There are so many different types and kinds of arthritis. It’s hard to keep straight sometimes. So what kind exactly do I have!?
Osteoarthritis (OA)
is the gradual wearing away of the articular cartilage that cover the end of bones in the joints.
“Osteoarthritis usually develops after many years of use. It affects people who are middle-aged or older. Other risk factors for osteoarthritis include obesity, previous injury to the affected joint, and family history of osteoarthritis.” (Orthoinfo)
Treatment for OA is lifestyle modification, weight loss, medications, therapy, exercises, cortisone injections and surgery.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a completely different beast.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is when the joint lining swells, invades surrounding tissues, and produces chemical substances that attack and destroy the joint surface.” (AAOS)
“Although there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, there are a number of treatment options that can help relieve joint pain and improve functioning.” (AAOS)
Medications today can halt bone destruction of this disease. Surgeries for the rheumatoid patient has dramatically declined with the new medications and research development.
Osteopenia
Is when the bones start to become fragile as the result of a low-calcium diet. Osteopenia is the early stages of osteoporosis. “If your bone density is low compared to normal peak density.” (WebMD)
All people begin losing bone mass after they reach peak bone density at about 30 years of age. The thicker your bones are at about age 30, the longer it takes to develop osteopenia or osteoporosis.
“Women are far more likely to develop osteopenia and osteoporosis than men. This is because women have a lower peak bone density and because the loss of bone mass speeds up as hormonal changes take place at the time of menopause.”(AAOS)
Osteoporosis
Is the deterioration of bone tissue resulting in an increased risk of fracture as the result of a low-calcium diet. “It is a disease of progressive bone loss associated with an increased risk of fractures.”
The term osteoporosis literally means “porous bone.” The disease often develops unnoticed over many years, with no symptoms or discomfort until a fracture occurs.”
“The most serious and debilitating osteoporotic fracture is a hip fracture.”(AAOS)
“Osteoporosis is a major health problem, affecting more than 44 million Americans and contributing to an estimated 2 million bone fractures per year. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the number of fractures due to osteoporosis may rise to over 3 million by the year 2025.”(AAOS)
So what causes osteoporosis?
Aging, heredity, nutrition and lifestyle, medication and other illnesses.
Preventative measures?
You should include adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D in your diet and regular exercise.
Author: Stephanie Jones
Sources:
osteoarthritis: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00227
rheumatoid arthritis: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00211
osteopenia: http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/tc/osteopenia-overview
osteoporosis: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00232