Arthritis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Ayurvedic treatment offers a comprehensive approach to curing arthritis, combining purificatory therapy and palliative treatment. The primary goal of Ayurvedic treatment for Arthritis is to alleviate joint pain, swelling, inflammation, and enhance metabolic disturbances.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis, also known as Sandhivat, refers to a condition that affects the bones and joints. The condition is primarily characterised by symptoms such as joint pain, redness, swelling, edoema, and inflammation. Arthritis occurs when joints become inflamed or when the cartilage cushion between bones breaks down. A healthy cartilage disc serves as a protective cushion, ensuring seamless joint movement during activities like walking, running, and more. Arthritis leads to inflammation and cartilage damage, resulting in bone-on-bone friction. The result is intense pain from Arthritis and limited mobility in the affected joint.
Types of Arthritis
Arthritis, also known as Sandhivat, encompasses a wide range of musculoskeletal disorders that impact various parts of the body, including joints, bones, muscles, cartilage, and connective tissues. There are two main types of Arthritis: osteoArthritis and rheumatoid Arthritis. There are also other types of arthritis such as juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and fibromyalgia.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that leads to the deterioration of cartilage in the joints. When the cushioning effect is lost, it can lead to stiffness, pain, and a decrease in joint mobility.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that occurs when the joints become inflamed. This condition is classified as an autoimmune disease, as it involves the immune system mistakenly attacking the body’s own healthy tissues. Rheumatoid Arthritis is known for causing discomfort, inflammation, redness, and swelling in the joints. Inflammation can also affect other areas of the body, including the muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and eyes.
Juvenile Arthritis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the joints of children who are 16 years old or younger. Inflammation of joints is a common symptom of this type of Arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of chronic inflammatory arthritis that commonly affects individuals with a skin condition known as psoriasis. Psoriatic Arthritis presents with symptoms including painful and swollen joints, morning stiffness, and fatigue.
Causes of Arthritis
Arthritis encompasses more than just the natural deterioration of your joints and connective tissue. Although the precise triggers or causes remain unknown, certain factors such as genetics, obesity, age, gender, and previous injuries are believed to increase the risk.
Arthritis, also known as Amavata in Ayurveda, occurs when there is an imbalance or vitiation of Vata, accompanied by the buildup of toxic Ama in the joints. This build-up occurs due to inefficient digestion and metabolism. In the case of Amavata, the treatment usually focuses on restoring Vata balance and removing Ama from the body. There are several factors that could potentially contribute to this issue:
- Injuries have the potential to result in degenerative arthritis, while an abnormal metabolism can lead to conditions like gout and calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD).
- Genetic inheritance can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.
- An infection like Lyme disease has the potential to cause symptoms of arthritis.
- An immune system dysfunction, such as the kind that leads to conditions like RA and lupus.
- There are various factors that contribute to most types of arthritis. However, there are cases where the cause is not readily apparent and the emergence seems to be unpredictable.
Symptoms of Arthritis
The symptoms of arthritis can vary greatly depending on the specific type of arthritis.
Development can occur gradually or suddenly. Arthritis is typically a long-term condition, with symptoms that can vary in intensity and duration.
However, if someone experiences any of the following four important warning signs, it is recommended to seek medical attention.
- Arthritis pain can be persistent or intermittent. It can have an impact on a single area or be experienced throughout the entire body.
- Swelling can occur in certain forms of arthritis, causing the skin over the affected joint to become red, swollen, and warm to the touch.
- Stiffness is a common symptom that many people experience. For certain types, this is often experienced upon waking up in the morning, after spending time sitting at a desk, or after a long period of sitting in a car. Stiffness can manifest either after physical activity or as a long-lasting condition with certain types.
- Joint mobility: If it is difficult or unpleasant to move a joint or stand from a chair, it may be indicative of arthritis or another joint issue.
Furthermore, specific forms of arthritis can manifest with distinct symptoms in addition to the common signs. For instance, eye problems such as uveitis, iridocyclitis, or iritis can be caused by Juvenile RA.
