Those who face joint diseases are often interested in: arthritis and arthrosis - what is the difference between them. These diseases affect a third of the population aged 36-49, as well as every other 50-70 year old. In the elderly, pathology occurs in 90% of people. These diseases have their similarities and differences.
How does arthritis differ from arthrosis?
Generally, the difference between these diseases is reflected in their names. From the Latin language, diseases, in the terminology of which there is a suffix "-it", denote an inflammatory process that takes place in the body. If the name contains the combination "-oz", it indicates tissue destruction. Arthritis and arthrosis are no exception. The first disease is manifested by swelling and inflammation of the synovial membrane. Another disease is the destruction of cartilage and nearby bone parts.
Cause of arthritis and arthrosis
There are several factors that can contribute to the development of both 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.
- Wrist injury.
- Genetic predisposition - diseases are hereditary.
- Congenital diseases of bones and connective tissue.
Specific "triggers" of arthritis include:
- infections that 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 regardless of diseases of other organs and systems. That is, this disease is not related to the general condition of the body. Such "provocateurs" call him:
- hormonal disorders in the body;
- Perthes disease;
- hemophilia;
- 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, it leads to its destruction. For this reason, it is very important to consult a doctor immediately when you detect alarm signals given by the body.
Symptoms of arthritis and arthrosis
These diseases differ from each other in their clinical presentation. In addition, arthritis and arthrosis - what is the difference between them, you can see by the localization zone of the disease. The inflammatory process attacks the following parts of the body:
- joints;
- liver;
- heart and blood vessels;
- lungs;
- kidneys.
Osteoarthritis affects only the joints:
- hip;
- metatarsophalangeal on the feet;
- knee;
- interphalangeal on the hands.
There are common signs of arthritis and arthrosis. These include the following symptoms:
- stiffness of movement;
- pain sensations;
- loss of motor skills.
Arthritis - signs
The following factors indicate the development of this disease:
- morning stiffness;
- increase in body temperature in the area where the inflammatory process occurs (this area becomes hot to the touch);
- swelling of the soft tissue 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;
- increase in body temperature up to 39 ° C;
- pain when urinating.
Arthrosis - 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 may include:
- reduction of movement amplitude;
- crunching (due to destruction of the cartilage membrane);
- limb deformity.
Treatment of arthritis and arthrosis
Before starting therapy, a diagnosis is made. It includes the following activities:
- radiography;
- delivery of a general blood test;
- arthroscopy;
- Connective tissue ultrasound.
There is practically no difference between arthritis and arthrosis in the treatment of these diseases. The therapy consists of the following steps:
- pain relief;
- maintenance of connective tissue;
- elimination of stiffness;
- reducing the risk of relapse.
Treatment of these diseases involves an integrated approach. In arthritis, it is aimed at reducing the inflammatory process, and in arthrosis at restoring the cartilage tissue. Treatment includes the use of the following methods:
- physiotherapy;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- drug therapy;
- diet food.
The difference in the treatment of arthritis and arthrosis is visible in the doctor's prescriptions. Therefore, 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 your own medication. This treatment is not safe. At first, you may even feel that the disease has subsided: the pain subsides, the stiffness disappears. However, in reality the situation is not as 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 in detail. He will prescribe the optimal scheme of drug therapy. To improve the performance, orthopedic correction of the violation is carried out. If medicines do not cure these diseases, and they turn into a severe form, surgical intervention is performed.
Which doctor treats arthritis and arthrosis of the joints?
In order for the disease not to turn into a neglected form, it is necessary to seek medical help 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 these ailments:
- Rheumatologist - they turn to him with mild symptoms of the disease. The doctor will perform an examination, refer the patient to an X-ray examination, and then prescribe the optimal treatment.
- Surgeon - helps to cope with unbearable discomfort.
- Orthopedist - specialized 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 are reduced;
- provides a warming effect.
In how to treat arthritis, arthrosis at home, the following groups of fats have proven themselves well:
- vasodilators;
- warming up;
- pain relievers;
- anti-inflammatory.
The efficiency of the use of external resources is low. Approximately 7% of the active substances are delivered through the skin to the affected joint. For this reason, doctors recommend ointments only in 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 ointment is determined by the doctor individually in each case.
Such anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, ointments for warming and vasodilation are more often prescribed.
Tablets for arthrosis and arthritis
The following antibiotics may be prescribed:
- macrolides;
- tetracyclines;
- fluoroquinolones.
In addition, such non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis and arthrosis and chondroprotectors can be prescribed.
Arthrosis, arthritis - treatment with folk remedies
Different treatment methods can be used in the fight against these diseases. Folk remedies are very popular. They have undeniable advantages: availability, ease of production and naturalness. However, they should be used only after consulting a doctor. He knows what arthritis and arthrosis are, what is the difference between them, so he will help you choose the best medicine. Uncontrolled taking of domestic "drugs" is not safe.
Arthrosis, arthritis - alternative treatment with black currant
- black currant leaves - 4-5 g;
- water - 250 ml.
- The raw materials must be poured with boiling water and insisted in a water bath for 20 minutes.
- The medicine should be filtered and drink 1 tablespoon. spoon three times a day.
- The remaining product is stored in a closed container in the refrigerator.
Diet for arthritis and arthrosis of the joints
A properly selected diet plan will help alleviate the patient's condition. Diet for arthritis and arthrosis excludes consumption of the following foods:
- strong tea and coffee;
- salinity;
- chocolate
- alcoholic beverages;
- margarine and butter;
- chips and fries;
- egg yolks;
- cod liver.
After the doctor diagnoses arthritis and arthrosis and explains to the patient 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 arthrosis
It is much easier to prevent diseases than to fight them later. Diseases of arthrosis, arthritis include such preventive measures:
- A proper balanced diet.
- Do not overload the joints - alternate between mental and physical work.
- Reject bad habits.
- Keep your weight under control.
- Wear orthopedic shoes.
- Protects joints from hypothermia and injuries.
- Do gymnastics, swimming and other sports that do not stress the joints.