Can Arthritis Be Cured?

At the moment the answer to that question is no. There is much that can be done to relieve symptoms but a cure is still a distance away. Part of the reason is the large number of different types of arthritis, all with different causes, symptoms and possible treatments.

The common process to all forms of arthritis is inflammation in your joints and surrounding tissue. It may be due to wear and tear or an immune response but the end result is pain and stiffness. Arthritis can be caused by infections, injuries, metabolic problems or genetic abnormalities.

With such a wide range of causes you will not be surprised to hear that the symptoms can vary from person to person. They will usually include one or more of pain, stiffness, decreased range of movement, swelling, redness and deformity.

There is no cure for arthritis but there are good treatments for many. The first step is to get a diagnosis so your treatment can be properly planned and delivered. Often the treatments tried first include physiotherapy, splints, painkillers, cool packs and bandages and anti-inflammatory. More robust treatment includes joint replacement, chemotherapy, immunological therapy and steroids.

Some arthritis sufferers make changes to their lifestyle, which can help. The anti-inflammatory diet works very well for some people. Losing weight and exercising a bit more can also help. It builds up muscular strength which helps support the joints and decreases pain.

Supplements such as omega 3 and 6 oils also reduce the pain for some. Others swear by glucosamine with or without chondroitin especially with osteoarthritis, which is generally regarded as the result of wear and tear, with loss of cartilage causing pain. It is suggested that they actually help to increase the production of cartilage although there is no research evidence to support that theory.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis you probably will not get much relief from these measures. As it is related to your own immune system you usually need more aggressive treatment with powerful drugs to reduce symptoms. Sometimes surgery and joint replacement is needed in the hands and feet to restore some useful function.