Those who face 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.
What is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis?
In general, the difference between these diseases manifests itself in their names. From the Latin language infirmities, in the terminology of which there is a suffix "-it", indicate the inflammatory process taking place in the body. If the name has a combination of -oz, it indicates the destruction of tissues. Arthritis and arthrosis is no exception. The first ailment is manifested by swelling and inflammation of the synovial membrane. The second disease is the destruction of the cartilaginous tissue and nearby parts of the bones.
The cause of arthritis and arthrosis
There are several factors that can contribute to the development of both the first and second ailment. There are five such "provocateurs":
- Prolonged intensive stress on the joints. Most often this reason is noted in athletes.
- Subcooling - regular contact with cold water, snow and so on.
- Injury of joints.
- Genetic predisposition - diseases are inherited.
- Congenital diseases of bone and connective tissues.
Specific "provocateurs" of arthritis include:
- Infectious diseases that cause inflammation;
- overweight;
- meager food (due to lack of valuable substances, the body's defense system suffers).
Arthrosis is an ailment that develops, regardless of the diseases of other organs and systems. That is, this disease is not related to the general state of the body. It is caused by such "provocateurs":
- hormonal failures in the body;
- Perthes' disease ;
- hemophilia;
- strong intoxication of the body ;
- age degeneration of cartilaginous tissue.
Provoke arthrosis rheumatoid arthritis can, if the disease has not been treated properly. This situation is quite natural, because because of the degeneration of the synovial fluid, the food of the cartilaginous tissue is disrupted. As a result, it leads to its destruction. For this reason, it is so important when you find alarm signals from the body, immediately contact the doctor.
Symptoms of arthritis and arthrosis
These diseases are distinguished by a clinical picture. In addition, arthritis and arthrosis - what is the difference between them, you can see on the area of localization of diseases. Inflammatory process attacks such areas of the body:
- joints;
- liver;
- heart and blood vessels;
- lungs;
- kidney.
Arthrosis affects only the joints:
- hip;
- metatarsophalange on the feet;
- knees;
- interphalangeal on the hands.
There are common signs of arthritis and arthrosis. These include the following symptoms:
- stiffness of movement;
- painful sensations;
- loss of motor ability.
Arthritis - signs
The following factors testify to the development of this disease:
- stiffness in the morning;
- increase in body temperature in the area where the inflammatory process takes place (this area becomes hot by touch);
- swelling of the soft tissues near the affected joint;
- pain (at rest and with exercise);
- redness of the skin.
Symptoms of arthritis, when the disease affects other organs and systems:
- prostration;
- heart rhythm disorder;
- chills ;
- conjunctivitis;
- body temperature increase up to 39 ° С;
- painful urination.
Osteoarthritis - signs
One of the main symptoms of this ailment is pain. They are manifested as in a state of rest, so when the load on the joint. In addition, the symptoms of arthrosis can be:
- decrease in the amplitude of motion;
- crunch (due to the erasure of the cartilaginous shell);
- deformity of the limb.
Treatment of arthritis and arthrosis
Before starting therapy, the diagnosis is carried out. It includes such activities:
- radiography;
- delivery of a general blood test;
- arthroscopy ;
- Ultrasound of connective tissues.
There is practically no difference between arthritis and arthrosis in the treatment of these ailments. Therapy is reduced to the following steps:
- elimination of pain;
- maintenance of connective tissue;
- elimination of stiffness;
- reducing the risk of relapse.
Treatment of these diseases provides for an integrated approach. In arthritis, it is aimed at reducing the inflammatory process, and with arthrosis - the restoration of cartilaginous tissue. Treatment involves the use of such methods:
- physiotherapy;
- therapeutic physical training;
- drug therapy;
- dietary nutrition.
