ARTHRITISMany people are affected by some form of arthritis, which can range from temporary discomfort to a more serious disability, but medical help and physiotherapy can do much to relive the condition.
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints and its causes are as varied and mysterious as the condition itself. It affect people of all ages and is a common complaint in temperate climates it an be mild or severe, affecting one joint or several; and the different types include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, rigid spine disease (ankylosing spondylitis) and arthritis that has been brought on by an injury or other infection, Although its study is a well-established specialty, called rheumatology, medical research cannot yet tell us all the answers. The word "arthritis" literally means joint inflammation ("arthr-" means joint; "-its" means inflammation). It refers to more than 100 different diseases. These diseases usually affect the area in or around joints, such as muscles and tendons. Some of these diseases can also affect other parts of the body, including the skin and internal organs. Arthritis usually causes stiffness, pain and fatigue. The most common diseases among arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout and increasingly, fibromyalgia.
Many types of arthritis show signs of joint inflammation: swelling, stiffness, tenderness, redness or warmth. These joint symptoms may be accompanied by weight loss, fever or weakness.
When these symptoms last for more than two weeks, inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis may be the cause. Joint inflammation may also be caused by infection, which can lead to septic arthritis. Degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) is the most common type of arthritis; joint inflammation is not a prominent feature of this condition.
RHEUMATIOD ARTHRITIS IN ADULTSAlthough it is common, the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. It is thought that it may be due to an “autoimmune” Phenomenon-that is, some event, perhaps a severe illness or a shock, triggering a chain of chemical reactions within the body, eventually producing chemicals which react against the lining tissue of the joints-the synovium. Inflammation and arthritis will follow. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects adults between the ages of 20 and 55, and women are three times more liable to it than men. Inflammation of the knuckles of both hands is the usual symptom, and the joints of the toes are affected in a similar way. At the same time, the sufferer may lose weight, feel generally unwell and become unusually lethargic. The symptoms may be either acute, starting with a fever or rash, or happen gradually over several weak. The joints most often affected are the knees, hips, shoulders, wrists, elbows, ankles and the bones of the neck. The stiffness is usually at its worst in the morning, and in acute cases the sufferer may be confined to bed or have great difficulty moving.
In about one quarter of cases attacks will last about six months, but only happen every few years. Some cases are persistent, varying in severity, but tending to “burn out” after many years.
IN CHILDRENRheumatoid arthritis can occur in children a condition called still’s disease-but it is fortunately rare. Two main age groups are affected-between one and three and 10 and 15. The inflammation starts gradually, and in about one, commonly the knee. It can also affect the hands, wrists, feet and ankles.
This disease is slowly progressive, but burns itself out in late adolescence and how quickly treatment is begun. Therapy should be started as soon as possible to prevent permanent stiffening and joint deformity.
OSTEOARTHRITISOsteoarthritis occurs as part of the ageing process. It happens mainly to weight bearing joints; hips, knees and spine. In women the hands are also often affected, particularly the top joints of the fingers and the base of the thumb. This condition is caused by degeneration of the cartilage, a tough, elastic tissue which protects the surface of the joint, this is normally.
Glistening and smooth, but osteoarthritis causes it to roughen and the cartilage becomes “dry”. This change has two effects; it compresses the underlying bone surface that the cartilage should protect and inflames the synovium (the lining) lying over it, The first symptoms are pain and loss of use; stiffness and swelling follow, and the joint eventually changes shapes. There may be only one joint involved, such as the right hip in the right-handed person (because right-hand-deadness means that the right side of the body is more active and bears more weight than the left), or, in many cases, the knees, spine, shoulders, hands and neck are affected. This condition rarely happens unless the arthritis in a weight-bearing joint is severe. Unfortunately, any injury will cause the condition to flare up.
RIGID SPINE DISEASEAnkylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis which affects the pelvic joint and spine. This too, is thought to be an autoimmune illness. Like rheumatoid arthritis, but there is a definite tendency for it to run in families. It is more common in men, usually starting between the ages of 15 and 30. The inflammation causes calcium to be deposited in the ligaments (fibrous bands which connect joints). This results in stiffness which can lead to the spinal bones (the vertebrae) being fused together if the inflammation is not alleviated by both medical treatment and exercise hence its colloquial name “Poker back; often spreading to the whole spine and involving the hip joints, before gradually petering out.
