In the best of worlds, once we have been diagnosed with a disease or condition, we hope to return to 100% of our health. That goal requires a cure or total healing - curative treatment - and is possible for many health problems we experience. Some examples of curative treatments are:
Drugs: Some medications are intended to destroy the root of the problem, such as antibiotics that kill bacteria, anti-fungal medicines that kill fungal infections, or antihistamines which help clear up a reaction to an allergen. These drugs may be applied, swallowed or injected into our bodies.
Surgery: A surgical treatment attempts to repair a problem. For example, someone who has had his knee replaced isn't cured of knee problems, but now his new knee will make him feel cured. A child born with a cleft palate may have it repaired, but it isn't really cured, and may be passed on genetically later in life. A bad cut through one's skin may require stitches. There may be a scar, but still, the cut was repaired and the skin has healed. These approaches are all considered curative.
Broken bones can heal completely (in effect are cured) when they are treated properly, too. Sometimes the bone needs to be set back into place. Metal pins or rods may be required to strengthen those healing bones. The body part where the broken bone is located may need to be immobilized for weeks or months while it heals.
Physical therapies for muscles and other parts that have been strained or damaged, physical therapy may help heal through exercise and movement.
Time is sometimes all your cure requires while your body heals itself. It's not proactive, and requires patience, but may be all that is needed.
Curative treatments may be attempted, but sometimes they fail. Once a cure is determined to be impossible, then patients must learn to manage the problem that remains.
