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Difference Between Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

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Arthritis vs Osteoarthritis

Arthritis and Osteoarthritis are the terms used interchangeably for joint pain. These are the disease associated with human bones, although both have different causes but sign and symptoms are very similar. Arthritis is condition associated with pain in the joints of body. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, which means degradation of joints. These disorders affect the social life of an individual, as he cannot move around easily. Millions of people around the world are suffering from these disorders.

Arthritis

Arthritis is condition associated with pain in the joints of body. There are different forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Psoriatic arthritis, just to name a few. Pain is the most common symptom, seen almost in every patient of arthritis. Constant pain, often in a particular joint is trademark of this disease. This pain is caused by the inflammation around the joint. Almost every arthritis patient complaint pain, swelling and joint stiffness. Patients finding problems in walking, and ache in moving joints. Weight loss, fever and poor sleep are some other problems coupled with this disease. Healthy eating and physical exercise are the things, which help in reducing the risk of arthritis. There is no actual cure for arthritis; joint replacement surgery might be needed at later stage.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, which means degradation of joints. Factors like inheritance, developmental changes and metabolic malfunctioning are the root cause of cartilage loss. In the absence of cartilage cover, bones are exposed to damage which results in joint pain, stiffness and softness of joints. To avoid this problem, weight loss and exercise are strongly recommended by doctors. This type of arthritis is most common type of arthritis and one of the biggest causes of disability around the world. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often used as a treatment for this type of arthritis, use of oral steroids is not recommended.  Genetics are one of the major causes of osteoarthritis, if parents suffer from this disease children are more likely to get this, especially identical twins. This type of arthritis is not associated with aging, people at very young age are find suffering from osteoarthritis. Change in physical shapes of some joint, like fingers has been observed in patients.

Differences and Similarities

Arthritis is the parent disorder and Osteoarthritis is a branch, so signs and symptoms are almost same, like pain in joints, joint stiffness and difficulties in mobilization. Inflammation around the joint leads to arthritis where as lose of cartilage in joints leads to osteoarthritis. There is no treatment for both, but in case of osteoarthritis, some non-steroidal medicines are use, but joint replacement is the remedy in both cases. To avoid the risk of arthritis and osteoarthritis, weight lose, physical exercise and healthy eating habits are advised. Overweight people are more likely to get arthritis, and osteoarthritis is not associated with aging rather its causes are hereditary.

Conclusion

Arthritis and Osteoarthritis have similar symptoms, and cure and treatment methods. Their causes are different but their effects are almost same. Both restrict the movement of human, affecting his social life. Healthy diet and physical exercise are essential to avoid the risk of these bone diseases.


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  1. Difference Between Osteo arthritis and Rheumatiod arthritis
  2. Difference Between Acute and Chronic

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  • Mary

    Diet and exercise would do almost nothing to prevent someone from getting RA, Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis or almost any other form of autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. Diet and exercise may help alleviate some symptoms in some cases, but at this time, there is no real evidence that diet or exercise would stave off these conditions. Unfortunately we’re genetically predisposed for our own bodies to attack us.

    • Dr K Guruparan

      Exercise will help to reduced the severity of disases, in general. Even rheumatiod arthritis, the joint movements will help to reduce the pain. Thats why the early morning the stiffness is high and with the movement, it reduces!!

      • Mary

        That may be what the author means, but it certainly isn’t what their statements say as written. Reduce the severity of the disease or provide some relief from symptoms? Yup, I’ll accept that. But to “avoid the risk of arthritis”? No. Exercise and diet would have done nothing to decrease the risk of me contracting Psoriatic Arthritis. When I’m more active and eating well, yes, I’m generally experiencing less pain overall. However, the condition is still underlying.

  • Mary

    It’s also grossly inaccurate that “there is no treatment for both.” Any form of arthritis has some treatments, with variations in their efficacy for different patients. For instance, Psoriatic Arthritis and other spondylarthropothies are generally treated with some combination of NSAIDs, DMARDs and biologics. Sometimes muscle relaxants, steroids, and narcotic painkillers are also used. I hope you meant “there is no cure” as that is currently true.

    Furthermore, osteoarthritis IS associated with aging. Yes, young people can have osteoarthritis, but it is still generally associated with the aging process.

    • Dr Guruparan

      Yes. Arthritis has definite treatment. But I think author refer the treatment as CURATIVE treatment. Actually there is 100 % curative treatment. As u said DMART and NSAIDS are used.

      • Dr Guruparan

        Actually there are no definte curative treatment! Sorry for typing error.

      • Mary

        I understand your interpretation of the article, but it doesn’t change the fallacy of the original statement. They need to edit their article to be accurate before publication, instead of just relying on all readers to throw in their own extra words to make them accurate. I don’t know how many people would accept this random internet article as the truth, but ultimately, I think it’s especially important to carefully edit medical information and advice.

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