Those who suffer from joint diseases often wonder: arthritis and arthrosis - what is the difference between them. These diseases affect one third of the population aged 36-49, as well as every second 50-70 year old. In the elderly, pathology occurs in 90% of people. These diseases have similarities and differences.
How does arthritis differ from arthrosis?
In general, the difference between these diseases is reflected in their names. From Latin, diseases with the suffix "-it" in their terminology indicate an inflammatory process occurring in the body. If the name contains the combination "-oz", it means that the tissues are destroyed. 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 nearby areas of cartilage and bones.
The 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":
- Long-term intense stress on the joints. Often this reason is observed in athletes.
- Hypothermia - cold water, snow, etc. regular contact with
- Joint injury.
- Genetic predisposition - diseases are inherited.
- Congenital diseases of bones and connective tissues.
Specific "triggers" of arthritis include:
- infections that enter the body and cause inflammation;
- overweight;
- poor nutrition (the body's defense system suffers due to the lack of valuable substances).
Arthrosis is a disease that develops independently of diseases of other organs and systems. That is, this disease is not related to the general condition of the body. This is what they call "saboteurs":
- hormonal disorders 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 the nutrition of the cartilage tissue is disturbed due to the degeneration of the synovial fluid. As a result, it leads to its destruction. For this reason, it is very important to consult a doctor immediately when the alarm signals given by the body are detected.
Symptoms of arthritis and arthrosis
These diseases differ from each other in their clinical appearance. In addition, arthritis and arthrosis - what is the difference between them, you can see according to the localization zone of the diseases. The inflammatory process attacks the following parts of the body:
- joints;
- liver;
- heart and blood vessels;
- lungs;
- kidneys.
Arthritis affects only the joints:
- hip;
- metatarsophalangeal in feet;
- the knee;
- interphalangeal in the hands.
Arthritis and arthrosis have common symptoms. These include the following symptoms:
- stiffness of movement;
- pain sensations;
- loss of motor skills.
Arthritis - symptoms
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 is warm to the touch);
- swelling of soft tissues 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;
- heart rhythm disorder;
- trembling;
- conjunctivitis;
- increase in body temperature up to 39 ° C;
- pain when urinating.
Arthrosis - symptoms
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:
- decrease in range of motion;
- crisis (due to removal of the cartilaginous membrane);
- deformation of limbs.
Treatment of arthritis and arthrosis
A diagnosis is made before starting therapy. This includes activities such as:
- radiography;
- general blood test;
- arthroscopy;
- Ultrasound of connective tissues.
There is practically no difference between arthritis and arthrosis in the treatment of these diseases. 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. It is aimed at reducing the inflammatory process in arthritis, and restoring cartilage tissue in arthrosis. Treatment involves the use of such methods:
- physiotherapy;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- drug treatment;
- diet food.
The difference in how to treat arthritis and arthrosis is seen in the doctor's prescriptions. Thus, if the inflammatory process is infectious in nature, antibiotics are prescribed during therapy. When autoimmune arthritis is diagnosed, steroid hormones are prescribed. But you can't choose medicine yourself. This treatment is not safe. At first, you can even feel that the disease is decreasing: the pain decreases, the stiffness disappears. But in reality, the situation is not as it seems. Although the obvious symptoms disappear, the disease continues to progress.
Arthritis and arthrosis are treated with injections, tablets and ointments - what is the difference between this type of treatment, the doctor will tell you in detail. He will determine the optimal scheme of drug treatment. Orthopedic correction of violations is carried out to increase the effect. If drug therapy cannot cope with these diseases and they develop in a severe form, surgical intervention is performed.
Which doctor treats arthritis and arthrosis of the joints?
It is necessary to seek medical help in time so that the disease does not pass into an indifferent form. To do this, you need to know which doctor treats arthritis and arthrosis. The following specialists are involved in the treatment of these diseases in local clinics:
- Rheumatologist - they refer to him with mild symptoms of the disease. The doctor will conduct an examination, send the patient for X-ray examination and then determine the optimal treatment.
- Surgeon - helps to cope with unbearable anxiety.
- Orthopedist - specializes 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 decrease;
- gives a warming effect.
How to treat arthritis, arthrosis at home, the following groups of ointments have proven themselves well:
- vasodilators;
- warming up;
- painkillers;
- anti-inflammatory.
The effectiveness of the use of external agents is low. About 7% of the active ingredients are delivered to the affected joint through the skin. 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 period of use of such an ointment is determined by the doctor individually in each case.
Such anti-inflammatory and analgesics, warming and vasodilating ointments are prescribed more often.
Pills for arthrosis and arthritis
The following antibiotics may be prescribed:
- macrolides;
- tetracyclines;
- fluoroquinolones.
In addition, such non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectors can be prescribed for arthritis and arthrosis.
Arthritis, arthritis - treatment with folk remedies
Different treatment methods can be used to fight these diseases. Folk remedies are very popular. They have undeniable advantages: availability, ease of production and naturalness. But 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 remedy. Uncontrolled intake of home-made "medicines" is dangerous.
Arthritis, arthritis - alternative treatment with black currant
- black currant leaves - 4-5 g;
- water - 250 ml.
- 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 tbsp. spoon three times a day.
- The remaining product is stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Diet for arthritis and arthrosis of the joints
A properly selected nutritional 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 beverages;
- margarine and butter;
- chips and fries;
- egg yolk;
- cod liver.
After the doctor diagnoses arthritis and arthrosis and explains to the patient what is the difference between them, he can recommend a diet that includes the consumption of such foods:
- ginger;
- almonds;
- apple
- black beans;
- salmon
- fresh vegetables and fruits;
- beef;
- chicken etc.
Prevention of arthritis and arthrosis
It is easier to prevent diseases than to deal with them later. Preventive measures for arthrosis, arthritic diseases include:
- A properly balanced diet.
- Do not overload the joints - alternate mental and physical labor.
- Giving up 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 put too much stress on the joints.