Joint diseases are quite common among all segments of the population. This condition is preceded by many reasons. Determining the difference between arthritis and arthrosis 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 damage to the joints and their further deformation.
Signs of arthritis and arthrosis
Osteoarthritis has several main types, so the symptoms can also vary. In any form, a person experiences an unpleasant pain syndrome. It can also occur when walking or doing physical work. Swelling may occur at the site of the lesion. With arthrosis that has "affected" the knee joint, calf muscle cramps may occur. Over time, a complete deformation of the joint is possible, this is typical of cases when a person does not pay attention to the symptoms. The main signs of arthritis and arthrosis have some differences.
Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory process. As mentioned above, this occurs against the background of injury, infection and dystrophy. It's pretty easy to spot something wrong. A person begins to feel pain when walking, as well as during rest. The patient starts waking up at night because he feels pain. The evening and night is the peak of arthritic activity. The pain intensifies significantly, so it is clearly impossible to rest and sleep. Particular attention should be paid to the stiffness of the joints, which occurs mainly after getting up from sleep. This may be the first "bell" for the presence of the disease. Any movement can cause a lot of discomfort, this indicates that there is most likely an inflammatory process. As arthritis progresses, swelling occurs. Over time, redness is noticed, and sharp pain appears when palpating the joint.
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. This can be a consequence of previous injury and even hypothermia. It is characterized by pain when walking and at rest. In severe damage, there is an increase in body temperature, insomnia, lack of appetite and nausea. Arthritis of the joints can get worse several times a year. This condition is characterized by increased symptoms.
The problem is eliminated by 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 lead to serious consequences. It is possible to develop deforming arthrosis, which will lead to loss of working capacity and disability.
In order to avoid the development of arthritis, certain preventive measures should be observed. Infectious diseases should be eliminated in a timely manner, the oral cavity should be sanitized and hypothermia should be prevented. Hardening and taking vitamins in winter play an important role. It is at this time that the body must be supported in every possible way.
Arthrosis of the joints
Arthrosis is quite common. It is characterized not only by damage to the joint, but also to the bone tissue. An experienced specialist can distinguish arthrosis of the joints from arthritis. The main distinguishing symptom is the presence of a degenerative process. Moreover, this process takes place in the joint itself.
Arthritis is characterized by pain in the joint, which may increase when a person performs physical exercises or simply walks. In severe cases, mobility is impeded and the victim may remain disabled. Symptoms of the disease are known 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. There are two forms: primary and secondary. Primary arthrosis 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 cartilage tissue. This leads to a gradual loss of smoothness and elasticity. Over time, the process begins to transfer to the bone tissue, which provokes the growth of osteophytes. Eventually, the shape of the bone is disturbed. The joints of the lower limbs are most often affected.
Arthritis is a long-term 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 to get rid of the disease and return the person to his previous ease of movement. Physiotherapy is recommended. It is important to maintain a proper lifestyle. It is also important to protect the joints from excessive stress.
Diagnosis of arthritis and arthrosis
Diagnostic measures include many procedures. The first step is to collect such an anamnesis. It is important to know whether the person has suffered from infectious diseases or has serious injuries. The course of the arthritis is then assessed. Laboratory research is an important activity. This will reveal the level of uric acid and the presence of antibodies against hemolytic streptococcus of group A. Instrumental diagnostics of arthritis and arthrosis are also actively used. It includes ultrasound examinations as well as X-rays. Computed tomography can be used as an auxiliary measure. This will allow you to get high-quality images and see the lesion. Today, the arthroscopy procedure is particularly popular. This technology allows you to study the joint in more detail. X-ray examination is particularly informative. This 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. At the first stage, movements in the joint are observed, more precisely, their limitations. It is enough to ask the person to make a few moves. The site of the lesion has a pronounced unevenness, the joint has ossified areas. In the second stage, the joint is limited in movement. If you change its position, you can hear a characteristic crunch. The muscles near the affected joint are partially atrophied. An X-ray examination revealed the presence of bone growths. At the third stage, you can notice a pronounced deformation of the joint.
There are also additional research methods. These include: blood test, synovial fluid analysis. When examining the blood, special attention is paid to the ESR indicator. A histological examination of the synovium is often performed.
What is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis?
Thus, arthrosis is a chronic damage to the joints due to the inflammatory process. It is characterized by their gradual deformation. The cause of the disease can be damage to the cartilage tissue on the joint surfaces. Arthritis manifests itself in the form of severe pain in the joint, in some cases its mobility sharply decreases. Most often, the process occurs in people over 45 years of age, but there are also earlier cases. It mostly affects women and people with congenital defects of bones and joints. Almost 15% of the world's population suffers 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. This is an inflammatory process that develops in the joint. It can appear against the background of injury, infection or have a dystrophic origin. It is characterized by pain in the joint as well as swelling of 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 affected. Most often, the disease progresses in people under 40 years of age.
