Abstract
In today’s life, diseases are like the vowels in the English language. The way English is incomplete without vowels, the same as in the case of diseases in life. Almost each and every individual is affected by a disease in their life span. There are many diseases occurring in this world that even travel from person to person like – fever, cough and cold, autoimmune disorders, neurogenic problems, respiratory diseases, and the list goes on. But the ratio of Auto-Immune Diseases has increased in the world over the last 5 -6 years. Now, what is an Autoimmune Disorder?
An autoimmune disorder occurs when the immune system starts attacking its own body’s tissues. One of the most common Autoimmune Diseases is Rheumatoid Arthritis which is a chronic, inflammatory, systemic autoimmune disease that affects the joints with severity among patients. The risk factors include age, genetics, gender, and environmental exposure. Here, we are going to read a brief summary of various signs and symptoms, diagnoses, present and past treatment modalities, ayurvedic treatments, and address the complications that occur with RA.
Introduction
Rheumatoid Arthritis, also known as RA, is an inflammatory disorder that causes pain affecting more than just one or two joints. In some people, the condition has damaged various body systems, including the skin, eyes, heart, blood vessels, and lungs. It happens when the immune system is unable to work properly and attacks the joints, mainly the linings, known as synovium. The disease commonly affects the ankles, hands, or knees, and usually the same joints on both sides of the body, such as both knees or both hands. This disease affects more women than men and usually develops in middle age. Having any affected family member with RA increases the odds of developing arthritis.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis May include
- Morning Stiffness in joints
- Fever, loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Soft lump on the back of the hand
- Fingers shifting away from the thumb
- Swelling and inflammation, followed by tenderness sometimes making the fingers look like sausages, stiff fingers
- Bent middle finger or fingertips
- The over-extended middle joint of the finger
Causes
Rheumatoid arthritis is an idiopathic disease, but Researchers think it is caused by a combination of hormones, genetics, and environmental factors. Usually, the immune system is responsible for the protection of the body from disease. Smoking, any infection, or physical or emotional stress may be the cause.
Risk Factors
- Older age
- Family history of the disease
- Smokers
- Pregnancy
- females
The following above are associated with an increased risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis, although the sex differential is less prominent in old age. Pregnancy often causes RA increment, likely due to immune tolerance. RA has less chance to be diagnosed in parous women than in nulliparous women. Breastfeeding decreases the risk of RA, whereas early menarche and very irregular menstrual periods increase the risk. The use of oral contraceptive pills or vitamin E does not affect RA risk.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on the symptoms, physical examination, and the result of a CT scan and X-rays. Moreover, a blood sample is also collected for blood tests to diagnose RA. Patients with RA have symptoms like pain and stiffness in one or more joints. The wrists and proximal interphalangeal joints are most commonly affected. Synovial swelling may be present in the area, or synovial thickening may be present on the joint examination. Symptoms like fatigue, high and low-grade fever, and weight loss may occur with active disease.
BLOOD TESTS INCLUDE
- ESR ( erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
- Normal range; male – 0-22, female- 0-29
- CRP ( C- reactive protein)- Normal range – < 10
- Full blood count
- RA factor or anti- CCP antibodies
- SCANS:- X-ray, Ultrasound, and MRI scan.
Ayurvedic Overview
Rheumatoid Arthritis can be correlated with Aamvata in Ayurveda that occurs due to the imbalance of vata dosha in the body. In Sanskrit language, Ayurveda remarks ‘ The knowledge of life. It works on the principle of ‘ स्वास्थ्यस्य स्वस्थ रक्षणं आतुरस्य विकार प्रशमनं च।।’ that means curing the disease of the patient and saving the healthy person from affecting with any disease.
Paribhasha (introduction)
मं च वातं च आमवातः ||
Aam refers to undigested food that neither gets digested nor excreted out of the body and ‘Vata’ is one of the doshas that is present all over the body. When the vata dosha mixes with Aam or apakwa aahar, it creates an imbalance in the body and gets deposited in the lining of the joints. This causes inflammation and tenderness in the joints.
Lakshan
- Angmard (bodyache)
- Kati shool (lumbar pain)
- Trishna (thrust)
- Jwar (fever)
- Sandhi shoth ( inflammation of joints)
- Apaak (indigestion)
- Aruchi (anorexia)
Bhedas
- Vatolavan – vata predominant
- Pittolavan – pitta predominant
- Kapholavan – kapha predominant
- Sannipaat – tridoshas are at dominant state
Chikitsa Sutra
लाँघनाम स्वेदनं तिक्तं दीपनानी काटूनि च।
विरेचनं स्नेहपानं बस्त्यश्चाम्मारुत।।
सैन्धवाद्येनानुवास्य क्षारबस्ती प्रशस्यत।। (चक्रदत्त २५/ ७)
This shloka refers that Langhana, swedana, deepana pachana, Virechana, Snehpana, and Basti can be used to cure Rheumatoid Arthritis, as they control the increment of Vata Dosha and maintains the balance on all the tridoshas to keep the body unaffected of the diseases.
1. LANGHAN
It can be correlated with Fasting in modern times. The type of therapy, lifestyle, or medicine that brings lightness and thinness to the body is known as Langhan. Medicine that causes the Langhan effect:- Guduchi, Musta, Triphala, Madhu, Vidhang, Shilajit, Amlaki, patola, mudga, etc.
