These conditions sound very similar and in many ways, they are. They have very similar symptoms. But, in short, arthrosis is a type of arthritis.
There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis, so let’s go over the different types. The most common are OA (arthrosis), RA (rheumatoid arthritis), fibromyalgia and gout. Many people have more than one form. Each type causes different types of pain too.
* Rheumatoid Arthritis – This chronic autoimmune disease causes pain, swelling, stiffness and even joint function loss. There are over a million people suffering from RA in the USA each year. If you have RA, your white blood cells are causing inflammation in the synovium. The synovium is a cap in the tissue that helps release lubricants that protect the joints.
* Psoriatic Arthritis – This affects people who have a skin condition called psoriasis. It can be misdiagnosed in some people who don’t have obvious psoriasis. It causes widespread joint inflammation. The best treatment for this is eating right, exercising, and taking medications that reduce inflammation.
* Fibromyalgia – While not technically arthritis due to the fact that it doesn’t damage the joints, it is treated and diagnosed by the same doctors. This central pain disorder is characterized by widespread pain over the entire body that comes and goes. You can also have fatigue, insomnia, brain fog, and even mood disorders with this illness. The treatment usually involves some form of medication, often used for treating nerve disorders to help quieten the overactive nerves so that pain is lessened. Other symptoms are treated as they arise.
* Gout – This inflammatory form of arthritis only causes pain in certain joints. That pain is often unbearable. It’s caused by excess uric acid that forms crystals in your joints. It usually affects the big toe, but it can also flare up in the knee and hips. It is very painful and can wake you from sleep. If you are fine one moment and then feel an intense amount of pain in one joint, suspect this condition. It is treated with medications that lower uric acid in the blood.
* Lupus – This is another autoimmune disease which can affect all parts of your body. It can cause widespread inflammation and affect your joints, kidneys, skin, blood, and even your brain. Pretty much any organ of your body can be affected. Sufferers often have joint pain, fatigue, hair loss, light sensitivity and kidney problems. Many people get a butterfly rash on their face.
* Back Pain – Many people don’t realize that a lot of back pain issues are arthritic in nature. If you can’t trace the pain to something specific, you should get tested for arthritis.
* Musculoskeletal Pain – Any time you have any type of soft-tissue pain, it can be related to arthritis. If your muscles, connective tissues, or bursae become inflamed and painful, then it’s likely a form of arthritis causing your issues.
* Osteoarthritis – This type of arthritis, also called arthrosis, is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage inside the joints. It makes it hard to move. It’s very painful.
Many arthritic conditions are very painful and life changing. More than a third of adults suffer from some sort of arthritis. It’s important to learn what you can about this condition so that you can try to treat it and learn to live with it in a healthy manner.