How to differentiate between rheumatism and osteoarthritis

How to differentiate between rheumatism and osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have different causes. The former has multiple causes, while the latter has a single cause. Their complications are different. The former is more serious, while the latter is milder. Their diagnostic methods are different. The former uses X equality, while the latter uses C protein reaction.

1. Different causes

Osteoarthritis can usually be divided into primary osteoarthritis and secondary osteoarthritis. For primary osteoarthritis, the cause is usually closely related to the patient's age, obesity and occupational factors. The causes of secondary osteoarthritis are usually closely related to some adverse symptoms such as endocrine abnormalities, nerve defects, mechanical injuries, etc.

The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are usually relatively simple and are generally closely related to bacterial infection with beta-hemolytic streptococci.

2. Different symptoms

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis will experience more obvious adverse symptoms, whether the condition is mild or severe. In the early stages, patients will experience muscle pain, irregular fever, skin and mucous membrane lesions, etc. If the patient does not receive treatment, the rheumatic factor will invade the patient's heart and induce adverse symptoms such as myocarditis and pericarditis.

Symptoms of early osteoarthritis usually include joint pain and stiffness, especially when the patient gets up in the morning, when the stiffness is often very obvious. At the same time, joint swelling and limited mobility, joint deformity are typical symptoms of osteoarthritis.

3. Different diagnostic methods

Osteoarthritis can be diagnosed with the help of laboratory tests and x-rays.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be detected by protein C reaction, joint fluid examination and rheumatoid factor.