Those who suffer from joint diseases often wonder: arthritis and arthrosis - what is the difference between them. These diseases affect a third of the population aged 36-49, as well as every second 50-70 year old. In the elderly, pathology is found in 90% of people. These diseases have similarities and differences.
How does arthritis differ from arthrosis?
In general, the difference between these diseases can be seen in their names. From the Latin language, diseases with the suffix "-it" in their terminology indicate an inflammatory process in the body. If the name contains the combination "-oz", it 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 the surrounding 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. Most often this reason is observed in athletes.
- Hypothermia - regular contact with cold water, snow, etc. Sh.
- Joint damage.
- Genetic predisposition - diseases are hereditary.
- Congenital diseases of bone and connective tissues.
Specific "provocators" of arthritis include:
- infections that entered the body, causing inflammation;
- Excess weight;
- Poor nutrition (due to the lack of valuable substances, the body's defense system suffers).
Arthrosis is a disease that develops despite the diseases of other organs and systems. That is, this disease is not related to the general condition of the body. These are called "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 properly treated. This condition is completely 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 the alarm signals given by the body are detected.
Symptoms of arthritis and arthrosis
These diseases differ from each other in clinical manifestations. 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 such parts of the body:
- funds;
- liver
- heart and blood vessels;
- lungs;
- kidneys.
Arthrosis affects only the joints:
- thigh
- metatarsophalangeal feet;
- knee
- Interphalangeal on the hands.
There are common signs of arthritis and arthrosis. These include the following symptoms:
- strength of movement;
- pain sensations;
- Loss of motor skills.
Arthritis - signs
The following factors indicate the development of this disease:
- stiffness in the morning;
- increase in body temperature in the place where the inflammatory process occurs (this place becomes hot 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;
- chills;
- conjunctivitis;
- 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 during rest and when the joint is loaded. In addition, the symptoms of osteoarthritis can be:
- reduction of movement amplitude;
- convulsion (due to removal of cartilage);
- Deformation of the limb.
Treatment of arthritis and arthrosis
A diagnosis is made before starting therapy. It includes such activities:
- radiography;
- providing a general blood test;
- arthroscopy;
- Connective tissue ultrasound.
There is practically no difference between arthritis and arthrosis in the treatment of these diseases. Therapy consists of the following steps:
- elimination of pain;
- maintenance of connective tissue;
- elimination of hardness;
- Reducing the risk of relapse.
Treatment of these diseases includes an integrated approach. In arthritis, it aims to reduce the inflammatory process, and in arthrosis, to restore 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 can be seen in the doctor's prescription. So, if the inflammatory process is infectious, antibiotics are prescribed during therapy. Steroid hormones are prescribed when autoimmune arthritis is diagnosed. However, you cannot choose drugs on your own. This treatment is not safe. At first, you may even have the feeling that the disease has disappeared: 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 treatments, the doctor will tell you in detail. He will prescribe the optimal scheme of drug therapy. Orthopedic correction of disorders is carried out to enhance the effect. If drug therapy fails to cope with 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 go into a neglected form, you should seek medical help in time. For this, you need to know which doctor treats arthritis and arthrosis. The following specialists are involved in the treatment of these diseases in internal clinics:
- Rheumatologist - he is referred to with mild symptoms of the disease. The doctor will conduct an examination, refer the patient to an X-ray examination and then prescribe the optimal treatment.
- Surgeon - helps to cope with unbearable discomfort.
- Orthopedist - specializes in chronic pain.
Ointments for arthritis and arthrosis
External agents have the following effects:
- blood circulation improves;
- Antimicrobial effect is achieved;
- Cartilage nutrition is normalized;
- pain sensations are reduced;
- Provides a warming effect.
How to treat arthritis, arthrosis at home, the following groups of ointments have proven themselves well:
- vasodilators;
- warming up
- pain relievers;
- Anti-inflammatory.
The effectiveness of using external agents is low. About 7% of the active substances are delivered through the skin to 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 ointment is determined by the doctor individually in each case.
Such anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents, heating and vasodilatory 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 can be prescribed for arthritis and arthrosis and chondroprotectors.
Arthrosis, 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. 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 remedy. Uncontrolled intake of homemade "drugs" is dangerous.
Arthrosis, arthritis - alternative treatment with black currant
- black currant leaves - 4-5 g;
- Water - 250 ml.
- Raw materials should be poured into boiling water and insistently put in a water bath for 20 minutes.
- The drug should be filtered and drunk 1 tbsp. K. spoon three times a day.
- The remaining product is stored in a closed container in the refrigerator.
Diet in arthritis and joint arthrosis
A properly selected nutrition plan will help alleviate the condition of patients. Arthritis and arthrosis diet excludes the following foods:
- strong tea and coffee;
- salinity;
- chocolate
- alcoholic beverages;
- margarine and butter;
- chips and french fries;
- egg yolk
- Cod liver.
After the doctor diagnoses arthritis and arthrosis and explains the difference to the patient, he can recommend a diet that includes the following foods:
- ginger;
- almond
- Apple
- 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 the following preventive measures:
- proper balanced nutrition.
- Do not overload the joints - alternate mental and physical work.
- Giving up bad habits.
- Keep your weight under control.
- Wear orthopedic shoes.
- Protect joints from hypothermia and damage.
- Do gymnastics, swimming and other sports that do not burden the joints.