Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It usually develops gradually, over time. The disease occurs due to the gradual degeneration of the cartilage, which lines the joints.
Several different joints can be affected, but osteoarthritis is most frequently seen in the hands, knees, hips, feet and spine.
What causes it?
There is no known cause for osteoarthritis, and women are twice as likely as men to be affected. Osteoarthritis can develop at any age, although it occurs more frequently in older people. Injury to a joint can also trigger osteoarthritis, even many years later.
What happens to our joints?
How will it affect me?
Osteoarthritis is a condition that develops over time. Changes will be slow and subtle in some people, whereas in others, the pain and stiffness will gradually worsen until the disease process finishes. At this point, the joints will look rather nobly, but are usually far less painful. In some cases they become pain free. You should be able to carry out most everyday tasks.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease, mainly affecting joints and tendons. An inflamed joint looks swollen and red, and appears warm to the touch. The disease usually starts in the wrists, hands or feet, and can spread to other joints and other parts of the body. There is no cure only treatment to relieve the symptoms.
What causes it?
It is not known why rheumatoid arthritis occurs. People of any age can develop it, but it is most common between the ages of 30 and 50 years, and among women. Certain genes may trigger its development.
How is it different from Osteoarthritis?
In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system starts to attack the body (autoimmune) instead of defending it, resulting in inflammation, which affects:
How will it affect me?
Rheumatoid arthritis affects everyone differently and is, therefore, hard to diagnose. The disease maybe active (a flare-up) or other times inactive but during a flare-up you may experience the following:
Osteoarthritis
Your doctor may prescribe analgesics (painkillers) which relieve pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which reduce inflammation and, in turn, pain steroids, which also reduce inflammation, and can be directly injected into a joint for fast relief.
Surgery maybe required in severe cases and a joint replacement can last up to 10-15 years.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
The main aim of treatment is to reduce the inflammation, disease modifying drugs:
Improve your diet
Supplements
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