Introduction
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting joints and is characterized by bilateral symmetrical joint pain, morning stiffness, and inflammation of the joints. The condition usually affects the wrist and hands but may involve other body parts. Symptoms include tenderness, warmth, swollen joints, stiffness, fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite. Smaller joints are affected during the early phase, but as RA progresses, symptoms spread to joints including the knee, ankle, elbow, hip, and shoulder regions.
RA is considered Amavata in Ayurveda, which manifests due to an imbalance of the body’s doshas, especially Vata and Kapha. The Ayurveda treatment for Rheumatoid arthritis is to restore this balance through external therapies, Panchakarma, lifestyle adjustments, dietary modifications, and internal medications. In this blog let’s explore causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches for Rheumatoid Arthritis, and how Ayurveda can prevent remission and improve quality of life.
Rheumatoid Arthritis in Ayurveda
According to Ayurveda, Amavata occurs when Ama (toxins) accumulate in the body and affect the joints. The condition begins in the Amashaya (stomach) and spreads to various joints, causing pain, swelling, and tenderness. This process is closely linked to Mandagni (weak digestive fire) and is influenced by unwholesome food choices and lifestyle factors.
Rheumatoid Arthritis - Causes
Rheumatoid arthritis, in general, is an autoimmune disease involving the immune system attacking the synovium, genetic factors like HLA-DR, environmental triggers including smoking, infections, and chemicals, and psychological and physical stresses. A family history of RA increases the risk while environmental triggers like smoking, infections, and chemicals worsen symptoms in genetically susceptible individuals.
The development of Amavata is attributed to several key factors in Ayurveda. The primary cause is the impairment of Agni (digestive fire), which leads to the formation of Ama (toxic material) in the body. This ama gets carried by imbalanced Vata dosha (due to excess physical activity, stress, etc) creating the perfect conditions for Amavata to develop. Poor lifestyle choices and dietary habits further contribute to the formation of Ama, which adheres to the walls of Dhamanies and Srotas due to its Pichillata (stickiness), ultimately manifesting as Amavata.
Rheumatoid Arthritis - Symptoms
RA symptoms include symmetrical joint pain and swelling, affecting small joints like fingers and wrists. Morning stiffness lasting more than 1 hour is the cardinal symptom. Beyond joint issues, RA can cause systemic symptoms like persistent fatigue, low-grade fever, and sweating in the initial stage. Extra-articular manifestations may also affect other body systems, such as the skin (rheumatoid nodules), lungs (pleural effusions), and heart (pericarditis) in later stages.
As per Ayurveda, Amavata presents with distinct symptoms that affect both the joints and overall body function. The primary symptoms include Sandhi Shula (joint pain, Sandhi Shotha (joint swelling), and Sparsha asahishnuta (tenderness around joints). Patients also experience general body aches, loss of appetite, heaviness in the body, fever, increased thirst, and loss of sensation in affected areas.
Rheumatoid Arthritis – Treatment
Rheumatoid arthritis, often correlated with Amavata in Ayurveda, is managed through natural and holistic approaches rather than the use of DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs), NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), or steroids, which provide short-term relief during flare-ups.
Ayurveda offers a comprehensive treatment protocol for managing Amavata. Ayurveda medication and therapies aim at functional rehabilitation, minimizing the use of immunosuppressive drugs and pain medications while maintaining remission. The treatment begins with Nidana Parivarjana (avoiding aggravating factors). The therapeutic approach includes Deepana (improving digestive fire), Ama Pachana (digestion of toxins) through internal medicines, Ruksha Swedana (dry fomentation) with the help of Churna Pinda Sweda (Medicated powder massage), Kashaya or Dhanyamla Dhara (pouring warm decoction over site). Cleansing therapy especially Vamana (therapeutic emesis), and Virechana (therapeutic purgation) is administered after assessing the patient’s condition, comorbidities, and disease severity. Vasti karma is particularly effective in pacifying aggravated Vata once the acute stage is managed.
Pathya – Apathyas
Pathya refers to dietary and lifestyle practices that maintain health and manage diseases by supporting balance and proper body functioning. Apathya includes habits and foods that disrupt this balance, potentially worsening health conditions.
The dietary items beneficial for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) include red rice, barley, horse gram, lukewarm water, bitter gourd, drumstick, snake gourd, garlic, wet ginger, spreading hogweed, buttermilk, and castor oil. Incorporating these into the diet can help manage symptoms by improving digestion, reducing inflammation, and balancing the doshas.
Apathya foods include new rice, black gram, polluted water, curd, milk, jaggery, and fish. These items can aggravate Kapha and Vata doshas, leading to increased inflammation and discomfort in RA. Sleeping during the day, and excess consumption of heavy, sweet, sour foods, cheese, and paneer should also be avoided.
NOTE: Applying oil to reduce pain can aggravate the condition especially when the joint is swollen, and hot and the person suffers from systemic symptoms like fever, and fatigue.
Apollo AyurVAID Approach
We deliver exceptional outcomes based on our protocols-driven approach including classical Ayurveda medication & therapies, and targeted functional rehabilitation, complemented by personalized diet and lifestyle adjustments. Our protocol-driven diagnostic evaluation of RA included blood tests, and X-rays to determine the extent of joint damage, and hidden causes such as diet, stress, lifestyle, and genetic factors. An individualised management plan includes panchakarma treatments, internal medicines, an anti-inflammatory diet, stress reduction therapies, and monitoring of the disease stage. A treatment plan is adjusted daily to minimize the use of immunosuppressive drugs, steroids, and pain medications while maintaining remission. Key outcomes to expect include the prevention of disease relapse, avoiding cardiovascular complications, and delaying joint degeneration.
Conclusion
Rheumatoid arthritis or Amavata is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting joints that can be managed comprehensively with Ayurveda. Ayurveda works on the root causes, and symptoms, by enhancing the digestive fire and removing Ama or toxins from the body. Treatments like Panchakarma, anti-inflammatory diets, and stress reduction techniques such as meditation are offered to a person based on his condition. The protocol-driven approach by Apollo AyurVAID integrates Ayurveda treatments with modern diagnostics to develop a completely individualized program of medicines, therapies, and lifestyle modifications. The treatment plan is dynamic and modified depending on the patient’s condition. It reduces dependency on immunosuppressive drugs without really affecting the symptom reduction. The approach aims to manage symptoms while improving the quality of life of people with RA.
References
- Scherer, H et al. (2020). The etiology of rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of autoimmunity, 102400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaut.2019.102400
- Machaj, D et al. (2022). Rheumatoid arthritis – symptoms, diagnosis, treatment. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. https://doi.org/10.12775/je
hs.2022.12.08.035 - Virmani, M (2019). Rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis according to Ayurveda texts W.S.R. Amavata. International Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine. https://doi.org/10.15406/ijcam.2019
.12.00456 - Ansari, D S T et al. (2023). “A LITERATURE REVIEW ON AMAVATA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS” Sanjeevani Darshan National – Journal of Ayurveda & Yoga. https://doi.org/10.55552/sdnjay.2023.1209
- Saroch, S et al. (2023). A REVIEW ARTICLE ON AMAVATA. International Ayurvedic Medical Journal. https://doi.org/10.46607/iamj1711092023