Septic arthritis commonly leads to symptoms such as fever and severe joint pain. If left untreated, the condition can escalate to a critical state known as sepsis.
Risk factors
Factors that can increase the risk of developing arthritis include:
Family History: There is a genetic component to certain types of arthritis, which means that if your parents or siblings have the disorder, you may have a higher chance of developing it as well.
Age: As we get older, the risk of developing various forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout, tends to increase.
Gender: There is a higher likelihood of women developing rheumatoid arthritis, whereas gout, another form of arthritis, is more commonly found in men.
Previous Joint Injury: Individuals who have experienced joint injuries, possibly during sports activities, have a higher likelihood of developing arthritis in the affected joint over time.
Obesity: Excess weight can place significant strain on your joints, specifically the knees, hips, and spine. Individuals who are obese face an increased likelihood of developing arthritis.
Ayurvedic Treatment For Arthritis
There is no single solution for arthritis, but Ayurvedic treatments offer a range of options to help manage its symptoms. These include herbal remedies, massage therapies, exercise, and lifestyle changes. By utilising a tailored approach, it offers a treatment plan that effectively addresses your symptoms and greatly enhances your overall well-being. Here are a few remedies and therapies that can be helpful: Using herbal supplements and remedies, particularly those with anti-inflammatory properties, can provide a straightforward and efficient solution for soothing painful joints. Some of the things that are used are:
- Turmeric and ginger.
- Extract derived from the bark of the willow tree.
- Here are some herbal remedies you might find helpful: – Feverfew – Fenugreek seeds – Devil’s claw You have the option to consume these in the form of capsules, suspensions, or even brew them as teas.
Ayurvedic diets aim to achieve a balance in the vata dosha. So, it’s important to have the following items in your diet:
- Grains, like cooked oats and rice, are a nutritious and filling food option.
- Legumes are a type of plant-based food that are packed with nutrients and are a great addition to a healthy diet. They come in various forms, such as beans, lentils, and peas. Including legumes in your meals can provide you with a good source of protein, fibre.
- Vegetables that are green and leafy Fruit that is small, colourful, and delicious. Spices like ginger, turmeric, and garlic.
- Buttermilk
Avoiding certain foods can be beneficial for your health. It’s best to steer clear of salt, hot and spicy foods, sour and fermented foods, and fruits and vegetables that are hard to digest.
Physical activity can be beneficial for joint health and pain management. Incorporating low impact exercises like walking, yoga, swimming, and tai chi into your routine has been proven to enhance joint function and provide relief from discomfort.
In addition, these exercises can help reduce stress and improve your mood, which are both crucial for boosting your immune system. Massage therapy plays a vital role in the treatment of arthritis. It has been proven to effectively improve circulation and movement, while also reducing pain, stiffness, tension, and inflammation. Using oils such as:
- Using mustard, castor, camphor, lavender, eucalyptus, and sesame seed oil in these massages can make the experience even better. These oils have properties that help reduce vata and inflammation.
Hot and cold treatments can be beneficial for relieving pain and discomfort in inflamed joints, as well as promoting relaxation. Here are a few methods to accomplish this:
- Hot and cold packs
- Invigorating showers
- Hot tubs or saunas
- Heating pads
- Ice baths
Aromatherapy is a practice that involves using essential oils to enhance both physical and mental health. This approach has also been found to be beneficial in managing arthritis. Using a combination of camphor, lavender, ginger, and eucalyptus oils can provide relief from pain and anxiety, promote relaxation, and increase energy levels. Making small adjustments to your daily routine can have a significant and lasting impact on your ability to manage arthritis pain. Here are some of the changes:
- Getting enough sleep and rest is crucial for our overall well-being.
- Rising early and following a consistent morning routine.
- Engaging in meditation and other therapeutic practices to reduce stress.
- Practicing mindful eating.
- Keeping your body properly hydrated.
- Staying physically engaged.