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Last Updated on August 30, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
Arthritis is a significant health issue in India, affecting millions of people across the country. According to a study published in 2022, the prevalence of arthritis in India is huge. The significant burden of arthritis can have serious impacts on a person’s quality of life and ability to work. The most common type of arthritis in India is osteoarthritis. It is typically associated with ageing and is more prevalent among women than men. Rheumatoid arthritis, another common type of arthritis, is also prevalent in India. In this article, we will discuss whether arthritis and osteoarthritis are the same and the differences between the two.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a medical condition that causes inflammation, pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints of the body. Arthritis causes inflammation, pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints of the body. This is because it affects the tissues that surround and cushion the joints. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury, infection, or tissue damage. It also involves a complex series of chemical reactions that help the body to heal itself.
In arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues in and around the joints, leading to inflammation. This inflammation causes the tissues to become swollen, red, and painful, which can make it difficult to move the joint. Over time, the inflammation can damage the tissues and cartilage within the joint, leading to further pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
The exact causes of arthritis are not fully understood, but factors such as genetics, age, joint injuries, infections, and environmental factors can all play a role. Different types of arthritis can affect the body in different ways, but they all involve inflammation and damage to the joint tissues. Treatment for arthritis aims to reduce inflammation, manage pain, and improve joint function and can involve a combination of medication, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and surgery in some cases.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a medical condition that affects the joints of the body, particularly those in the hands, knees, hips, and spine. It is a type of arthritis that occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears down over time, causing the bones to rub against each other.
This process can lead to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility in the affected joint. In some cases, bony spurs can develop around the joint, and small fragments of bone or cartilage can break off and float around inside the joint, causing additional pain and discomfort.
OA is more common in older adults, but it can also occur in younger people, particularly those who have had injuries to their joints in the past or who engage in repetitive activities that put stress on the joints. Other risk factors for OA include obesity, genetics, and certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or gout.
Treatment for OA may involve a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and therapies like physical therapy, occupational therapy, or surgery in severe cases. The goal of treatment is to reduce pain, improve joint function, and help people with OA maintain their quality of life.
What is the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis?
Arthritis is an umbrella term for more than 100 different forms of rheumatism. Rheumatic diseases or rheumatism can include autoimmune or inflammatory diseases that affect muscles, organs, joints, and bones. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common conditions with arthritis. Others are psoriatic arthritis, gout rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia.
When osteoarthritis occurs in the joints, it damages the cartilage. In response to this, there is an increase in the production of synovial fluid in the affected joint. Although synovial fluid lubricates joints to enable smooth movement, excess of it distends the joints to cause pain.
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