OTHER CAUSES OF ARTHRITISAn injury can also trigger arthritis-this is called “traumatic” arthritis. The injury can either by direct, for example from a blow to a joint, or indirect, as when you hurt your knee by falling heavily on it, traumatic arthritis usually happens to men, although on is completely immune.
The knee, ankle or wrists are the joints most commonly affected. A few hours after the injury, the joint becomes inflamed, painful and swellon. An x-ray is needed, in case a fracture has occurred.
DIAGNOSISIf you suspect that you have some form of arthritis the worst thing you can do is to “just put up with it” Do not try to make the diagnosis yourself, but.
Go and see your homeopath doctor. A delay might mean the risk of permanent deformity, especially in the case of a child with still’s disease, a condition which needs treatment, care and early physiotherapy. Your doctor will ask for a history of your illness and give an examination and medicine treatment.
HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT CURE & MEDICINEColchicum:This is the great old school remedy for gout; every case gets it in some form; and, strange to say, in the homoeopathic school it is one of the first remedies thought of, but not every case of arthritic trouble receives Colchicum from the careful homoeopathic prescriber. The typical case calling for Colchicum is where the swelling is red or pale, with extreme tenderness to touch, a tendency to shift about from joint to joint, and pains which are worse on the slightest motion. If the general symptoms of great prostration of the muscular system and abdominal bloating be present Colchicum is the remedy. Gastric symptoms and cardiac complications also characterize. It is more indicated when the smaller joints, fingers, toes, wrists and ankles are affected; the pains are very violent, patient cannot bear to have the parts touched or to have anyone come near him. Arnica has this fear that the part my be hit by anyone passing; it has also arthritic pains in the foot, worse towards evening; and a red big toe joint which feels as though it has been sprained, so Arnica may be indicated well in gout. The Colchicum patient is apt to be exceedingly irritable and the gout is not apt to decrease this irritability. Unless Colchicum is given according to these indications it will do no permanent good. The habit of giving Colchicum to every case of gout in order to palliate the trouble may cause it to attack the heart or fly to other parts. Indeed in potency it is Homoeopathic to gout, with metastasis to the heart. Aconite is most useful in acute attacks of gout in the joints of the feet. It corresponds only to the onset and if continued for a day or two will cure many cases.
Ledum:Ledum is a useful remedy in gout as well as in many articular troubles. We have the symptoms that the ball of the great toe is swollen, sore and painful on stepping, drawing pains worse from warmth, pressure and from motion. It has also gouty nodosities in the joints, it differs from
Bryonia:In having a scanty instead of a profuse effusion; it is, perhaps, better adapted to hot swelling of the hip joint than is Bryonia. All the pains of Ledum travel upwards. Ledum is also useful after abuse of Colchicum. It may be the first remedy to use when the patient comes from allopathic hands, having been dosed with large doses of Colchicum, which is a very asthenic remedy, producing great muscular weakness, as we have seen. Ledum, it must be remembered is a cold remedy, and attending all the symptoms is a general chilliness and lack of animal heat. Another drug having gouty nodosities in the joints is Guaiacum. This remedy has tearing pains in the extremities and contractions; of the muscles. It is also especially useful for gouty inflammation affecting the knee joint.
Ammonium phosphoricum:This is a useful remedy in constitutional gout where there are nodosities in the joints. It is not so much a remedy for the acute symptoms, but for chronic cases where there are deposits of urate of soda concretions in the joints and the hands become twisted out of shape. Antimonium crudum has gouty nodes in the joints, but it is easily selected from its gastric symptoms. Urinary symptoms, strong urine, etc., would suggest Benzoic acid, and much red Lycopodium, both; of which may be found useful in gout. Staphisagria has a similar application to gout when it becomes systematized, as has also Ammonium phosphoricum. Rhododendron has enlargements of the joints not due to gouty deposits, worse during rest and on approach of a storm. Urtica urens. This remedy is said to cure more cases of gout than any other. Under its use pain and swelling subside and large quantities of sand are passed. Picric acid. Halbert mentions this remedy as useful in arthritis deformans, and thinks that treating the disease from the homoeopathic standpoint will yield best results.
Rhododendron chrysanthum: Rhododendron has enlargements of the joints not due to gouty deposits, worse during rest and on approach of a storm.
Urtica urens:This remedy is said to cure more cases of gout than any other. Under its use pain and swelling subside and large quantities of sand are passed.
Picricum acidum: Halbert mentions this remedy as useful in arthritis deformans, and thinks that treating the disease from the homoeopathic standpoint will yield best results.
