Osteoarthritis vs. RA: the Difference?

Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are two of the most common types of arthritis, a condition that causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joints. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition, meaning that it gets worse over time, while RA is an autoimmune disease, meaning that it is caused by the body's own immune system attacking healthy tissue.

Symptoms

The symptoms of OA and RA can be similar, but there are some key differences. OA typically causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints that is worse in the morning and improves throughout the day. The affected joints may also feel warm to the touch and look red or swollen. RA, on the other hand, typically causes symmetrical pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints on both sides of the body. The symptoms of RA are often worse in the morning and may persist throughout the day. RA can also cause fatigue, weight loss, and loss of appetite.

Causes

Osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown of cartilage, the tissue that cushions the ends of bones. This breakdown can be caused by a number of factors, including age, obesity, injury, and family history. RA is caused by the body's own immune system attacking healthy tissue in the joints. The exact cause of RA is unknown, but there are a number of risk factors, including genetics, environmental factors, and hormonal factors.

Treatment

Osteoarthritis is treated with a variety of medications, including painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids. Physical therapy and exercise can also help to relieve pain and stiffness. RA is treated with a variety of medications, including anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologics. Physical therapy and exercise can also help to relieve pain and stiffness.

Prevention

There is no sure way to prevent OA, but there are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk, such as maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, and avoiding joint injuries. RA cannot be prevented, but there are a number of things you can do to manage the disease, such as taking medication, doing physical therapy and exercise, and eating a healthy diet.