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It's easy to get the care you need.See a Premier Physician Network provider near you. Both cause stiff, painful joints. Both are types of arthritis. Other than that, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis share little in common. Their differences begin with what causes them. Osteoarthritis is more commonly occurs later in life, after years of mechanical wear and tear on the cartilage which lines and cushions your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis, which can occur at most any age, is an autoimmune disease. That is, your body's immune system attacks your joints. Dr. Michael Raab explains the differences of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Click play to watch the video or read video transcript. Here are other important things to know about the key differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Disease OnsetOsteoarthritis tends to develop gradually over several years, as the joint cartilage wears away. Eventually the bones of your joints rub against each other. In contrast, the pain and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis can develop and worsen over several weeks or a few months. In some cases, joint pain isn't the first sign of rheumatoid arthritis. It may also begin with "flu-like" symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, weakness, and minor joint aches. How Many Are AffectedOsteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It affects 27 million Americans. Rheumatoid arthritis (or RA) affects about one-tenth as many people. In women, RA often begins between ages 30 and 60. With men, it often occurs later. Joint StiffnessIn contrast, it can take an hour or longer for the morning stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis to subside. In some cases, prolonged morning joint stiffness is the first symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. SymptomsOsteoarthritis symptoms include:
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include:
Considered a systemic disease, rheumatoid arthritis affects the entire body and can affect both sides of the body at the same time. For example, while osteoarthritis may impact only the right or left knee, rheumatoid arthritis could simultaneously strike both knees. In severe cases, rheumatoid arthritis may also affect the eyes, lungs, heart, nerves, or blood vessels. RA can raise your risk of heart disease 50 percent. DiagnosisOsteoarthritis diagnosis While examining you to rule out other conditions, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms:
Your doctor will examine you for joint tenderness and swelling, as well as muscle weakness, to help determine whether you have arthritis. Your doctor may also order X-rays to check for joint damage or blood tests to see if other conditions may be causing your pain. Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis Timely diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is important. Permanent joint damage can start within a year of having the disease. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam to check your joints for signs of swelling or tenderness and will also ask about your symptoms and health history. Your doctor may order blood tests, X-rays, and other tests. TreatmentOsteoarthritis treatment Treatment varies from one person to the next. Osteoarthritis is not reversible, but the symptoms can be managed. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best treatment for you:
Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment Treatment includes medicine, exercise, and lifestyle changes, which must continue throughout life. Seeking treatment early can control the condition and prevent it from worsening. Many RA medicines have side effects, so regular doctor checkups are important. If your pain and joint function worsen after trying medicine, exercise, and lifestyle changes, your doctor may recommend surgery, such as total joint replacement of the hip or knee. To improve your life with rheumatoid arthritis:
It's easy to get the care you need.See a Premier Physician Network provider near you. Source:
How can you tell the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis?The main difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is the cause behind the joint symptoms. Osteoarthritis is caused by mechanical wear and tear on joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks the body's joints.
What lab tests are used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis?Blood tests
People with rheumatoid arthritis often have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, also known as sed rate) or C-reactive protein (CRP) level, which may indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.
How do you test for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis?See a GP if you have these symptoms so they can try to determine the cause.. Seeing a GP. A GP will do a physical examination, checking your joints for any swelling and to assess how easily they move. ... . Blood tests. ... . Rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies. ... . Joint scans. ... . Assessing your physical ability.. What test is used to detect osteoarthritis OA?X-rays of the affected joints are the main way osteoarthritis is identified. The common X-ray findings of osteoarthritis include loss of joint cartilage, narrowing of the joint space between adjacent bones, and bone spur formation.
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