Those who are faced with 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. In those who are older, pathology occurs in 90% of people. These diseases have their similarities and differences.
How is arthritis different from arthrosis?
In general, the difference between these diseases is manifested in their names. From the Latin language, ailments, in the terminology of which the suffix "-it" is present, indicate an inflammatory process taking place in the body. If the name contains the combination "-oz", this indicates the destruction of tissues. Arthritis and arthrosis are no exception. The first ailment is manifested by swelling and inflammation of the synovial membrane. The second disease is the destruction of cartilage and nearby areas of bones.
Cause of arthritis and arthrosis
There are several factors that can contribute to the development of both the first and second ailments. There are five such "provocateurs":
- Prolonged intense stress 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 bone and connective tissues.
Specific "provocateurs" 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. That is, this disease is not associated with the general condition of the body. It is called by such "provocateurs":
- hormonal disruptions 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 disrupted. As a result, this leads to its destruction. For this reason, it is so important to immediately contact a doctor when detecting 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 by the zone of localization of ailments. The inflammatory process attacks such parts of the body:
- joints;
- liver;
- heart and blood vessels;
- lungs;
- kidneys.
Arthrosis affects only the joints:
- hip;
- metatarsophalangeal on the feet;
- knee;
- interphalangeal on the hands.
There are common signs of arthritis and arthrosis. These include the following symptoms:
- stiffness of movement;
- pain sensations;
- loss of motor ability.
Arthritis - signs
The following factors indicate the development of this disease:
- stiffness in the morning;
- an increase in body temperature in the area where the inflammatory process occurs (this area becomes hot to the touch);
- soft tissue swelling 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;
- violation of the heart rhythm;
- chills;
- conjunctivitis;
- an increase in body temperature up to 39 ° C;
- pain when urinating.
Arthrosis - signs
One of the main symptoms of this disease is pain. They appear both at rest and when the joint is loaded. In addition, the symptoms of osteoarthritis can be:
- decrease in the amplitude of movement;
- crunch (due to the erasure 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;
- Ultrasound of connective tissues.
The difference between arthritis and arthrosis in the treatment of these ailments 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 is aimed at reducing the inflammatory process, and in arthrosis, it is aimed at restoring cartilage tissue. Treatment involves the use of such methods:
- physiotherapy;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- drug therapy;
- diet food.
The difference in how to treat 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 can not choose drugs on your own. This treatment is not safe. At first, you may even get the feeling that the disease has receded: the pain subsides, stiffness disappears. However, in reality the situation is not as it seems. Although 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 violations is performed. If drug therapy fails to cope with these diseases, and they develop into 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 need to seek medical help in time. To do this, you need to know which doctor treats arthritis and arthrosis. In domestic clinics, the following specialists are involved in the treatment of these ailments:
- 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 - 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;
- provides a warming effect.
In how to treat arthritis, arthrosis at home, the following groups of ointments have proven themselves well:
- vasodilators;
- warming;
- painkillers;
- anti-inflammatory.
The effectiveness of the use of external agents is low. Approximately 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 medicines can be used as an additional tool in complex therapy. The duration of the use of such an ointment is determined by the doctor individually in each case.
More 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;
- 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
In the fight against these diseases, various methods of healing can be used. Folk remedies are very popular. They have undeniable advantages: availability, ease of manufacture 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 remedy. Uncontrolled intake of homemade "drugs" is unsafe.
Arthrosis, arthritis - alternative treatment with blackcurrant
Ingredients:
- black currant leaves - 4-5 g;
- water - 250 ml.
Preparation, application:
- Raw materials must be poured with boiling water and insisted in a water bath for 20 minutes.
- The drug should be filtered and drunk 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
Properly selected nutrition scheme will help to 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 french fries;
- 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;
- 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:
- Proper balanced nutrition.
- Do not overload the joints - alternate mental and physical labor.
- To refuse from bad habits.
- Keep your weight in check.
- Wear orthopedic shoes.
- Protect joints from hypothermia and injury.
- Do gymnastics, swimming and other sports that do not overload the joints.