ARTHRITIS

One of the most pervasive diseases in the world, and the leading cause of disability amongst many, arthritis now has become a word heard too often. If you or someone you love battles joint pain, stiffness, and/or inflammation, arthritis pain may be the cause. For most people arthritis pain and inflammation cannot be avoided as the body ages. In fact, most people over the age of 50 show some signs of arthritis. Joints naturally degenerate over time. Fortunately, arthritis can be managed through a combination of medication, exercise, rest, weight-management and adequate nutrition. Only in some cases, surgery is required.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a term probably most vaguely used for any kind of joint problems. It is a general term used to many rheumatic diseases that can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints and other connective tissues. So, Arthritis may mean nothing but a painful stiff joint. There are several forms of arthritis. The disease may also affect supporting structures like muscles, tendons, ligament and sometimes-other vital parts of the body like heart valves as in the case of Rheumatic fever.

Arthritis is a very common disease. About 1 in 4 adults above 65 years of age suffer from Arthritis. Not all the pains that one suffers from is arthritis. The pain can also be due to problems in the surrounding muscles or ligaments or other soft tissues, which is called Periarthritis. Most common types of arthritis are Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc., The Common symptoms are: Swelling in one or more joints, Early morning stiffness lasting 30 minutes or longer, Constant joint pain or pain when pressed with fingers (called ‘tenderness’ in medical terms), Difficulty to move the joint in a normal way, Redness or warmth in a joint, Weight loss, fever, or unexplainable weakness, Skin rashes associated with joint pain especially on the cheeks.
Treatment

The most popular methods of Ayurvedic treatment in Arthritis or pain management in general is massage and medication. Appropriate massage has shown excellent results in relieving the pain, stiffness and inflammation. It also improves range of motion of the affected joints.

Interestingly, in Ayurveda, Arthritis is associated with inadequate digestion and improper bowel movement which leads to constipation with gastric disturbances. Ayurvedic medications treats these complaints and disturbances and thus lead to complete alleviation of arthritis and its connected ailments. Ayurvedic Treatment can only reduce sufferings and avoid surgery for even in acute cases.