Arthritis and arthrosis: see the difference and learn how to treat

Arthritis and arthrosis: see the difference and learn how to treat

Simple daily activities for anyone, such as opening pots or brushing their teeth, can become martyrdom for those with joint inflammation - a place where two or more distinct bones, such as elbows and knees, come together. Although similar, arthritis and osteoarthritis are diseases with different causes and symptoms.

Although they predominate in older people - in general, over the age of 60 - children, young people, and adults are not free from these problems. Understanding the differences between diseases is, therefore, fundamental to having a good diagnosis and making a correct treatment.

With this in mind, we have prepared this article for you to understand what these diseases are and how to treat them. So, to know how to treat arthrosis and arthritis, follow the reading right now!

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the tissue of various joints - wrists, hands, knees, elbows, shoulders, feet, cervical spine, among others. The evolution of the condition is associated with changes and deformities in the joints, which can compromise the movements.

Symptoms

At first, symptoms can be deceiving and common to other diseases or occur abruptly. The most common are:

malaise;

morning stiffness that recedes during the day;

weight loss caused by decreased appetite;

tiredness;

swelling in the joints of the hands, feet, knees, and wrists, which may become deformed as the disease progresses.

Main treatments

The resources for the permanent cure of arthritis are not yet known. However, physical therapy and physical activities can help control the loss of mobility and joint impairment. Also, treatment includes pain relievers, immunosuppressive drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids. Surgery and joint prostheses are an option only for more advanced stages of the disease.

What is Arthrosis?

Osteoarthritis, popularly known as arthrosis, is characterized by the degeneration of joint cartilages and is accompanied by changes in neighboring bone structures.

Symptoms

The main symptoms can include:

pain  in the affected joints;

difficulty performing movements;

swelling and stiffness in the joints.

Main treatments

Arthrosis also has no cure and the treatment is based on the use of anti-inflammatory medication and analgesics to reduce joint pain and inflammation. Among the main drugs indicated to treat the problem, the following stand out:

analgesics: paracetamol, dipyrone, codeine, tramadol, among others;

anti-inflammatory drugs: diclofenac, nimesulide, ketoprofen, etc;

nutritional supplements: mainly glucosamine and chondroitin;

corticosteroids: prednisone, dexamethasone, betamethasone, among others;

ointments: mainly capsaicin-based creams.

It should always be emphasized that self-medication should never be committed, after all, each person has a different organism and can react differently to the use of medicines. Therefore, only take the medication with the accompaniment of a doctor.

Also, it is important to maintain a routine of physical therapy, exercise, or hydrotherapy. This is important to maintain joint movement, strengthen and improve movement. During sessions, it is possible to use ultrasound devices or electrostimulation that activate the joints, decrease inflammation, relieve pain, and facilitate healing.

Day-to-day habits that help with treatment

Still, on how to treat arthrosis, some routine habits can contribute to the effectiveness of the treatments mentioned above. Next, we'll talk about each one. Look!

Exercise

People with arthrosis must have a habit of exercising, to avoid atrophy and muscle weakness. This is justified by the fact that the developed muscles help to protect the joints.

When doing physical exercises, however, it is recommended to practice those that have a less joint impact, such as stretching and pilates. The most advisable is that the activities are supervised by a physical education professional.

Control weight

Excess weight can further damage the joints, causing arthrosis to develop even more intensely. That is why weight management is also important for those who have this disease.

In addition to physical activities, therefore, it is advisable to adopt a healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and natural foods. You should also avoid sweets, fried foods, and very fatty foods.

Have an adapted home

To facilitate the routine of a person with osteoarthritis, small adjustments must be made in the home. The installation of support bars on the walls, for example, facilitates mobility around all areas of the residence.

Use products suitable for the disease

Some products are indicated to ease the pain caused by arthrosis. Wrist splints, elastic knee pads, knee immobilizers, among other items can be purchased by anyone facing this type of problem.

The products can be used in conjunction with medications, bringing more effective results, and ensuring more quality of life for people with osteoarthritis.

ORTHOPEDIC PRODUCTS FOR HANDLE AND HAND

Go to the doctor often

It is important to follow up with a doctor who specializes in this type of disease. This is the orthopedist, who you should consult at least once every six months for tests to check the evolution of the treatments that are performed.

Be careful with your shoes

It is also important that you take care when choosing the shoes you use in your day today. The use of soft shoes with shock absorbers is recommended - in the case of women, the use of high heels should be avoided.

What are the differences between arthritis and osteoarthritis?

The main difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is that the second affects mainly older people, while the first can occur at all ages and is more recurrent in females.

There are also some differences regarding the types of joints affected. Although the two diseases affect the hands, in arthritis the problem occurs in the proximal joints - that is, in those closest to the wrist and in the wrist itself. In arthrosis, distal joints are more affected, especially those located near the nails. Also, small ganglia are formed in the region, known as Heberden nodules.

In both cases, it is essential to have a medical diagnosis for an accurate result. Only a professional can prescribe the correct tests to determine the type of disease and, from there, indicate the most appropriate treatment.

The causes of arthritis and osteoarthritis are still poorly understood, but important advances have already been made in the area of treatment. Therefore, the sooner the patient begins treatment, the better the results will be, since the chance of delaying the evolution of diseases increases and avoids undesirable consequences.

Understanding how to treat arthrosis and arthritis you also realize that living with diseases is possible and that even with them you can have a quality of life.

Did you like our content? Then subscribe to our newsletter! So we’ll send more useful materials like this to your email.