It is not uncommon that pain at
joints and bones increase with age. Pain can cause stress and immobility,
and affect the quality of life negatively. On a positive note, pain is the
body’s signal for action. Both arthritis and osteoporosis can cause pain but it is important to note the
differences.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is
an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints.
Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when the body is mistakenly
attacked by its own immune system. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause
inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well as in other organs in the
body. Because it can affect multiple organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis
is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid
disease. While rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic illness, meaning it can last
for years, patients may experience long periods without symptoms. Typically,
however, rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive illness that has the potential
to cause joint destruction and functional disability.
When the disease is active,
symptoms can include fatigue, lack of appetite, low-grade fever, muscle and
joint aches, and stiffness. Muscle and joint stiffness are usually most notable
in the morning and after periods of inactivity. Arthritis is common during
disease flares. Also during flares, joints frequently become red, swollen,
painful, and tender. This occurs because the lining tissue of the joint
(synovium) becomes inflamed, resulting in the production of excessive joint
fluid (synovial fluid). The synovium also thickens with inflammation (synovitis).
In rheumatoid arthritis,
multiple joints are usually inflamed in a symmetrical pattern (both sides of
the body affected). The small joints of both the hands and wrists are often
involved. Simple tasks of daily living, such as turning door knobs and opening
jars can become difficult during flares. The small joints of the feet are also
commonly involved. Chronic inflammation can cause damage to body tissues,
cartilage, and bone. This leads to a loss of cartilage and erosion and weakness
of the bones as well as the muscles, resulting in joint deformity, destruction,
and loss of function.
The cause of rheumatoid arthritis
is unknown. Even though infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi
have long been suspected, none has been proven as the cause. The cause of
rheumatoid arthritis is a very active area of worldwide research. Some
scientists believe that the tendency to develop rheumatoid arthritis may be
genetically inherited. It is suspected that certain infections or factors in
the environment might trigger the immune system to attack the body's own
tissues in susceptible individuals, resulting in inflammation in various organs
of the body including the joints. Environmental factors also seem to play some
role in causing rheumatoid arthritis. Recently, scientists have reported that
smoking tobacco increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
There is no known cure for
rheumatoid arthritis. To date, the goal of treatment in rheumatoid arthritis is
to reduce joint inflammation and pain, maximize joint function, and prevent
joint destruction and deformity. Early medical intervention has been shown to
be important in improving outcomes. Aggressive management can improve function,
stop damage to joints as seen on X-rays, and prevent work disability. Optimal
treatment for the disease involves a combination of medications, rest,
joint-strengthening exercises, joint protection, and patient (and family)
education. Treatment is customized according to many factors such as disease
activity, types of joints involved, general health, age, and patient
occupation.
The symptoms of rheumatoid
arthritis come and go, depending on the degree of tissue inflammation. When
body tissues are inflamed, the disease is active. When tissue inflammation
subsides, the disease is inactive (in remission). Remissions can occur
spontaneously or with treatment and can last weeks, months, or years. During
remissions, symptoms of the disease disappear and patients generally feel well.
When the disease becomes active again (relapse), symptoms return. The return of
disease activity and symptoms is called a flare. The course of rheumatoid
arthritis varies from patient to patient, and periods of flares and remissions
are typical.
Juvenile rheumatoid
arthritis (JRA) is arthritis that causes joint inflammation and stiffness for
more than six weeks in a child 16 years of age or younger. It affects approximately
50,000 children in the United States. Inflammation causes redness, swelling,
warmth, and soreness in the joints, although many children with JRA do not
complain of joint pain. Any joint can be affected, and inflammation may limit
the mobility of affected joints.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Also called "wear and
tear" arthritis or degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis (OA) is the
progressive breakdown of the joints' natural shock absorbers. This can cause
discomfort when you use the affected joints –- perhaps an ache when you bend at
the hips or knees, or sore fingers when you type. Most people over 60 have some
degree of OA, but it also affects people in their 20s and 30s.
What Are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?
The symptoms of
osteoarthritis tend to develop slowly. You may notice pain or soreness when you
move certain joints or when you've been inactive for a prolonged period. The
affected joints may also be stiff or creaky. Typically, osteoarthritis leads to
morning stiffness that resolves in 30 minutes. When osteoarthritis affects the
hands, some people develop bony enlargements in the fingers, which may or may
not cause pain.
Where Does It Hurt?
In most cases, osteoarthritis
develops in the weight-bearing joints of the knees, hips, or spine. It's also
common in the fingers, thumb, neck, and big toe. Other joints are usually not
affected, unless an injury is involved.
What Is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease
characterized by low bone mass and loss of bone tissue that may lead to weak
and fragile bones. If you have osteoporosis, you have an increased risk for
fractured bones (broken bones).
What Are the Symptoms of
Osteoporosis?
Normal bone is composed of protein,
collagen, and calcium, all of which give bone its strength. Bones that are
affected by osteoporosis can break (fracture) with relatively minor injury that
normally would not cause a bone to fracture. The
osteoporosis condition can be present without any symptoms for decades.
Therefore, patients may not be aware of their osteoporosis until they suffer a
painful fracture. Symptoms depend on the location of the fracture.
Does Osteoporosis Only Affect the
Elderly?
Osteoporosis has often been
thought to be a condition that frail elderly women develop. However, the damage
from osteoporosis begins much earlier in life. Because peak bone density is
reached at approximately 25 years of age, it is important to build strong bones
by that age, so that the bones will remain strong later in life. Adequate
calcium intake and exercise are essential for building strong bones.
Why Is Osteoporosis an Important
Public Health Issue?
In the United States, more
than 10 million people have osteoporosis and almost 34 million more have low
bone density. Approximately 80% of those with osteoporosis are women. Of people
older than 50 years of age, one in two women and one in eight men are predicted
to have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. White and Asian
racial groups are at a greater risk. With the aging of America, the number of
people with osteoporosis-related fractures will increase substantially. The
pain, suffering, and economic costs will be enormous.
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