Contribution Of Ayurveda For Management Of Rheumatoid Arthritis (Amavata): A Case Report
Abstract
The word Amavata is made up of two words Ama and Vata. Amavata is considered as Madhyama Rogamarga. Ama is formed due to indigestion. It is a disease in which Vata and Ama provokes concurrently, lump together, deposits in Trikasandhi, and produces cardinal features like scorpion bite pain in joints, inflammation in joints, raised temperature, and stiffness over the body. According to Samhita, the treatment of Amavata includes Langhana, Deepana, Pachana, Swedana, Vaitarana Basti, Virechana, Vamana, Lepa application, etc. Amavata is compared with Rheumatoid arthritis. It is a chronic immune-inflammatory disease that mainly affects synovial joints. Sign & symptoms include fever, morning stiffness, loss of appetite, anorexia, pain, inflammation in joints, bursitis, vasculitis, rheumatoid nodules, generalized weakness. The goal of the treatment is to relieve pain, decrease inflammation of joints, preservation of functional capacity, increasing the healing process. According to modern science, the treatment includes Analgesic, NSAIDS, Immunosuppressive therapy Synovectomy, glucocorticoid therapy. Material & Method – It is a single case of a 50 years old male patient who presented with the chief complaints mentioned in table no.1 for two years. It was associated with scorpion bite pain in multiple joints, morning stiffness in joints, swelling over small joints, feverishness during the episode of pain (on and off), heaviness of body & loss of appetite. After examination, treatment was started externally with Bahya snehana with Vishagarbha Taila, Valuka Potalli Swedana, Shatapushpadi Lepa, and internally with Amavatari Rasa, Simhanada Guggulu, Amrutarishta, Cap. Standard. Observation & Result: After both Bahya and Abhyantra Cikitsa for a complete one month patient got complete relief from all the complaints. Discussion: Using the drugs which are opposite in qualities to disease which can break Samprapti to the condition was helpful to manage the case of Amavata showing successful results. Conclusion: Ayurveda chikitsa, including both Bahya and Abhyantra Cikitsa based on fundamental principles of Ayurveda, is effective in Amavata.