AyurvedicTreatment of Rheumatoid Arthrtitis (Amavata)
DISEASES OF THE JOINTS
Diseases like arthritis have been known to exist since times immemorial. Charaka Samhita, the Ayurvedic treatise on medicine, deals more effectively with the reason, symptoms, clinical-diagnosis and the possible treatment of arthritis. Prognosis of arthritis, as described by the Ayurvedic physicians, remains unaltered largely.According to Ayurveda, in order to treat various types of arthritis, we need to need to stimulateagni and suppress the ama.Ayurveda distinguishes three categories of arthritis (depending upon the predominance of the biological humour), vataja, paittaka and kaphaja.
Diseases of the joints are better known as rheumatic diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gouty-arthritis are common varieties of arthritis encountered in clinical practice. Rheumatism is widely used for inflammation or injury to the soft tissues. Cervical-spondylosis, lumbar-spondylosis, and sciatica are other significant diseases included in this segment.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which rheumatoid factor is found to be positive. Gout is characterisedby high levels of uric acid in the serum...hyperuricemia. Psoriasis, a skin disorder, is associated with arthritis (psoriatic arthritis).
Pain, inflammation-swelling, fever, morning stiffness and loss of function, are major clinical features of arthritis. Depending on the involvement of the joint, character of the pain and laboratory investigations, the final diagnosis is done. Some form of arthritis like rheumatic-arthritis, involves other organs,including heart and muscles.
AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES
Inflammatory diseases, including arthritis and rheumatism are a major group of prevalent diseases.Most of the available pain-killers drugs are effective in inflammatory conditions of the joints, but have a major side-effect of gastric irritation and even, ulceration.Active-principleshaving potent anti-inflammatory effect has been isolated from medicinal plants used in Ayurvedic system of medicine.
The management of a joint disease requires a rational approach. In patients suffering from obesity, weight management hasgreatimpact. Ayurvedic system of medicineconsiders malfunctioning of the digestive system responsible for diseases like arthritis and rheumatism. Effective herbs are available for treating arthritis but at the same time side effects caused by the synthetic drugs are alarming.
AMAVATA (RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS)
Cause: Ama (substance produced by malfunctioning of the digestive system) is considered to be the root cause of Amavata (rheumatoid arthritis) in Ayurveda.Ama circulates in the blood and finally accumulateswithin the joint cavity,resultingin pain and loss of function. Rheumatoid arthritis accounts for fifteen% of the total rheumatic disorders. The incidence is more common in women as compared to men. Further, rheumatoid arthritis is more prevalent in damp and cold conditions.
Signs and Symptoms: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic form of arthritis characterized by pain and inflammation of many joints. Rheumatoid arthritis commonly affectsthe small joints of the hands.Rheumatoid arthritis has symmetrical pattern which is not found in osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis affects finger joints adversely. Z-shaped deformity of the thumb and deviation of the hand are features characteristic to rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid factor is found to be positive in 80 per cent of the patients. Erythrocytic sedimentation rate is on the higher side in acute cases. Total leukocyte count and differential leukocyte count are also high. In rare cases,anaemia is found. The effect of rheumatoid arthritis is not only confined to joints, but it has extra-articular effects also (as it attacks heart, muscle and eye).
Remedies:Practitioners of Ayurveda use formulations for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-arthritic action with considerable success
Ø Mahayograjaguggul is a traditional remedy for treating rheumatoid arthritis.Two tablets of Mahayograjaguggul, twice a day, are recommended with lukewarm-water.
Ø Triphala Guggul and Yograja Guggul have immunomodulator and cartilage-protective activities.
Ø Maharasnadiquatha, six teaspoonfuls, with water should be consumed twice a day, for better effects.
Ø aDashmoola (combination of roots of ten plants) is standard Ayurvedic remedy for inflammatory diseases like arthritis.
Ø Trikatu powder is recommended for improving digestion. This drug is very effective in detoxifying amain rheumatoid arthritis patients. One teaspoonful, with warm water not only corrects digestion, but stimulates appetite also.
Ø Commiphora mukul, traditionally known as guggul, has figured high in the treatment of arthritis. Animal models have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity of crude drug and standardized extract containing guggulsterones. Clinical studies have reported utility of the drug in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
Ø Vishagarbhataila is used for local application twice a day. Hot fomentation after light massage is helpful in reducing the stiffness of the joints.
PRECAUTIONS AND DIET
Ø The patient should ensure consumption of fresh vegetables, garlic and black pepper.
Ø Exposure to cold and damp conditions should be avoided.
Ø Use of the curd should be avoided at night.
Ø Soybean, potato, white grams, pea, potato, and bathing with cold water should be avoided.
Ø Wheat, ginger, ghee, garlic, punarnava, mango, grape, pomegranate, are beneficial in rheumatoid arthritis.
CONCLUSION
Rheumatoid arthritis can be kept under control by a blend of regular exercise, strict diet-regimen and proper medication.
AUTHOR BIO:
Dr.Vikram Chauhan (MD-AYURVEDA) is an Ayurvedic practitioner based in Mohali, India. He is spreading the knowledge of ancient healing treatment of Ayurveda not only in India but also abroad. He has researched age old formulas from ancient Ayurvedic text books to restore health and save human beings from the worst side-effects of chemical based treatments. Dr.Vikram Chauhan is also the author of 'Ayurveda- God's Manual For Healing', an informative book for people interested in learning basics of Ayurveda, diet and principles of healing according to Ayurveda system of medicine. He is CEO and Founder of Planet Ayurveda Products, Planet Ayurveda Clinic and Krishna Herbal Company.
Website – www.planetayurveda.com
Contact:
DR.VIKAS DUBEY, B.A.M.S(M.D)AYU B.V.D.U COLLEGE OF AYURVED MOB-9479427096 ,8237250287 E-MAIL ;