Rheumatoid arthritis

What are the Common Types of Arthritis?

Arthritis or Sandhivat is a broad term and indicates complex family of musculoskeletal disorders consisting of different diseases that affect joints, bone, supporting muscles, cartilage and other connective tissues. The two most common types of Arthritis are osteoArthritis and rheumatoid Arthritis. Other types include juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout and fibromyalia.

Osteoarthritis:

OsteoArthritis a chronic condition that causes breakdown of the joint’s cartilage. The loss of cushioning effect causes, stiffness, pain and loss of movement in the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis:

Rheumatoid Arthritis is caused due to inflammation of joints. This is an autoimmune disease and occurs when body’s  own immune system attacks the healthy tissues. Rheumatoid Arthritis is characterized by pain, inflammation, redness and swelling of joints. This inflammation may also spread to the other parts of the body, such as the muscles, blood vessels, nerves and eyes.

Juvenile arthritis:

Juvenile Arthritis is an inflammatory arthritic conditions that can develop in children aged 16 and younger. This type of Arthritis also causes inflammation of joints

Psoriatic arthritis:

Psoriatic Arthritis is a type of chronic inflammatory Arthritis which occurs in people suffering from a skin condition called Psoriasis. Psoriatic Arthritis is characterized by symptoms such as painful, swollen joints, morning stiffness, and fatigue.

What are the Common Symptoms of Arthritis?

The symptoms of amavata as told in Ayurveda include,

  • Angamarda or body ache
  • Aruchi or tastelessness
  • Trishna or Excessive thirst
  • Alasya or lethargy
  • Gourava or heaviness in body
  • Jwara or feverishness
  • early morning stiffness in the joints
  • pain in the joints ( similar to the pain as stung by a scorpion)
  • Other symptoms such as constipation, indigestion, fullness of abdomen, lack of sleep

Get rid of Arthritis pain

Is There An Ayurvedic Therapy that Works to Cure Arthritis Pain?

The signs and symptoms of Arthritis in modern science can be correlated to that of Amavata in Ayurveda. As the name suggests, vitiated Vata Dosha and Amavata or undigested or improperly formed food essence in the body are the main culprits for the disease. The leading cause of Amavata is the altered state of digestion and metabolism caused by unhealthy food habits when there is diminished digestive power due to the advancement of age. It results in Sandhivata (osteoarthritis); a common problem in the older adults, which causes chronic disability and affects the quality of life.

Ayurvedic therapies such as Virechan, Abhyangam, Basti, and Upanaham offer cure for Arthritis by correcting the digestion process and metabolism. These treatments involve medicated oils to lubricate the joints and strengthen the muscles around them. Moreover, the Ayurvedic oral medications such as guggul and sallaki work in combination with the therapies to provide positive results and improve the quality of life of the affected individual.

 

List of Ayurvedic-treatments for arthritis

Virechan: Virechan is a part of Panchakarma therapy and is effective against the disorders associated with Pitta. It induces the cleansing of gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, and liver from toxins in order to pacify the Pitta to remove its disorders. Virechan also purifies the blood. The patient first undergoes Sudation and Oleation therapies with the administration of medicated ghritams, which bring vitiated vata Doshas to the Next, the patient is subjected to Purgation after assessing the condition. The patient then experiences frequent bowel movement indicating the effect of the dose and the removal of Doshas through anal route. After the therapy, the patient is required to observe fasting and then take a light diet. Virechan detoxifies the body and relieves numerous health problems such as Arthritis, Gout, Skin disorders, Cardiac disorders, Jaundice, Gallstone, Obesity, and Allergies.

Abhyangam: Abhyangam is a relaxing full body massage with medicated oils. This therapy lubricates the joints and improves the tone of the muscles supporting the joints by strengthening them. Abhyangam boosts blood circulation and promotes the quick removal of metabolic wastes to reduce inflammatory pain caused due to Arthritis.
Two therapists apply herbal oils all over the body of the patient in seven different positions by applying strokes and pressure in a synchronised manner for 45-50 minutes. The rhythmic motion eliminates the stiffness in joints and muscles, balances the Doshas and also treats the whole body Physically, Mentally and Emotionally. Abhyangam treats problems such as Arthritis, Spondylosis, Paralysis, Insomnia, and also bolsters Immunity and provides general well-being.

