Difference Between Rheumatism and Arthritis

Rheumatism vs. Arthritis

Arthritis came from the Greek word arthron which means “joint” and a Latin word which means “inflammation.” The plural term of this word is “arthritides.” This condition can affect the muscles and joints or the components of the musculoskeletal system. Arthritis is the primary cause of disabilities among elderly persons which are over fifty years old in countries that belong to the first-world classification. This disease is not only classified into one group. The disease can cover up to 100 medical situations. Therefore, “arthritis” is a general term for these various diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is one of the various classifications, but the most prevalent type of arthritis is osteoarthritis or OA. This type usually occurs in elderly patients while RA can occur to younger people. It is essential to identify the type of arthritis condition a patient has. The diagnosis will be the basis of the patient’s treatment regimen.

A joint is a hinge in the body that enables parallel bones to move. Ligaments are structures that clasp the two bones simultaneously. These structures maintain the bones in the proper place to relax a person’s muscles or to contract to enable movement of joints. Cartilage is the cover of bones that prevents the two parallel bones from rubbing directly on each other. The cartilage cover permits the joint to move painlessly and smoothly. The joint cavity, or the hollow space between two bones, contains a special kind of liquid termed as synovial fluid. This fluid has the ability to nourish the cartilage and the joints. Synovial fluid is created by a synovial membrane called synovium which covers the cavity of a joint. When a person has arthritis, it would indicate that his joint has problems with either of the mentioned structures. It could result from the wearing away of cartilage, fluid deficiencies, infections, autoimmune cause, or a mix-up of many contributory factors.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-standing bone disease that concerns the joint of a patient. The injuries of the joint result from the inflammation of the joint covering tissues. Inflammation is a regular reaction of the immune system of the body that fights against infections, foreign materials, and wounds. In this condition, the immune system destroys the joints. The irritation of the joints will result in joint pain, swelling, and stiffness as well as other manifestations. This irritation frequently affects several systems and organs in the patient’s body. If the swelling is not stopped or slowed, it can permanently injure the distressed joints and tissues surrounding the bones.

Rheumatoid arthritis must not be confused with other types of arthritis like osteoarthritis or infectious arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an autoimmune disorder. This indicates the patient’s immune system erroneously destroys the normal tissues or structures it is made to defend. The immune system of the body creates specific chemicals and cells to be on the loose in the bloodstream and commence to destroy normal tissues. This irregular reaction causes a thickened and inflamed synovial membrane termed as synovitis. Synovitis will result in the reduction of synovial fluid volume within the joint cavities. This condition is the hallmark sign of RA.

Summary:

1.Arthritis came from the Greek word arthron which means “joint” and a Latin word which means “inflammation.”

2.The disease can cover up to 100 medical situations. Therefore, arthritis is a general term for these various diseases. 3.Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is one of the various classifications, but the most prevalent type of arthritis is osteoarthritis or OA.

4.When a person has arthritis, it would indicate that his joint has problems in either of the mentioned structures. It could result from the wearing away of cartilage, fluid deficiencies, infections, autoimmune cause, or a mix-up of many contributory factors.

5.Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-standing bone disease that concerns the joint of a patient. The injuries of the joint result from the inflammation of the joint covering tissues.

6.Rheumatoid arthritis must not be confused with other types of arthritis like osteoarthritis or infectious arthritis. 7.Rheumatoid arthritis is considered as an autoimmune disorder.

8.Synovitis will result in the reduction of synovial fluid volume within the joint cavities. This condition is the hallmark sign of RA.

Sharing is caring!