Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) also known as Aamavata according to Ayurveda, has an etiological and clinical relationship. Aamavata is a disease complex of which RA is a part.
Rheumatoid Arthritis(Aamvata) is a systemic disease that primarily causes joint inflammation, pain, loss of function and eventual joint destruction and deformity. The disease is of variable severity ranging from mild inflammation in a few joints to symmetric involvement in multiple joints, mainly in the hands and feet.
One of the oldest records of the disease is a brief description in the Rigveda, Indian physician, Madhava wrote a full description of Aamavata.
In the last 50 years, extensive research by modern medical scientists has shed light on various pathways of inflammation in RA, but the etiology of the disease is still unknown.
Pathogenesis of Aamavata as per Ayurveda-
The main pathogenic event in RA or Aamavata is the formation and deposition of Aama at all levels of body physiology including gastrointestinal and macro and micro channels of the inner transport system of the body. At this point, it is critical to understand the difference of human physiology described by the two healthcare systems(Ayurveda&modern science). Although, in the recent years modern science has started paying credence to mind body medicine it largely studies the working of physical body by using a reductionist approach of understanding the physiology of various organs like lungs, heart, endocrine glands, etc., The understanding of modern biology too is now turning back from over emphasis on molecular biology toward the new approach of systems biology.
The results of mistake of the intellect(Pragyapradha )include the following-
1. Tridoshik disequilibrium
2. Decreased Agni or metabolic fire
3. Alteration of bacterial flora of the gut
4. Dysfunction of the macro and micro channels of transport
5. Increased formation of free radicals factors
some other causes of RA-
a. Heavy and large meals in relation to digestive fire or Agni.
b. Heavy exercise and physical activity after a heavy meal.
c. Consumption of food with allergens, e.g., animal products, nuts, wheat products, and seafood.
d. Imbalanced physical activity based upon the body type, trauma and sedentary life-style.
e. Inflammatory bowel disease(IBS).
f. Stress, emotional disturbances, suppression of natural urges, and lack of sleep.
Treatment of RA( Aamavata)-
Three steps of goals simultaneously to treat RA or Aamavata:-
Step 1- Relieving pain and restoring joint function
Step 2. Controlling inflammation-protection of joints and preserving body and joint function
Step 3. Achieving remission, preventing complications and minimizing toxic effects of medicines.In order to be successful, the treatment plan for RA must implement the most effective strategies.
Based upon the ayurveda-1. Balancing the Doshas.
2. Increasing the digestive and metabolic fires(agni).
3. Stopping the formation of Aama at different levels.
4. Increasing digestion and excretion of Aama.
5. Restoring the damaged intestinal mucosa and absorption.
Meditation and Pranayam - These help in re-establishing the connection to the source to correct the mistake of the intellect and balancing the Doshas.
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