What is the difference: arthritis and arthrosis? The main features

For ordinary people these two names sound almost the same. But what is the difference? Arthritis and arthrosis are rheumatic diseases that affect the joints. However, the cause of these ailments is different.

What is arthrosis?

This disease affects the cartilaginous tissues in the joints. Physicians call it deforming osteoarthritis. In medical books, you can find such a reduction, as DOA. It is a chronic disease that recurs periodically.

During this disease the cartilage ceases to cope with the load and is gradually destroyed, not having time to recover. The layer between them begins to wear off, which causes painful sensations when moving. If you do not know what you have - arthrosis or arthritis, the difference is the following. DOA causes pain when moving. Arthritis affects the joints even at rest.

Arthritis - what is it?

This ailment is associated with inflammation of one or more articulations of the joints. Its name comes from the words "art" - the joint, "it" - inflammation. Arthritis causes pain in the extremities, the affected area swells. Often the disease is accompanied by an increase in temperature. Sometimes impaired motor activity.

Consonant diseases, despite the fact that they are of a rheumatic type, affect different areas of the joints, that's the difference. Arthritis and arthrosis have a different etiology. This can be read further.

Causes of diseases

As for arthrosis, it happens to be primary and secondary. The cause of the first scientists can not yet explain. Usually this happens with age. Most often affected knee or hip joints.

Secondary arthrosis develops as a complication of a transferred or untreated disease. The main causes of diseases such as arthrosis and arthritis (what's the difference - we'll find out later) is:

• Low / high physical activity;
• excess weight;
• Endocrine diseases ;
• Injuries of joints, etc.

Arthritis is also divided into primary and secondary. Inflammation of the joints is usually a reaction to these or other effects. We can say that if something is wrong in the body, the inflammatory process immediately begins. Call such a reaction can both immunological disorders, and, for example, chlamydia. That's the difference. Arthritis and arthrosis can occur for various reasons. Let us dwell on this in more detail.

The difference between arthritis and arthrosis

If we sum up, the differences between these diseases are as follows:

1. Arthrosis is more common in elderly people (more than 90%). As for arthritis, it can arise both for pensioners and for young people. There is even a form that even children suffer from. This disease is called juvenile arthritis. They suffer from two to sixteen years of age.
2. Osteoarthritis mainly harms the joints. He immobilizes it, destroying the connecting layers. As for arthritis, it is harmful to the whole organism. Inflammation affects the organs one by one, if the disease is not cured in time.

Here are the main points to understand what is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis. However, only a specialist rheumatologist can determine the disease accurately.

How to treat?

As already mentioned above, you should always see a doctor. He will be able to diagnose the disease, to present a complete picture of the disease. It is important that timely assistance can save you from a disability that threatens in the event of a negligent attitude towards your health. The destructive effect of pathologies blocks joints. Moving becomes very problematic, and sometimes it is completely impossible. What are the similar symptoms of the pathologies described by us and what's the difference? Arthritis and arthrosis are manifested as follows.

Arthritis swollen fingers and toes, this can be seen with the naked eye. The acute form can last for 1-2 months. After this, there comes a remission period. Arthritis sometimes ceases for several years, and arthrosis again comes in a few months.

Treat these diseases by several methods. Most often, chondroprotective agents are used. Some doctors prescribe drugs that improve microcirculation. After all, these rheumatic diseases occur when the joints are damaged. It is to fill this gap that treatment is sent. Often patients are prescribed physiotherapy procedures, the course usually consists of 10 sessions. Physiotherapy does not cause painful sensations and does not require medication. But it can not completely rid the sick from the disease. Usually it is prescribed together with conservative treatment. Also people suffering from arthrosis or arthritis often resort to folk recipes. Physiotherapy is a free procedure available in every municipal hospital. This method of treatment strengthens the body, enhances the effect of taking medications. Physicians unequivocally assert that physiotherapy treats arthrosis and arthritis. What is the difference between these diseases, was described above.

Prevention

A healthy, regular diet is the basis of preventive measures. There are "dry" not only harmful to people suffering from rheumatic diseases. We must try to lead a healthy lifestyle, abandon bad habits, including smoking. Scientists have proved that inflammation of the joints in the hands of smokers appear more often than non-smokers. It is not recommended to drink alcohol. As you know, alcohol can provoke the disease even after years of remission. Vegetables, fruits and seafood are the diet of a healthy person. In rheumatic diseases, special emphasis should be placed on products containing calcium - cheese, shrimp, etc.