Showing posts with label Arthritis and Joint Pains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arthritis and Joint Pains. Show all posts

Friday, March 12, 2010

Arthritis


In common parlance inflammation of joints is known as Arthritis. Though there are 80 types of arthritis, Osterasthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid (RA) are the two principle sub-divisions. The former is a condition that denotes natural wear and tear of joints which often follows ageing. Persons who have suffered injuries previously, either through accidents or sports (known as sports injuries) farming occupation, artists who have to squat due to job compulsions, domestic servants, housewives. OA rarely occurs in young age but is quite common as the age advances. Here, wear and tear of joints is a natural consequence. Ultimately the cartilege weakens and gaps between bones get reduced, resulting in cricking voice on movement or bending the joint. Knees have to mainly bear the brunt of O.A.
Main aim should be to detoxify the body, improve circulation and mobility of joints, at least to the extent that patient is enabled to discharge his normal functions or, at least, does not have to lead an infirm and inactive person's life. The patients are warned not to take recourse to surgical methods, or if that be necessary, it should be the last option, when all other methods have proved futile and ineffective. General principle is to touch the affected joint for surgical operations only when total mobility is lost.

Symptoms

R.A. is an autoimmune disorder where synovial memberanes that line the joints, get inflamed and thickened, leading to pain and deformity of joints. If either of the disorders restricts or impedes physical movement or immobility of the affected joints, the problem becomes compounded. There is pain, swelling, heat and redness on and around the joints and patient's mobility and normal activity is adversely affected.

Ayurvedic Remedies


There are plenty of herbs which have proven Curative faculties. Here some of the curative methods are described in relation as follow -


  • To remove acidic toxins, crush celery seeds and take as tea ( 5 ml or 1 TSP) which has an alkaline effect. To make the tea much stronger, add Parsley (5ml or TSP ) to it. To make the tea still stronger, add a chopped small piece of ginger to it. Mcadowsweat and Feverfew have better anti­inflammatory properties - Feverfew should be taken in tablet form. Even one can chew 3 fresh leaves of feverfew, but it may cause ulcers in the mouth, hence it is better to use it in tea.


  • Circulation around the joints can be improved through tissue-cleaning properties of essential oils of Juniper, Cypress and Lemon, whereas oils of Lavender, Rosemary and chamomile have mild analgesic and high anti-inflammatory properties. These oils can be massaged, used by diluting in water before taking bath, or used as a compress over the affect cd parts. It is better to use one or two oils at a time or alternate any other two oils, but over use must be avoided. Rosemary, Marjoram, Ginger, Pepper can be used with advantage to stimulate circulation.



  • Take 1-2 capsules of cod liver oil daily, use hot/cold water, according to local weather conditions. Food should include plenty of fresh vegetables. Eliminate high carbohydrate-protein and meat diet. Epsom salts (4 TBSP) should be added to bathing water, to reduce inflammation and stiffness of joints. The methods pertain to naturopathy but can be tried to gain better and quicker results.


  • Extract the juice of carrots and add to it the juice of Karnphool (Dandelion). Have just 5 gms. of carrot juice and add only half of the quantity the juice of dandelion. Drink this combination regularly for at least 15 days for speedier relief. It is also advisable to rub Mahanarayani oil on the joints.

Constipation

 
Constipation
Constipation:
is a very common problem these a days. Our lives of constant rush, late
nights and fat food habits have turned constipation into a problem of
epidemic proportions. If a person does not pass stool at least once in
24 hours, he is considered to be constipated according to Ayurveda.



Causes

Accumulation of toxins in the colon as evidenced by a coated tongue is
considered to be the main pathology. The cause of constipation on a
pyhsical level is dietary - eating food which is difficult to digest.
Our lifestyle also is an important factor – sleeping late, rushing
off to work in the morning without giving proper time for evacuation,
excessive stimulation like watching lot of television etc. all lead to
constipation.



Mental factors like, insomnia, nervousness, stress also cause
constipation as do medical causes like, fever, infections and being
bedridden for long.




Treatment:

Acute constipation, which usually indicates accumulation of toxins in
the colon (ama), as in cases of fevers, severe bloating or gas fasting
and a light diet should be followed.



