Joint diseases are quite common in all segments of the population. This condition is preceded by several reasons. Determining the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is not always so easy. An inexperienced person will not understand these two concepts at all. After all, in fact, these diseases are associated with joint damage and their subsequent deformation.
Signs of arthritis and osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis has several main types, so symptoms can also vary. In any case, a person experiences an unpleasant pain syndrome. Additionally, it can appear when walking or performing physical work. Swelling may occur at the site of the injury. In osteoarthritis that has "affected" the knee joint, cramps may occur in the calf muscles. Over time, complete deformation of the joint is possible, which is typical for cases where a person does not pay attention to the symptoms. The main signs of arthritis and osteoarthritis have some differences.
Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory process. As mentioned above, it occurs against a background of injury, infection and dystrophy. It is very easy to detect something wrong. The person begins to feel pain when walking and also while resting. The patient begins to wake up at night because he is in pain. The afternoon and evening are peak arthritis activity. The pain intensifies significantly, so it is clearly impossible to rest and sleep. Special attention should be paid to stiffness in the joints, which appears mainly when waking up. This may be the first "bell" of the presence of the disease. Any movement can cause a lot of inconvenience, which indicates that there is most likely an inflammatory process. As arthritis progresses, swelling appears. Over time, redness becomes noticeable and, when feeling the joint, a sharp pain appears.
Arthritis of the joints
A joint disease characterized by an inflammatory process is called arthritis. It occurs against the background of previous infections. It could be sore throat, syphilis, measles, gonorrhea. It can be the result of a previous injury and even hypothermia. It is characterized by pain when walking and at rest. With severe damage, there is an increase in body temperature, insomnia, lack of appetite and nausea. Joint arthritis can worsen several times a year. This condition is characterized by increased symptoms.
The problem is eliminated through drug treatment. If the necessary therapy is not prescribed, a chronic form of the disease may develop. If treatment is not started on time, it can have serious consequences. It is possible that deforming osteoarthritis may develop, which will lead to loss of performance and disability.
To avoid developing arthritis, certain preventive measures must be followed. Infectious diseases must be eliminated in a timely manner, the oral cavity must be sanitized, and hypothermia must be avoided. Winter hardening and vitamin intake play an important role. This is when the body must be supported in every way possible.
Osteoarthritis of the joints
Arthrosis occurs quite frequently. It is characterized not only by damage to the joints, but also to bone tissue. An experienced specialist can distinguish joint arthrosis from arthritis. The main distinguishing symptom is the presence of a degenerative process. Furthermore, this process occurs in the joint itself.
Osteoarthritis is characterized by joint pain and can intensify as the person performs physical exercises or walks normally. In severe cases, mobility is inhibited and the victim may remain incapacitated. The symptoms of the disease are familiar to almost 15% of the entire population of the planet. With age, this number begins to increase rapidly. Both women and men suffer from osteoarthritis. It has two forms: primary and secondary. Primary osteoarthritis occurs in 50% of all cases. It can develop even in a healthy joint. The main reason is excessive load. Secondary arthrosis develops against the background of previous injuries and inflammatory processes.
The main pathological mechanism is a metabolic disorder in cartilaginous tissue. This leads to a gradual loss of smoothness and elasticity. Over time, the process begins to transfer to the bone tissue, which causes the growth of osteophytes. Ultimately, the shape of the bone is disturbed. The joints of the lower extremities are most affected.
Osteoarthritis is a long-lasting and slowly progressive disease. Its result is the formation of ankylosis and loss of mobility in the affected joint. It is almost impossible to detect the presence of the disease in the early stages, as it is asymptomatic. Complex therapy will help get rid of the disease and return the person to the former ease of movement. It is advisable to undergo physiotherapy. It is important to maintain a correct lifestyle. It is also important to protect joints from excessive overload.
Diagnosis of arthritis and arthrosis
Diagnostic measures include many procedures. The first step is to collect this anamnesis. It is important to know whether the person has suffered from infectious diseases or has had serious injuries. Next, the course of the arthritis is assessed. An important activity is laboratory tests. This will reveal the level of uric acid and the presence of antibodies to group A hemolytic streptococci. Instrumental diagnosis of arthritis and arthrosis is also actively used. Includes ultrasound exams and x-rays. Computed tomography can be used as an auxiliary measure. This will allow you to obtain high-quality images and see the injury. Today, the arthroscopy procedure is especially popular. This technology allows you to study the joint in more detail. X-ray examination is particularly informative. Allows you to get a "picture" of what is happening in additional projections.