Twelve tissue homeopathic remedies for arthritis
Ferrum phosphoricum: At the commencement this remedy should be given in repeated doses when there are febrile symptoms present, and later on in the disease it may be given as an intercurrent. The joints are painful on moving; motion sets up and increases the pain. Tenalgia crepitans.
Kalium muriaticum:
In acute arthritis, for the swelling or when the tongue is coated white. It may be alternated with Ferrum phos. Movement aggravates the pains. It is useful especially after Ferrum phos. Natrium muriaticum chronic arthritis, joints crack (if tongue and other symptoms correspond, acts probably by increasing the eliminations of the urate of sodium). Synovitis, gout, sore hamstrings (verified).
Natrium muriaticum:Acute gout (after Ferr. phos.) Chronic gout, profuse, sour-smelling sweat. Rheumatic arthritis, especially of finger joints. Urine dark red. Pains go suddenly to heart; sore hamstrings. It seems to have also a marked effect in hot painful swellings of the knee joint.
Magnesium phosphoricum: Useful as an intercurrent remedy for the pains (violent). The keynote is excruciating pains, spasmodic in character.
Kalium sulphuricum: In rheumatic arthritis where the pains shift from one joint to another, aggravated by heat. Shifting and wandering rheumatic pains in the joints. Fungoid arthritis. Tumor albus, white swelling.
Silicea terra: Suppuration of the joints.
Calcarea sulphurica: Suppurative process in the joints.
Natrium sulphuricum:In acute cases (attacks) of gout. This remedy should be alternated with Ferrum phos. In chronic gout it alone suffices. Gout in the feet, acute and chronic. Rheumatic arthritis, especially in joints of fingers, pains suddenly go to heart, urine dark-red.
Calcarea phosphorica: Rheumatic gout worse at night and in bad weather. Hygroma patellae. Hydrops genu.
Calcarea fluorica: Gouty enlargements of the finger-joints.
Rhus toxicodendron:
From the earliest homoeopathic times Rhus has been the great rheumatic remedy of the school, comparing only with Bryonia; and the difference between these remedies must be repeated once more.
Rhus:Restlessness and desire to move about continually, on account of the relief it to the aches and pains.
Bryonia:Disposition to keep perfectly still, since moving causes an aggravation of of all aches and yet sometimes pains force patient to move.
Rhus: Suitable especially to rheumatism affecting fibrous tissues, sheaths of muscles etc., Rheumatism from exposure to wet when overheated and Perspiring.
Bryonia: Suitable to rheumatism of the joints and of muscular tissues itself. This is not especially the case with Bryonia, though a Bryonia rheumatism From these causes.
All Rhus rheumatic symptoms are relieved by motion. They are worse from sitting and worse from rising from a sitting position, or on first commencing to move; continued motion, however, relieves. Warmth also relieves the
Rhus rheumatism: Damp weather and the approach of storms aggravate. Cold also aggravates. Rhododendron is similar, in that change of weather aggravates. The character of the Rhus pains is first a stiffness and soreness. There are also tearing pains, drawing, paralyzed sensations and even stitches. The sudden pain in the back known as "crick" is met well with Rhus. Rhus has an especial affinity for the deep muscles of the back. It is perhaps the most often indicated of any remedy in lumbago. It is also, it may be mentioned in passing, a remedy for the effects of overexertion such as sprains, wrenches, etc., being to fibrous tissues what Arnica is to the softer structures. The rheumatism keeling for Rhus may appear in any part; of the body; the lower extremities seem to have suffered most in the provers. The great keynotes of Rhus are the following: 1. Relief from continued motion; the lumbago, however, being sometimes worse from motion. 2. The stiffness and soreness. 3. The aggravation when first beginning to move.4. The aggravation from damp weather and cold. Cold air is not tolerated; it seems to make the skin painful. 5. The relief of all the symptoms by warmth. Rhus will not cure every case of rheumatism, but it will cure a good many.
Bryonia:The rheumatism of Bryonia attacks the joints themselves, producing articular rheumatism, and it also inflames the muscle tissue, causing muscular rheumatism. The muscles are sores and swollen, and the joints are violently inflamed, red, swollen, shiny and very hot. The pains are sharp, stitching or cutting in character, and the great feature of the drug should always be present, namely the aggravation from the slightest motion. Touch and pressure also aggravate. There is but little tendency for the rheumatism of Bryonia to shift about like that of Pulsatilla or Kalmia. It is not liable to be mistaken for any other remedy. Ledum has some points of similarity. It would come in articular rheumatism, where there is a scanty effusion, while Bryonia tends to copious exudation. Bryonia seems to suit well the acid condition of the blood, which gives rise to rheumatism; it has a sour sweat; also, Kali carbonicum has stitching pains, but absence of fever.
