Many people do not understand the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis.Both diseases are common and are associated with joint problems.However, the symptoms of the disease, and even more so the prevention and treatment, are individual in each case.
Arthritis and osteoarthritis, what do they have in common?
What is osteoarthritis and arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a joint disease caused by cartilage problems.They gradually begin to disintegrate and break, causing excruciating pain.It occurs both acutely and long term.It usually appears in the morning or after intense physical activity.
Joint arthritis is a condition of inflammation of the joints.It is mainly expressed as swelling and redness.The inner lining of the joint is destroyed, causing pain that is often difficult to bear.
What is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis: general signs?
Both diseases have a common root in their names "arthron".If you translate it from Greek, you get "set."Both diseases are associated with joint problems and pain.Such pathologies occur with acute negative sensations and discomfort.Injuries associated with the cartilaginous layer limit and complicate movement.
Osteoarthritis and arthritis change the patient's usual lifestyle.It becomes difficult to move, pain appears and the level of resistance decreases - these are the main signs.However, each of these diseases develops according to its own scenario.
It is important to make a correct diagnosis, then the treatment will be fast and of high quality.
Arthritis symptoms
Arthritis is characterized by the following features:
- Fever may occur if the skin near the joint becomes red.
- Change in appearance of the joint.
- Tumor.
- Painful sensations when moving.
- Unpleasant sensations when pressing on a joint.
- Arthritis can be an infectious disease.Then all the symptoms corresponding to an infection appear: malaise, fever, chills.
Arthritis can affect a single joint or several.It occurs with acute pain, or gradually and causes a chronic disease.Then a dull pain occurs.
Osteoarthritis symptoms
Osteoarthritis is, for the most part, a chronic disease.You may not understand that you have this disease for a long time, as it manifests itself in the form of temporary pain.However, it can progress quickly or slowly.If osteoarthritis is not detected in time in the early stages, this disease will cause disability.Osteoarthritis symptoms:
- Swelling in the periarticular area.A different situation occurs with osteoarthritis: the joint swells only during an acute illness.The disease is accompanied by intense pain.
- Cracking and feeling of fragility in the joint.From the first minutes, the creaking does not particularly bother the owner, but if no treatment is taken, others will hear it.A feeling of fragility often occurs after showering or swimming in cold water.
- Drawing pain.This is especially true when there is stress on the affected joint.For example, when climbing stairs.
Mainly, osteoarthritis appears due to heavy loads or injuries.The pain may intensify at night and continue into the morning.
Who treats the pathology?
Which doctor treats osteoarthritis and arthritis?As a general rule, people go to the doctor when they experience unbearable pain.It is better not to wait until the critical moment and make an appointment as soon as you feel discomfort in your joints.
First of all, you should go to your local doctor - therapist.He or she will prescribe additional tests or special procedures.After the examination, he will make a preliminary diagnosis and refer you to the necessary doctor.There are two options here.
Traumatologist-orthopedist
The therapist refers you to this doctor for more severe forms of osteoarthritis or arthritis.In most cases, he performs surgery followed by recovery procedures.
A traumatologist studies your problem, finds out your complaints, examines the joint and then decides on the necessary treatment.
Most of the time it is an operation.Orthopedic function is associated with the recovery stage.It is necessary to wear special shoes or other clothing that facilitates movement.It is better to follow this point to speed up the recovery process.
rheumatologist
If you are facing the problem of osteoarthritis or arthritis for the first time, your GP will prescribe a referral to a rheumatologist.He will examine your joint, refer you for additional testing (if necessary), and make an accurate diagnosis.
Most often, the doctor prescribes treatment at home.The therapy should help stabilize the joint.The main task here is to prevent the disease from developing and leading to serious consequences.
Both doctors should identify and suggest treatment options.However, a rheumatologist works with milder initial stages of diseases.An orthopedic traumatologist is the opposite, with serious and complex cases.
Treatment methods for osteoarthritis and arthritis.
There are two methods to treat these diseases:
- medicinal;
- using home remedies.
Initially, you should consult with a doctor and only then take the pills.If you choose medications on your own, you can only make things worse for your body.
Treatment with folk remedies includes: compresses, herbal infusions, ointments.Some examples of how to help with arthritis and osteoarthritis using popular recipes:
- Grate half a cup of sea buckthorn.Rub the resulting paste with massage movements into the sore joint.Cover with cheesecloth and leave for several hours.It is advisable to repeat daily for two weeks.
- For acute pain, rub the joint with regular star balm.Leave for several hours.The pain will begin to decrease.
- For severe or painful pain, apply a warm compress.To do this, moisten a bandage or gauze with warm water and place it over the joint.Then wrap it with cotton and polyethylene on top to create a kind of bathhouse effect.It should be kept for 20 minutes.
It is worth understanding that folk remedies can only relieve pain and prevent it for a while.To cure the disease, it is necessary to consult a specialist, a doctor.
What is worse: arthritis or joint osteoarthritis?
Naturally, both diseases are quite serious and it is difficult to say which is worse.However, we can consider the example of a problem in the knee joint.With arthritis, that is, with inflammatory processes, the patient can be helped.
In most cases, this occurs due to other infections that occur in the human body.If they are cured and the inflammation in the joint is removed, knee arthritis will no longer bother you.
Osteoarthritis is a completely different story.This is an independent disease caused by problems in the cartilage tissue.Often this cannot be done without surgical intervention.This is followed by another long recovery process.
Therefore, we can say that osteoarthritis is a more serious disease.However, arthritis can cause the first illness.Both ailments should not be neglected.It is better to immediately contact a specialist.