Arthritis is a joint disorder characterized by inflammation of joints. Pain, swelling, and limited movement are frequent symptoms of rheumatic diseases, including arthritis. These diseases affect the body’s connective tissues and joints. Throughout the world, millions of people suffer from arthritis.
An inflammation including red color, warmth, and tenderness of a joint are the signs of arthritis. A Joint is a union of two or additional bones to work in association together and facilitate their smooth functioning. If there is any discomfort in the regular motions of joints, it can be a matter of concern. There are roughly a hundred different types of arthritis. Any disease that results in pain, stiffness, and swelling in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, or bones is classified as a rheumatic complaint.
Women experience arthritis and other rheumatic diseases at an advanced rate than men. Rheumatic disorders are also constantly associated with aging. However, they affect all age groups.
12th October 2024 is World Arthritis Day, which is observed worldwide to spread awareness among communities regarding rheumatoid arthritis and musculoskeletal complaints.
What are the Types of Arthritis?
Depending on the causes of arthritis it can be classified into two categories:
- Osteoarthritis: The most commonly found kind of arthritis is this one. It’s a patient disease affecting all joints, particularly the weight-bearing joints such as knee and hip joints. It reduces common space and damages the cartilage that covers the ends of bones. Maximum people witness it as they age. Even young people may also get affected by osteoarthritis as a result of an accident or overuse.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is an auto-immune disorder that causes inflammation in the cushioning present between each joint. The inflammation could affect each joint and may impact organs like the heart or lungs.
What’s the cause of arthritis?
The type of arthritis will determine its cause. Prolonged overuse or gradational common wear and tear are the main causes of osteoarthritis. Our immune system attacks its completely healthy cells due to derangement in their functionality and recognizes them as a foreign object. Scleroderma, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis are all brought on by the result of this attack. The accumulation of needle-shaped crystals i.e. uric acid in the joints is identified as the cause of gout. Many types of arthritis may have a hereditary component. Individuals who bear the HLA-B27 gene marker are more susceptible to ankylosing spondylitis.
What are the risk factors of Arthritis?
Some predisposing factors for arthritis that cannot be avoided or changed include
• Age. With advancing age, people are more prone to the development of arthritis.
• Gender. It is more commonly seen in women as compared to men.
• Heredity. Some types of arthritis are linked to those particular genes.
The following risk factors can be avoided with a lifestyle change.
• Weight. Being obese can damage your knee joints. The presence of fat can make them more likely to develop osteoarthritis.
• Injury. Any previous injury to joints makes them more susceptible to developing arthritis.
• Occupation. Frequent repetition of particular knee joint movements such as bending and squatting can lead to knee arthritis.
What are the symptoms of arthritis?
Every individual may have different set of symptoms as per the stage of their disease. The most common symptoms include:
• Pain in one or further joints that doesn’t decrease, or come back
• Inflammation in joints
• Presence of lump can be noticed
• Stiffness in joints and knocking sound
• Difficulty in the usual motion of joints
How is arthritis diagnosed?
Your physician will take your complete medical history and conduct a physical exam. To conclude a particular condition certain investigations may also be ordered.
• Antinuclear antibody test. This checks antibody situations in the blood.
• Complete blood count (CBC). This checks if your white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet situations are normal.
• Creatinine. This test checks for order complaints.
• Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate (ESR). This test can detect inflammation.
• RF (Rheumatoid factor) test. These can help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. They can also assess the severity of the complaint.
• Uric acid. This helps diagnose gout.
Other tests may be done, similar as
•X-rays or other imaging tests. It can help diagnose joint damage.
• Urine test. It can assess the protein levels and different kinds of blood cells.
• HLA typing. This looks for inheritable labels of ankylosing spondylitis.
What are the homeopathic medicines for Arthritis?
- Aconitum napellus: This medicine helps with swelling and pain that occurs unexpectedly after being exposed to freezing wind and climate. That individual is most likely to experience dread, panic, or agitation.
- Arnica: Recurrent arthritis with a bruised tenderness could suggest a requirement for it. Pain worsens with contact and may develop in previously damaged joints.
- Belladonna: This medicine is recommended for rapid arthritic recurrence accompanied by a sense of warmth and pulsating pain. The joints seem red and swollen, and the outside may be hot when touched.
- Bryonia: The medication improves joint discomfort in particular joints that are ameliorated by staying immobilized and applying pressure.
- Calcarea phosphorica: This medicine may help reduce joint stiffness and discomfort, which is exacerbated by winds and coldness. Bone aches and fatigue are typical, and exercise aggravates the condition. Calcium buildup or bone growths may form, particularly in the neck. People who require this medicine frequently express discontent and an intense need to get away or change their situation.
- Ledum palustre: Arthritis that begins in the hip and knee joints and progresses to the upper ones indicates a requirement for it. Pain and swelling could start in your toes and progress up to your ankles and knee joints. The joints may produce cracking noises and be extremely swollen. Cold procedures provide relief for both pain and edema.
- Pulsatilla: Pain that shifts unexpectedly from one joint to another indicates the necessity for this treatment. Hips and knees are frequently impacted, and heel discomfort may occur. Warmth exacerbates symptoms, but cold treatments and fresh air improve them. A person in need of this cure is generally temperamental and changeable, and they like a lot of attention and comfort.
- Rhus toxicodendron: This reduces muscle and joint aches at the start of action and improves with slower motion. It is indicated in people who are restless and their pains are relieved by constant motion.
- Omeo Arthritis medicated syrup: It is a specialty product that can boost your joint health naturally. It helps relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness of joints and improves joint mobility.
- Omeo Arthro-Relief Drops: It is a homeopathic formulation for pain in joints along with swelling, reduced mobility, and other associated complaints.
Dr Aditi
Dr Aditi (BHMS) from NHMC Delhi, HMO ( Chandigarh Administration), Ex- SRF ( CCRH ), currently doing a research study of effect of Homoeopathic medicines in Mother and Child Health care in Chandigarh.