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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are two different types of arthritis with distinct characteristics:

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Nature: Autoimmune disease.
- Cause: Immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy tissues, mainly the synovium (the linings of joints).
- Symptoms: Can affect multiple joints Show Full Answer

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are two different types of arthritis with distinct characteristics:

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA):
- Nature: Autoimmune disease.
- Cause: Immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy tissues, mainly the synovium (the linings of joints).
- Symptoms: Can affect multiple joints and may also damage organs like eyes, skin, heart, and lungs.
- Diagnosis: Involves medical history, physical examination, bloodwork, and imaging studies.
- Treatment: Aims to slow down the disease process and achieve remission (periods of no or very few symptoms).

Osteoarthritis (OA):
- Nature: Degenerative joint disease.
- Cause: Breakdown of articular cartilage due to daily wear and tear.
- Symptoms: Limited to affected joints, leading to pain and loss of function.
- Diagnosis: Based on symptoms and imaging studies.
- Treatment: Focuses on maintaining joint function, reducing pain, and may eventually lead to surgery.

Key Differences:
- RA: Autoimmune, systemic, can affect organs, requires specific treatments to manage immune response.
- OA: Degenerative, localized to joints, caused by wear and tear, managed through lifestyle changes and possibly surgery.

Both conditions cause significant disability and loss of function, but they require different management approaches.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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