The diagnosis of arthrosis is slightly different, it is carried out in several stages. In the first stage, movements in the joint are observed, more precisely, its limitations. Just ask the person to make some movements. The site of the injury has pronounced irregularities and there are ossified areas in the joint. In the second stage, the joint has limited movement. If you change position, you may hear a characteristic noise. The muscles near the affected joint are partially atrophied. During an X-ray examination, the presence of bone growths is noted. In the third stage, you may notice a pronounced deformation of the joint.
There are also additional research methods. These include: blood test, synovial fluid analysis. When studying blood, special attention is paid to the ESR indicator. Histological examination of the synovium is often performed.
What is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis?
Thus, osteoarthritis is a chronic damage to the joints due to the inflammatory process. It is characterized by its gradual deformation. The cause of the disease may be damage to the cartilaginous tissue of the articular surfaces. Arthritis manifests itself in the form of severe pain in the joints, in some cases their mobility decreases drastically. Most often, the process occurs in people over 45 years of age, but earlier cases also occur. It mostly affects women and people with congenital bone and joint defects. Almost 15% of the world's inhabitants suffer from this disease. But there is another type of disease, called arthritis. An experienced specialist can determine the difference between arthritis and arthrosis.
Thus, arthritis is a whole group of joint diseases. It is an inflammatory process that develops in the joint. It can appear in the context of an injury, infection or have a dystrophic origin. It is characterized by joint pain as well as swelling in the affected area. This is a dangerous phenomenon, as it can lead to the development of an inflammatory process in the body. The heart, kidneys and liver can be negatively influenced. The disease progresses more frequently in people under 40 years of age.
The main differences between these diseases can be determined by the symptoms. Thus, intense pain in osteoarthritis appears at moments of heavy load or during movement. At first the pain is not very strong, but as the situation worsens, the pain syndrome becomes pronounced. In arthritis, the pain can be uncomfortable both when walking and at rest. Osteoarthritis is characterized by the presence of a crunching sound and the joint becomes inactive. Over time, the deformity may develop. Arthritis also leads to deformation, but this process is accompanied by swelling and redness. When you feel the joint is sick, you feel a sharp pain. Osteoarthritis most often affects the knee and hip joints. Stiff joints, especially in the morning, and swelling of the fingers are caused by arthritis. If this is an infectious form of the disease, it will be characterized by weakness, sweating and pain throughout the body.
Treatment of arthritis and arthrosis
Treatment strategies for these processes are slightly different. Arthritis is often called the disease of the young. Today, several varieties of the disease are known. They are reactive, rheumatoid, psoriatic and gouty forms. In this case, joint inflammation is just the beginning of a serious process. The treatment of arthritis and arthrosis should be carried out by an experienced specialist, according to the person's condition.
The first step is to limit the load on the joints. Anti-inflammatory medications are widely used to eliminate arthritis. A special role is given to hormonal drugs. These can be ointments and injections. In addition, physiotherapy, diet and physiotherapy are practiced. Osteoarthritis can also be eliminated with medication. Working with each patient is a jewelry process. Because each situation has its own nuances, which must be competently eliminated by all available methods. More detailed information about treatment will be provided below.
Medicines for arthritis and osteoarthritis
Medicines for these diseases must have an exclusively positive effect. Particular attention is paid to medicines that can eliminate pain, swelling and eliminate the inflammatory process. For this, ointments, injections, suppositories and even homeopathic anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used. There are certain medications for arthritis and osteoarthritis that are used more frequently.
Arthritis treatment
Only quick and high-quality treatment will help prevent changes in the joint. To avoid possible disabilities, you should consult a doctor at the slightest discomfort in the joint. Early diagnosis will make it possible to identify the disease in the first stage and prevent it from getting worse. Medications are used to treat arthritis, and therapeutic exercises complement the therapy.
Antibiotics are widely used. It is especially important to use them in the infectious form of the disease. A well-chosen course will solve the problem quickly. Anti-inflammatory treatment is also actively used. It is important to relieve joint inflammation and reduce pain. In this case, gels and ointments will come to the rescue. Woolen socks or gloves made from natural sheepskin or dog hair enhance the effect.
