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 years, as well as every second 50-70 years old. In those who are older, the pathology appears in 90% of people. These diseases have their similarities and differences.
How does arthritis differ from arthrosis?
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 occurs in the body. If the name contains the combination "-oz", this indicates tissue destruction. Arthritis and arthrosis 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 adjacent bone areas.
Causes of arthritis and arthrosis
There are several factors that can contribute to the development of the first and second disease. There are five such "provocateurs":
- Prolonged intense stress on 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 bones and connective tissues.
Specific "triggers" of arthritis 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).
Arthrosis is a disease that develops, regardless of diseases of other organs and systems. This means, this disease is not associated with the general condition of the body. It is called by such "provocateurs":
- hormonal disorders in the body;
- Perthes disease;
- hemophilia;
- severe intoxication of the body;
- age-related cartilage degeneration.
Rheumatoid arthritis can provoke arthrosis 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 destroyed. As a result, this leads to its destruction. For this reason, it is so important to immediately contact a doctor when you discover the alarm signals given by the body.
Symptoms of arthritis and arthrosis
These diseases differ from each other in clinical presentation. In addition, arthritis and arthrosis - what is the difference between them, you can see from the area of localization of diseases. The inflammatory process attacks such parts of the body:
- joints;
- liver;
- heart and blood vessels;
- the lungs;
- kidneys.
Arthrosis affects only the joints:
- ride
- metatarsophalangeal in foot;
- the knee;
- interphalangeal in the hands.
There are common signs of arthritis and arthrosis. These include the following symptoms:
- stiffness of movement;
- pain sensation;
- loss of motor skills.
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);
- swelling of the soft tissues near the affected joint;
- pain (at rest and during exercise);
- skin rash.
Symptoms of arthritis when the disease affects other organs and systems:
- prostration;
- violation of heart rhythm;
- chills;
- conjunctivitis;
- an increase in body temperature up to 39 ° C;
- pain during urination.
Arthrosis - signs
One of the main symptoms of this disease is pain. They appear both at rest and when the node is loaded. In addition, the symptoms of osteoarthritis can be:
- decreased range of motion;
- crackling (due to the destruction of the cartilaginous membrane);
- deformation of limbs.
Treatment of arthritis and arthrosis
Before starting therapy, a diagnosis is made. It includes such activities:
- radiography;
- sending a general blood test;
- arthroscopy;
- Connective tissue ultrasound.
The difference between arthritis and arthrosis in the treatment of these diseases is practically absent. The therapy consists of the following steps:
- elimination of pain;
- maintenance of connective tissue;
- elimination of stiffness;
- reducing the risk of relapse.
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 includes the use of such methods:
- physiotherapy;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- drug therapy;
- diet food.
The difference in the treatment of arthritis and arthrosis is evident in the doctor's prescriptions. So, 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 the medicines yourself. This treatment is not safe. At first, you can even feel that the disease has gone away: the pain decreases, the stiffness disappears. However, in reality the situation is not as it seems. Although the visible 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 increase the effect, orthopedic correction of violations is carried out. If drug therapy fails to cope with these diseases and they develop in severe form, surgical intervention is performed.
Which doctor treats arthritis and arthrosis of the joints?
In order for the disease not to pass into a neglected form, you should seek medical help in time. To do this, you need to know which doctor treats arthritis and arthrosis. In local 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 – specialized in chronic pain.
Ointment for arthritis and arthrosis
External agents have the following effects:
- blood circulation improves;
- an antimicrobial effect is achieved;
- cartilage nutrition is normalized;
- pain sensation decreases;
- gives a warming effect.
In the treatment of arthritis, arthrosis at home, the following groups of ointments have proven themselves well:
- vasodilators;
- heating;
- pain relievers;
- anti-inflammatory.
The effectiveness of the use of external agents is low. Approximately 7% of the active substances are distributed through the skin in the affected joint. For this reason, doctors recommend ointments only at 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 an oil is determined by the doctor individually in each case.
Most often, such anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, warming and vasodilating ointments are prescribed.
Pills for arthrosis and arthritis
The following antibiotics may be prescribed:
- macrolides;
- tetracycline;
- 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 healing 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, arthrosis are, what is the difference between them, so he will help you choose the best medicine. Uncontrolled intake of homemade "drugs" is unsafe.
Arthrosis, arthritis - alternative treatment with currants
- black currant leaves - 4-5 g;
- water - 250 ml.
- The raw materials should 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 chosen nutritional scheme will help to alleviate the condition of patients. The diet for arthritis and arthrosis excludes the consumption of the following foods:
- tea and strong coffee;
- salinity;
- chocolate
- alcoholic drink;
- margarine and butter;
- French fries and potato chips;
- egg yolk;
- cod liver.
After the doctor has diagnosed arthritis and arthrosis and explained to the patient what is the difference between them, he can recommend a diet that includes the consumption of such foods:
- ginger;
- almond;
- 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:
- Proper balanced diet.
- Do not overload the joints - alternate mental and physical work.
- To refuse from bad habits.
- Keep your weight under control.
- Wear orthopedic shoes.
- Protect joints from hypothermia and injuries.
- Do gymnastics, swimming and other sports that do not overload the joints.