Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA):

- A usually chronic autoimmune disease that is characterized especially by pain, stiffness, inflammation, swelling and sometimes destruction of joints.

- A chronic autoimmune disease with inflammation of the joints and marked deformities, something triggers an attack on the synovium by the immune system, which releases cytokines that stimulate an inflammatory reaction that can lead to the destruction of all components of joints.

- RA happens when the immune system attacks your own tissues and causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. It’s not part of normal aging.

- Rheumatic arthritis is a general term for inflammation of joint. Inflammation is characterized by swelling, redness, heat, pain. In addition to affecting the joints, rheumatoid arthritis may occasionally affect organs outside of the joints including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood, nerves, or kidneys.

- Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning that patient’s immune system -reacting against its own.

‘Rheumatic disorders’ include:-

Polymyalgia Rheumatica – in this disorder there is pain and stiffness in a lot of different muscles, especially those around the shoulders. It affects mainly the elderly.

Tenosynovitis – This is an inflammation of the sheathes of the tendons – they are the cord-like structures in the wrist and elsewhere, which many older people call ‘leaders’.

Capsulitis – this is an inflammation of the capsule (the covering) of the joint, often the shoulder.

Bursitis – This is an inflammation caused by friction between soft tissues and underlying bone. A ‘sac’ of fluid develops.

Symptoms:

- Pain and swelling in multiple joints (usually the same joints on both sides of your body, like both wrists or both ankles)

- Problems in other organs such as eyes and lungs

- Joint stiffness, especially in the morning

- Fatigue

- Lumps called rheumatoid nodules

Diagnosis: X-rays, blood tests, and samples of your joint fluid.

Homoeopathic Remedies:

RHUS TOX -

- Rhus Tox is a great Homeopathic remedy for rheumatoid arthritis.

- Restlessness and desire to move about continually, on account of the relief it to the aches and pains.

- Suitable especially to rheumatism affecting fibrous tissues, sheaths of muscles etc., Rheumatism from exposure to wet when overheated and perspiring.

- The joint pains are worse after rest and the pains get slowly better after walking or moving around.

- There is recurring attacks due to getting chilled when hot.

- Rheumatism caused by damp weather and worse in damp weather.

- There is restlessness and the pains are worse at first motion, better by continued motion and again worse after moving for some time when it becomes necessary for him to repose.

BRYONIA ALBA-

- Bryonia is an excellent remedy in cases of acute pains of rheumatoid arthritis.

- Bryonia may be given when the pains are worse by slightest motion or touch.

- The joints are acutely inflamed and there is anguish and agony on account of pain.

- Bryonia may also be given when the pains are associated with swelling of the joints.

- In acute exacerbations when there is fever, bryonia can be prescribed.

- There may be whitish coating on the tongue and the mouth and the throat are extremely dry. Fever may be associated with thirst.

SALICYLIC ACID-

- Salicylic acid is an effective remedy which can be given during acute attacks of rheumatoid arthritis.

- Salicylic acid may be prescribed when the involvement is primarily in the upper extremities.

- There may be profuse swelling and redness in the affected joints.

- Most often, the pains are associated with high to very high fever.

- The pains are pricking type and may be worse by exposure to cold and better by warmth in general.

RHODODENDRON-

- Rhododendron is prescribed when pains wander from joint to joint with swelling of joints, worse before and during thunderstorm, cold or wet or unsettled weather; Better from warm wrapping.

COLCHICUM-

- Colchicum is a great homeopathic remedy for sever pains in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

- There may be swelling of joints which may be red or pale.

- Abdomen bloated with wind.

- There is aversion of food which smells as soon as served.

- Albumin in urine which becomes black like ink, scanty urine with dropsical swelling, marked irritability from pains or odours.

- Pain is worse by motion, touch, or mental effort . Better by warmth, rest or sitting.

- Rhuematoid arthritis of smokers.

CAULOPHYLLUM-

- Complaints worse during menstruation; beginning at the time of menopause; more in hands and feet.

- Rheumatic pain in small joints like fingers, toes, ankles etc.

- Aching in the wrists.

- Cutting pain on closing the hands.

- Erratic pains, changing place every few minutes.

LEDUM PAL-

- Rheumatism of the great toe and joints with swelling

- Soreness and drawing pain on stepping, worse from warmth, pressure and by motion.

- Pain travels upwards, better cold compression.

PULSATILLA-

- Pulsatilla is one of the most indicated remedies in rheumatoid arthritis when the pains keep changing their locations.

- This homoeopathic medicine may be given in women with an unusual tendency to cry.

- They cannot narrate their symptoms without crying.

- The pains changing locations. For a few days pains may be in the right knee, then shift to the left knee, then in the ankles.

- The pains are worse in the night, on rest and in warm closed rooms. However, the pains are better in open air and by warm applications.

AMMONIUM PHOS-

- Chronic nodosities of the joints, hands twisted, out of shape due to deposits of water of soda.

ARNICA MONTANA-

- ArnicaMontana is an effective remedy  with lameness and soreness all over the body.

- Arnica is indicated when there is extreme pain all over the body and every joint hurts.

-The whole body feels bruised and sore; as if it had been beaten with sticks.

- Arnica is also a great homeopathic remedy when the pain in joints is a result of a fall or injury.

ACTEA SPICTA–

- It is an excellent remedy for rheumatism of small joints of the fingers and wrists.

- Swelling of joints from slight fatigue.

GELSEMIUM –

- Gelsemium may be indicated in acute pains which are of burning nature and are worse by heat.

- There is extreme weakness with lethargy.

- Gelsemium may be given in cases of rheumatoid arthritis which become worse during change of seasons and in damp surroundings.

- The joints are swollen and there may be extreme weakness in the surrounding muscles.

- During an acute attack, there is marked trembling of all the limbs.

- Gelsemium may be given when there is a sore, bruised feeling in the back muscles as well.

MERCURIUS SOL –

- Merc sol is indicated when the arthritic pain occurs with very offensive sweats – the more he sweats the worse he feels.

- Great weakness, Better in bed, but as soon as he gets warm in bed the pain increases and he has to throw off his clothes to get better.

- The latter position also aggravates pain, then again he has to cover himself in bed and so it goes on the whole time, Worse during night.

KALMIA LAT-

- Pain travels downwards affecting large part of limb and passes through quickly along the course of nerve.

STELLERIA MEDIA- 

- Shifting pain in all parts of body, worse by motion.

WRITTEN BY- DR.MAYUR MODI