What's the Difference Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis?
When people hear "arthritis," they usually think of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, and the two are often confused. What's the actual difference? Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are two very different conditions. Both affect the joints and can cause pain, but the causes, timing, and patterns differ. Here's how to tell them apart.
They are caused by different things. OA is a degenerative condition that develops over time from wear of the cartilage between the joints. RA is an autoimmune condition, in which a person's immune system attacks otherwise healthy joints. RA can occur in any joint, regardless of how often it's used.
They start at different times. RA can begin at any point in life and affects people of all ages and genders. OA tends to start later in life, after wear and tear to the joints has accumulated.
The speed of onset is different. RA tends to show symptoms relatively quickly and can develop over weeks or months. OA progresses slowly over a long period and is influenced by how much stress is placed on the joints.
Joint symptoms show up differently. With OA, joints tend to ache and may be tender but don't generally swell. RA joints are often painful, swollen, and stiff. RA can also affect the whole body, causing fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell, whereas OA does not.
The pattern of affected joints differs. RA typically affects joints symmetrically — both hands, both knees, both wrists. OA often starts on one side and may later appear on the other, beginning in a limited set of joints (like the thumb) before affecting weight-bearing joints such as hips or knees.
They're managed differently. In both cases the goal doctors work toward is calming inflammation and easing pain while limiting joint damage. OA is often managed with over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatories. For RA, doctors use disease-modifying medications to calm the immune system's attack on the joints. Alongside a doctor's care, many people also take a daily joint supplement to help support everyday joint comfort, mobility, and a healthy inflammatory response.
RA and OA are just two of many types of arthritis. While they share some similarities, they're distinct conditions — so it's important to be properly diagnosed by your doctor before starting any care plan. Flexcin offers an all-natural way to support everyday joint comfort with our unique joint support supplements.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results vary. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new supplement.