The main differences between these diseases can be determined by their symptoms. Thus, severe pain in arthrosis occurs at times of heavy load or during movement. At first, the pain is not very strong, but as the situation worsens, the pain syndrome becomes pronounced. With arthritis, the pain can be bothersome both when walking and at rest. Osteoarthritis is characterized by the presence of cartilage and the joint is inactive. Deformation may develop over time. Arthritis also leads to deformation, but this process is accompanied by swelling and redness. When palpating the diseased joint, a sharp pain appears. Osteoarthritis most often affects the knee and hip joints. Joint stiffness, especially in the morning, and swelling of the fingers are due to arthritis. If this is an infectious form of the disease, then it is characterized by weakness, sweating and pain in the whole body.
Treatment of arthritis and arthrosis
Treatment strategies for these processes are slightly different. Arthritis is often called a disease of the young. Today, several varieties of the disease are known. These are reactive, rheumatoid, psoriatic and gouty forms. In this case, inflammation of the joints is only the beginning of a serious process. The treatment of arthritis and arthrosis should be carried out by an experienced specialist, based on the person's condition.
The first step is to limit the load on the joints. Anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used to eliminate arthritis. A special role is given to hormonal drugs. These can be ointments and injections. Physiotherapy, diet and physical therapy are also practiced. Arthritis can also be eliminated with medication. Working with each patient is a jewel process. Because each situation has its own nuances, which must be competently eliminated with all available methods. More detailed information about the treatment will be provided below.
Medicines for arthritis and arthrosis
Medicines for these diseases should have an extremely positive effect. Particular attention is paid to drugs that can eliminate pain, swelling and eliminate the inflammatory process. Ointments, injections, suppositories and even anti-inflammatory homeopathic medicines are widely used for these purposes. There are some medications for arthritis and arthrosis that are most commonly used.
Treatment of arthritis
Only quick and quality treatment will help prevent changes in the joint. To avoid possible damage, you should consult a doctor at the slightest discomfort in the joint. Early diagnosis will allow you to identify the disease at the first stage and prevent its worsening. Medicines are used to treat arthritis, and therapeutic gymnastics complements 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 inflammation from the joint and reduce pain. In this case, gels and ointments will come to the rescue. Wool socks or gloves made of natural sheepskin or dog hair will enhance the effect.
During the period of remission, the doctor prescribes special gymnastics. The exercises should be performed lying down or in the pool. They will help reduce pain and eliminate discomfort. Therapeutic diet plays an important role. It is necessary to saturate the body with antioxidants and vitamin E. Traditional methods should not be neglected. More detailed information will be provided below.
Treatment of arthrosis
Arthrosis can be eliminated by several methods. Non-drug treatment, medication, traditional medicine and surgery are widely used. The correct diagnosis will allow you to prescribe quality treatment for arthrosis. The elimination of the disease must be comprehensive and long-term. For this purpose, an individual scheme is selected for each patient.
Non-drug treatment. In the initial stage, it is quite possible to cope without the help of drugs. It is important to eat right. Extra pounds only put extra pressure on the joints. It is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle and not to overload the affected joint. The schedule of work and rest must be observed unconditionally. If you are overweight, it is advisable to reduce it. Normalizing the metabolism will bring your weight back to normal and reduce the load on the joints. Physical therapy and physiotherapy methods are widely used. All this is based on the performance of certain exercises. Massage also helps a lot.
medicines. This method is leading in the elimination of the disease. The choice of drugs to eliminate arthrosis is not so wide. In total, there are two large groups of drugs. These are symptomatic agents that can relieve pain and inflammation. When using them, unpleasant symptoms disappear in a short period of time. These products include ointments and tablets. Use them for 2 weeks. Chondroprotectors are also widely used. Detailed information on specific drugs will be presented below.
Not lagging behindethnic woman. There are many good recipes that will reduce swelling and pain. Finally, an operation is also used. This technique is used only in cases where drug therapy has not produced any effect. Arthroscopy, arthrodesis and arthroplasty are used. Arthroscopy is a minimally traumatic method of treatment. It allows you to make small incisions and perform surgery, assessing the condition of the affected cartilage. Arthrodesis is a method that allows you to create immobility of the joint surfaces. This technique will relieve the pain. Arthroplasty is the replacement of articular cartilage with a spacer made of your own tissue. This will relieve the victim's condition and restore range of motion.
Anti-inflammatory homeopathic medicines for arthritis and arthrosis
Homeopathy has always been widely used. Her pantry is full of various medicines. Inflammatory processes developing in the joints are no longer difficult to eliminate. There are many medications that can reduce pain and eliminate inflammation. In arthritis and arthrosis, anti-inflammatory homeopathic medicines are widely used.
Gels for arthritis and arthrosis
Special gels and ointments are often used in complex therapy. They will reduce pain and eliminate swelling. Often one drug is not enough. Therefore, special gels are widely used as an aid to relieve 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 using them is the speed of action. This is achieved thanks to the method of application. In addition, rectal administration is practically not dangerous, side effects do not appear so often. You can choose suppositories for arthritis and arthrosis in the hospital, you don't have to make a choice yourself.
Injections for arthrosis and arthritis
The injections can reduce the pain and eliminate it completely in a few minutes. They are used quite often, but mainly in cases where the situation becomes more complicated.
