Our joints are complex and reliable mechanisms that nature itself created. Your work is invisible as long as your joints are healthy. But when they start to ache, the world loses its former glow. One of the most common joint diseases is arthritis and arthrosis. Many people confuse them and sometimes don't even know what the differences are, because in both cases the joints hurt. Similar names are also misleading. In this publication, we'll tell you how arthritis differs from arthrosis, the symptoms of these diseases and methods of treatment. Despite the similarity of names, these diseases are completely different.
What are arthritis and arthrosis: the differences
First, diseases differ in names: both have the same Latin root, but different endings. By designating the end, you can remember the difference between arthritis and arthrosis. The Latin ending "-oz" denotes a degenerative process, destruction. The "-it" ending indicates an inflammatory process. The difference between arthrosis and arthritis is obvious: diseases have a completely different nature and course. But let's understand in more detail what osteoarthritis and arthritis are and what are the symptoms that accompany them.
Osteoarthritis is a result of aging and joint deterioration.
Arthrosis is the deformation and abrasion of the joint capsule, which allows the joint to move easily. The disease entails structural changes, damage to cartilage and destruction of its tissues. As a rule, osteoarthritis occurs after 45-50 years and is the result of the body's natural aging process. In elderly people over 60 years of age, 80% of the disease is diagnosed with complaints of leg pain.
In young people, arthrosis usually develops as a post-traumatic phenomenon, for example, after fractures and bruises. It is often diagnosed in professional athletes.
Arthrosis often affects the knee, ankle and hip joints, that is, those that suffer the most daily stress. Musicians often suffer from wrist and finger joints. By itself, arthrosis progresses slowly, so in the early stages the symptoms are less pronounced.
Symptoms of arthrosis
the main symptom is pain, which manifests itself during movement and after physical exertion. As a rule, the pain in arthrosis is of the type, not very severe and goes away at rest, in a comfortable position;
Frequent crunch - a deep sound that occurs as a result of bone friction;
rigidity of movement is local, only movement of the diseased joint is disturbed;
aspect - there may be deformation of the cartilage, in the later stages, slight swelling.
Types of arthrosis
Primary - arises as a result of the natural aging process of the joint.
Secondary - develops in the context of a trauma, as a post-traumatic manifestation.
Arthritis is a serious disease of the body.
Although arthrosis is usually diagnosed in people over the age of 45, arthritis can occur at any age. As we said, this is an inflammatory process that occurs in the joints, but affects the entire body at once. The disease is associated with dysfunctions in the immune system.
Why do joints hurt? The fact is that the immune bodies produced in this disease attack the joints. So with arthritis, any joint can hurt: several at once or just one joint. Arthritis most often appears after severe stress, anxiety, in the context of decreased immunity and hypothermia, as well as as a result of metabolic disturbances.
Arthritis Symptoms
pain in arthritis, in contrast to pain in arthrosis, decreases during movement but increases and becomes chronic at rest. Most of the time, the pain is intensified at night or in the early hours of the morning, during rest;
joint swelling, there is swelling, swelling, painful palpation;
the joint area turns red and hot;
an inflammatory reaction is seen on blood tests;
rigidity throughout the body, rigidity of movement;
the appearance of dense nodules in the joint area.
Arthritis is also often accompanied by these manifestations:
dry eye;
weakness, chills, drowsiness;
psoriasis;
climate dependence.
Types of Arthritis
Depending on the nature of the disease, arthritis is divided into 2 types: inflammatory and degenerative. They, in turn, are also divided into types.
Inflammatory arthritis can be:
infectious - inflammation in the joints caused by microorganisms that have entered 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 in the joints associated with an increase in uric acid in the blood and, consequently, the deposition of salts.
Degeneration happens:
traumatic;
osteoarthritis.
Which is more dangerous: arthritis or arthrosis?
There is no definitive answer to this question. Because both diseases, without timely treatment, can lead to complete loss of the ability to move. Arthrosis can be a consequence of arthritis. But long-term osteoarthritis can also cause arthritis.
Treatment of arthrosis and arthritis: characteristics
Joint pain deprives a person of the simplest joys: a normal walk, the opportunity to fully rest, freedom of movement. However, it is not always possible to recognize an alarming manifestation of this symptom in time. People often think that this is a temporary phenomenon and try to get rid of pain faster: they self-medicate, take medication or use popular methods. But, having received short-term relief, they don't know the main thing - the causes of the illness. Thus, the disease worsens and takes on more serious and neglected forms.
The main recommendation of doctors is not to delay the visit to the specialist. Only a thorough examination and treatment will help to avoid serious consequences. The opportunity to live and move fully is at stake here.
Arthrosis is treated by orthopedists, neurologists and rheumatologists. The main method is to reduce the load on the diseased joint, increase tissue elasticity, and strengthen the muscles. In more severe cases, special injections of hyaluronic acid are prescribed, which helps to lubricate the joint, or a so-called arthroplasty is performed.
However, a remedy capable of completely restoring cartilage tissue has not yet been found. Competent treatment of arthritis and arthrosis can only prevent destruction. The main methods of treating joint disease are physical therapy exercises and physical therapy procedures.
Arthritis is treated by a rheumatologist. The course of rehabilitation depends on your specific type, but it is rarely possible to dispense with special anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics. Hormonal drugs are sometimes prescribed. The treatment regimen is usually as follows:
analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs;
physiotherapy;
proper nutrition, diet, restoration of metabolic processes;
drug therapy if the internal organs are affected.
Prevention is the foundation of joint health
Like any disease, joint disease is preventable. First, you must lead a healthy lifestyle, eat well, and avoid stress.
If we specifically consider the recommendations, clinic experts note:
Weight control - in order not to overload your joints, you should always monitor your normal weight.
Moderate physical activity. They improve blood circulation, strengthen the muscular corset, which is very important to keep your joints healthy. However, the key word here is light, because sprains, injuries, strength training, and strenuous sports only accelerate the process of joint destruction. For the joints, swimming, cycling and Nordic walking are considered the best activities.
Correct and balanced diet. As a prevention of joint disease, doctors recommend reducing the amount of red meat in the diet, as well as foods high in animal fat. But fatty fish and products containing omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, in contrast, should be included in the menu as much as possible. Also, emphasis should be placed on fresh fruits and vegetables to maintain water balance.
Wear comfortable orthopedic shoes or insoles.
Strengthen the immune system, in particular, avoid hypothermia and avoid stress.
Be healthy!