Treat vs. Cure vs. Heal

'Treat' is concerned with the medical or therapeutic management of a condition or symptoms. It involves taking specific measures, such as medication, therapy, or operations, to mitigate symptoms, improve a condition, or prevent its progression. 'Cure' focuses on complete elimination of a disease or condition, as a result of which a person or animal that was sick recovers and becomes healthy again. It implies permanently removing the underlying cause of the illness and a complete recovery. 'Heal', on the other hand, refers to the process of recovery, restoration, or improvement of physical, emotional, or mental well-being. It can refer to the natural or gradual process of recovery, repair, or regeneration without external intervention, as well as the process of making an illness or injury better by helping the natural process. Here are some examples:

'Treat' is often used when addressing both the symptoms of a disease or condition and the management of injuries. 'Cure', however, is commonly used when discussing the resolution or elimination of illnesses or diseases and does not apply to dealing with injuries. Finally, 'heal' is frequently used in the context of physical wounds, injuries, or trauma. It often refers to the restoration of tissues, closure of wounds, and gradual improvement of physical well-being.

'Treat' and 'Cure' are transitive verbs. The object of both verbs can be either the illness/injury or the person/animal that is relieved of the illness/injury. 'Heal', however, can be either transitive or intransitive. As an intransitive verb, it refers to the natural process of recovery from an illness or injury, while in the transitive form, it refers to external intervention in the process of recovery from illness or injury. Take a look at the examples: