Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. It can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when the body tissues are mistakenly attacked by its own immune system. The immune system is a complex organization of cells and antibodies designed normally to seek and destroy invaders of the body, particularly infections. Patients with autoimmune diseases have antibodies in their blood that target their own body tissues, where they can be associated with inflammation. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body including heart and kidneys, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease.
  
  While rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic illness, meaning it can last for years, patients may experience long periods without symptoms. Typically, however, rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive illness that has the potential to cause joint destruction and functional disability.
  

  Symptoms

  Rheumatoid arthritis usually inflames multiple joints in a symmetrical pattern (both sides of the body affected). Early symptoms may be subtle, usually with only minor joint pain, stiffness, and fatigue. Wrists, fingers, knees, feet, and ankles are the most commonly affected.
  
  Main symptoms may include:
  
  
• Morning stiffness, which lasts more than 1 hour, is common. Joints may feel warm, tender, and stiff when not used for an hour.
     
• Joint pain is often felt on the same joint on both sides of the body.
     
• Over time, joints may lose their range of motion and may become deformed.
  
  Other symptoms include:
     
• Chest pain when taking a breath (pleurisy)
  
  
• Dry eyes and mouth (Sjogren syndrome)
  
  
• Eye burning, itching, and discharge
  
  
• Nodules under the skin (usually a sign of more severe disease)
  
  
• Numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands and feet
  
  
• Sleep difficulties.
  
  

  Ayurvedic Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis

  According to Ayurveda, Rheumatoid arthritis can be compared as Ama vata. This means If the disease ama vata (rheumatoid arthritis) gets aggravated, it becomes most difficult disease comparatively to others. The joints of hands, feet, ankles and elbow, low back, knee, and hip become inflamed and painful. The pain in the affected joints resembles the pain of a scorpions sting.
  
  A detailed description of the causative factors, pathophysiology, symptoms, treatment principles and diet & lifestyle modifications for treating Amavata have been clearly explained in Ayurveda, thousands of years back.
  
  In Ayurveda following are the lines of treatment in Amavata (Rheumatoid arthritis):
     
• Langhanam(Fasting)
  
  
• Sodhana chikitsa(Purification of the body)
  
  
• Shamana chikitsa(Treatment for subsiding the symptoms)
  
  Langhana (fasting) It is done by means of complete absence of food, or by giving green gram / rice / barley soups.
  
  Shodhana It is done through Panchakarma therapy. Usually treatment is long term and various procedures are done according to the patient condition and presentation.
  
  Shaman Chikitsa It is done by using very effective and time tested Ayurveda formulations like kashaya, asavarista. Choorna, vati, taila, Rasoushadi etc.
  
  Apart from these three, strict diet regimen and life style changes are advocated.
  
  At Vaidya, we are providing a very effective treatment methodology for treating Rheumatoid Arthritis (Ama vata), based on the Ayurveda lines of management coupled with years of experience and dedication.

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Authored By: Dr. Kiran B Nair