Arthritis and osteoarthritis are diseases of the musculoskeletal system with common characteristics.Each of these diseases causes irreparable health damage, and if you are not looking for medical aid over time, irreversible consequences may occur, resulting in handicap and handicap.
In this article, we consider what is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis, causes and the mechanism of their development, as well as symptoms and treatment.
Causes of arthritis and osteoarthritis
Among the main causes of arthritis, they distinguish:
- The rheumatoid causes of an autoimmune nature in which the cells of the body begin to attack their own tissues, taking them as foreigners.The reasons for this process have not yet been clarified;
- infectious (tuberculosis, borreliosis born at tick);
- secondary, in which arthritis develops in the context of other diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis);
- Metabolism violation (drop).

The reasons for osteoarthritis are as follows:
- Congenital development anomalies (joint dysplasia);
- injuries;
- natural body aging process;
- Metabolic violation, hormonal changes (menopause in women);
- Excessive physical activity, including professional sports, monotonous work (by seamstresses);
- Secondary (osteoarthritis can develop due to arthritis).
Physiological process
The two pathologies affect the joints, but differ in the nature of changes.
With arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammation of connective tissue - a synovial membrane which contains many vessels and provides a lymphatic flow.The inflammatory process leads to a violation of the nutrition of joint tissues, following which the production of joint lubrication - the synovial fluid is limited.
Osteorate
Osteoarthritis is a dystrophic degenerative process associated with the destruction of the cartilage tissue of the joint.The cartilage is gradually destroyed, dry, the distance between the bones of the joint decreases, which is the cause of the pain.In serious forms, destruction affects bones.They become more porous, lose their density, become fragile.
What is the difference
For example, what is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis of the knee joint?With arthritis, the synovial shell of joint tissues occurs.This causes an increase in the temperature of the joint.
The joint swells, a persistent pain syndrome develops, intensifying during movement.With osteoarthritis, pain only occurs after physical activity, you can hear a characteristic crunch or clicks in the joint, gradually the joint is distorted and loses mobility.
The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis of the fingers and hands of the hands is that the first disease is cured and that the second is not.With arthritis, synovial shell and the joint capsule are affected.
The defeat of cartilage and bone tissue only occurs in late stages in a neglected state.With osteoarthritis, the cartilage fabric is first affected, then the bone, the inflammation of the synovial membrane is of secondary origin, that is to say that it develops on their history.
Symptoms: what is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis
Arthritis is accompanied by symptoms characteristic of inflammation:
- The body temperature increases, the chills appear, the weakness occurs throughout the body;
- The local temperature of the affected joint, its soft tissues increase;
- The joint swells, the skin around it blushes;
- The joint deformation occurs;
- Its mobility is reduced;
- In the morning, a stiffness is observed, which takes place within the hour of physical activity;
- Pain syndrome is present both when it moves and at rest;
- Complications are observed in the form of lesions of the internal organs (heart, lungs);
- Increased perspiration occurs;
- Body weight is reduced.
Osteoarthritis is developing gradually and is not noticeable in the first stages.Often, he is taken for physical fatigue.The chronic form of osteoarthritis is also called osteoarthrosis.To the question of what is worse - osteoarthritis or osteoarthrosis, the answer is obvious.The last option is a consequence of the development of osteoarthritis and its acute shape.
Among the symptoms of osteoarthritis, the following elements are distinguished:
- The pain appears after physical activity, with sudden movements, turns, inclinations, after rest, pain passes;
- A characteristic crunch in the joints is noted;
- Pain after prolonged rest, which goes within 15 to 20 minutes depending on mobility (this is associated with stagnant phenomena occurring in the joint);
- worried about hardening pain at night due to venous stagnation;
- The inflammatory form of pathology is accompanied by edema and pain;
- The joint is distorted, its mobility decreases.

As you can see, the differences in the symptoms are insignificant: in both cases, there is pain, stiffness and fatigue.Arthritis and osteoarthritis can affect different joints of the human body.With damage to the spine and intervertebral discs, osteochondosis develops - it is similar to osteoarthritis.According to the place of the disease, the osteoarthritis of the ankle, the shoulder, the hip joints and so on is distinguished.
Details of the symptoms and differential diagnoses will help to determine pathology - arthritis or osteoarthritis with precision.
The difference in treatment
The treatment of arthritis aims to restore the immune system, the elimination of inflammation.With osteoarthritis, the main task is to prevent the destruction of the tissues and the relief of the symptoms.
The treatment of osteoarthritis is engaged in an orthopedic doctor, an arthritis-a rheumatologist and a number of other doctors, according to the origin of the disease.
The main arthritis therapy includes the use of non -inflammatory non -hormonal agents, antibiotics and in serious cases - hormone therapy and taking immunosuppressants.
With osteoarthritis, anti-inflammatory, pain relievers, hormonal drugs, vintage and chondroprotectors are used.
In both cases, the sick joint has rest, reduction of load, and therapeutic gymnastics and physiotherapy are used to restore.
Therapeutic gymnastics affects the improvement of the state of ligaments and joints, develops their flexibility and their mobility.It should be kept in mind that the exercises can only be done during the period of remission and in the absence of inflammation.An orthopedics complex or a specialist in physiotherapy can choose a set of exercises, depending on the injured articulation.
It is very important to observe the right implementation technique so as not to harm the joints.All movements must be slow and smooth.The performance of the exercises should not cause discomfort and bring pain, otherwise the lesson must be stopped or moved to another type of exercise.Initially, it is better to perform exercises under the supervision of a doctor, then include them in daily practice at home.

