Abstract

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (AMAVATA) - A CASE REPORT

Vijayalaxmi S. Koppal*, M. B. Kavita and Gurubasavaraj Yalagacchina

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Abstract

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a continual inflammatory, unfavorable and deforming symmetrical polyarthritis related with systemic involvement. It is a chronic immune-inflammatory systemic disorder commonly encountered in day-to-day clinical practice and affects 7.3% of worldwide population. Amavata is one of the challenging disorders for the clinicians due to its chronicity, incurability, problems and morbidity. Amavatais caused by Ama and its association with Vata at Kaphasthana (joints). It is an outcome of Agnidushti, Amotpatti and Sandhivikruti. The scientific presentation of Amavata closely mimics with the unique range of Rheumatological issues referred to as Rheumatoid arthritis in accordance with their similarities on medical features. Many people in society are unaware about the disease and its complications which is responsible for lifelong joint deformities. The Ayurvedic treatment not only devoid such type of sickeffect, but also presents a higher way by using treating Agni and Ama at its by using treating Agni and Ama at its roots. The concepts of administration in Amavata are Langhana, Swedana, Dravyas having Tikta, Katu Rasa, Deepana, Pachana as Shamana Chikitsa. Case summary: A 50 years old female patient having 60kg body weight, housewife, of Vata-PittajaPrakriti, residing in urban area, approached with the complaints of multiple joints pain mainly in second and third metacarpophalangeal joints of both hands along with swelling in multiple joints, stiffness in the body and joints (mainly morning stiffness), lethargy and lack of appetite for the past 4years. Due to deformity, there was limited movement in joints and also sleep was disturbed due to increased pain at night. Sometimes symptoms were so severe that the patient was unable to stand or walk even after taking analgesics. She was diagnosis with rheumatoid arthritis (Amavata) on the basis of signs and symptoms. The diagnosis was confirmed by performing routine blood investigations and some specific investigations such as rheumatoid factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and C-reactive protein (CRP). The patient was given with Deepana, Pachana, Basti, AmavataharaShamana Aushadis (Oral medications). Significant improvement was observed after 1 month of treatment in terms of reduced in RA factor.

Keywords: Amavata, Ama, Rheumatoid arthritis, Agnidushti, Sandhivikruti, Basti, Shamana.