Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition caused when cushioning cartilage between joints gets eroded. This exposes the bones and causes two bones rub against each other resulting in Joint pain, stiffness and lack of mobility. OA is most commonly found in the joints of,
•Knees
•Hips
•Hands and fingers
•Spine
Wrists, elbows, shoulders, and ankles can also be affected by OA.
Primary osteoarthritis is caused by repetitive usage of joints over years damages the cartilage and it starts to disintegrate. Further damage to the joints stimulates new bone outgrowths (Spurs) to form around the joint. Secondary osteoarthritis is caused by another disease or conditions that induce biochemical imbalances in the joints leading to damage of the cartilage. Conditions that can lead to secondary osteoarthritis include obesity, repeated trauma or surgery to the joint structures, abnormal joints at birth (congenital abnormalities), gout, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and other hormone disorders.
Common symptoms associated with osteoarthritis include,
•Pain in a joint
•Swelling or tenderness in one or more joints
•Stiffness after periods of inactivity, such as sleeping or sitting
•Flare-ups of pain and inflammation after use of the affected joint
•Crunching feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone (called crepitus) when the joint is used
Osteoarthritis is managed through following treatment options,
•Medications – Oral pain-relieving drugs to control pain.
•Exercise
•Diet
•Surgery
How does Ayurveda treat Osteoarthritis?
Vata is the governing factor in the maintenance of equilibrium in the universe as well as in the body. As age advances, the influence of Vata Dosha progresses, resulting in the process of gradual degeneration of the body. Sandhigatavata (osteoarthritis) is one of the consequences of this process, which is common in the elderly people. This is one of the major causes of chronic disability, affecting the quality of life.
Therapies like Virechan, Abhyangam,Basti and Upanaham have been showing tremendous positive results in improving the quality of life of the affected individual. Oral medications like sallaki and guggul are also useful treat osteoarthritis.
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