Rheumatoid Arthritis

Symptoms

The primary symptom of this disease is the occurrence of unbearable pain with stiffness due to inflammation in joints. The ailment often originates as pain and swelling of the middle finger in the hand. Soon it spreads to other fingers. Very often similar joints of both hands and feet stiffen, ache and swell simultaneously. The pain in the joints is acute in the morning and gradually subsides in a couple of hours after some physical movements. Joint pains remain moderate during the day time and increase sharply at night once again. The patient often feels heaviness, lethargy, mild fever and fatigue without effort. Besides these, symptoms like sleepiness during the daytime, insomnia at night, constant regurgitation in the stomach, flatulence and constipation are also common.

The symptoms of this disease are generally confused with two common diseases of joints – Gout (Vaat-rakt) and Osteoarthritis (Sandigdh-vaat).

Gout occurs due to an increase in uric acid in the body. Gout originates as pain and inflammation of the big toes and heels of the feet. Soon all the toe and finger joints swell and ache. “Frozen Shoulder’ and “Frozen Hip’ respectively.

Causes

The causes of this disease have eluded modern science and the disease is not attributable to any one particular cause. However, it is generally accepted that the disease arises due to the malfunctioning of the body’s immune system. The immune system gives us the strength to resist diseases. It creates antibodies against any foreign body that enters our system. In the case of Rheumatoid Arthritis, the body’s immune system starts creating antibodies even without the presence of any foreign bodies. As the number of antibodies increases, they start attacking the healthy cells in the human body. It is like a country’s army bombarding its own civilian settlements. Thus, Rheumatoid Arthritis is categorized as an “Auto Immune Disease’.

According to the Ayurvedic system of medicine, this ailment stems from the formation of endotoxins called “Aam’. “Aam’ is basically undigested and unassimilated food in our body. “Aam’ is formed due to the malfunctioning of the digestive system. “Aam’ is primarily formed due to the intake of incompatible foods. A classic example of incompatible foods (i.e. foods opposite in nature) would be eating tomato ketchup with milk or radish with milk etc. “Aam’ also results from leading an unhealthy lifestyle that promotes constipation. Ingestion of stale food, defrosting and reheating eatables, exercising soon after a meal, mental tension and stress – all these factors affect our digestive system adversely and promote the formation of “aam’. “Aam’ is a viscous and dense fluid that looks like mucus in the stool. “Aam’ often gets deposited around joints and causes intense pain and hence Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is against this “aam’ that our immune system creates antibodies.

Treatment

It has been seen that the use of 1g of Yograj Guggul or Sihmnaad Guggal or Rasnadi Guggal with Rasnasaptak Qwath for two months gives very good results in “aamvaat’ or rheumatoid arthritis.

Decoctions made out of Bhllatak, Nirgundi, Giloy, Guggul, Garlic, Shunthi, Raasna, Prasarni, Castor, sweet Suranja, Kuchla and Sallaki in different proportions are beneficial in this disease.

Oil massage is strictly prohibited in this ailment. However, after the “aam’ has been completely eradicated from the body in order to curb the presence of “vaat’,saindhvaadi tail or Kottamchukadi Tail or vishgarbh tail or Prasarni Tail are often used for massage.

Some home remedies

The raw potato juice therapy is considered one of the most successful biological treatments for rheumatic and arthritic conditions. It has been used in folk medicine for centuries. The traditional method of preparing potato juice is to cut a medium¬sized potato into thin slices, without peeling the skin, and place the slices overnight in a large glass filled with cold water. The water should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach. Fresh juice can also be extracted from potatoes. A medium-sized potato should be diluted with a cup of water and drunk first thing in the morning.

A teaspoon of black sesame seeds, soaked in a quarter cup of water and kept overnight, has been found to be effective in preventing frequent joint pains. The water in which the seeds are soaked should also be taken along with the seeds first thing in the morning.

Drinking water kept overnight in a copper container accumulates traces of copper, which is said to strengthen the muscular system. A copper ring or bracelet is worn for the same reason.

Some Useful Measures

The body should be kept warm at all times. Joints should not be bandaged tightly as this limits movement and interferes with the free circulation of blood. There should be plenty of indirect ventilation in the bedroom. Rest is advised when there is acute inflammation in the joints.Sea bathing has been found valuable in arthritis. The natural iodine in sea water is said to relieve arthritis pain. As is well known, iodine regulates the acid-alkaline balance in the blood and tissues, helps to repair and regenerate worn out tissues and nourishes the skeletal structure. It enters into the thyroid gland’s secretion. The hormone uses the iodine to cleanse the internal toxins.

If sea bathing is not possible, the patient should relax for thirty minutes every night in a tub of warm water, in which a cup of common salt has been mixed. The minerals in the salt, especially iodine, will be absorbed through the pores of the skin. This will help correct an internal imbalance.

Prevention

Eat light, warming and easily digestible food prepared from wheat or bajra. Increase the use of Methi, ginger, black pepper, turmeric, Heeng and garlic in the food.

Heavy, oily, constipating and cooling food items should not be taken in this condition. Avoid the use of jaggery, curd, rice, udad dal, ladyfingers (or okra), arabee etc.