You can adopt behaviors that reduce their impact on your life. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, and medical research has not definitely proved what triggers it. Genetics are believed to be involved in making the body more susceptible to environmental factors. RA can go into remission, but arthritis does not go away.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease. Once it develops, the damage is done, but you can slow disease progression.
There are effective medical treatments today for both types of arthritis that can minimize the physical damage that rheumatoid arthritis can cause or prevent osteoarthritis from advancing. Lifestyle changes, like maintaining a healthy weight, are critical to managing arthritis in a way that enables you to resume normal activities.