Bloomington Leader

Osteoporosis vs Arthritis: What’s the Difference?

Although these two “sound alike,” the conditions are two very different medical conditions with little in common. They develop differently, have different symptoms, and are diagnosed and treated differently.

Osteoporosis: a condition in which the bones become less dense and are more likely to fracture.

Risk factors include:

• Thinness or small frame

• Family history of osteoporosis

• Being post-menopausal and, particularly, having had early menopause

• Abnormal absence of menstrual periods

• Prolonged use of certain medications, such as those used to treat lupus, asthma, thyroid deficiencies, and seizures.

• Low calorie intake

• Lack of physical activity

• Smoking

• Excessive alcohol intake

This may result in loss of height, severe back pain, and change in posture. You can be diagnosed by a simple, painless bone mineral density test.

Although there is no cure, there are several approved medications to prevent and treat osteoporosis. A diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D, regular weight bearing exercise and a healthy lifestyle can prevent or lessen the effects of the disease.

Arthritis: a general term for conditions that affect the joints and surrounding tissues. Joints are places in the body where bones come together: knees, wrists, fingers, toes, hips, etc.

Two common types of arthritis are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Osteoarthritis is a painful degenerative joint disease often involving hips, knees, back, neck and hands. It usually develops in the joints injured by repeated overuse from performing a particular task, playing a favorite sport, or carrying around excessive body weight. Joint cartilage thins or wears away causing a grating sensation. Joint flexibility is reduced, bony spurs develop, and joints may swell. Pain occurring after exercise or immobility is usually the first symptoms.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that usually involves various joints in the fingers, wrists, thumbs, elbows, shoulders, knees, feet, and ankles. The body releases enzymes which attack its own healthy tissues, thus destroying the lining of the joints. This causes pain, swelling, stiffness, malformation, and reduced movement and function. Systemic symptoms, which may occur, include fatigue, fever, weight loss, eye inflammation, anemia, bumps under the skin, or pleurisy (lung inflammation).

Both osteoporosis and arthritis do share many coping strategies. Many people benefit from exercise programs that may include physical therapy and rehabilitation.

In general, exercises that emphasize stretching and strengthening both posture and range of motion are appropriate. Examples include low impact aerobics, swimming, tai chi, and low stress yoga.

Persons with osteoporosis must take care to avoid activities that include bending forward from the waist, twisting the spine, or lifting heavy weights. Persons with arthritis must compensate for limited movement in the affected joints.

And as always, check with your primary care provider to determine whether a certain exercise or exercise program is safe for your specific medical situation.

Original source can be found here.