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 Arthritis is a term which describes chronic degenerative disorders of the joints generally accompanied by joint pain. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two main types of arthritis. According to Ellen Kramer from the College of Practical Homeopathy, London, arthritis is related to advancing age (usually after the age of 50), obesity, any joint deformity or previous joint injury.
I. Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is caused by the physical damage to the joints and the surrounding tissue. This results in the wear and tear of these joints. Onset of this degenerative disease is gradual and normally involves one or two joints. The joints of knees, hips, spine, and hands are most often affected. The symptoms include pain, tenderness, swelling, and decreased function of the joints and the surrounding area.
II. Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. That is, it occurs when the immune system of the body attacks the cell lining inside the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and disabling disease. The symptoms include stiffness, swelling, and pain in the joints leading to the loss of joint function. This type of arthritis is difficult to diagnose since it starts with subtle symptoms.
III. Apart from the above mentioned types, there are other types of arthritis which are less common but equally serious.
• Juvenile arthritis – This is a type of arthritis that occurs in children.
• Psoriatic arthritis – This is similar to rheumatoid arthritis where there is inflammation of the joints and spine. It usually affects people with psoriasis, which is a type of chronic skin disease.
• Fibromyalgia – This is a type of rheumatism causing pain in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It does not cause joint deformities.
• Gout and pseudogout – These are two different types of painful arthritis and need different medication. Pain, tenderness, redness, warmth, and swelling in the joints are the symptoms. The pain and swelling associated with gout and pseudogout are caused by deposits of uric acid crystals and calcium phosphate crystals in the joint.
• Lupus – This is an autoimmune disease normally involving skin, kidneys, blood vessels, heart, and other internal organs. Lupus is a type of arthritis common to the women of childbearing age.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome – This is a condition in which pressure on the median nerve of the wrist results in numbness in the fingers and is quite common in people working long hours with the computer.
• Infectious arthritis – This is a form of joint inflammation caused by bacteria, virus, or fungus.
• Lyme disease – This is a form of tick-borne disorder which affects the skin, nervous system, heart, and eyes of the patient.
• Reiters syndrome – Also known as “reactive arthritis”, this is an inflammation of the joints and is usually associated with urethritis, prostatitis, conjunctivitis, or skin sores.
All the above mentioned types of arthritis are different illnesses with differing features and require different treatments and prognosis. They are all grouped into arthritis since they affect the joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons. Some of these have the potential to affect internal organs of the body too.
Age is one of the major factors contributing to the development of arthritis. By age 65, half of the American population shows evidence of osteoarthritis. Putting too much stress on the joints which has been previously injured may also lead to the development of osteoarthritis.
Obesity is another important factor in the occurrence of arthritis. It is reported that 21.7% of overweight Americans and 30.6% among obese Americans suffer from arthritis. Jobs or activities which involve repetitive movements of a particular joint may also lead to development of arthritis. Diet and alcohol also play an important role in the incidence of gout. However, a research study from Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, interestingly, reveals that caffeinated coffee consumption protected against development of gout in men. [Arthritis Rheum 2007; 56(6): 2049] Apart from these causes, some types of arthritis are inherited genetically.
Homeopathy is effective in treating arthritis. This is because homeopathy takes a holistic approach to the treatment of the disease. In a double blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers at the Glasgow homoeopathic Hospital, U.K., evaluated the effectiveness of individualized homeopathic remedies for rheumatoid arthritis. It was found that patients with active homeopathic treatment showed significant improvement, especially where pain and stiffness were concerned. [Br J Clin Pharmacol . 1980; 9:453–459]
In homeopathy, the term ‘symptom’ encompasses not only the physical but the psychological, as also the obvious and the subtle. Numerous factors including the emotional state of the patient, changes in the energy level of the patient, and sensitivity to heat or cold, are assessed prior to treating arthritis. Dr Peter Fisher, Clinical Director of the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital and Homeopathic Physician to The Queen, suggests that knowing the social background and the family history of the patient is absolutely necessary for effectively treating any form of arthritis. Similarly, Ellen Kramer, MCPH, MARH, states that resentment, bitterness, feelings of victimization, and lack of love are some of the emotional states responsible for development of arthritis.
Arthritis is homeopathically diagnosed based on the following questions:
1. Is the pain in one or more joints?
2. When is the pain first noticed, when does it occur, and how long does it last?
3. Does activity make the pain worse? What triggers the pain?
4. Has the pain moved? If so, is there a particular pattern?
5. Were there any illnesses or accidents that could account for the pain?
6. Is there a family history of arthritis?
7. Does the hot or cold application relieve the pain?
8. How does the weather affect the pain?
9. How does the patient react to or cope with the problems?
10. Is the patient strong-willed or assertive person? Or is it the opposite?
The following remedies are listed to provide relief for the acute phase of the arthritic inflammation. Professional homeopathic care should be enlisted to obtain significant relief and cure. • Apis: This remedy is effective when there is swelling in the joints with burning/stinging pain, and cool and cold applications provide relief.
• Belladonna: This remedy is indicated where there is rapid and violent onset of throbbing pain. Joints become swollen, red, and hot.
• Bryonia: This remedy is useful when arthritic pain is aggravated due to any kind of motion and the individual is irritable and constipated.
• Rhus toxicodendron: This is a very common remedy for arthritis where one experiences great pain upon initial motion, reduced pain the more they move around and then become stiff again after resting for a while. The symptoms aggravate at night or in bed and in cold or wet weather.
There are many other remedies available, depending upon the individualized treatment of the disorder. In a double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted by researchers from the University of Ulm, Germany, 111 patients were treated for rheumatoid arthritis with either Rheumaselect, a complex homeopathic preparation, or a placebo. It was found that the homeopathic remedy was significantly effective over the placebo. [Akt Rheumatol 1991; 16; 1–9] This research was criticized for not being based on strict scientific protocol for research studies. However, re-analysis of data by these researchers still confirmed that the remedy was useful in treating RA. Similarly, a case study from Nehru Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, New Delhi, India, suggested that Reiter’s disease could be successfully treated with high potency Nux vomica. [Homeopathy. 2006 Apr; 95(2):103-4] Although there are no known ways to prevent rheumatoid arthritis, weight control can help avoid stress or injury to the joints thus helping in reducing the severity of osteoarthritis. Walking and weight-bearing exercises help prevent osteoarthritis by increasing the strength of the muscles supporting the joints. Good posture, too, helps in preventing the onset of arthritis.
REFERENCES:
1. Boericke, William: Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica with Repertory & Indian Drugs, B. Jain Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 1991.
2. Cummings, Stephen, and Dana Ullman: Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines. Penguin Publishers, USA, 1997.
3. http://www.arthritis.org
4. MMWR 2006; 55(40):1089-1092.
5. www.nihseniorhealth.gov/arthritis/toc.html
6. Gibson RG, Gibson SLM, MacNeill AD, Buchanan WW. Homeopathic therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: evaluation by double blind clinical therapeutic trial. Br J Clin Pharmacol . 1980; 9:453–459.
7. Arthritis Rheum 2007; 56(6): 2049.
8. Wiesenauer M, Gaus W. Wirksamkeitsnachweis eines Homöopathikums bei chronischer Polyarthritis. Eine randomisierte Doppelblindstudie bei niedergelassenen Ärzten. Akt Rheumatol 1991; 16; 1–9.
9. Gupta R, Manchanda RK.: Reiter's disease treated with Nux vomica. Homeopathy. 2006 Apr; 95(2):103-4.
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