Bolgs Detail

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that can cause joint pain and damage  in almost all joints throughout the body. Rheumatoid Arthritis affects approximately 0.5-1 % of the adult population worldwide. The joint damage that RA causes usually happens on both sides of the body but many times it can be unilateral as well.

Signs & Symptoms- RA is a long-term or chronic disease marked by symptoms of inflammation and pain in the joints. The disease begins progressively with lethargy, morning stiffness (lasting more than one hour), extensive muscle throbbing, loss of hunger, and feebleness and joint pain. It typically causes warm, swollen, and painful joints. These symptoms and signs occur during periods known as flares. Other times are known as periods of remission — this is when symptoms dissipate completely. If not treated properly, RA can lead to progressive loss of joint function and joint deformities. Modern medical treatment offers only symptomatic relief and relapse of the symptoms as well as side effects of painkillers are commonly seen in many patients of RA.

Ayurved treatments and management works best when RA is diagnosed early The treatment goals are to control inflammation, relieve pain, and reduce disability associated with RA. Treatment usually includes medications, occupational or physical therapy, and regular exercise. Allopathic treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis has too many side effects and with lesser relief as compared to Ayurveda medicines and Panchakarma. Ayurveda offers a holistic management of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The signs and symptoms of Amavata are very similar to those described for RA and hence the equivalent of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Ayurveda is Amavata. In Aamavata, Ama and vitiated Vata Dosha spread throughout the body and affect Kostha,(GIT) Trika(L S spines) and Sandhi (joints). It is the undigested food or Ama which is the root cause of all suffering. Ayurveda improves the digestion and excretion of Ama and thus offering a cure for longer durations.

Treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis

The treatment of Amavata includes langhana (fasting), Ruksha Sweda/Valuka Pottalee Sweda (use of bags of hot sand) or Ruksha Kuti sweda (dry fomentation).  Panchakarma treatment includes Virechana (purgation) and Vaitaran Basti (Medicated enema). Internal treatment includes use of drugs such as Shunthi, Guduchi, Ajamodadi choorna, Gandharva haritaki choorna, Dashmoola Kwatha, Maharasnadi Kwatha, Sinhanad Guggulu, Mahayograj Guggulu, Triphala Guggulu, Amvatari Ras, Rasraj Ras . Swarna bhasma and such medicines have been found to be of a lot of utility not only in relieving pain but in correcting the deformities on a long duration usage.

During last 30 years Dr. Kohli has treated many patients of RA with specialized Ayurvedic treatments. With the help of gold preparations RA patients are able to manage their pain and stiffness. Also quality of life of RA patients improves significantly. Ayurvedic treatment helps avoid pain killers and steroids which are associated with various side effects.

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