Basti: Basti is an essential part of Panchakarma, which is highly effective against the Vata It cleanses the colon wherefrom numerous vata problems arise including Arthritis. There are eight types of Basti, which are used depending on the condition of the patient.
In this therapy, oil enema or decoction enemas in a liquid medium are introduced into the rectum. This procedure causes the flushing out of unwanted toxins and Vata Doshas from the body.
Basti treats vata disorders such as Arthritis, Gout, Rheumatism, Headaches, and Muscle spasm. Moreover, it relieves Sexual disorders, Kidney stones, Heart pain, Constipation, and Sciatica.

Upanaham: Upanaham is an effective Ayurvedic therapy for joint pains caused due to Arthritis. It nourishes the tissues and treats OsteoArthritis and also subsides the swelling and localised pain resulted from joint injuries.
The therapy involves the application of warm and medicated herbal paste which is then covered with pain-relieving herbal leaves and finally bandaged with a cotton cloth. This bandage is then removed after a few hours.
Upanaham improves circulation, promotes healing and strengthens the muscles. It relieves the Arthritic Joint Pain and Swelling.

Rheumatoid Arthritis-RA

The term “ARTHRITIS” is composed of two words “ARTHO” meaning Joint and “IT IS” meaning inflammation. So the word Arthritis denotes inflammation in the joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis is derived from a Greek word, denoting watery and inflamed Joint. It is popularly known as RA.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a variety of Arthritis, which is an auto-immune (Our own immune system attacking the body) chronic inflammatory condition (Inflammation is a condition which arises as a result of the body’s reaction to external trauma or an infection which is usually characterized by redness, swelling, pain and rise in temperature) of the Joints affecting the synovial membrane, and over a period of time, leading to the destruction of the cartilage and bone and to the disfiguring of the joint, leading to dysfunction. The Stiffness and pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis aggravate with rest.

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis-RA

  • The exact cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis is not yet clear.
  • However, RA is considered to be caused by a genetic vulnerability triggered by environmental factors.
  • Persons with HLA DRB1 and PTPN22 genes are known to be having a higher risk.
  • Other environmental triggers are also known to trigger the condition. Not everyone with a positive HLA DRB1 or PTP N22 develops the disease.
  • Ayurveda describes, Vata increasing and Blood vitiating food and lifestyle, comprising of excessive exertion, irregular lifestyle, ingestion of spicy and incompatible foods, stress, lack of adequate, rest and leading a very sedentary life, as factors responsible for precipitating the condition.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis – RA

  • Joint Pain, swelling, stiffness, warmth & redness are the primary symptoms associated with RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis).
  • Multiple joints are usually affected at the same time and so it is called a Polyarthritis. The joints that are usually affected are the joints of the hands, feet, ankles, wrists, shoulders, knees, hips, vertebral joints, the jaws as well.
  • Early morning stiffness lasting over an hour is one of the typical symptoms of RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis).
  • Over a period of time, if the problem is not well controlled, the joints get disfigured and the patient loses the capacity to use the joint.
  • RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) can also affect other organs like the Skin, Lungs, Kidneys, Liver, Bones, Blood, Heart and cardiovascular system.
  • Low blood count is often an accompanying problem.
  • It is sometimes associated with symptoms like fever, fatigue, malaise, loss of appetite and loss of weight.

Allopathy & Ayurvedic Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis – RA

Allopathy or Ayurvedic Treatment for RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) is aimed at preserving the functionality of the joints by, preventing Joint destruction, keeping the inflammation and the associated symptoms like pain and stiffness under control, to maintain a maximal range of skeletal mobility and to avoid the development of deformities and complications.

Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in – Contemporary Medicine (Allopathy)

Anti-inflammatory and Pain killing medication remains the main stay in the management of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Disease modifying drugs like Steroids, Methotrexate, Hydro-chloroquine, Sulfasalazine, are useful in reducing inflammation of the joints and preventing damage to the joints. However they have to be used for extensive period of time and are associated with side effects like liver damage and severe digestive problems on long term use.

