What is the prognosis?
Prognosis depends upon the severity of arthritis, the delay in undertaking proper treatment and the efficacy & tolerability of medications.
The most important factor is early diagnosis and proper treatment. The first few years in this disorder is called a window period when, there is inflammation but no damage to the underlying joints. It during this crucial period that treatment is effective in retarding the joint damage.

What is the cause?
The exact cause of these disorders has not yet been clearly defined. However it is thought that in the presence of genetic predisposition an undefined environmental insult perpetuates a chronic inflammation causing the arthritis.

What is the role of other other systems of medicine like AYURVEDA/ Homeopathy in these diseases?
Although an allopath is not qualified to comment on other forms of medications the following guidelines may be useful:
Adhere to one form of medicine at a time.
Give a fair trial of at-least 6 months on any system of medication before judging its efficacy or otherwise.
In chronic diseases like arthritis it is quite likely that there are subgroups of patients who find benefit with one specific system of medication.

Last updated on 24-12-2001