RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Rheumatoid arthritis is termed ‘Amavata’. It is a serious disease in which there is inflammation in the lining of joints.
It is because of the imbalance in Vata Dosha. It is an autoimmune disorder that becomes chronic and causes pain and stiffness in the small joints. By autoimmune disorder,
it means when the immunity cells instead of fighting with the foreign substances, start attacking the healthy cells.
This causes the dysfunction of the defense mechanism. There is a range of signs which depict this condition.
Usually, a person experiences morning stiffness in joints which lasts for a few hours that results in immobility.
With the passage of time, Rheumatoid arthritis causes the destruction of cartilage, bones, or ligaments which not only leads to deformity but additionally, nodules are formed too.
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Pain in Joint: The primary or the characterizing symptom of arthritis is constant pain in the joints.
Inflammation in Joint: Along with the pain, people may observe severe swelling in one or more joints.
Redness and warmness: Joints mostly are seen as warmer and due to inflammation, they change their color to red.
Stiffness: The stiffness of the joints can lead to restricted movement and hampers overall functioning.
Fever: Usually low-grade fever with body ache happens due to rheumatoid arthritis.
Anemia: Anemia can be one of the reasons, as it can decrease the production of RBC in the bone marrow.
Causes
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease.
Normally, your immune system helps protect your body from infection and disease.
In rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks healthy tissue in your joints.
It can also cause medical problems with your heart, lungs, nerves, eyes and skin.
Risk factors
Factors that may increase your risk of rheumatoid arthritis include:
Your sex. Women are more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis.
Age. Rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age, but it most commonly begins in middle age.
Family history. If a member of your family has rheumatoid arthritis, you may have an increased risk of the disease.
Smoking. Cigarette smoking increases your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, particularly if you have a genetic predisposition for developing the disease. Smoking also appears to be associated with greater disease severity.
Excess weight. People who are overweight appear to be at a somewhat higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
Complications
Rheumatoid arthritis increases your risk of developing:Osteoporosis. Rheumatoid arthritis itself, along with some medications used for treating rheumatoid arthritis, can increase your risk of osteoporosis — a condition that weakens your bones and makes them more prone to fracture.
Rheumatoid nodules. These firm bumps of tissue most commonly form around pressure points, such as the elbows. However, these nodules can form anywhere in the body, including the heart and lungs.
Dry eyes and mouth. People who have rheumatoid arthritis are much more likely to develop Sjogren’s syndrome, a disorder that decreases the amount of moisture in the eyes and mouth.
Infections. Rheumatoid arthritis itself and many of the medications used to combat it can impair the immune system, leading to increased infections. Protect yourself with vaccinations to prevent diseases such as influenza, pneumonia, shingles and COVID-19.
Abnormal body composition. The proportion of fat to lean mass is often higher in people who have rheumatoid arthritis, even in those who have a normal body mass index (BMI).
Carpal tunnel syndrome. If rheumatoid arthritis affects your wrists, the inflammation can compress the nerve that serves most of your hand and fingers.
Heart problems. Rheumatoid arthritis can increase your risk of hardened and blocked arteries, as well as inflammation of the sac that encloses your heart.
Lung disease. People with rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of inflammation and scarring of the lung tissues, which can lead to progressive shortness of breath.
Lymphoma. Rheumatoid arthritis increases the risk of lymphoma, a group of blood cancers that develop in the lymph system.
External Treatments
Abyanga– Massage of various parts of the body to give relief to Rukshaguna of Vata, different oil application to body parts is done. Swedana- Steaming treatments to give relief to Sheetaguna of Vata, hot fomentation is recommended in Amavata. This also increases the circulation of blood to the joint and relief to muscular rigidity.
Pinda Sweda– Especially Churna pinda, sweda, Patra pinda sweda. Swedna to localized part or generalized part reliefs body pains, restricted movements and finally balances Vata dosha in the body.
Baluka Sweda– Baluka (sand) Sweda (hot formentation). A little quantity of sand along with Ajmod, Turmeric, Sendha Namak (salt) is warm and rolled over the affected joint to get relief from inflammation and pain in it.
Dhara– Pouring of medicated liquids, mainly Dhanyamla Dhara. Rheumatoid arthritis is usually associated with anxiety and depression. Hence, pouring medicated liquid over the forehead gives relaxation to the mind.
Upanaha– Poultice (lep) Medicated paste is prepared to be applied over joints affected in Amavata which also relieves inflammation present in joints.