Those facing joint disease are often interested in: arthritis and osteoarthritis - what's the difference between them. These diseases affect a third of the population aged 36-49 years, as well as every second 50-70 years. In the elderly, the pathology occurs in 90% of people. These diseases have their similarities and differences.
How is arthritis different from osteoarthritis?
In general, the difference between these diseases is manifested in their names. From the Latin language, diseases, in the terminology of which there is a suffix "-it", indicate an inflammatory process that takes place in the body. If the name contains the combination "-oz", this indicates tissue destruction. Arthritis and osteoarthritis are no exception. The first disease is manifested by swelling and inflammation of the synovial membrane. The second disease is the destruction of cartilage and areas close to the bones.
Cause of arthritis and osteoarthritis
There are several factors that can contribute to the development of the first and second diseases. There are five such "provocateurs":
- Prolonged intense stress on the joints. Most often, this reason is observed in athletes.
- Hypothermia - regular contact with cold water, snow and so on.
- Joint injury.
- Genetic predisposition - diseases are inherited.
- Congenital diseases of bone and connective tissues.
Specific arthritis "triggers" 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).
Osteoarthritis is a disease that develops independently of diseases of other organs and systems. That is, this disease is not associated with the general state of the body. It is called by such "provocateurs":
- hormonal disturbances in the body;
- Perthes disease;
- hemophilia;
- severe intoxication of the body;
- age-related cartilage degeneration.
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause osteoarthritis if the condition 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 interrupted. As a result, this leads to their destruction. For this reason, it is so important to immediately contact a doctor when detecting alarm signals emitted by the body.
Symptoms of Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
These diseases differ from each other in clinical presentation. Also, arthritis and osteoarthritis - what is the difference between them, you can see by the zone of location of diseases. The inflammatory process attacks these parts of the body:
- joints;
- liver;
- heart and blood vessels;
- lungs;
- kidneys.
Osteoarthritis affects only the joints:
- hip;
- metatarsophalangeal in the feet;
- knee;
- interphalangeal in the hands.
There are common signs of arthritis and osteoarthritis. These include the following symptoms:
- movement stiffness;
- pain sensations;
- loss of motor skills.
Arthritis - signs
The following factors indicate the development of this disease:
- stiffness in the morning;
- 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);
- skin redness.
Arthritis symptoms when the disease affects other organs and systems:
- prostration;
- violation of heart rhythm;
- goosebumps;
- 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, symptoms of osteoarthritis can be:
- decreased range of motion;
- crunch (due to effacement of the cartilaginous membrane);
- limb deformity.
Treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis
Before starting therapy, a diagnosis is made. It includes such activities:
- radiography;
- delivery of a general blood test;
- arthroscopy;
- Connective tissue ultrasound.
The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis in the treatment of these diseases is practically non-existent. Therapy consists of the following steps:
- pain elimination;
- maintenance of connective tissue;
- elimination of rigidity;
- 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 arthrosis, it aims to restore cartilage tissue. Treatment involves the use of such methods:
- physiotherapy;
- physical therapy exercises;
- drug therapy;
- diet food.
The difference in how to treat arthritis and osteoarthritis is visible in the doctor's prescriptions. Therefore, if the inflammatory process is infectious in nature, antibiotics are prescribed during therapy. When autoimmune arthritis is diagnosed, steroid hormones are prescribed. However, you cannot choose drugs on your own. This treatment is not safe. At first, you may even have the feeling 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, pills and ointments - what is the difference between this treatment, the doctor will tell you in detail. He will prescribe the ideal drug therapy regimen. To improve the effect, orthopedic correction of violations is carried out. If drug therapy fails to deal with these diseases and they develop into a severe form, surgical intervention is performed.
Which doctor treats arthritis and osteoarthritis of the joints?
So that the disease does not go into a neglected form, you need to seek medical help in time. To do this, you need to know which doctor treats arthritis and osteoarthritis. In home clinics, the following specialists are involved in the treatment of these diseases:
- Rheumatologist - they turn to him with mild symptoms of the disease. The doctor will perform an examination, refer the patient for an X-ray examination, and then prescribe the optimal treatment.
- Surgeon - helps to cope with unbearable discomfort.
- Orthopedist - specialist in chronic pain.
Ointments for arthritis and osteoarthritis
External agents have the following effects:
- improves blood circulation;
- an antimicrobial effect is achieved;
- cartilage nutrition is normalized;
- pain sensations decrease;
- provides a warming effect.
On how to treat arthritis, arthrosis at home, the following groups of ointments have proven themselves well:
- vasodilators;
- heating;
- analgesics;
- anti-inflammatory.
The effectiveness of using external agents is low. Approximately 7% of the active substances are released through the skin into the affected joint. For this reason, doctors recommend ointments only at the initial stage of the disease. Furthermore, these drugs can be used as an additional tool in complex therapies. The duration of use of such an ointment is determined by the doctor individually in each case.
More often, such anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, warming ointments and vasodilation are prescribed.
Pills for Osteoarthritis and Arthritis
The following antibiotics may be prescribed:
- macrolides;
- tetracyclines;
- fluoroquinolones.
In addition, these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis and osteoarthritis and chondroprotectors may be prescribed.
Osteoarthritis, 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 is, what the difference between them is, so he will help you choose the best medicine. Uncontrolled ingestion of homemade "drugs" is not safe.
Osteoarthritis, arthritis - alternative treatment with black currant
Ingredients:
- black currant leaves - 4-5 g;
- water - 250ml.
Preparation, application:
- Raw materials must be poured with boiling water and insisted 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 closed container in the refrigerator.
Diet for Arthritis and Osteoarthritis of the Joints
Properly selected nutrition scheme will help alleviate the condition of patients. The diet for arthritis and osteoarthritis excludes the consumption of the following foods:
- strong tea and coffee;
- salinity;
- chocolate
- alcoholic beverages;
- margarine and butter;
- french fries and potato chips;
- egg yolk;
- cod liver.
After the doctor diagnoses arthritis and osteoarthritis and explains to the patient the difference between them, he may recommend a diet that includes the consumption of these foods:
- redhead;
- almonds;
- apples
- black beans;
- salmon
- fresh fruits and vegetables;
- meat;
- chicken and so on.
Prevention of arthritis and osteoarthritis
It is much easier to prevent diseases than to fight them later. Osteoarthritis, arthritis diseases include such preventive measures:
- Adequate and balanced nutrition.
- Don't strain your joints - alternate mental and physical work.
- Refuse to bad habits.
- Keep your weight under control.
- Wear orthopedic shoes.
- Protect joints from hypothermia and injuries.
- Do gymnastics, swimming, and other sports that don't put stress on your joints.