Those who are faced with joint diseases are often interested in: arthritis and arthrosis - what is the difference between them. These diseases affect one third of the population aged 36-49, as well as one in two aged 50-70. In older people, the pathology occurs 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 occurring in the body. If the name contains the combination "-oz", this indicates the destruction of tissues. 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 nearby bone areas.
Causes 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 load on the joints. Most often, this reason is observed in athletes.
- Hypothermia - regular contact with cold water, snow and so on.
- Joint injury.
- Genetic predisposition - diseases are inherited.
- Congenital diseases of bones and connective tissue.
Specific "triggers" of arthritis include:
- infections that have entered the body, causing inflammation;
- Overweight;
- poor nutrition (due to a lack of valuable substances, the body's defense system suffers).
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. They call him such "provocateurs":
- hormonal disturbances 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 disturbed. As a result, it is destroyed. For this reason, it is so important to immediately contact a doctor when you find alarm signals given by the body.
Symptoms of arthritis and arthrosis
These diseases differ from each other in clinical picture. In addition, arthritis and arthrosis - what is the difference between them, you can see by the area of localization of the diseases. The inflammatory process attacks such parts of the body:
- joints;
- liver;
- heart and blood vessels;
- lungs;
- kidneys.
Arthrosis affects only the joints:
- hip;
- metatarsophalangeal feet;
- knee;
- interphalangeal of the hands.
There are common signs of arthritis and arthrosis. These include the following symptoms:
- stiffness of movement;
- sensations of pain;
- loss of motor ability.
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);
- redness of the skin.
Symptoms of arthritis when the disease affects other organs and systems:
- prostration;
- heart rhythm disorder;
- 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 occur both at rest and when the joint is loaded. In addition, symptoms of osteoarthritis can be:
- decrease in range of motion;
- crunching (due to abrasion of the cartilaginous membrane);
- limb deformity.
Treatment of arthritis and arthrosis
Before starting therapy, a diagnosis is made. It includes such activities:
- radiography;
- delivery of 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:
- eliminate pain;
- maintenance of connective tissue;
- remove stiffness;
- reducing the risk of relapse.
The treatment of these diseases involves an integrated approach. In arthritis, it is aimed at reducing the inflammatory process, and in arthrosis, it is aimed at restoring cartilage tissue. Treatment includes the use of such methods:
- physical therapy;
- physical therapy exercises;
- drug therapy;
- diet food.
The difference in the treatment of arthritis and arthrosis is visible 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 medicines yourself. This treatment is not safe. At first, you may even feel that the disease has gone away: 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 enhance the effect, orthopedic correction of the disorders is carried out. If drug therapy fails to cope with these diseases and they develop in a severe form, surgical intervention is performed.
Which doctor treats arthritis and arthrosis of the joints?
So that the disease does not go into a neglected form, you must seek medical help in time. To do this, you need to know which doctor treats arthritis and arthrosis. In home 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 conduct an examination, refer the patient for an X-ray examination and then prescribe the optimal treatment.
- Surgeon - helps to cope with unbearable discomfort.
- Orthopedist - specialist 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;
- provides a warming effect.
In the treatment of arthritis, arthrosis at home, the following groups of ointments have proven themselves well:
- vasodilators;
- warming up;
- pain relievers;
- anti-inflammatory.
The effectiveness of the use of external funds 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 an ointment is determined by the doctor individually in each case.
Such anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, warming and vasodilating ointments are more often prescribed.
Pills 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: affordability, ease of production and naturalness. However, they should only be used after consulting a doctor. He knows what arthritis, arthrosis is, what is the difference between them, so he will help you choose the best medicine. Uncontrolled intake of home-made "medicines" is dangerous.
Arthrosis, arthritis - alternative treatment with currants
- blackcurrant 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 drunk 1 tablespoon at a time. 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 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;
- 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 properly balanced diet.
- Do not overload the joints - alternate between mental and physical work.
- To give up bad habits.
- Keep your weight under control.
- Wear orthopedic shoes.
- Protect joints from hypothermia and injury.
- Do gymnastics, swimming and other sports that do not stress the joints.