Chronic constipation:

Dietary issues should be looked at in the first place. The aim should
be to have oily and bulky foods like, dairy products, whole grains,
bran, raw fruits and vegetables. Fruit juices like prune and grape can
be taken. Olive and sesame oil should be used.




  • Triphala is a very famous Ayurvedic compound it consists of three
    tropical fruits, haritaki, amalaki, and bibhitaki. It is an
    excellent general colon cleanser and tonic as well as a Rasayan
    (rejuvenator). The normal dose is 5–15 gm. taken at bedtime
    with lukewarm water.



  • Aloe gel 1-2 teaspoons three times a day is also good.



  • Psyllium husk powder 1-2 teaspoons in warm water before sleeping
    is also very good.




  • Strong laxatives like senna and rhubarb are good for acute
    constipation but should be used with caution. In the long run they
    can precipitate constipation.



  • Enema – many cases of acute and chronic constipation which
    are not benefited by the above medications may requires enema
    therapy. A word of caution though; enema should only be undertaken
    under the guidance of an Ayurvedic expert only.



Other remedies:
  • The digestion must be improved with the use of light spices like,
    cumin seeds, coriander, turmeric powder, fennel and asafetida.



  • Drinking a glass of warm milk at the time of going to bed helps
    in evacuation, the next morning.




  • Do not stay up late in the night. Regulate your sleeping hours.
    Ayurveda advises to go to bed early and rise early.



  • In the morning after waking up, drinking a glass or two of water,
    preferably warm water, and then waiting for a few minutes before
    going for evacuation helps in cleaning the bowels.



  • Massaging the whole body with oil(abhayanga) once or twice a


    week and applying oil or ghee on the naval every day helps in curing
    constipation.


Arthritis and Joint Pains


Arthiritis
Arthritis is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world.
Despite lot of research and effort, an effective cure has still eluded
us. All that can be offered are the anti inflammatory and pain killers
like Aspirin. According to Ayurveda arthritis is primarily a vata (air)
disease which is due to accumulation of toxins in the joints and is
known as amavata.



Symptoms

The main symptom of this disease is severe pain in the affected joints.
The tissues in and around the joints become inflamed and movement of the
joint becomes extremely painful. Untreated arthritis may lead to
permanent deformity of the affected joints.




Causes

Causes include internal and external factors. It is more common in
cold, damp and windy climates. Internally it is a condition which is
related to low Agni (poor digestive fire) and poor digestion which leads
to the accumulation of toxins (ama). The toxins (ama) produced in the
colon are taken up by various parts of the body and depending on the
site of deposition, it causes many diseases in the body. For example, if
it deposits in the lungs, it causes cough and asthma, in the intestines
it causes dysentery. When it deposits in the joints and at the same time
there is aggravation of vata, that means if biological humor air is also
disturbed, it results in a disease called amavata or arthritis.



Remedies
  1. The first step in treatment is to burn up the accumulated toxins
    and this can be achieved by reviving the digestive fire.

  2. Short fasting is very beneficial for digesting the ama.

  3. Eating habits should be regularized and heavy, damp, ama forming
    foods should be avoided.

  4. Hot spicy herbs can be very useful like, cayenne, cinnamon, dry
    ginger and galangal.

  5. Hot gemstones such as ruby or garnet set in gold can be used.

  6. Bake one or two egg plants (about 250gms.). Mash it properly and
    fry it in about 50ml. Castor oil. Some spices like cumin, coriander,
    turmeric and salt can be added to it while frying. This recipe can
    be taken once daily for two to three months. Adding two cloves of
    garlic while cooking makes it very beneficial.

  7. Medicated oils used for massage are very helpful in relieving
    stiffness and pain in the joints, whole body massage with sesame or
    mustard oil helps to reduce the vata and thus reduce the pain.


  8. Camphor, wintergreen and cinnamon oils are beneficial for
    external application. They can be combined with herbs like
    ashwagandha in sesame oil for external applications.


  9. Daily use of the Ayurvedic compound Triphala is recommended to
    cleanse the colon.


  10. Guggul is a very helpful herb for curing arthritis. It is most
    specific for cleaning and strengthening the bone tissue. If
    available it can be taken in one to 3gm dose twice a day after meals
    with warm water.

  11. Taking 2gm turmeric powder twice a day along with warm water
    helps in curing arthritis.

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