Will distinguish it from Bryonia. Bryonia, Ledum, Nux and Colchicum are the four chief remedies having aggravation from motion. General constitutional symptoms will most likely be present in cases calling for Bryonia. Excessive tenderness of the soles of the feet in rheumatism may suggest antimonium crudum.
Causticum: This remedy resembles Rhus quite closely in many respects. The following are some of the differences:
Causticum:
The restlessness of this remedy occurs only at night. Rheumatism caused by dry, cold frosty air. Pains impel constant motion, which does not relieve.
Rhus: Restlessness all the time. Rheumatism from damp wet weather. Motion relieves the patient temporarily.
The symptoms calling for Causticum are a stiffness of the joints. The tendons seem shortened and the limbs are drawn out of shape. It is a sort; of rheumatoid arthritis. As with Rhus, there is relief from warmth. There are drawing muscular pains sand soreness of the parts of which the patient lies. It has been found useful in rheumatism about the articulations of the jaw. Rhus has a cracking of the lower jaw when chewing. Colocynth has stiffness about the joints and is also a useful remedy in articular rheumatism. Causticum, like Guaiacum and Ledum, has gouty concretions in the joints. There is much weakness and trembling with Causticum, as with all the preparations of potash, and it is; of little use in arthritic troubles if fever be present. Weakness of the ankle-joint, contracted tendons and a sprained feeling in the hip-joints are some of its important symptoms.
Ledum: Ledum is one of our best remedies for rheumatism ands gout, especially the latter. The great symptom which has always been regarded as the distinctive characteristic is the direction the pains take, namely, going from below upwards. Like Caulophyllum and some others, Ledum seems to haves a predilection for the smaller joints. Nodes form in them and the pains travel up the limbs. The pains are made worse from the warmth of the bed. The effusion into the joints is scanty and it soon hardens and forms the nodosities above mentioned. Ledum, like Colchicum, causes acute, tearing pains in the joints; weakness of the limbs and numbness and coldness of the
Surface. Kalmia also has pains which travel upwards, but the character of the pains will distinguish. It may also be mentioned that Ledum is an excellent remedy in erythema nodosum, which is of rheumatic origin. Ledum produces and cures in certain cases an obstinate swelling of the feet. Wine aggravates all the symptoms of this drug. The characteristics of
Ledum may be thus summed up: 1. upward extension of the pains 2. Tendency to the formation of nodes in the small joints. 3. Aggravation; by
The warmth; of the bed. 4. Aggravation by motion. It is useful, too, after the abuse of Colchicum in large doses.
Pulsatilla:Pulsatilla is usually brought prominently to mind when there is a tendency for the rheumatism to shift about, wandering rheumatic pains being one of its red strings. But other remedies have this symptom also, prominent among them being Kalmia, Bryonia, Colchicum, Sulphur, Kali Bichromicum and that member of the tissue family most resembling Pulsatilla, namely, Kali sulphuricum. There is little trouble in distinguishing Pulsatilla from any or all of these remedies by its general symptoms. Kali sulphuricum, however, will give the most trouble, but it is not a well-proven remedy and need only be thought of to try when Pulsatilla seems the remedy yet fails. Other characteristics of the Pulsatilla rheumatism are the aggravation from warmth, aggravation in the evening, and the relief from cold. The knee, ankle and tarsal joints are the most usual seat of the trouble when Pulsatilla is indicated. There is, too restlessness with the remedy, the pains are so severe that the patient is compelled to moves, and slow, easy motion relieves, as also with Lycopodium and Ferrum. A prominent use for Pulsatilla is in gonorrhoeal rheumatism. The joints are swollen and the pains are sharp and stinging, with a feeling of subcutaneous ulceration. Kali Bichromicum is also a remedy for gonorrhoeal rheumatism, as well as for wandering rheumatic pains; it has relief in a warm room, which at once distinguishes it from Pulsatilla. Thuja is another remedy for gonorrhoeal rheumatism. Rheumatism dependent on disturbance of the liver or stomach is apt to find its
Dr Muhammad Asif Nayyar
Gulshan e Iqbal
Karachi
Email: nayyer.cargologik@gmail.com
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
