Is osteoarthritis a chronic illness

Some arthritic symptoms are really the result of Allergies, so for some people going to an allergy doctor and having allergies treated will make the swelling and pain disappear. Some arthritic symptoms are side effects of medication and as soon as the medication is stopped, they disappear. If you are tested for the reumatoid factor and it is positive, that is most likely a condition that will have to be treated for the rest of your life. Osteoarthritis is something that most of us get as we age as it is just the wearing out of the joints. Taking medications that keep the inflammation down will slow the process. Joint replacements help those people who have suffered a loss of cartilage.