Due to the specificity of the disease, there is often a confusion between arthritis and osteoarthritis. Both diseases are related to the joint system. Doctors conducted a comparative analysis of arthritis and osteoarthritis.
The first and significant difference is the difference in symptoms and treatment methods. In general, both diseases can be treated with medication and diet.
The term arthritis is interpreted as a group of diseases that are associated with inflammation in the joints. Osteoarthritis is a modification or transformation of a joint that prevents it from functioning normally.
The causes of illness are different. Arthritis occurs as a result of injuries, disorders of the immune system, and organ infections. Arthritis has two forms - acute and chronic.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic phenomenon and the cause of the disease is hereditary predisposition and increased age.
Young men are most likely to suffer from arthritis. The disease mainly affects professional athletes and people who have to do with 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 primary differences, diseases are very different. Arthritis can get into the joints through infection. Complications begin after infection.
Osteoarthritis occurs in the course of circulatory disorders in the joint. Due to insufficient supply of nutrients, it deforms over time.
There are also differences in the symptoms of arthritis and osteoarthritis. In arthritis, the joint swells and causes redness due to inflammation. The temperature rises, the head begins to ache and there is increased tiredness. Pain in acute forms is sharp. With chronic arthritis, there is constant pain.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis are expressed in slowly increasing pain. At the point of the joint deformation, discomfort is initially felt. Pain occurs when exposed to stress. The pain increases during movement. Later on, the pain is constant even at rest. There is a characteristic crisis in osteoarthritis.
Treatment methods
Both diseases require special treatment because they are related to the musculoskeletal system. When we talk about arthritis, the inflammatory process is removed first. Nonsteroidal drugs and antibiotics are used for treatment.
For osteoarthritis, doctors prescribe chondoprotectors - specific drugs used to treat joint diseases. They allow you to saturate the damaged joint with the right amount of nutrients. Physiotherapy and massage are often prescribed.
Sports against arthritis and osteoarthritis are only allowed during the chronic period. In other cases, physical activity of any kind is prohibited.