Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disease which means that the body's immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake and causes inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected parts of the body.
This disease mainly attacks the big joints, mainly affects joints in the hands, wrists, and knees. The joints that are affected with rheumatoid arthritis cause there is a lining of the joint which becomes inflamed and damages to the joint tissue.
Hence, it can cause chronic pain, unsteadiness (lack of balance), and deformity. It can also affect other tissues throughout the body and affects various organs such as the lungs, heart, and eyes.
Prevalence
- This disease varies from 0.5% to 1.5% of the total population.
- It mainly affects more women than men
- The onset of the disease occurs between the age group of 30 to 55
- It also shortens life expectancy by several years in both men as well as women.
Ayurvedic view of Rheumatoid Arthritis
In Ayurveda, Rheumatoid Arthritis is considered as ''Amavata''. In this disease, there is a vitiation of Vata Dosha and accumulation of Ama in joints which can lead to the production of pain, swelling, stiffness, tenderness, etc in the related joints.
Common Symptoms include Jwara (pyrexia), Aruchi (anorexia), Akarmanyata (inability to do work), Angamarda (body ache), Alasya (lethargy), Apaka (indigestion), Asyavairasya (altered taste perception), Daurbalya (weakness), Gaurava (heaviness in the body), Trishna (increased thirst), Utsahahani (laziness), Daha (burning sensation), etc.
What are the causes of rheumatoid arthritis?
Nobody knows what is the main cause of the immune system to malfunction. But it involves multiple factors, including both genetic and environmental influences.
Immune cells play a crucial role in the pathogenesis, although the relative contribution of individual components remains uncertain. It occurs when an immune system mistakes the body's healthy tissues for foreign invaders.
There is a proliferation of cells in the synovial layer of the joints which destroys cartilage, bone, and surrounding soft tissues.
What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
In Rheumatoid Arthritis, the symptoms usually affect the same joints on both sides of the body.
Symptoms usually tend to come and go. During a remission, they can be mild. However, but during a flare, they can become severe.
- Affected joints become swollen, inflamed, painful, and stiff. Synovial fluid may accumulate which causes an effusion.
- Joint pain is usually more prominent and more which mainly occurs during rest or at night, and on activity.
- Prolonged early morning stiffness is also a main diagnostic feature suggestive of inflammatory disease.
- There is a general feeling of being unwell or fever
- Loss of function and mobility
- Weight loss and weakness may be the symptom
What are the risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis?
People who are at a higher risk of developing Rheumatoid Arthritis may include:
- People who are above or 60 years of age
- Females are more prone to this disease
- Obesity is also the main risk factor. Some researchers have stated that the more overweight a person was, the higher his or her risk of developing this condition.
- Smoking or tobacco consumption or whose parents smoked when they were in their childhood.
What is the Ayurvedic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis?
Panchakarma therapies
Chandigarh Ayurved Centre provides the best panchakarma therapies that have been used in Ayurveda for many ages such as anuvasana vasti, kshara vasti and blluka vasti. These procedures in combination with Ayurvedic formulations are the best way to cure arthritis.
Ayurvedic Formulations
Chandigarh Ayurved Centre provides a wonderful kit for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis which is known as Arthritis go kit. This kit includes- Detox premium powder, Kaunchbeej capsule, Panchasakar churna, and Swarna Guggulu.
These Ayurvedic formulations cure rheumatoid arthritis by working on its root cause. These also provide strength to the joints and reduces the morning stiffness by pacifying the vata dosha in the body.
Detox Premium Powder
Detox premium powder comprises of herbal ingredients like jahar mohra, akik pishti, gandhak rasayan, shankh bhasma, moti pishti, kamdudha ras, etc.
These ingredients detox the body by naturally removing the toxins. This herbal powder reduces the tenderness, stiffness, redness, and swelling in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, etc.
Recommended Dosage - Take 1 sachet twice daily with normal water.
Kaunchbeej Capsule
Kaunchbeej is the best-known herb that has been used in Ayurveda for many ages for its health benefits. These capsules contain the bioactive alkaloids mucunine, oils, pruriendine and gallic acids that work on rheumatoid arthritis and its associated symptoms.
It also provides strength to the joints and keeps them strong. This herb is also helpful in vitiating the vata dosha which is the main cause of arthritis.
Recommended Dosage - Take 1 capsule twice daily with normal water.
Panchasakar Churna
As its name suggests, this churna is made up of 5 natural ingredients - Shatapushpa (Foeniculum vulgare), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Swarna patri (Cassia angustifolia), and Saindhava lavana (Rock salt).
This churna decreases the effect of aggravated Vata dosha which is the main cause of arthritis. Being an antioxidant, it eliminates the toxins from the body and removes the pain as well as inflammation.
It also treats the other symptoms that are associated with arthritis such as restricted movement, morning stiffness, weakness, etc.
Recommended Dosage - Take 1 tablespoon with lukewarm water at bedtime.
Swarna Guggulu
Swarna guggulu is one of the wonderful formulations that cure Arthritis, Sciatica, and another joint-related disease.
The main ingredients used in this tablet are Kumkum, Ashwagandha, and Swarna bhasma which reduces stiffness, pain and provide strength to the joints.
Being an anti-inflammatory, it reduces inflammation and pain related to arthritis. In Ayurveda, guggul has been used in pacifying the vata dosha which is the main cause of arthritis.
Recommended Dosage - Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.
These Ayurvedic formulations are 100% safe, natural and are free from preservatives, fillers, colors, and additives. These are prepared under the strict supervision of MD Ayurveda Experts.