Those who are faced with joint diseases are often interested in: arthritis and arthrosis - what is the difference between them. These diseases affect a third of the population from 36 to 49 years old, as well as every second from 50 to 70 years old. In those who are older, 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 Latin, 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 ailment is manifested by swelling and inflammation of the synovial membrane. The second disease is the destruction of cartilage and nearby areas of bone.
Cause of arthritis and osteoarthritis.
There are several factors that can contribute to the development of both the first and second ailments. There are five of these "provocateurs":
- Prolonged intense 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 inherited.
- Congenital diseases of the bones and connective tissues.
Specific "triggers" of arthritis include:
- infections that have entered the body, causing inflammation;
- over weight;
- 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. He 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 lead to osteoarthritis if the disease is not treated properly. This situation is quite natural, because due to the degeneration of synovial fluid, the nutrition of cartilage tissue is disrupted. As a result, this leads to its destruction. For this reason, it is so important to immediately contact a doctor when detecting alarm signals given by the body.
Symptoms of arthritis and osteoarthritis.
These diseases differ from each other in clinical presentation. Also, arthritis and arthrosis - what is the difference between them, you can see by the localization zone of ailments. The inflammatory process attacks such parts of the body:
- joints;
- liver;
- heart and blood vessels;
- lungs;
- kidneys
Osteoarthritis affects only the joints:
- hip;
- metatarsophalangeal joints in the feet;
- knee;
- interphalangeal joints in 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:
- morning stiffness;
- 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;
- shaking 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:
- decrease in range of motion;
- contraction (due to erasure of the cartilaginous membrane);
- limb deformity.
Treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis
Before starting therapy, a diagnosis is made. It includes such activities:
- bone scan;
- delivery of a general blood test;
- arthroscopy;
- Connective tissue ultrasound.
The difference between arthritis and arthrosis in the treatment of these ailments is practically absent. The therapy consists of the following steps:
- elimination of pain;
- connective tissue maintenance;
- removal of stiffness;
- reducing the risk of relapse.
Treatment of these diseases involves an integrated approach. In arthritis, its goal is to reduce the inflammatory process, and in osteoarthritis, its goal is 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. So, if the inflammatory process is of an infectious nature, antibiotics are prescribed during therapy. When autoimmune arthritis is diagnosed, steroid hormones are prescribed. However, you cannot choose medications on your own. This treatment is not safe. At first, you may even have a 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 osteoarthritis are treated with injections, tablets and ointments; what is the difference between such treatment, the doctor will explain in detail. He will prescribe the optimal scheme of drug therapy. To enhance the effect, orthopedic correction of violations is performed. If drug therapy fails to cope with these diseases and they develop in a severe form, surgical intervention is performed.
What doctor treats arthritis and osteoarthritis of the joints?
So that the disease is not neglected, you need to seek medical help in time. To do this, you need to know which doctor treats arthritis and arthrosis. In home clinics, the following specialists are involved in the treatment of these ailments:
- Rheumatologist - 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 - specializes 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.
In how to treat arthritis, arthrosis at home, the following groups of ointments have proven themselves well:
- vasodilators;
- heating;
- analgesics;
- anti-inflammatory.
The effectiveness of the use of external agents is low. Approximately 7% of the active substances are released through the skin to the affected joint. For this reason, doctors recommend ointments only at the initial stage of the disease. Also, 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.
Most often, such anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, warming ointments and vasodilators are prescribed.
Pills for osteoarthritis and arthritis.
The following antibiotics may be prescribed:
- macrolides;
- tetracyclines;
- fluoroquinolones.
Also, such nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis and arthrosis and chondroprotectors can be prescribed.
Osteoarthritis, arthritis - treatment with folk remedies.
In the fight against these diseases, various healing methods can be used. Home remedies are very popular. They have undeniable advantages: availability, ease of manufacture and naturalness. However, they should be used only after consulting a doctor. He knows what arthritis is, arthrosis, what is the difference between them, so he will help you choose the best remedy. Uncontrolled intake of household "drugs" is not safe.
Osteoarthritis, arthritis - alternative treatment with black currant
Ingredients:
- black currant leaves - 4-5 g;
- water - 250 ml.
Preparation, application:
- Raw materials must be poured with boiling water and insist in a water bath for 20 minutes.
- The medicine must be filtered and drunk 1 tablespoon. spoon three times a day.
- The remaining product is stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Diet for arthritis and osteoarthritis of the joints
Correctly selected nutrition scheme will help alleviate the condition of patients. The diet for arthritis and arthrosis excludes the consumption of the following foods:
- strong tea and coffee;
- salinity;
- chocolate
- alcoholic drinks;
- margarine and butter;
- french fries and fries;
- bud;
- cod liver.
After the doctor has diagnosed arthritis and osteoarthritis and explained to the patient what the difference is 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:
- Proper balanced nutrition.
- Do not overload the joints: alternate mental and physical work.
- Reject for 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.