To answer this question, one needs to understand the meaning of this thing called arthritis. Arthritis in medical terms means a painful swollen joint. So, if you have at least one painful swollen joint then yes, you have arthritis.

The fact is arthritis can occur at ANY AGE. There are many different causes and types of arthritis with relation to age and gender.

Again, this depends on whether the cause of the particular arthritis is curable or not. Majority are degenerative and not curable, gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis also not curable, the other major category of inflammatory arthritis are autoimmune and also not curable, but septic arthritis is potentially curable if treated early and effectively.

Nobody lives for ever, but most of the times, since most causes of arthritis are not curable, one needs to be on regular medication for life in order to avoid further joint damage, deformities and disability resulting from poorly controlled arthritis.

Whereas a healthy diet and lifestyle ought to be a must for EVERYONE, the type of food and drink, and lifestyle, are crucial factors in the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis and gout, but not so with the other forms of arthritis. Obesity is a major risk factor for developing and progression of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, hip joints and hands. Obesity, increased alcohol consumption, consumption of seafood, large quantities of red meat and high fructose corn syrup are associated with increased risk of gouty arthritis. Cigarette smoking is associated with increased risk of developing a severe form of rheumatoid arthritis, and poor response to treatment of the same. Therefore, in these types of arthritis, it is advised a weight loss program and regular physical exercises, cigarette smoking cessation, limited intake of alcohol, limited intake of red meat and sea food,'and limited intake of high energy fruit juices.

The answer is no. Although in some forms of osteoarthritis, especially of hands and hips, genetic linkage has been observed, this is complex and does not follow the usual mendelian  pattern.

Your rheumatologist is qualified to advise you on how to manage your arthritis, listen to each other and follow the line of management agreed upon between you and your rheumatologist.