2. SWEDAN
Swedana is a treatment that is explained in Ayurvedic science that works on the principle of heat therapy. The word Sweden is derived from the Sanskrit word that means ‘to sweat or to perspire’. So, in RA, Nadi Swed and Sarwang (all over the body) can be used.
3. DEEPAN – PACHAN
The substances that have appetizing and digestive properties are known as deepan and pachan herbs. So, to digest the apakwa aahar katu- tikta herbs should be used. Drugs for deepan and pachan include Ajmoda, Ativisha, Ahiphena, Bhanga, Hingu, Katuki, Saindhaw, Tankana, Vacha, etc.
4. SNEHPANA
It comes under abhyantar snehpana, and it is the consumption of sneha dravya internally. The main aim of Snehpana is to separate the doshas and excrete out all the toxins from the body. Ghee is the most beneficial dravya that is used for snehpana
5. VIRECHANA
It is a therapy used in panchkarma in which purgation is induced by natural herbs that especially aim at the excretion of excessive dosha from the body. So, in the case of RA, Triphala, Trivrit, Snuhi kshara, Chaturangul, etc. should be given.
6. BASTI
Kshar basti is one of the most helpful treatments for RA. It comprises Saindhawa, Guda, Chincha, Shathava, and Gomutra, which helps in curing Rheumatoid Arthritis quickly.
Herbal Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis by Planet Ayurveda
Planet Ayurveda is a GMP-certified company that manufactures herbal products under the supervision of Ayurveda experts. It provides the best combination of herbal remedies like the RA care pack that provides relief to this extremely painful situation. The herbal medicines are 100% organic and naturally pure, these are blended with only pure forms of herbs and not with any type of chemical, fillers, colors, binders, starch, additives, ot any type of preservatives. For Rheumatoid Arthritis, we have Arthritis Care Pack that is very much beneficial in the treatment of RA. The pack includes:-
- Boswellia Curcumin
- Aamvatantak Churna
- Ashwagandha Capsules
- Joint Aid Plus
- RumoGin 5 Capsules
- Yograj Guggul
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
1. Boswellia Curcumin
It is made using the standardized extract of two herbs- Boswellia serrata and Curcuma longa. Curcumin is the most active chemical present in Turmeric that is responsible for the properties that are attained by turmeric. It is also helpful in decreasing inflammation in the joints as well as an excellent formulation for fighting the disease.
Dosage – 2 capsules two times daily with warm water, after meals.
2. Aamvatantak Churna
Planet Ayurveda’s Aamvatantak churna is a powerful dietary supplement that helps in supporting joint health. The herbs that are included are Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Suranjaan (Colchicum autumnale), Methi (Trigonella foenum graecum), etc. This formulation works in boosting immunity, reducing inflammation, and reducing pain and tenderness. It also works as an antioxidant and an analgesic.
Dosage -1 teaspoonful two times daily with warm water, before meals.
3. Ashwagandha Capsules
Ashwagandha capsules are made using the pure and standardized extract of ashwagandha. It supports overall body health. It is also one of the best ancient medicines that have anti-inflammatory properties thus, helpful in RA. It is also helpful in relieving the pain in this extreme situation.
Dosage – 2 capsules daily with warm water, after meals.
4. Joint Aid Plus
Joint aid plus by Planet Ayurveda is a nutritional product that provides supplements to the diet. The herbs include Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Guggul, etc. It helps in supporting and maintaining healthy joints. It is also an effective herbal supplement for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Dosage – 2 capsules two times daily with warm water, after meals.
5. RumoGin 5 Capsule
RumoGin 5 Capsules contain Haridra (Curcuma longa), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Maricha (Piper nigrum), and Pippali (Piper longum). This formulation aims at maintaining joint health and skeletal system health. In the case of RA, it helps in keeping joints healthy, reducing stiffness and pain while improving the flexibility of the joints.
Dosage – 1 capsule two times daily with warm water, after meals.
6. Yograj Guggul
Yograj guggul is prepared using herbs like Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Pippali (Piper longum), and many others. The formulation helps to provide strength to the body and muscles as well as protects them from the wear and tear process. Camphor is effective in relieving pain and inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Dosage – 2 tabs two times daily with warm water, after meals.
Conclusion
So, at last, we have concluded that the above-given formulations act as boons in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. So, keep using these products and if you have not used them before, give them a try. These medicines can cure this problem very easily along with following the given diet chart and the home remedies. And remember not to take citric acid or any type of sore or amla ras while consuming ayurvedic medicines.
Dr. Vikram Chauhan (MD – Ayurveda) is the CEO and Founder of Planet Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd. He is Author of the Book “Ayurveda – God’s Manual For Healing”. He is an Ayurveda Expert Serving People worldwide through all the Possible Mediums, Operating from Main Branch in Mohali, India. With his Vast Experience in Herbs and their Applied Uses, he is successfully treating Numerous Patients suffering from Various Ailments. He is Serving the Society with Purest Herbal Supplements for One and only Purpose of Making People know and utilize the Wonderful Benefits of the Ayurvedic Diet, Lifestyle, and Natural Herbs. He Formulates Herbal Supplements himself and also Use Classical Ayurvedic Formulations for Helping People Get Rid of All Types of Health Issues, Restore their Health, Uses and Save themselves from the Worst Side-effects of Chemical Based Treatments. For More Details, visit www.PlanetAyurveda.com.
