Rhematoid Arthritis Ayurveda Management
Rhematoid arthritis or Amavata as diagnosed in Ayurveda is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory disorder.
The characteristic feature of RA is persistent inflammation, usually involving peripheral joints in a symmetric distribution, where synovium becomes inflamed causing warmth, redness, swelling and pain.
As the disease progresses, the inflamed synovium invades and damages the cartilage and bone of the joint.
The potential of the synovial inflammation to cause cartilage destruction is the hallmark of the disease.
Normally the immune system displays self-tolerance and does not attack the body’s own components.
In Autoimmune diseases, this self-tolerance breaks down and leads to an auto-immune disorder. The immune system fails to recognize self-antigens and mounts a misguided attack against them.
Causative factors are excessive intake of saline, sour, pungent, alkaline, unctuous, hot and uncooked food, excessive intake of oil-cake preparations or radish, intake of foods causing burning sensation during digestion, excessive intake of curd, sesamum paste, sugar cane, Aranala (kanji), Sauvira (sour preparation of dehusked barley), Sukta (vinegar), butter-milk, alcohol and wine, intake of contradictory food, intake of food before the previous meal is digested, omission of the purification of body, sexual intercourse in improper ways, resorting to anger in excess, sleeping during day time and remaining awake at night.
| 1 | Morning stiffness | Morning stiffness in and around the joints, lasting at least 1 h before maximal improvement |
| 2 | Arthritis of 3 or more joint areas | At least 3 joint areas simultaneously have had soft tissue swelling or fluid (not bony overgrowth alone) observed by a physician. The 14 possible areas are right or left PIP, MCP, wrist, elbow, knee, ankle, and MTP joints |
| 3 | Arthritis of hand joints | At least 1 area swollen (as defined above) in a wrist, MCP, or PIP joint |
| 4 | Symmetric arthritis | Simultaneous involvement of the same joint areas (as defined in 2) on both sides of the body (bilateral involvement of PIPs, MCPs, or MTPs is acceptable without absolute symmetry) |
| 5 | Rheumatoid nodules | Subcutaneous nodules, over bony prominences, or extensor surfaces, or in juxta-articular regions, observed by a physician |
Disadvantages or limitations of Allopathy in Rheumatoid Arthritis Management
Of course, allopathic medicine has got a better management to overcome pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs decrease the inflammation, but tend to create gastrointestinal disturbance and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs cause renal, bone and hepatic side effects like suppression.
Also most of the patients are prescribed Steroids like Methylprednisolone for long term use which severely affects Immune system, Causes calcium loss in bones resulting in Osteoporosis, Triggers major Complications Affecting overall health .
So the management of this disease by other systems of Medical sciences is not sufficient or cannot control the further progression of disease. Ayurveda as a holistic approach can help in a better way by improving the quality of life and restricting progression of disease (Table).
Ayurvedic Principles of management
Amavastha: Langhana, Rukshana procedures, medicines.
Niramavastha: Shamana drugs and Panchakarma procedure
Externally lepas (paste) can be apply to reduce pain and inflammation like
Kottamchukkadi: kapha dominance
Jadamayadi: pitta Rakta dominance
Shunthi+Gomutra lepa: swelling and pain, vata, kapha predominance.
Upanaha prepared with gomutra, buttermilk and dhanyamla can be apply to painful and swollen part.
Internal medicines:
Decoctions like Amrutottaram, Rasna-panchak, Gulguluthikthakam can be used.
Gulika like Ama pachana vati, Kaishore Guggulu, Sanjivani vati.
Powders like shunthi (Ginger), Vaishwanar, guduchi etc will be more beneficial.
Basti like vaitarana, kshar basti is more effective in this condition.
Niramavastha
Internal Medicines:
Decoctions like Rasnasaptakam, Manjishthadi, Kokilakshadi can be used.
Gulika like Yogaraja, Kaishore Guggulu, Simhanad guggulu.
Powders like Rasayana, guduchi etc will be more beneficial.