Traditional methods of treating arthritis and arthrosis
Traditional medicine has always been known for the large number of useful recipes. In her pantry you can find a cure for every occasion. Treatment of arthritis and arthrosis using traditional methods will allow you to avoid adverse reactions from the body.
- Cranberry. It is enough to simply prepare a decoction from the leaves of the plant. You need to take a few tablespoons of raw materials and pour them with 200 ml of boiling water. Then everything is put on the stove and boiled. The resulting product must be used correctly. You need to dilute 20 grams of raw material in a glass of boiling water.
- Birch, nettle and violet. You need to take 2. 5 tablespoons of each ingredient. The leaves themselves are needed. All ingredients are mixed and poured with a glass of boiling water. Then the product is put on fire and boiled. The medicine is used for half a cup up to 4 times a day.
- black currant. For preparation, take five grams of currants, directly from their leaves. They are poured with a glass of boiling water and placed in a water bath for 20 minutes. This remedy will help you deal with arthritis and arthrosis if you take it on a tablespoon 3 times a day.
- Birch buds. The main ingredient in an amount of 5 grams is poured with a glass of boiling water. After that, everything is put on the fire and boiled for about 15 min. The resulting product should be infused for an hour and then take a quarter cup at a time. The frequency of use should not exceed 4 times.
- Burdock roots. You need to take burdock roots and chop them. Then put it in a jar and fill it with vodka. The alcohol should cover the upper part of the burdock by 3 cm. In this condition, the medicine is infused for 3 weeks, after which it is rubbed on the sore spots. 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 should begin with the application of special rules. The first step is to establish the order of life and nutrition. It is recommended that you start adjusting your food intake. It is recommended to dilute the diet with vegetables and plant foods. Meat dishes should be reduced. Salty food should fade into the background, its increased content in the body can lead to salt deposition in the joints, which is unacceptable. Treatment of arthrosis and arthritis should be carried out according to WHO recommendations. So 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 a must to do sports and exercise in the morning. Swimming lessons are ideal. It is worth paying attention to medicinal baths that have an anti-inflammatory effect. You can add eucalyptus, St. John's wort and sandalwood oil to them. In the morning, you can wash your face with fruit vinegar. This procedure must be done correctly. You should only wash in the direction of the heart.
Diet for arthritis and arthrosis
With these millet diseases, it is necessary to follow a certain diet. It is important that the diet should be low-calorie. There is no single diet that will help to deal with the disease. After all, there are quite a few reasons that contribute to its development. Therefore, lists of prohibited and permitted foods were created. In this way, you can create a diet for arthritis and arthrosis yourself.
Fatty 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 trace elements. 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 ideal. Among vegetables, you should take a closer look at onions and cabbage. Vitamin C, which is part of them, actively participates in the synthesis of collagen and elastin fibers. They, in turn, form the basis of cartilage.
Products from the nightshade family can make the situation worse. These include potatoes and tomatoes. It is recommended to avoid eating these vegetables. Baked goods and fatty dairy products have a negative impact. In general, it is necessary to monitor the condition of your own body. It is worth including one product in your diet each week and see what reaction you get. If there are no negative consequences, then it can be used. In this way, you can create a diet yourself.
Exercises for arthritis and arthrosis
A mandatory rule for arthritis and arthrosis is the performance of simple exercises. This will keep the muscles and ligaments in an elastic state. You should start exercising with your doctor's permission. The situations are different, so the doctor decides what exercises to do for arthritis and arthrosis.
- Exercise No. 1. You should sit on a high chair or bench. Then you should start swinging your legs one by one. This exercise will allow you to feel a slight tension in the muscles.
- Exercise No. 2. You must stay in the same position. Only now you will have to raise your legs in succession parallel to the floor and hold them in this position for no more than 5 seconds. It should be repeated 10-15 times, constantly alternating legs.
- Exercise No. 3. You need to lie on your back and stretch your legs. Then, on the count of one, bend one leg at the knee, then at the hip. Then you need to grab it with your hands and press it against the body, then lower it with a sliding movement to its original position. A similar manipulation is performed with the second leg.
- Exercise No. 4. Lying on your back, you need to raise each leg above the floor at a height of 30 cm. You need to hold it in this position for 5 seconds. The leg is then lowered to the floor and the same action is performed with the other leg.
- Exercise No. 5. You need to lie on your stomach and slowly start to bend your knees one by one. In this case, the heel should be as close as possible to the buttocks.
- Exercise No. 6. Starting position - lying down. You need to bend your leg at the knee and slowly lift the other leg off the floor, as if you are trying to pull the toe towards you. You must stay in this position for 10 seconds. Then repeat the manipulation on the second leg.
- Exercise No. 7. While sitting on the floor, you should simply bend your torso forward. In this case, you should try to grab your feet with your hands. It is enough to make no more than 15 inclines.
- Exercise No. 8. While sitting on the floor, you should bend your knees. And at the same time wrap your arms around them. The leg should be tense and trying to escape from your hands. You must stay in this position for 10 seconds. For each leg, the action is repeated 10 times. It should be noted that only a physiotherapist can prescribe exercises depending on the characteristics of the disease.