In simple words, Arthritis is nothing but a swelling or an inflammation of the joints. The condition may occur anywhere in the body. This is the major problem affecting mostly to elderly people. Pain and stiffness of this disease are troublesome condition for them. There are many types of arthritis like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis etc.
Ayurveda believes that the Dosha involved in the arthritis is Vata Dosha. One of the main seat for Vata Dosha is joints of the body. Vata Dosha targets the joints when they are in vitiated state and produces the disease called arthritis. In Ayurveda, this is known as Sandhivata. Sandhi refers to the joint and Vata is Vata Dosha, one of the body humors. Combination of this is known as Sandhivata.
The simple definition stands for arthritis is “It is an inflammation of the joint”. This has symptoms of pain, stiffness and swellings. This is caused by an infection, degenerative changes in the human body, trauma, metabolic disorders and lot many other causes. Ayurveda believes a Vata Dosha condition and describes this as the Vata Dosha condition in which, there is a difficulty in walking, running and climbing (stairs etc).
There are many types of the arthritis. Some of the main types of arthritis are given below.
When the Vata Dosha combines with the aama (indigestible material or bad toxins), it gets seated in different joints of the entire body and produces a disease called as ‘Aamvat’. Aamvat is nothing but rheumatoid arthritis. This falls under autoimmune disease as per the modern medical science’s classification. The RA factor (rheumatoid arthritis factor, the test performed to diagnose the disease) is positive in this case.
This is the type of arthritis, which is generally develops in elderly. This is characterized by chronic degeneration of the cartilages of the joints and therefore also labeled as degenerative joint disease.
Ayurveda believes this to be ‘Asthigata Vata’. Asthi means the bones and Vata means the arthritis condition in which, Vata Dosha is involved. When the Vata Dosha gets disturbed and takes place deep into the bone, this situation arises.
The gout refers to the group of metabolic disorders. In these disorders, the crystals of the sodium urate (sodium salt of uric acid) get deposited in the tissues of the body. This results in the raising of uric acid level in the blood. Ayurveda describes this situation as ‘Vatarakta’. Vatarakta is the condition in which, the blood and Vata Dosha both get vitiated and troubles an individual. The typical gouty condition catches the small joints of the body first.
Juvenile arthritis is the form of arthritis in adolescences and children. For some, it may be mild problem, but for some children, this becomes very dangerous condition in which, it damages tissues and joints.
There is no perfect test in the laboratory that confirms the juvenile arthritis. The only criteria that labels juvenile arthritis at first sight is looking that one or more joints are affected for more than six weeks in a child. This is to be treated as soon as possible and should not leave untreated as it may bring hazardous condition to the child causing severe damage.
As we know, excessive Vata Dosha produces this condition. Those factors that aggravate the Vata Dosha are commonest cause for the arthritis. Certain factors like age in elderly people and weight in obese person do participate in producing the arthritis. The profession of a person is also considered to be major factor in producing the arthritis.
Modern medicines believe that an infection or degenerative changes can get you arthritis. It also affects the synovial fluid and can damage the synovial membrane. Ayurveda says too much walking; exercises, eating too dry food, roaming in cold atmosphere etc are the causative factors for arthritis.
Symptoms differ from case to case or a person to person. Generally arthritis arises from the tissues around the joints like muscles, fats, ligaments and therefore, one feels severe piercing type of the pain in the affected areas. Distress, fists and exhaustions are commonly seen in arthritis. There will be swelling and the joints lose their functions and become immovable or difficult to move. It is painful to bend them in any direction.
There are some precautions to be taken to avoid arthritis attack on the body. The first and foremost is exposure to the cold by any means. Let it be the atmosphere or the air conditioning. Massage over the joints on regular basis is indeed beneficial. One should avoid the Vata Dosha aggravator foods. These foods include grams, pulses, dry and cold foods etc. Cold drinks and carbonated water is to be restricted. Spicy food, junk food, packaged food etc may shoot up the factors that can bring the arthritis.
Over exercises, fast walking, running, sitting and sleeping in wrong postures may also contribute in development of arthritis.
Sugar and salt are to be restricted as prior regimen. Avoid grams and pulses. These increase the Vata Dosha and so the arthritis condition. One can have green leafy vegetables into the diet. Fast food and junk foods are to be avoided. Restrict restaurant soda and outside foods that are high in calories and having no energy at all. Starchy foods are also considered to be bad for arthritis.
Fried food and red meat are best to be avoided. One can include Vitamin E in diet. This is helpful in treating the arthritis according to the latest researches. Grains like wheat may help in arthritis. Milk products are not so bad in arthritis condition. Try to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Fruits like banana, apple, chickoo are good to have for arthritis.
There is no sure shot that can treat arthritis in the modern medical science. Here, some of the drugs like NSAIDs, pain killers and analgesics are useful but for short term. On the other hand, they have bad effects on stomach.
Ayurveda has answer for arthritis. The treatment that decreases the Vata Dosha is considered to be useful in treating various types of the arthritis. However, the treatment differs from type to type but overall with some internal (like guggulu, sallaki, rasna etc Ayurvedic drugs) and external therapies (like massage, powder massage, oil pouring etc), arthritis can be controlled very well.
