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Tags: osteoarthritis | rheumatoid arthritis | difference

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: What's the Difference

By    |   Sunday, 12 July 2015 02:42 PM EDT

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have some common symptoms, such as joint inflammation and pain, but each form of arthritis is treated differently.

The effects of osteoarthritis usually occur in the hips, knees, spine, and hands. Rheumatoid arthritis commonly causes symptoms in the hands and wrists or in areas other than the joints, according to Arthritis.com.

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Osteoarthritis is the result of the breakdown in the cartilage, lining, and ligaments in the joints as well as in the underlying bone, according to the Mayo Clinic. Pain and joint stiffness may occur from heavy activity in the hips, knees, hands, and spine but may also happen in small joints such as the base of the thumb and the big toe.

Nearly one in two people develop symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee by age 85, according to Medical News Today. Long-term use of certain areas in the body eventually break down tissues around the joints for people susceptible to arthritis. However, osteoarthritis can occur at any age.

Pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis may occur following exercise or when there is pressure on the affected joints. It may cause rubbing, grating or crackling noises when the joints are moved, Medical News said. Morning stiffness and pain that disrupts sleep can also occur. Some people might not experience any symptoms early on, but tests and x-rays could determine that osteoarthritis has set in.

In many cases, symptoms of osteoarthritis might be relieved through moderate physical activity about three or more times a week.

Rheumatoid arthritis, which is an auto-immun causes pain, swelling, stiffness, warmth, and redness in the affect joint from inflammation of the joint lining, WebMD said. There may be a loss in normal movement in the area. Flare-ups of symptoms often occur with periods of remission when there is no pain or inflammation. Other than the joints, rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the eyes, heart, lungs, and blood.

Common symptoms include morning pain and stiffness for more than an hour, fatigue, occasional fever, feelings of malaise, and inflammation of the joints in the wrists and fingers, as well as the neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles, and feet, Medical News said. Small lumps of tissue may develop under the skin in some patients. Rheumatoid arthritis often affects areas on both sides of the body.

VIDEO: This Weird Trick With Gin and Raisins May Relieve Arthritis Pain

Early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can help patients avoid more serious effects of the disease, such as inflamed tendons, destroyed ligaments, and severe damage to the bones that cause deformity, Arthritis.com reported.

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FastFeatures
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have some common symptoms, such as joint inflammation and pain, but each form of arthritis is treated differently.
osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, difference
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2015-42-12
Sunday, 12 July 2015 02:42 PM
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