According to WebMD, about 1 in 5 adults has some form of arthritis. Arthritis literally means "joint inflammation," and when an area in or around a joint becomes inflamed, it often causes pain, stiffness, and even difficulty moving. And while arthritis is more common among people as they age, it can happen to anyone anytime.
There are over 100 diseases that are categorized as arthritis, but two of the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. So we thought we’d look into those two and share some information about what makes them similar. And what makes them different.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It involves the wearing away of the cartilage that caps the bones in your joints. It's often caused by a lifetime’s worth of wear and tear on joints like the hands, knees, hips, and spine.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
The symptoms most commonly associated with Osteoarthritis include:
- Pain. Pain may come and go for some people, but constant pain or pain while sleeping could indicate that your arthritis is progressing.
- Stiffness after a period of inactivity, such as first thing in the morning or after a long period of sitting.
- Muscle weakness surrounding the arthritic joint, particularly in the knee.
- Joint deformities. As osteoarthritis advances, joints may become crooked or deformed.
- Limited range of motion.
- Cracks and creaks in the joints.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid Arthritis, also known as RA, is a disease in which the immune system attacks the thin membrane that lines the joints.
Symptoms of RA
While some symptoms of Osteoarthritis and RA are similar (like joint pain and stiffness), others can occur, like the following:
- Fatigue. RA patients generally have multiple persistently inflamed joints. Internal inflammation can also cause general physical weakness, sleepiness, and weariness.
- Morning stiffness is common in RA patients. Difficulty moving can last up to an hour or more after waking.
- Swelling. When osteoarthritis produces joint swelling, the joints become sensitive and uncomfortable.
- Stiffness after a period of inactivity, such as first thing in the morning or after a long period of sitting.
- Anemia. Inflammation impedes the body’s ability to create enough new blood cells, which can lead to anemia.
Treatment Methods for Osteoarthritis
While there is no cure for Osteoarthritis, a variety of therapies can effectively manage symptoms and flare-ups for both. Here are some of them:
- Topical pain medicines and anti-inflammatory medications. Most people with RA can safely take an over-the-counter medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to control a temporary flare in joint pain. If you are unsure about how these drugs will mix with your other medications, or if you need to take them daily for more than a couple of weeks, talk to your physician or pharmacist.
- Intermittent heat and cold treatments that can help relieve pain and stiffness temporarily.
- Weight loss (if overweight).
- Supportive devices such as braces, orthotics, shoe inserts, a cane, or walker, which can help avoid putting further stress on arthritic joints.
- Exercise. Exercise improves flexibility, joint stability, and muscle strength. Swimming and other low-impact strength training are all good options that have been demonstrated to reduce the amount of pain and disability experienced by arthritis sufferers.
Treatment Methods for RA
Similar to Osteoarthritis, RA has no cure. However, controlling inflammation, reducing pain, and reducing disability are the basic therapy aims for RA.
- Avoiding inflammatory foods. Things like fried foods and sugary sodas can exacerbate joint problems by increasing inflammation. Try replacing them with fruits, vegetables, and other high-fiber, plant-based foods.
- Increasing sleep quality to fight fatigue caused by RA. Establishing a healthy sleep regimen has been shown to reduce arthritis’ impact. That includes going to bed at the same time every night, avoiding screen time before bed, and sleeping on comfortable, supportive bedding.
- Your doctor will most likely prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) as part of your rheumatoid arthritis treatment. These drugs relieve pain and inflammation but do not delay the progression of RA.
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to curb your immune system and help delay or prevent the progression of RA.
- Combination Therapy: Taking multiple medications will not reverse existing joint damage, nor will it provide a cure. However, it can help you avoid more damage and other health concerns associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Once again, RA and Osteoarthritis can’t be cured, but they can be managed. And by knowing more about these conditions and taking steps like these to manage them, there’s no reason you can’t live a full, active life that’s not dominated by painful, stiff joints.