Inflammatory Joint Disorders Ayurvedic Treatment

Inflammation is the condition involving pain, swelling, increased temperature and redness of a particular area of body. It is a normal physiological condition occurring in body following an injury, allergy, irritation, infection etc. Prolonged inflammation of the joint (arthritis) is a disease condition often caused by injuries and the inflammation is produced by the release of certain chemicals by the damaged tissue or body’s immune system (autoimmune condition). Wear and tear due to ageing or over-activity are the major reasons of tissue damage.

When a joint is inflamed, the surrounding blood-vessels are dilated for extra blood supply. This blood contains more white blood cells which are involved in fighting against foreign bodies/ allergens/ disease causing agents etc. This causes inflammation and is a normal process, but when it continues for long period, the joint is damaged.

Sometimes, an infection in other body parts can travel to joints via blood stream to cause inflammation. In most cases, autoimmune response is the cause of joint inflammation. The common arthritis conditions are rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis etc.

Inflammatory Joint Disorders Signs and Symptoms

The common signs and symptoms of joint inflammation are pain, swelling, redness, increased temperature, stiffness, difficulty to move the joint etc.

Inflammatory Joint Disorders Ayurvedic Analysis

As per Ayurveda, aggravated pitta, vata and kapha cause symptoms of inflammation like swelling, pain, impaired movements, burning sensation, joint abnormalities etc. Ama (waste materials produced in body) is the main factor that cause these symptoms, along with vitiated dosha (vata, pitta and kapha) and dhatu (rasa, rakta, mamsa, asthi, majja). Vata causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and impaired movements; pitta is vitiated producing burning sensation, warmth around the affected part and redness; and kapha is vitiated to cause swelling, and abnormalities in the fluid within joints.

Inflammatory Joint Disorders Causative Factors (Ayurveda)

The major causative factors are ushna ahara (very hot food), vidahi ahara (food items that cause burning sensation during after digestion), viruddha ahara (incompatible food), asatmya ahara (unaccustomed food), excess intake of katu (pungent)/ amla (sour), lavana (salty), kshara (alkaline) tastes/ properties, heavy food, frequent food intake before digestion of previous one, certain pulses (eg: Bengal gram), sedentary habit, overweight, sitting for long time with legs hanged, excessive physical activity, inadequate sleep, day sleep etc.

Possible Complications of Inflammatory Joint Disorders

Chronic joint inflammation causes impaired joint movements, problems with day- to- day activities, poor quality of life, psychological issues etc.

Other systemic diseases and precautions to be taken

Consider other diseases like cardiovascular disorders, allergies, hypertension, diabetes etc before planning treatment.

Inflammatory Joint Disorders Disease Management with Ayurveda Treatment

The management is focused on alleviating the ama (if present), improving agni, balancing tridosha and reducing tissue damage (dhatukshaya). Internal medications are given along with rukshana (removing ama), snehana (internal/ external/ both administration of suitable lipid formulation), swedana (sudation therapy), virechana (purgation therapy), vasthi (enema with suitable drug), lepana (external application of medicine over the affected joint), upanaha (bandage with medicines), etc. supportive therapies like physiotherapy, yoga, psychotherapy etc can also be provided as per the condition.

Diet

The diet must be effective to reduce inflammation and it should contain whole grains, vegetables, fruits and fruit juices, nuts, small fishes etc as per the guidance of physician. Reduce the consumption of sour, spicy, cold and very hot food items. Drink enough water.

Exercise

Mild to moderate exercise helps a lot to reduce inflammation. Inn some cases rest is recommended to reduce the symptoms. Follow the instructions of physician before planning any exercise.

Inflammatory Joint Disorders Preventive Aspects in Ayurveda

Autoimmune joint inflammation cannot be prevented much. In general, the inflammation and its complications can be prevented by avoiding the causative factors (dietary as well as behavioural), exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy body weight, avoiding sedentary lifestyle, sleeping and waking at regular time, daily oil massage all over the body, bathing in warm water, avoiding stress etc.

Importance of Diet

Choose the right diet as per the direction of physician in order to reduce inflammation. Food items like chilly, curd, Bengal gram, fermented items, alcohol etc worsen the symptoms. Along with proper treatment, follow a healthy diet plan in order to tackle joint inflammation.