What helps with osteoarthritis (joint wear)?
Exercise, losing weight where applicable in the case of excess weight, and an anti-inflammatory gel on the knee have the strongest supporting evidence; always discuss oral pain medication with your doctor because of the side effects.
Exercise is the most effectively supported non-operative treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. Multiple international guidelines describe it as a core treatment. Walking programmes, physiotherapy and tai chi reduce pain and improve daily functioning. Exercise is also safe for the joint, as long as there is no acute injury. Exercising in water is a good alternative for those who find land-based exercise too demanding, although it is less broadly recommended for hip or generalised osteoarthritis.
For people who are overweight, losing weight is a proven second pillar. Excess weight increases the load on joints and is a risk factor for the onset and worsening of symptoms. Exercise and addressing weight work best together. Combining these with good education about the condition and self-management can give people more control over their symptoms.
For pain medication there is a clear hierarchy. An anti-inflammatory gel or cream applied to the knee (such as diclofenac gel) has strong supporting evidence and few side effects. Anti-inflammatory tablets such as ibuprofen also work well, but are inadvisable in cardiovascular disease or frailty; always combine them with a stomach-protecting agent if stomach complaints are a concern. Paracetamol, previously the standard first step, is now cautiously discouraged: the evidence that it genuinely helps with osteoarthritis pain is weak. Strong painkillers based on morphine are strongly discouraged in osteoarthritis; the risks of addiction, confusion and falls do not outweigh the limited benefit. A corticosteroid injection into the knee joint can provide short-term pain relief, but the effect typically lasts only a few weeks. Duloxetine, a drug that also suppresses pain, may in certain cases be considered after consultation with a doctor.
In severe osteoarthritis with substantial pain and clear joint damage, a joint prosthesis is an effective option. However, functional outcomes are sometimes disappointing and a prosthesis does not last forever. Unfortunately, a drug capable of stopping or reversing the joint deterioration itself does not yet exist. Research into this is ongoing, but evidence in humans has so far been insufficient.
All claims are based on reviews and studies not further indexed; no meta-analyses in the source selection. The strength of evidence for exercise, weight loss and topical NSAIDs is consistently positive across multiple guidelines and reviews.
How do I keep my joints supple and prevent osteoarthritis?
Exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are the best-supported ways to prevent osteoarthritis and manage symptoms; however, no treatment stops the disease once it has begun.
What actually helps with chronic low back pain?
Strength and stabilisation exercises have the strongest evidence base for chronic low back pain; if the effect is insufficient, anti-inflammatory drugs are the first pharmacological step, but opioids and surgery can almost always be avoided.
Does collagen help your joints and your skin?
For joint pain, particularly in knee osteoarthritis and active athletes, oral collagen (approximately 10 grams per day) has a reasonably well-supported positive effect. For the skin there are indications, but these are less robust and partly come from commercially involved researchers.
Can I prevent or slow down early hearing loss?
Hearing loss caused by noise and by certain medications is very preventable, but for age-related hearing loss no proven interventions yet exist. The greatest gain comes from protecting your ears from loud sounds now.
How do I keep my eyes healthy and prevent cataracts or macular degeneration?
Protect your eyes with UV-filtering glasses, a diet rich in vegetables and fruit, good diabetes management and regular eye check-ups. If cataracts have advanced significantly, surgery is the only proven solution.
Can stem cell therapy slow down ALS?
Stem cell therapy has not yet been proven effective in ALS patients; the method appears to be safely feasible, but whether it slows the disease is currently unknown.