To facilitate the mobility of joints, special orthopedic means are used: compression knee pads, corsets, cervical necklaces and other accessories, depending on the damage area.
Physiotherapy is useful in both cases, with arthritis, it is only carried out during the period of remission.It has a minimum of contraindications and side effects, does not cause allergic reactions and is suitable for most patients.
The methods of electrophoresis, ultrasound, phonophoresis, magnetotherapy, therapy with shock waves, cryotherapy are used.
All of them favorably affect the recovery process, contribute to a deeper penetration of drugs in tissues, improve blood circulation, lymphatic flow, metabolic processes and begin the natural regeneration processes.
In serious cases, when the joints are completely destroyed, endoprosthetic surgery or a complete replacement of the joint is carried out.
Traditional medicine in the treatment of osteoarthritis and arthritis
When you use folk remedies in the treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis, the stage of the disease and the risks of allergic reactions must be taken into account, therefore, before their use, it is necessary to consult a doctor.With arthritis, the use of additional non-traditional treatment products is only authorized during remission, this is due to the autoimmune nature of the disease.
As therapeutic agents, decoctions and dyes are used which relieved inflammation, applications and baths that relieve swelling, garbage and ointments.Prevention and treatment with folk remedies should play an auxiliary role rather than the main role.This must always be taken into account with such serious illnesses.
With osteoarthritis, snow with salt is used.A glass of snow is mixed with 1 tablespoon of salt, a painful seal is rubbed with a mixture for 5 minutes.
To restore the cartilage fabric for arthritis and osteoarthritis, shades of chamomile, needles and aloe are used.The mixture can be added to the baths for hand or to do.
Animal fats are mixed in the form of an ointment: shunned pork saundoux, badger fat, cheese green.They are mixed with a calendula or a trench.They contribute to pain relief, to improve nutrition and to reduce inflammation.
Compress fresh leaves.A shed or cabbage leaf is lubricated with honey, applied to the painful joint, covered with polyethylene and warm fabric and left during the night.

The clay is mixed with water with the density of the sure cream, the applied gauze impregnated with a mixture and left for an hour.It is necessary to repeat the application within two weeks a day.
In equal proportions, you can mix aloe juice, vodka and honey.To impregnate a gauze with this mixture and settle in a painful place for 1 hour.
As an ointment, chamomile, hops, St. John's Wort and oil jelly are mixed.Apply daily for a month.
Two soup tables of crushed celandine are added to 150 ml of vegetable oil (olive, sesame, hemp and any other), authorized to prepare for a week and used as an ointment.
The freshly pressed aloe juice is taken inside 2 teaspoons 4 times a day.
Two tablespoons of Saint-Jean and Iron Wood Pours pour 1 liter of boiling water, let it prepare 10 to 15 minutes and take 1 tablespoon.
Flowers of dandelion are paid with vodka in a report of 1 part of a dandelion + 2 parts of the liquid, insisted for 2 weeks and used for garbage.
What is the difference between osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis
These concepts are similar.Osteochondrosis and osteoarthrosis are accompanied by the destruction of the cartilage tissue of the joints.With osteochondrosis, the joint joints, the intervertebral discs are affected and with osteoarthritis - the joints of the limbs.
Prevention
To avoid the development of joint diseases, you must know the risk factors.These include:
- body aging processes, exhaustion and deterioration of tissue nutrition;
- A sedentary lifestyle causes the appearance of stagnant phenomena, a violation of the blood circulation, a lymphatic flow, a curvature of the spine;
- Excess weight is accompanied by a violation of metabolism in hormonal and endocrine systems, an excessive load on the spine, joints and heart.

For prevention, it is necessary to introduce the following recommendations in daily affairs.Glorious sports and types of physical form have a good effect on the state and maintenance of joints, ligaments and spine.
Two to three times a week enough to prevent the development of stagnant phenomena and improve general well-being.
For nutritional cells in the body, it is necessary to diversify your diet with products rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, B and PP vitamins.It is necessary to consume cereals, vegetables and fruits, whole grains, low -fat meat, as well as reducing the use of products containing harmful carcinogenic substances, fried, raw, salted and high -speed dishes.
To train good eating habits and diets, you can consult a dietitian.
The psychosomatic nature of the diseases described suggests that it is necessary to avoid stress, to resolve conflict situations in a constructive manner and not to succumb to discouragement and depression.
Conclusion
Arthritis and osteoarthritis are quite serious human diseases, leading to serious irreversible consequences.The hidden nature of the development of osteoarthritis does not allow it to identify it in the early stages.Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to your health, not to wait for the pain "passes" and to ask for medical help in a timely manner.