जोडों की सूजन जिसमें जकड़ाहट होती है, दर्द होता है तथा उपास्थियों में अतिवृद्धि हो जाती है जि जोड़ों में पंगू बनाने वाली विरूपता उत्पन्न हो जाती है गठिया रूप संधि प्रदाह कहलाती है। Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis. Joints of hands and feet are inflammed of the joint.

resulting in swelling, pain and destruction World wide, rheumatoid arthritis develops in about 1% of the population.

Usually rheumatoid arthritis first appears between 25 and 50 years of age, but it may occur at any age.

Rheumatoid arthritis can occur in children. Then the disease is called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and the symptoms and prognosis are some what different.

that lines the joints and connective tissues in many other parts of the body such as blood It is an autoimmune disease. Components of the immune system attack the soft tissue vessels and lungs.

Eventually the cartilage, bone and ligaments of the joints erode and causes deformity, instability and scarring in the joint.

Main Symptoms मुख्य लक्षण :

It typically affects multiple joints

It is symetrical affecting similar joints on both side of the body

The small joints in the finger, toes, hands, feet, wrists, elbows and ankles become inflammed first.

The inflammed joints are usually painful and often stiff, especially just after awakening. Such stiffness generally lasts for at least 30′ and often much longer or after prolonged inactivity.

Some people feel weak and tired, especially in the afternoon.

Rheumatoid arthritis may produce a low grade fever.

Affected joints enlarge because of swelling of the soft tissue and become deformed.

Joints may freeze in one position so that they cannot bend or open fully.

The fingers may dislocate slightly from their normal position, towards the little finger on

each hand. apurb prikou wo

Swollen wrists can pinch a nerve and result in numbness or tingling due to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Cysts may develop behind affected knees. Such cysts can rupture causing pain and swelling in the lower legs.

30% people with rheumatoid arthritis have hard lumps called rheumatoid nodules just under the skin usually near the sight of pressure such as back

of forearm near the elbow. Rheumatoid arthritis reduces the blood supply to tissues and may cause nerve damage or leg sores (ulcer).

Inflammation of the pleura or pericardium or inflammation and scarring of the lung can lead to chest pain or shortness of breath.

Some people develop swollen lymph nodes, sjogren’s syndrome which consists of dry eyes and mouth.

Diagnosis:

In 9 out of 10 people who have rheumatoid arthritis, the E. S. R. level in the blood is increased, which suggest that the active inflammation is present.

In 70% of people with rheumatoid arthritis rheumatoid factor in the blood is increased. Rheumatoid factor is increased in other diseases, such as hepatitis and some other infections.

Usually the higher the level of rheumatoid factor in the blood, the more severe is the rheumatoid arthritis and the poorer the prognosis. The RA factor level may decrease when joints are less inflammed.

Most people have mild anaemia i.e. an insufficient number of red blood cells.

When a person with rheumatoid arthritis has a low white blood cell count and an enlarged spleen, the disorder is called fetty’s syndrome.

Prognosis and Treatment:

Regular rest periods often help relieve pain.

Sometime a short period of bedrest helps relieve a severe flare up in its most active painful stage.

Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS), slow acting drugs, corticosteroids and In allopathy, the main categories of drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis are inmunosuppressive drugs and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) inhibitors.

Exercises:

Inflammed joints should be exercised gently so that they do not freeze in one position, As the inflammation subsides, regular active exercises can help.

Treatment of tight joints consists of intensive exercises and occasionally the use of splints to gradually extend the joint.

Specially modified orthopedic or athletic shoes can make walking less painful. Devices such as grippers reduce the need to squeeze the hand forcefully.

Food Habits:

Rheumatoid arthritis is a degenerative disease which is becoming more common these years. This is due to our changed food habits. These days our foods are packed containing preservatives, colours and flavours etc.

Nutrition plays an important role in arthritis.

Basic improvement in arthritis can be achieved by reverting to natural foods, such as fruits, vegetables, seeds, grains, nuts and other natural foods.

Acupressure Treatment :

General Treatment: Liv 3, Sp 6, St 36, GB 34, GV 4, UB 23, 47, Li 4, 11, Tw 5, GV 14 (L & R) ↑ all (WBM)

Arthritis in Fingers: Add Si 3, Li 1, 4, Webs (four points), Knuckle points ↑ all (WBM)

Arthritis of Thumb

Add Lu 9, 10, 11, Li 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Knuckle points all ↑

Points at each end of the joint crease of the thumb are called knuckle points.

Arthritis of Wrist : Add P 6, 7, Lu 9, Tw 4, 5, Li 4, 5 ↑ all

Arthritis of Elbow Add Li 1, 4, 10, 11, Lu 5, 9, Tw 5, 10, H3↑ all

Arthritis of Shoulder: Add Li4, 15, Tw 5, 14, Si 9, 12, GB 21, 34, Chien Chien (Ex.) ↑ all

Chien Chien is an extra point midway between Li 15 and the front fold of the armpit.

Arthritis of Shoulder Blade :Add: Si 6, 11, UB 14↑ all

Arthritis with Frozen Shoulder:Add: St 37, 38 ↑ all

Arthritis of Neck :Si 3, 6, GB 20, 21 ↑ all

 

 

 

Add if full relief is not obtained in neck arthritis Lu 7, Li 4, Tw 5, GB 34, GV 14, Si 12, UB 10 knuckle point ↑ all

Knuckle Point: It is a point one finger proximal in the web between forefinger and middle finger.

Arthritis of the Upper Back : UB 54, 60, GB 34 ↑ all

Arthritis of the Lower Back : GB 30, 34, UB 25, 26, 42, 54, 60 ↑ all

Add for arthritis of sciatica nerve – UB 51, 57 ↑ both

Arthritis of Hamstring Nerve : (घुटने के पीछे की नस) :UB 60, 54, 51, Liv 8, GB 34 ↑ all

Arthritis of Hip:Li 1, GB 26, 28, 30, 34, UB 60 ↑ all

 

Arthritis of Knee: UB 54, 60, GB 34, 36, Sp 9, Xiyan (Ex), Heding (Ex.) ↑ all

Xiyan : These are two points, one in each of the hollows besides the wide tendon between the knee cap. These are also called knee eyes.

Heading: It is a point two fingers above the middle of the upper border of the knee cap.

Arthritis of Ankle : Liv 3, Sp 5, 3, UB 60, 62, K3 ↑ all

Arthritis of Toes and Feet : UB 60, Sp 3, Liv 3, Webs (four points), joints creases points ↑ all

(Webs are four points found a half inch proximal to the webs between the toes). (Joint creases points are found at inch end of joint creases of any of the painful toes).

Arthritis of Temporomandibular :

This condition causes pain and clicking : Tw 5, 21, Li 1, 4, GB 34, St 6, 7 ↑ all

in the jaw just in front of the ear