For ordinary people, these two names sound almost the same. But what is the difference? Arthritis and arthrosis are rheumatic diseases that affect the joints. However, the cause of these ailments is different.
What is arthrosis?
This disease affects the cartilage in the joints. Doctors call it deforming osteoarthritis. In medical books you can find such a reduction as DOA. This is a chronic disease that recurs periodically.
During this disease, cartilage ceases to cope with the load and gradually collapse, not having time to recover. The layer between them begins to wear off, which causes pain during movements. If you donโt know that you have arthrosis or arthritis, the difference is as follows. DOA causes pain when moving. Arthritis affects joints even at rest.
Arthritis - what is it?
This ailment is associated with inflammation of one or more joints of the joints. Its name comes from the words "art" - a joint, "um" - inflammation. Arthritis causes pain in the limbs, the affected area swells. Often the disease is accompanied by fever. Sometimes impaired motor activity.
Consonant diseases, despite the fact that they are of the rheumatic type, affect different areas of the joints, thatโs the difference. Arthritis and arthrosis have a different etiology. This can be read on.
Causes of Disease
As for arthrosis, it is primary and secondary. Scientists still cannot explain the cause of the first. This usually happens with age. Most often, the knee or hip joints are affected.
Secondary arthrosis develops as a complication of a past or untreated disease. The main causes of diseases such as arthrosis and arthritis (what is the difference - we will find out later):
- low / high physical activity;
- excess weight;
- endocrine diseases ;
- joint injuries, etc.
Arthritis is also divided into primary and secondary. Inflammation of the joints is usually a reaction to certain influences. We can say that if something is wrong in the body, the inflammatory process immediately begins. Such a reaction can cause both immunological disorders, and, for example, chlamydia. That is the difference. Arthritis and arthrosis can occur for various reasons. Let us dwell on this in more detail.
The difference between arthritis and arthrosis
To summarize, the differences between these diseases are as follows:
- Osteoarthritis is more often affected by elderly people (over 90%). As for arthritis, it can occur both among pensioners and young people. There is even a form that even children suffer from. This disease is called juvenile arthritis. Children from two to sixteen years old suffer from it.
- Arthrosis mainly only affects joints. He immobilizes it, destroying the connecting layers. As for arthritis, it is harmful to the whole organism as a whole. Inflammation affects organs one after another, if the disease is not cured in time.
Here are the key points to understand the difference between arthritis and arthrosis. However, only a rheumatologist can determine the disease with accuracy.
How to treat?
As already mentioned above, you must definitely see a doctor. He will be able to diagnose the disease, present a complete picture of the disease. It is important that timely help can save you from the disability that threatens in case of neglect of your health. The destructive effect of pathologies blocks the joints. Getting around becomes very problematic, and sometimes completely impossible. What are the similar symptoms of the pathologies described by us and what is the difference? Arthritis and arthrosis are manifested as follows.
With arthritis, the fingers and toes swell, this is visible to the naked eye. The acute form can drag on for 1-2 months. After this comes the remission period. Arthritis sometimes subsides for several years, and arthrosis occurs again after a few months.
They treat these diseases in several ways. Most often, chondroprotective agents are used. Some doctors prescribe drugs that improve blood microcirculation. After all, these rheumatic diseases occur when joint nutrition is disturbed. It is to fill this gap that treatment is directed. Often patients are prescribed physiotherapeutic procedures, the course usually consists of 10 sessions. Physiotherapy does not cause pain and does not require medication. But she cannot completely rid the patient of the disease. It is usually prescribed along with conservative treatment. Also, people suffering from arthrosis or arthritis often resort to folk recipes. Physiotherapy is a free procedure available at every municipal hospital. This method of treatment strengthens the body, enhances the effect of taking medication. Doctors unequivocally claim that physiotherapy treats arthrosis and arthritis. What is the difference between these diseases, was described above.
Prevention
Healthy, regular nutrition is the basis of preventative measures. Eating โdry foodโ is harmful not only for people suffering from rheumatic diseases. You need to try to lead a healthy lifestyle, give up bad habits, including smoking. Scientists have proven that joint inflammation in the hands of smokers appears much more often than non-smokers. It is not recommended to drink alcohol. As you know, alcohol can provoke the disease even after years of remission. Vegetables, fruits and seafood - this is the diet of a healthy person. In rheumatic diseases, special emphasis should be placed on products containing calcium - cheese, shrimp, etc.