There is often confusion between arthritis and osteoarthritis due to the specificity of the disease. Both diseases are related to the articular system. Doctors performed a comparative analysis of arthritis and osteoarthritis.
The first and significant difference is the difference between symptoms and methods of treatment. Usually, both conditions can be treated with medication and diet.
The term arthritis is interpreted as a group of diseases associated with inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis is a modification or transformation of a joint, as a result of which it ceases to function normally.
The causes of the disease are different. Arthritis occurs as a result of injury, immune system disorders, and organ infections. Arthritis has two forms - acute and chronic.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic phenomenon and the cause of the disease is a hereditary predisposition and an increase in age.
Young men most often have arthritis. The disease mostly affects professional athletes and people who face increased physical activity.
People with sexually transmitted infections are at risk for arthritis. Osteoarthritis is more common in older women.
As you can see from the main differences, the diseases are very different. Arthritis can enter the joints through infection. After infection, complications begin.
Osteoarthritis occurs during circulatory disorders of the joint. Due to an insufficient supply of nutrients, it becomes deformed over time.
There are also differences in the symptoms of arthritis and osteoarthritis. With arthritis, the joint swells, causing redness due to inflammation. The temperature rises, the head begins to ache, and increased fatigue manifests itself. The pain in acute forms is sharp. In chronic arthritis, the pain is constant.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis are manifested by slowly increasing pain. At first, discomfort is felt at the site of joint deformity. With loads, pain appears. Pain increases during movement. Later, the pain is constantly present even at rest. With osteoarthritis there is a characteristic tightening.
Processing methods
Both diseases require special treatment as they are associated with the musculoskeletal system. If we are talking about arthritis, the inflammatory process is first eliminated. Nonsteroidal drugs and antibiotics are used as treatment.
For osteoarthritis, doctors prescribe chondoprotectors - specific drugs for the treatment of joint disease. They allow you to saturate the damaged joint with the right amount of nutrients. Physiotherapy and massages are often prescribed.
Sports for arthritis and osteoarthritis are only allowed during the chronic period. In other cases, all physical activity of any kind is prohibited.