Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis are common names for joint stiffness and muscle inflexibility. But both these ailments have different causes, and they have different symptoms. These two are the key elements that make them different from each other.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The disease attacks your body's immunity. When the immunity of your body is low, it is unable to fight bacteria and viruses. The autoimmune system starts attacking the tissues of your joints and releases enzymes that affect the linings of joints which in turn causes stiffness, swelling and pain in the joints.
Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, involves the protective cartilages between your joints breaking down when the bones rub together. It happens with repetitive movements and usual wear and tears, like when there is constant physical activity, that adds pressure to the joints. Bone growth called spurs develop between the joints, which cause immense pain and stiffness and makes movements difficult.
Osteoarthritis develops in the body due to regular wear and tear and over time. The bones rub together, and the protective cartilage wears away in time. Rheumatoid arthritis develops in a very short period and elevates into severe pain within weeks or months. The symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis needn’t be pain. It can come around with flu-like symptoms, fatigue, weakness etc.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis symptoms include:
- The pain can range from a burning sensation to sharp pain, which can affect the knees, legs, hips, hands and feet. But other joints can also experience such pain.
- Muscle stiffness.
- Muscle weakness around the affected joint is usually seen around the knee.
- As the severity of the disease progresses, there is a restriction in the movement of the joints.
- Deformed joints are seen at a much later stage.
- Cracking and creaking.
Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms include:
- Pain, stiffness and swelling
- Inflammation can cause irreversible damage to the joints.
- Bumps or nodules
Both of these diseases have similar symptoms, but Rheumatoid Arthritis has it bad and can happen all of a sudden.
- Osteoarthritis can happen only in the later stages of life as it is because of wearing out, and Rheumatoid Arthritis can happen at any age.
- Rheumatoid arthritis develops fairly quickly and in a short period, and Osteoarthritis develops over the years.
- The risk of developing Rheumatoid arthritis is fairly common in women and can be hereditary. Osteoarthritis can be caused because of being obese or overweight and is seen in men under the age of 45 and women who are older than 45.
- Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can range from mild fever to muscle aches. It can also affect the heart and the lungs. It can also develop lumps or nodules in the body. Whereas Osteoarthritis symptoms can be limited to stiffness and pain in the joints and can cause in dire circumstances, excessive bone growth called bone spurs.
- Rheumatoid arthritis forms from smaller joints and is symmetrical so that both sides of the body can be affected. Osteoarthritis also starts from smaller joints like fingers and moves on to larger joints, but it is asymmetrical.
Treatments
Consulting a doctor in the event of inherent pain or discomfort is the ideal way to get treatment at an appropriate time. Accommodating a healthy lifestyle can bring down the chances of getting affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. Ayur Bethaniya provides ayurvedic treatment for arthritis in the most effectivc traditional ayurvedic ways Contact us to know more.