During the period of remission, the doctor prescribes special gymnastics. Exercises should be performed lying down or in the pool. They will help reduce pain and eliminate discomfort. A therapeutic diet plays an important role. It is necessary to saturate the body with antioxidants and vitamin E. Traditional methods should not be ignored. More detailed information will be provided below.
Osteoarthritis treatment
Arthrosis can be eliminated by several methods. Non-drug treatment, medicines, traditional medicine and surgery are widely used. The correct diagnosis will allow you to prescribe quality treatment for osteoarthritis. Elimination of the disease must be comprehensive and long-term. For this purpose, an individual scheme is selected for each patient.
Non-drug treatment. At the initial stage, it is quite possible to survive without the help of medication. It's important to eat well. Excess weight only creates additional pressure on your joints. It is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle and not overload the affected joint. The work and rest schedule must be observed unconditionally. If you are overweight, it is recommended to reduce it. Normalizing metabolism will bring your weight back to normal and reduce the load on your joints. Physiotherapy and physiotherapeutic methods are widely used. All of this is based on performing certain exercises. Massage also helps a lot.
Medicines. This method is the leader in eliminating the disease. The choice of drugs to eliminate arthrosis is not so wide. In total, there are two large groups of medicines. These are symptomatic remedies that can relieve pain and inflammation. When using them, unpleasant symptoms disappear in a short period of time. These products include ointments and pills. Use them for 2 weeks. Chondroprotectors are also widely used. Detailed information about specific medications will be presented below.
Don't stay behindethnoscience. There are many good recipes that will reduce swelling and pain. Finally, surgery is also used. This technique is used only in cases where drug therapy has no effect. Arthroscopy, arthrodesis and arthroplasty are used. Arthroscopy is a low-traumatic treatment method. It allows you to make small incisions and perform surgeries, evaluating the condition of the affected cartilage. Arthrodesis is a method that creates immobility of the joint surfaces. This technique will relieve the pain. Arthroplasty is the replacement of articular cartilage with a spacer made of proprietary tissue. This will alleviate the victim's condition and restore range of motion.
Anti-inflammatory homeopathic medicines for arthritis and osteoarthritis
Homeopathy has always been widely used. Your pantry is full of various medicines. Inflammatory processes that develop in the joints are now not difficult to eliminate. There are many medications that can reduce pain and eliminate inflammation. For arthritis and arthrosis, anti-inflammatory homeopathic medicines are widely used.
Gels for arthritis and arthrosis
In complex therapy, special gels and ointments are often used. They will reduce pain and remove swelling. Often, one medication is not enough. Therefore, special gels are widely used as aids in relieving pain in arthritis and arthrosis.
Suppositories for arthritis and arthrosis
Suppositories for the treatment of these diseases are not taken so often. The main advantage of its use is the speed of action. This is achieved thanks to the administration method. In addition, rectal use is practically not dangerous, side effects do not occur so often. You can choose suppositories for arthritis and arthrosis in the hospital, you should not make a choice alone.
Injections for osteoarthritis and arthritis
Injections can reduce pain and completely eliminate it in a matter of minutes. They are used quite frequently, but mainly in cases where the situation becomes more complicated.
Traditional methods of treating arthritis and arthrosis
Traditional medicine has always been famous for its huge number of useful recipes. In your pantry you will find a remedy for any occasion. Treating arthritis and arthrosis using traditional methods will avoid adverse reactions from the body.
- Acerola. Just prepare a decoction with the leaves of the plant. You need to take a few tablespoons of raw materials and pour 200 ml of boiling water over them. Then everything is put on the fire and boiled. The resulting product must be used correctly. 20 grams of the raw material must be diluted in a glass of boiling water.
- Birch, nettle and violet. You need to take 2. 5 tablespoons of each ingredient. The sheets themselves are required. All ingredients are mixed and poured with a glass of boiling water. After that, the product is placed on fire and boiled. The medicine is used in half a glass up to 4 times a day.
- Black currant. To prepare, remove five grams of currants, directly from the leaves. They are poured with a glass of boiling water and placed in a water bath for 20 minutes. This remedy will help to cope with arthritis and arthrosis if you take a tablespoon 3 times a day.
- Birch buds. The main ingredient in the amount of 5 grams is poured into a glass of boiling water. Then everything is put on fire and boiled for about 15 minutes, the resulting product must be infused for an hour and then taken a quarter of a glass at a time. The frequency of use should not exceed 4 times.
