Arthritis and osteoarthritis are diseases of the musculoskeletal system that have common characteristics.Each of these diseases causes irreparable health damage, and if it does not seek medical help in time, irreversible consequences may occur, which implies disability and disability.
In this article, we consider what is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis, the causes and the mechanism of its development, as well as the symptoms and treatment.
Causes of arthritis and osteoarthritis
Among the main causes of arthritis, they distinguish:
- The rheumatoid causes of an autoimmune nature in which body cells begin to attack their own tissues, taking them as foreigners.The reasons for this process have not yet been clarified;
- infectious (tuberculosis, paneliosis transmitted by ticks);
- secondary, in which arthritis develops in the context of other diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis);
- Metabolism violation (gout).
The reasons for osteoarthritis are the following:
- Congenital abnormalities of development (joint dysplasia);
- wounds;
- natural processes of body aging;
- Metabolic violation, hormonal changes (menopause in women);
- Excessive physical activity, including professional sports, monotonous work (by seamstresses);
- Secondary (osteoarthritis can be developed due to arthritis).
Physiological processes
Both pathologies affect the joints, but differ in the nature of the changes.
With arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammation of connective tissue, a synovial membrane that contains many vessels and provides lymphatic flow.The inflammatory process leads to a violation of the nutrition of joint tissues, as a result of which the production of joint lubrication - synovial fluid is limited.
With osteoarthritis
Arthrosis is a degenerative-divophical process associated with the destruction of the articulation cartilage tissue.The cartilage is gradually destroyed, dry, the distance between the bones of the joint decreases, which is the cause of pain.In severe shapes, destruction affects bones.They become more porous, they lose their density, they become fragile.
What is the difference?
For example, what is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis of the knee joint?With arthritis, the synovial layer of joint tissues occurs.This causes an increase in joint temperature.
The articulation increases, a persistent pain syndrome is developed, which intensifies during movement.With osteoarthritis, pain occurs only after physical activity, you can listen to a characteristic crunch or clicks in the joint, gradually the joint is deformed and loses mobility.
The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis of the fingers and the hands of the hands is that the first disease is cured and the second does not.With arthritis, the synovial housing and the articulation capsule are touched.
The defeat of the cartilage and bone tissue occurs only in the last stages in a careless state.With osteoarthritis, the cartilage tissue is affected first, and then the bone, the inflammation of the synovial membrane is of secondary origin, that is, it develops against its background.
Symptoms: What is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis?
Arthritis is accompanied by symptoms that are characteristic of inflammation:
- Body temperature increases, chills appear, weakness occurs throughout the body;
- The local temperature of the affected joint, its soft tissues increase;
- The joint swells, the skin around it is blushed;
- Joint deformation occurs;
- Its mobility is reduced;
- In the morning, rigidity is observed, which takes place within an hour after physical activity;
- Pain syndrome is present both when it moves and at rest;
- Complications are observed in the form of internal organ injuries (heart, lungs);
- Greater sweating occurs;
- Body weight is reduced.
Arthrosis develops gradually and does not show in the early stages.It is often taken by physical fatigue.The chronic form of osteoarthritis is also called osteoarthrosis.To the question of what is worse: osteoarthritis or osteoarthrosis, the answer is obvious.The last option is a consequence of the development of osteoarthritis and its acute form.
Among the symptoms of osteoarthritis, the following are distinguished:
- The pains appear after physical activity, with sudden movements, turns, inclinations, after rest, pain passes;
- A characteristic crunch is observed in the joints;
- The pain after prolonged rest, which happens within 15-20 minutes of mobility (this is associated with the stagnant phenomena that occur in the joint);
- Concerned about the pain of opaque night pain that occurs due to venous stagnation;
- The inflammatory form of pathology is accompanied by edema and pain;
- The articulation is deformed, its mobility decreases.
As you can see, the differences in the symptoms are insignificant: in both cases there is pain, rigidity and fatigue.Arthritis and osteoarthritis can affect different joints in the human body.With the damage to the column and the intervertebral discs, osteochondrosis develops, it is similar to osteoarthritis.Depending on the place of the disease, the osteoarthritis of the ankle, the shoulder, the hip joints, etc. is distinguished.
The details of the symptoms and the differential diagnosis will help to determine precisely the pathology: arthritis or osteoarthritis.
The difference in treatment
The treatment of arthritis aims to restore the immune system, the elimination of inflammation.With osteoarthritis, the main task is to prevent the destruction of tissue and relief of symptoms.
The treatment of osteoarthritis is dedicated to an orthopedic doctor, arthritis-a rheumatologist and several other doctors, depending on the origin of the disease.
The main therapy for arthritis includes the use of non -inflammatory non -hormonal agents, antibiotic therapy and in severe cases: hormonal therapy and taking immunosuppressants.
With osteoarthritis, anti -inflammatory, analgesics, hormonal drugs, venotonics and condroprotectors are used.
In both cases, the sick joint is provided with rest, reduces therapeutic load and gymnastics and physiotherapy are used to restore.
