Our joints are complex and reliable mechanisms created by nature itself. Their work is invisible as long as the joints are healthy. But when they start to hurt, the world loses its former brightness. One of the most common joint diseases is arthritis and arthritis. Many people confuse them and sometimes they don’t know the difference at all because in both cases the joints hurt. Similar names are also misleading. In this publication, we explain how arthritis differs from arthritis, the symptoms of these diseases, and methods of treatment. Despite the similarity of the names, these are completely different diseases.
What is arthritis and arthrosis: the differences
First, the diseases differ in names: both have the same Latin root but different endings. By marking the end, you can remember the difference between arthritis and arthrosis. The Latin ending "-oz" means degenerative process, destruction. The suffix "-it" indicates an inflammatory process. The difference between arthrosis and arthritis is obvious: diseases have a completely different nature and course. But let us understand in more detail what arthrosis and arthritis are and what symptoms accompany them.
Osteoarthritis is a consequence of aging and deterioration of the joint condition
Arthrosis is a deformation and wear of the joint capsule that allows the joint to move easily. The disease results in structural changes, cartilage damage, and tissue destruction. Usually, arthrosis occurs after 45 to 50 years and is the result of the body’s natural aging process. In people over the age of 60, the disease is diagnosed in 80% with complaints of foot pain.
In young people, arthrosis most often develops as a post-traumatic phenomenon, such as after fractures and bruises. It is often diagnosed in professional athletes.
Often, arthrosis affects the knee, ankle, and hip joints, the ones that experience the most daily stress. Musicians often suffer from wrists and fingers. Arthrosis alone is slow, so the symptoms are less pronounced in the early stages.
Symptoms of arthrosis
the main symptom is pain, which manifests itself during movement and after physical exertion. As a general rule, arthritis is painful, not very severe, and resolves at rest in a comfortable position;
Frequent crackling - a deep sound that occurs as a result of rubbing the bone;
the stiffness of the movements is local, only the movement of the diseased joint is disturbed;
appearance - cartilage deformation may occur, with slight swelling in later stages.
Types of arthrosis
Primary - arises as a result of the natural aging process of the joint.
Secondary - develops in the background of trauma, as a post-traumatic manifestation.
Arthritis is a serious disease of the body
While arthritis is usually diagnosed in people over the age of 45, arthritis can occur at any age. As we said, it is an inflammatory process that takes place in the joints but affects the whole body at once. The disease is associated with a failure of the immune system.
Why do joints hurt? The fact is that the immune bodies produced in this disease attack the joints. Therefore, in case of arthritis, any joint can hurt: several or only one at a time. Arthritis most often occurs after severe stress, anxiety, under the background of decreased immunity and hypothermia, and due to metabolic disorders.
Symptoms of arthritis
the pain in arthritis, unlike arthritis, decreases during movement but increases at rest and becomes chronic. Most often, the pain intensifies at night or in the early morning, during rest;
the joints are swollen, there is swelling, swelling, painful touch;
the joint area will be red and hot;
an inflammatory reaction is detected in blood tests;
stiffness of the whole body, stiffness of movement;
appearance of dense nodules in the joint area.
Arthritis is often accompanied by the following manifestations:
dry eyes;
weakness, chills, drowsiness;
psoriasis;
weather addiction.
Types of arthritis
Depending on the nature of the disease, arthritis is divided into two types: inflammatory and degenerative. However, they are also divided into types.
Inflammatory arthritis can be:
infectious - inflammation of the joints caused by microorganisms entering the synovial fluid;
rheumatoid - an inflammatory process that affects the connective tissues around the joint as well as many organs;
reactive - develops as a result of infection;
gout is an inflammation of the joints that results in an increase in the level of uric acid in the blood and the consequent deposition of salts.
Degenerative processes occur:
traumatic;
osteoarthritis.
Which is more dangerous: arthritis or arthritis?
There is no definite answer to this question. Because both diseases can lead to complete loss of mobility without timely treatment. Arthrosis can be the result of arthritis. But long-term arthrosis can also lead to arthritis.
Treatment of arthrosis and arthritis: characteristics
Joint pain deprives a person of the simplest pleasures: an ordinary walk, the opportunity for complete rest, freedom of movement. However, it is not always possible to recognize an alarming manifestation of this symptom in a timely manner. Often people think this is a temporary phenomenon and are trying to get rid of the pain faster: they are healing themselves, taking medication or using folk methods. But after receiving short-term relief, they don’t know the most important thing - the causes of the disease. Thus, the disease worsens and takes more severe, neglected forms.
The main recommendation of the doctors is not to delay the visit of the specialist. Only a thorough examination and treatment will help you avoid serious consequences. Here the possibility of a full life and movement is at stake.
Arthrosis is treated by orthopedists, neurologists and rheumatologists. The main method is to reduce the load on the diseased joint, increase the flexibility of the tissues and strengthen the muscles. In more severe cases, special hyaluronic acid injections are prescribed to help lubricate the joint, or to perform what is called arthroplasty.
However, no remedy has yet been found to completely restore cartilage tissue. Proper treatment of arthritis and arthrosis can only stop the destruction. The main methods of treating joint diseases are physiotherapy practices and physiotherapy procedures.
Arthritis is treated by a rheumatologist. The process of rehabilitation depends on its specific type, but it is seldom possible to lack special anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. Sometimes hormonal medications are prescribed. The treatment regimen is usually as follows:
analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs;
physiotherapy;
proper nutrition, diet, restoration of metabolic processes;
drug therapy if internal organs are involved.
Prevention is the foundation of joint health
Like all diseases, joint diseases can be prevented. First, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right, and avoid stress.
If we take the recommendations specifically into account, the experts of the clinics will note:
Weight control - in order not to overload the joints, you should always monitor your normal weight.
Moderate physical activity. They improve blood circulation, strengthen the muscle corset, which is very important for maintaining healthy joints. However, the key word here is mild because sprains, injuries, fitness workouts, and strenuous sports only speed up the process of joint destruction. For the joints, swimming, cycling and Nordic walking are the best activities.
Properly balanced diet. To prevent joint disease, doctors recommend reducing the amount of red meat in your diet as well as foods high in animal fat. But products containing fatty fish and omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids should be included on the menu as much as possible. In addition, emphasis should be placed on fresh vegetables and fruits in order to maintain water balance.
Wear comfortable orthopedic shoes or insoles.
Strengthen the immune system, especially avoid hypothermia and avoid stress.
To be healthy!