- Burdock root. You need to take burdock roots and cut them. Then put it in a jar and fill it with vodka. The alcohol should cover the top of the burdock by 3 cm. In this state, the medicine is infused for 3 weeks, after which it is rubbed into the wounds. You can use the product internally 30 minutes before meals, up to 3 times a day.
WHO recommendations for the treatment of arthrosis and arthritis
Treatment of arthritis and arthrosis must begin with the implementation of special rules. The first step is to establish the order of life and nutrition. It is recommended to start adjusting your food intake. It is advisable to dilute the diet with vegetables and plant foods. Meat dishes should be reduced. Salty foods should remain in the background, their increased content in the body can lead to salt deposition in the joints, which is unacceptable. The treatment of osteoarthritis and arthritis should be carried out in accordance with WHO recommendations. Therefore, food should not contribute to weight gain. If a person is overweight, it is worth losing weight. Alcohol consumption should also be avoided.
It is essential to exercise and exercise in the morning. Swimming lessons are perfect. It is worth paying attention to medicinal baths, which are anti-inflammatory in nature. You can add eucalyptus, St. John's wort and sandalwood oil. In the morning you can wash your face with fruit vinegar. This procedure must be carried out correctly. You should only wash in the direction of your heart.
Diet for arthritis and osteoarthritis
It is necessary to follow a certain diet for these corn diseases. An important point is that the diet must be low-calorie. There is no single diet that will help to cope with the disease. After all, there are many reasons that contribute to its development. Therefore, lists of prohibited and permitted foods were created. So, you can create a diet for arthritis and arthrosis yourself.
Oily fish has a beneficial effect. It contains essential nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus and vitamins D, A, E. They help to strengthen bone tissue and also regulate the absorption of all necessary microelements. Nuts and oils help saturate the body with vitamin E. Turmeric and ginger have a beneficial effect. These spices can be added to any dish. The diet should be rich in plant foods. It has a positive effect on chronic joint damage. Peaches, kiwis and oranges are perfect. Among vegetables, it is worth taking a closer look at onions and cabbage. Vitamin C, which is part of them, has an active effect on the synthesis of collagen and elastin fibers. They, in turn, form the basis of cartilage.
Products from the nightshade family can aggravate the situation. This includes potatoes and tomatoes. It is advisable to avoid eating these vegetables. Baked goods and fatty dairy products have a negative effect. In general, it is necessary to monitor the state of your own body. It's worth including a product in your diet every week and seeing what kind of reaction you get. If there are no negative consequences, it can be used. This way, you can create a diet yourself.
Exercises for arthritis and osteoarthritis
An obligatory rule for arthritis and arthrosis is performing simple exercises. This will keep the muscles and ligaments in an elastic state. You should start exercising with your doctor's permission. Situations are different, so the doctor decides which exercises to do for arthritis and arthrosis.
- Exercise # 1. You need to sit on a high chair or bench. After that, you need to start swinging your legs one at a time. This exercise will allow you to feel slight tension in your muscles.
- Exercise number 2. You must remain in the same position. Only now will you have to raise your legs alternately parallel to the floor and keep them in this position for a maximum of 5 seconds. It should be repeated 10-15 times, with legs alternating constantly.
- Exercise number 3. You need to lie on your back and straighten your legs. Then, counting to one, one leg bends at the knee and then at the hip joint. Next, you need to grab it with your hands and press it to the body, then lower it with a sliding movement to its original position. A similar manipulation is performed with the second step.
- Exercise number 4. Lying on your back, you need to raise each leg above the floor to a height of 30 cm. Keep it in this position for 5 seconds. Then the leg is lowered to the floor and the same action is performed with the other leg.
- Exercise number 5. You must lie on your stomach and begin to slowly bend your knees one at a time. In this case, the heel should be as close to the buttocks as possible.
- Exercise number 6. Starting position – lying down. You should bend your leg at the knee and slowly lift the other leg off the floor, as if you are trying to pull your toe towards you. You must remain in this position for 10 seconds. Then repeat the manipulation in the second step.
- Exercise #7. While sitting on the floor, you should simply lean your torso forward. In this case, you should try to hold your feet with your hands. Just do a maximum of 15 inclines.
- Exercise No. 8. While sitting on the floor, you need to bend your knees. And at the same time wrap your arms around them. The leg should be tense and try to escape the hands. You need to stay in this position for 10 seconds. For each leg, the action is repeated 10 times. It should be noted that only the physiotherapist can prescribe exercises, depending on the characteristics of the disease.