Therapeutic gymnastics affects the improvement of the state of ligaments and joints, develops its flexibility and mobility.It should be taken into account that the exercises can only be done during the referral period and in the absence of inflammation.An orthopedic complex or a physiotherapy specialist can choose a set of exercises, depending on which articulation it will be injured.
It is very important to observe the correct implementation technique so as not to damage the joints.All movements must be slow and soft.Performing the exercises should not cause discomfort and bring pain, otherwise, the lesson must stop or move to another type of exercise.Initially, it is better to perform exercises under the supervision of a doctor, and then include them in daily practice at home.
To facilitate joint mobility, special orthopedic media are used: compression knees, corsets, cervical necklaces and other accessories, depending on the damage zone.
Physiotherapy is useful in both cases, with arthritis, it is carried out only during the referral period.It has a minimum of contraindications and side effects, does not cause allergic reactions and is suitable for most patients.
Electrophoresis methods, ultrasound, phonoforesis, magnetotherapy, shock wave therapy, cryotherapy are used.
All of them affect the recovery process favorably, contribute to a deeper penetration of tissue medications, improve blood circulation, lymphatic flow, metabolic processes and the beginning of natural regeneration processes.
In severe cases, when the joints are completely destroyed, endoprotic surgery or a complete replacement of the joint is performed.
Traditional medicine in the treatment of osteoarthritis and arthritis
By using popular remedies in the treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis, the disease stage and the risks of allergic reactions, therefore, before use, it is necessary to consult a doctor.With arthritis, the use of additional non -traditional treatment products is only allowed during remission, this is due to the autoimmune nature of the disease.
As therapeutic agents, decoctions and tinctures are used that relieve inflammation, applications and bathrooms that relieve swelling, garbage and ointments.Prevention and treatment with popular remedies must play an auxiliary role instead of the principal.This should always take into account such serious diseases.
With osteoarthritis, salt snow is used.A glass of snow is mixed with 1 tablespoon of salt, a sore joint is rubbed with a mixture for 5 minutes.
To restore cartilage tissue for arthritis and osteoarthritis, apple tinctures, needles and aloe are used.The mixture can be added to the bathrooms for manual applications or do.
Animal fats are mixed as ointments: pig butter, tissue fat, chip worm.They mix with a calendula or trench.They contribute to pain relief, improve nutrition and reduce inflammation.
Compress of fresh leaves.A gross or cabbage leaf is lubricated with honey, applies to the painful joint, covered with polyethylene and hot tissue and is left during the night.
The clay is mixed with water to the density of the sour cream, the gauze applied impregnated with a mixture and left for an hour.It is necessary to repeat the application within two weeks per day.
In equal proportions, you can mix aloe juice, vodka and honey.To impregnate a gauze with this mixture and join a sore point for 1 hour.
As an ointment, chamomile, hops, San Juan grass and oil gelatin are mixed.Request daily for a month.
Two tablespoons of crushed heels are added to 150 ml of vegetable oil (olive, sesame, hemp and any other), it is allowed to prepare for a week and is used as an ointment.
The newly squeezed aloe juice is taken within 2 teaspoons 4 times a day.
Two tablespoons of San Juan and worm pour 1 liter of boiling water, prepare for 10-15 minutes and take 1 tablespoon.
León tooth flowers are poured with vodka in a ratio of 1 part of a lion tooth + 2 parts of the liquid, insist for 2 weeks and are used for garbage.
What is the difference between osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis?
These concepts are similar.Both osteochondrosis and osteoarthrosis are accompanied by the destruction of the cartilage tissue of the joints.With osteochondrosis, the joints of the spine, intervertebral discs are affected and with osteoarthritis: the joints of the limbs.
Prevention
To prevent the development of joint diseases, you must know about risk factors.These include:
- the body aging processes, exhaustion and deterioration of tissue nutrition;
- A sedentary lifestyle causes the appearance of stagnant phenomena, a violation of blood circulation, lymphatic flow, the curvature of the column;
- Excess weight is accompanied by a violation of metabolism in hormonal and endocrine systems, excess load in the spine, joints and heart.
For prevention, it is necessary to present the following recommendations on everyday affairs.Glorious sports and soft types of physical state have a good effect on the condition and maintenance of joints, ligaments and spine.
Two or three times a week enough to avoid the development of stagnant phenomena and improve general well -being.
For body nutritional cells, it is necessary to diversify their diet with products rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, B vitamins and PP.It is necessary to consume cereals, vegetables and fruits, whole grains, low fat, as well as reducing the use of products that contain harmful carcinogenic substances, fried, raw, salty and acute dishes.
To form adequate food habits and diets, you can consult a dietitian.
The psychosomatic nature of described diseases suggests that it is necessary to avoid stress, solve conflict situations in a constructive way and not succumb to discouragement and depression.
Conclusion
Arthritis and osteoarthritis are quite serious human diseases, which leads to serious irreversible consequences.The hidden nature of the development of osteoarthritis does not allow it to identify it in the early stages.Therefore, it is very important to be attentive to your health, not wait until the pain "pass" and seek medical help in a timely manner.