Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis – what’s the difference?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful and debilitating condition. It is different from osteoarthritis, which is the more common of the two. Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease where the body thinks the soft lining around joints is a threat and attacks it. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease where inflammation occurs around joints that have worn down over time. Osteoarthritis is a disease that manifests as we grow older, whereas rheumatoid arthritis can strike at any time during a person’s life. Rheumatoid Awareness week begins on the 13th of September and aims to increase the understanding of rheumatoid arthritis.
Both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can be restrictive. Inflammation around joints can make everyday activities a challenge. Both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis commonly start in the smaller joints such as our fingers and hands. Think about how often you use your hands. From first thing in the morning to the end of the day, our hands are constantly busy. Joints in the fingers are often attacked by arthritis, leading to pain and swelling in the knuckles. The inflammation in the fingers reduces your strength so that previously easy activities such as opening a jar can suddenly become impossible. Think about how often you use your hands and all the activities that would be affected if your hands were too painful to use.
At Ashwell Home Care Services, we provide trained care companions who can help those living with chronic health conditions. Whether you need assistance once a day with certain activities, or multiple visits a day to enable you to remain living independently in your own home, we can help. Our care companions provide support, comfort, and care to those who need it most. Being able to continue to live independently is vitally important to our clients, and we can help them to achieve that with care delivered according to their needs. One client says: ““As I am someone with chronic arthritis the help I receive from Ashwell Home Care Services is vital for me. The concern shown by the carers also helps my mental attitude towards coping with the pain.”
If you are suffering from either rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis and require support for your day-to-day living we can help. All our care is designed around your needs, so when we create your care package we would take the time to understand your condition and the limitations that it may cause. Our aim at Ashwell Home Care Services is to enable people to continue to live independently despite age or illness. If you or a loved one are struggling, please contact the friendly team at Ashwell Home Care Services today on 01684 778750.