A New class of drugs called as biological agents, comprising of Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha Blockers, IL-1 blocker and T cell co-stimulation blockers are recommended in the management of this condition. These injections are administered every month and are effective in controlling the inflammation but are to be used for extensive period of time. They are very expensive and also predispose the patient to infections especially Tuberculosis with long term usage. These factors severely limit the feasibility to use them widely.

Physiotherapy and leading an active lifestyle are recommended.

Cessation of smoking is very important to protect lung function and prevent cardiac complications.

In a case where deformities have developed surgery is advised.

Ayurvedic Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Ayurveda considers this disease as “AMAVATA” and has a very effective approach to the treatment of this disease. The approach is holistic comprising of diet modifications, lifestyle changes, stress management, herbal medication and Ayurvedic therapies, Yoga asanas, pranayama and meditation, that help the body get back to Homeostasis (state of balance and harmony). The approach is even effective in a majority of patients .

In usual practise, we observe that most patients require long term treatment, but improve very well with herbal medicines and external applications combined with intense therapies comprising of the Panchakarma (The detoxifying therapies). Panchakarma is one of the most important aspects of Ayurvedic treatment and is very important in the management of chronic auto-immune diseases like RA. It is performed by a sequence of therapies leading up to detoxification therapies like Vamana (Emesis), Virechana ( Purgation), Vasthi (Enema) and Nasyam (Nasal Administration). Of these, Vasthi is the most important therapy for the treatment of RA. It is preceded by other preparatory therapies like, Dhanymla dhara (Pouring of a warm fermented liquid), Podikkizhi ( Herbal powder massage) Ilakkizhi (Massage with bolus of fresh herbal leaves), Oil massage with steam bath. Then series of several varieties of Vasthis (Medicated enema) are performed taking into consideration, the general health of the patients. The combination of these therapies tailor made to the patient and administered under the supervision of knowledgeable Ayurvedic physicians are very effective in relieving the inflammation, relieving the condition and preventing damage to the joints without the need for powerful drugs.

Therapies like Tailadhara (Pouring medicated oils on the body), Nhavarakkizhi ( Massage with Bolus of rice boiled in medicated milk) and Ksheeravasthi (Medicated milk based enema) and administration of certain herbal preparations that protect the tissues (Rasayanas) is advised thereafter. They help to strengthen the tissues and improve mobility, flexibility and to improve functional capability.

Periodic administration of Ksheeravasthi with a short course of preparatory therapies is seen to prevent further damage to the joints in several patients.

Ayurveda Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis – RA at AVN AROGYA

At AVN AROGYA, we specialize in the offering individualized treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and have had very high success rate at achieving and maintaining remission and good functionality in patients suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis without the need for steroids, disease modifying drugs or biological agents like TNF alpha blockers. This is very much possible in patients who come to us in the initial stages itself. Even others who are in the chronic condition of the disease respond to our treatment but it is not uniform in all cases. In some such cases where the disease is very severe, patients are advised to continue modern medication along with our Ayurvedic treatment, till they get into a good remission and gradually the drugs are withdrawn and they are maintained on Ayurvedic treatment alone. In very rare cases, we do advise patients to continue some Modern medicine as well as is it very critical to keep the disease process under check failing which the joints are damaged irreparably.

We train the patients in exercises to be performed regularly to maintain the functionality of the joints, at our Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy departments as well. We also integrate Yoga in the form of pranayama and meditation for the holistic care of patients, as stress management forms a very important part of the overall care.

Our day care centres in Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kochi and Madurai offer consultation, medication and therapies which are adequate for a large number of patients but some patients with severely active disease and those whose symptoms are chronic may require In-patient therapy at our hospital in Madurai. Follow-up treatment is possible at our centres and even at remote locations by continuation of medication and we offer telephone consultation as well.

Why AVN AROGYA!

  • Our Arthritis and Rheumatism treatment method provide a very effective solution,
  • It alleviates the need for powerful drugs and use of Biological agents.
  • It greatly enhances quality of life.
  • Our experience of over 85 years makes us the best at offering the services required to effectively treat even the complicated conditions.
  • The ayurveda treatment offered is time-tested, safe and effective
  • The ayurveda treatment is natural and holistic
  • Our comprehensive approach helps to keep the patients in remission.
  • Patients can continue to live life with renewed confidence

 

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