Two Different Conditions

 Many people are confused between osteoporosis and some of the types of arthritis. So in this article, we will discuss the differences and similarities between these two conditions.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition wherein the bone becomes less dense and can lead to fracture. The chances of osteoporosis occurring are at a higher risk because of low bone mass. In this condition, there may occur a loss of bone tissue that will leave the bones less dense and are prone to fracture. This, in turn, will result in severe back pain, loss of height and change in ones' posture. It can also lead to impair a person's ability to walk and may also cause permanent or prolonged disability.

The risk factors that promote osteoporosis are as follows:

1. Small frame or thinness

2. Family's history on this particular disease

3. Being post - menopausal and particularly having prior menopause

4. Abnormal absence of menstrual cycle (amenorrhea)

5. Longer use of certain medications like those used for treating lupus, asthma, thyroid deficiency and seizures

6. Intake of low calcium

7. Lacking physical activity

8. Smoking

9. Intake of excessive alcohol

Osteoporosis is also known as one of the silent diseases because it can progress undiscovered for many years without symptoms till a fracture occurs. It is diagnosed by a bone mineral density test which is painless and the safest way to detect low bone density.

Since, there is no cure for this disease, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has agreed to several medications to treat and prevent osteoporosis. Additionally, a diet rich in vitamin D and calcium, regular weight - bearing exercises and a healthy lifestyle can lessen or avoid the effects of the disease.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a common term used for conditions that affect the surrounding tissues and the joints. Joints are the places in a body where the bones come together in unison, like the knees, fingers, toes, wrists, and hips. The two types of arthritis are as follows:

A) Osteoarthritis (OA): It is a painful, degenerative joint disease that frequently involves lower back, neck, knees, hip or small joints of the hands. OA develops in joints that are injured by repeated overuse from doing a particular task or playing a sport or from carrying around excess body weight. Finally, this injury or repeated impact wear or things away from the cartilage that protects the ends of the bones in the joint. As in further outcome, the bones rub against each other, causing a grating sensation. Joint flexibility gets reduced, bone spurs start to develop, and the joints get swelled. The initial symptom of OA is pain that becomes worse following exercise or immobility. The treatment includes analgesics, not - steroidal anti - inflammatory drugs, topical creams, proper exercises, physical therapy, joint splinting or joint replacement surgery for severely damaged larger joints, like the knees or hip.