1 tbsp. spoon three times a day.
- The remaining product is stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Diet for arthritis and arthrosis of the joints
A correctly selected nutritional scheme will help relieve the condition of patients. The arthritis and osteoarthritis diet excludes the consumption of the following foods:
- strong tea and coffee;
- salinity;
- Chocolate
- alcoholic beverages;
- margarine and butter;
- crisps and fries;
- Egg yolk;
- Cod liver.
After the doctor has diagnosed arthritis and osteoarthritis and explained to the patient what is the difference between them, he can recommend a diet that includes the consumption of these foods:
- Ginger;
- almonds;
- apples
- Black beans;
- Salmon
- fresh fruits and vegetables;
- beef;
- chicken and so on.
Prevention of arthritis and osteoarthritis
It is much easier to prevent diseases than to fight them later. Diseases of arthrosis, arthritis include such preventive measures:
- A good balanced diet.
- Do not overload the joints - alternate mental and physical work.
- Refuse bad habits.
- Keep your weight under control.
- Wear orthopedic shoes.
- Protects joints from hypothermia and injury.
- Do gymnastics, swimming and other sports that do not overload the joints.