Arthritis is a common problem that is suffered by a lot of elder people. This is a condition that usually affects your joints. The common arthritis symptoms include joint pain, inflammation, swelling, etc. Also, there are different types of arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, etc. It is estimated that there are more than a hundred forms of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a common type of arthritis that is commonly found in people. However, many people confuse this disease for osteoporosis which is a condition that affects your bones. Although they sound similar, these two are different conditions that have to be treated differently. Sometimes, it can possible for you to have both these conditions together which makes it difficult for distinguishing one from another. Hence, we provide some insight into these diseases for helping you to differentiate between them.
Osteoarthritis (OA)
This is a degenerative joint disease that causes the thinning or destruction of cartilage that encloses the end of your bones. OA is usually characterized by the symptoms including pain, stiffness and loss of mobility of the affected joint. Hence, it can reduce your ability to indulge in physical activities and thereby reducing the quality of life.
Symptoms
The joints that are commonly affected by osteoarthritis include knees, hips, fingers, feet, spine, etc. Each joint in your body will be affected differently by this disease and it is easy for you to overlook the symptoms. It can result in pain in your joints that is caused by the overuse of a joint, painful bony growth in your finger joints or prolonged immobility, etc.
Diagnosis
This disease can be identified with the help of medical history, physical examination and also using x-rays of the joints that are affected.
Risk factors
The common risk factors for osteoarthritis include excess weight, physical inactivity, overuse or injury of joints. It can be hereditary too.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that is caused by the thinning of your bones that will make them vulnerable to damages and fractures. You may not be able to detect the presence of this disease until you break a bone. This condition can reduce the quality and quantity of your bones.
Symptoms
People with osteoporosis can fracture bones easily even by bending, or sneezing, etc. Wrist, spine, hip fractures are commonly associated with this disease.
Diagnosis
The presence of this disease is identified using a bone mineral density test that measures the amount of bone in the hip and spine.
Risk factors
The risk of this disease can be reduced by taking action in the beginning stages itself. The major risk factors of osteoporosis include reduced bone mineral density, older age, certain medications, family history, etc.
