What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Many people have a misconception that rheumatoid arthritis is the same as osteoarthritis and hence they refer to both as 'arthritis.' But both are different. Osteoarthritis is inflammation of joints, a condition related to old age, which usually occurs after the 50's. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs at any age, and there is no age restriction.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the chronic inflammation of joints, mainly joints of hands and feet are involved. RA is mainly caused when the body's immune system attacks its own cells, primarily, the cells of joints and may also attack the internal organs in severe cases.
RA is a kind of an autoimmune disease where the cause of the disease is unknown, and hence it is very difficult to cure it. During acute complaints, many patients develop severe pain in joints with swelling and tenderness.
RA is complicated to treat and curing is not possible. Most of the RA patients have to take medications for a very long time or for a lifetime. Here homeopathy can be a good alternative. With the help of holistic approach, given remedy does act miraculously. The holistic approach involves and is based on an in-depth understanding of the patient.
What Are the Homeopathic Medicines Used for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Following are few homeopathic remedies that act well during both acute and chronic episodes of RA.
Colchicum Autumnale - This remedy mainly acts on the muscular tissues, periosteum and synovial membranes of the joints and hence useful in treating a chronic condition of the joints. This remedy is primarily indicated when the patient has the feeling as if the voluntary muscles like arms and legs are paralyzed. Usually, they get severe painful cramps in the soles. It is mainly indicated when the pain is shifting in nature, appears suddenly and disappears suddenly.
Kali Bichromicum - This remedy is mainly indicated in quick migrating pains where the pain flies rapidly from one place to another, and pain is present in a small spot which can be pinpointed. Another most important indicating factor is that rheumatic pain alternates with gastric problems like for instance, rheumatic pains appear as soon as the gastric complaints subside. Rheumatic pains are sometimes better by heat.
Dulcamara - Dulcamara is mainly indicated when the rheumatic complaints arise due to cold and damp weather, and when complaints are aggravated by every weather change and relieved by moving about. Another characteristic of this remedy is the rheumatic complaints start after the acute eruptions on the skin and also rheumatic pains alternate with diarrhea.
Bryonia - Bryonia is another well-indicated remedy for rheumatism where joints are very stiff, painful and patient is unable to move. Usually, such patients are better with rest because every movement causes pain in the joints due to stiffness and dryness. The patient feels better with rest, pressure, or lying on the painful side. Mentally, even during the pain episodes, such patients usually talk about their business or work and are generally irritated due to the pain. They want to get rid of this pain so that they can continue working.
Numerous such remedies act like a miracle in rheumatoid arthritis. However, they work well only when the remedy is correctly prescribed. Hence it is necessary to understand the person as a whole and not just his symptoms or disease.
What Are the Ways to Prevent Rheumatoid Arthritis?>
Quick tips to prevent rheumatoid arthritis are:
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Prevent or avoid smoking or getting in contact with car or truck fumes as these smokes are likely to increase the inflammation.
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Increase vitamin D intake - If you are at the risk of having RA, it is better to start consuming Vitamin D supplements once a day to prevent the occurrence of RA. You may also add Vitamin D rich food to your diet like egg yolks, mushrooms, and Vitamin D fortified foods.
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Limit the intake of caffeine and increase the consumption of fish, olive oil, and nuts.
Since there is no cure for RA, it is always better to prevent such diseases.
