Osteoarthritis

Ayurveda about osteoarthritis

According to ayurveda Osteoarthritis can be caused either due to degeneration of joints wherein disturbance of the Vata dosha (due to various reasons like stress, excessive exercise,  late night sleeping habits, too much dry food, fasting) impacts the joints. In such cases a two step approach is recommended. 

1. Pacify the vitiated Vatadosha and stop further degeneration of the joints and bones.
2. Rejuvenate the joints to prevent future damage.

Success in above steps is achieved by using Panchakarma therapies and medicines. 

However In some cases, agnimandya (low metabolism rate) can also be the cause, due to agnimandya the food that we eat isn’t digested fully, this undigested matter produces toxins(ama) in the body which then blocks the body channels and obstructs the passage of vata causing osteoarthritis. In such cases also a two step approach has to be followed

1. Eliminate the existing ama( so that vata can flow in its normal pace?)
2. Bringing Agni back at optimum levels

Panchkarma and ayurvedic medicines are prescribed as per individuals profile to achieve the results.

Osteoarthritis also known as Degenerative joint disease is a joint inflammation that results from cartilage degeneration. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and one of the leading causes of disability. It affects millions of people annually worldwide.

Osteoarthritis can damage any joint, but the majority of the patients suffer from pain in the weight-bearing joints, examples are knees, hips etc.

Generally, the majority of the world's population above the 60 years age bracket has osteoarthritis to some degree, but its severity varies. Even the younger generation may be affected by osteoarthritis, mostly due to underlying reasons, such as joint injury or repetitive joint stress from overuse. Above the age of 50, more women than men have osteoarthritis.

Symptoms

• Joint pain.
• Stiffness.
• Tenderness.
• Loss of flexibility
• Grating sensation
• Bone spurs
• Swelling

Causes

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints gradually deteriorates. Cartilage is a firm, slippery tissue that enables nearly frictionless joint motion. Eventually, if the cartilage wears down completely, bone will rub on bone. The most common cause is natural ageing

There are many factors that increase the risk of Osteoarthritis like:

• Heredity
• Obesity
• Previous traumatic Joint injury
• Repetitive use (overuse) of joints
• Joint deformity such as unequal leg length, bowlegs etc.