Differences Between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

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The two most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid and osteoarthritis and there are certain differences between these two.

Rheumatoid arthritis is very common and thousands of people all over the world suffer from this disease which is an inflammatory condition that has got to do with the tissue covering the various joints of our body. With time the disease begins to affect the vital organs of the body as well and this is very dangerous. Over the decades researchers and scientists have tried to find out what actually causes this particular disease but they are yet to discover a cause and by far they simply point to genetic predisposition as a reason and of course certain events tend to trigger the condition.

There are many types of medicines like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug or DMARDs that are prescribed to patients as rheumatoid treatments. Among the most popular medicines are Enbrel, Methotrexate, Celebrax, Arava and others. Even though these drugs work for most patients they also have severe side effects that harm more than they help.

Osteoarthritis is one condition that is seen in older people because of the wear and tear of the past years. Owing to this particular condition the water components of the cartilage increases whereas the protein component decreases. Repetitive use or stress of joints as well as joint injury and being overweight causes osteoarthritis. Hormonal disorders as well as joint infection, diabetes, pregnancy – a lot of other reasons can also cause osteoarthritis in a person. Osteoarthritis treatment ranges from prescribed local injections of glucocorticoid or hyaluronan to joint replacement surgeries.

There are several osteoarthritis symptoms and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms that can help one to understand the difference between the two types of arthritis. For instance, if the joints are affected from both the sides and when the joint is red and swollen as a sign of inflammation one can be sure that it is rheumatoid arthritis. The patient feels feverish, fatigued or there is a feeling of bodily stiffness which lasts for more than fifteen minutes at a stretch. There are various forms of vasculitis, when both the blood arteries and the veins are affected, that happens due to rheumatoid arthritis. People with rheumatoid arthritis stand the chance of getting a stroke or having a heart attack.

Fibrosis of the lungs and renal amyloidosis is common with patients of rheumatoid arthritis as these are caused by inflammation. These organs of the body can be affected directly or indirectly when one has rheumatoid arthritis. In osteoarthritis the organs of the body are not affected and this latter condition happens due to old age.

It is very important for a person to clearly understand which type of arthritis he or she has got in order to get the proper treatment for his or her situation. Consulting a doctor is a must as the final diagnosis can only be done by him and taking prescribed medicine is a must. If one faces the adverse effects of medication the physician is to be contacted immediately.