Our joints are complex and reliable mechanisms that nature itself has created. Their work is invisible as long as the joints are healthy. But when they start to hurt, the world loses its former glory. One of the most common joint diseases are arthritis and osteoarthritis. Many people confuse them and sometimes do not know at all what the differences are, because in both cases the joints hurt. Similar names are also misleading. In this publication, we will tell you how arthritis differs from osteoarthritis, about the symptoms of these diseases and the methods of treatment. Despite the similarity of the names, these are completely different ailments.
What are arthritis and osteoarthritis: the differences
First of all, diseases differ in names: they both have the same Latin root, but different endings. Already from the designation of the end, you can remember what the difference is between arthritis and osteoarthritis. The Latin ending "-oz" denotes a degenerative process, destruction. The ending "-it" indicates an inflammatory process. The difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis is obvious: diseases have a completely different nature and course. But let's understand in more detail what osteoarthritis and arthritis are and what symptoms accompany them.
Osteoarthritis is the result of aging and deterioration of the joint
Osteoarthritis is the deformation and abrasion of the joint capsule, which allows the joint to move easily. The disease involves structural changes, damage to the cartilage and destruction of its tissues. As a rule, osteoarthritis occurs after 45-50 years and is the result of the natural aging process of the body. In elderly people over the age of 60, the disease is diagnosed in 80% with complaints of pain in the legs.
In young people, osteoarthritis most often develops as a post-traumatic phenomenon, for example, after fractures and bruises. It is often diagnosed in professional athletes.
Often osteoarthritis affects the knee, ankle and hip joints, that is, those that undergo the most daily stress. Musicians often suffer from wrist and finger joints. By itself, osteoarthritis proceeds slowly, therefore, in the early stages, the symptoms are less pronounced.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
the main symptom is pain, which occurs during movement and after physical exertion. As a rule, the pain in arthrosis is aching, not very strong and goes away at rest, in a comfortable position;
Frequent crunch - a deep sound that occurs due to the rubbing of the bones;
stiffness of movements is local, only the movement of the diseased joint is disturbed;
appearance - there may be a deformation of the cartilage, in the later stages, a slight swelling.
Types of osteoarthritis
Primary - arises as a result of the natural aging process of the joint.
Secondary: develops against the background of trauma, as a post-traumatic manifestation.
Arthritis is a serious disease of the body
While osteoarthritis is usually diagnosed in people over the age of 45, arthritis can occur at any age. As we have said, this is an inflammatory process that occurs in the joints, but it affects the entire body at once. The disease is associated with malfunctions of the immune system.
Why do the joints hurt? The fact is that the immune bodies produced in this disease attack the joints. Therefore, with arthritis, any joint can hurt: several at once or just one. Arthritis most often appears after severe stress, anxiety, against the background of a decrease in immunity and hypothermia, as well as due to metabolic disorders.
Arthritis Symptoms
pain in arthritis, unlike pain in osteoarthritis, decreases during movement, but increases and becomes chronic at rest. Most often, the pain intensifies at night or early in the morning, during rest;
joints swell, there is swelling, swelling, painful palpation;
the joint area becomes red and hot;
an inflammatory reaction is noted in blood tests;
stiffness throughout the body, stiffness of motion;
the appearance of dense nodules in the joint area.
Arthritis is also often accompanied by such manifestations:
dry eye;
weakness, chills, drowsiness;
psoriasis;
time dependence.
Types of arthritis
Depending on the nature of the disease, arthritis is divided into 2 types: inflammatory and degenerative. In turn, they are also divided into types.
Inflammatory arthritis can be:
infectious - inflammation of the joints caused by microorganisms that have entered the synovial fluid;
rheumatoid - an inflammatory process affecting the connective tissues around the joint and many organs;
reactive - develops due to infection;
gout is inflammation of the joints associated with an increase in uric acid in the blood and, consequently, with the deposition of salts.
Degeneration occurs:
traumatic;
arthrosis.
What's more dangerous: arthritis or osteoarthritis?
There is no sure answer to this question. Because both diseases, without timely treatment, can lead to a complete loss of the ability to move. Osteoarthritis can be a consequence of arthritis. But long-term osteoarthritis can also lead to arthritis.
Treatment of arthrosis and arthritis: characteristics
Joint pain deprives a person of the simplest joys - an ordinary walk, the opportunity to fully rest, freedom of movement. However, it is not always possible to recognize an alarming manifestation in this symptom in time. Often people think that this is a temporary phenomenon and try to get rid of pain faster: they self-medicate, take drugs or use folk methods. But, having received short-term relief, they do not know the main thing - the causes of the disease. Thus, the disease worsens and takes on more severe and neglected forms.
The main recommendation of doctors is not to delay the visit to a specialist. Only a thorough examination and treatment will help to avoid serious consequences. Here the opportunity to live and move fully is at stake.
Osteoarthritis is treated by orthopedists, neurologists and rheumatologists. The main method is to reduce the load on the diseased joint, increase the elasticity of the tissues and strengthen the muscles. In severe cases, special injections with hyaluronic acid are prescribed, which helps lubricate the joint, or so-called arthroplasty is performed.
However, no remedy has yet been found to fully restore cartilage tissue. Competent treatment of arthritis and arthrosis can only stop the destruction. The main methods of treating joint diseases are physiotherapy exercises and physiotherapy procedures.
Arthritis is treated by a rheumatologist. The course of rehabilitation depends on its specific type, but it is rarely possible to do without special anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics. Sometimes hormonal drugs are prescribed. The treatment regimen is usually as follows:
pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs;
Physiotherapy;
proper nutrition, diet, restoration of metabolic processes;
drug therapy if internal organs are affected.
Prevention is the foundation of joint health
Like any disease, joint disease can be prevented. First of all, you should lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right and avoid stress.
If we specifically consider the recommendations, then the specialists of the clinics note:
Weight control: In order not to overstress the joints, you should always monitor your normal weight.
Moderate physical activity. They improve blood circulation, strengthen the muscle corset, which is very important for maintaining healthy joints. However, the key word here is mild, because sprains, injuries, strength training, and grueling sports only accelerate the process of joint destruction. For the joints, swimming, cycling and Nordic walking are considered the best activities.
Proper and balanced diet. As a prevention of joint diseases, doctors recommend reducing the amount of red meat in the diet, as well as foods with a high content of animal fats. But fatty fish and products containing omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, on the contrary, should be included in the menu as much as possible. Also, the emphasis should be on fresh fruits and vegetables, to maintain water balance.
Wear comfortable orthopedic shoes or insoles.
Strengthen the immune system, in particular, avoid hypothermia and avoid stress.
Be healthy!