The difference in how to treat arthritis and arthrosis is visible in the doctor's prescriptions. So, if the inflammatory process is infectious, antibiotics are prescribed for therapy. When autoimmune arthritis is diagnosed, steroid hormones are prescribed. However, you can not choose the medication yourself. Such treatment is unsafe. At first, it may even feel like the disease has receded: the pain subsides, the stiffness disappears. However, in reality, the situation is not as it seems. Although clear signs disappear, the ailment continues to progress.
Injections, tablets and ointments are treated with arthritis and arthrosis - what is the difference of such treatment, the doctor will tell in detail. He will prescribe the optimal scheme of drug therapy. To enhance the effect, orthopedic correction of disturbances is performed. If drug therapy does not cope with these diseases, and they develop into severe form, surgical intervention is performed.
Which doctor treats arthritis and joint arthrosis?
To prevent the disease from becoming a neglected form, you need to seek medical help on time. For this it is necessary to know which doctor treats arthritis and arthrosis. In domestic clinics, when treating these ailments, such specialists are involved:
- Rheumatologist - he is treated for mild symptoms of the disease. The doctor will conduct an examination, send the patient to a radiological examination, and then prescribe the optimal treatment.
- The surgeon - helps to cope with unbearable unpleasant sensations.
- Orthopedist - specializes in protracted pain.
Ointments for arthritis and arthrosis
Means of external application have the following effects:
- improves blood circulation;
- antimicrobial effect is achieved;
- normalized cartilage nutrition;
- pains decrease;
- a warming effect is provided.
In how to treat arthritis, arthrosis at home, the following groups of ointments have proved to be well:
- vasodilators;
- warming;
- painkillers ;
- anti-inflammatory .
The effectiveness of using external means is not high. Approximately 7% of active substances are delivered to the affected joint through the skin. For this reason, doctors recommend ointments only at the initial stage of the disease. In addition, these medications can be used as an additional remedy for complex therapy. The duration of administration of such an ointment is determined by the physician individually in each specific case.
More often they are prescribed such anti-inflammatory and anesthetic agents:
- Fastum-gel;
- Nyz;
- Diclofenac;
- Dolobien;
- Indomethacin.
Warming and vasodilating ointments prescribe the following:
- Espol;
- Voltaren;
- Gevkamen;
- Apizarthron;
- Nikofleks-gel.
Tablets from arthrosis and arthritis
Such antibacterial drugs can be prescribed:
- macrolides - Clarithromycin or Erythromycin;
- tetracyclines - Tetracycline, Doxycycline;
- fluoroquinolones - Lomefloxacin, Ofloxacin.
In addition, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be prescribed for arthritis and arthrosis:
- Nimesulide;
- Meloksikam;
- Etoricoxib;
- Celecoxib.
Among chondroprotectors the following are more often prescribed:
- Glucosamine;
- Chondroitin.
Osteoarthritis, arthritis - treatment with folk remedies
In the fight against these diseases, various methods of healing can be used. Popular means are popular. They have undeniable advantages: availability, simplicity of manufacture and naturalness. However, they should be used only after consulting a doctor. He knows what is arthritis, arthrosis, what is the difference between them, so it will help to choose the optimal remedy. Uncontrolled reception of homemade "preparations" is unsafe.
Arthrosis, arthritis - folk treatment with black currant
Ingredients:
- leaves of black currant - 4-5 g;
- water 250 ml.
Preparation, use:
- Raw materials should be poured with boiling water and insist for 20 minutes in a water bath.
- Drug should be filtered and drunk at 1 tbsp. spoon three times a day.
- The remaining product is stored with a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Diet for arthritis and joint arthrosis
Relieve the condition of patients will help properly selected diet. The diet for arthritis and arthrosis excludes the consumption of the following products:
- strong tea and coffee;
- salinity;
- chocolate;
- alcoholic beverages;
- margarine and butter;
- chips and french fries;
- egg yolk;
- liver cod.
After the doctor 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 products:
- 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.
- To keep weight in norm.
- Wear orthopedic shoes.
- Protect joints from hypothermia and trauma.
- Do gymnastics, swimming and other sports that do not overload the joints.