Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic, autoimmune inflammatory condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks its cells and tissues and causes inflammation (Shotha) and pain (Shula) in the joints.
According to Ayurveda, the leading cause of the disease is the imbalanced Vata Dosha.
The condition may worsen if not treated early, and it can damage various body systems and severely harm the lungs, eyes, heart, and body vessels.
The symptoms include:
- Inflammation in joints
- Stiffness of joints
- Severe pain in joints
- Loss of mobility of joints
- Joint deformity
- Loss of appetite
- Low-grade fever
Causes:
Your immune system usually develops antibodies that attack viruses and bacteria that help fight the infection.
In rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system mistakenly sends antibodies to the joint linings, where they attack the tissue surrounding the joint.
Diagnosis:
The main blood tests used include:
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) – helps assess the body’s inflammation levels.
- C-reactive protein (CRP) – helps measure inflammation levels.
- Complete blood count – helps rule out other causes of your symptoms and provides an indicator of your general health.
- X-rays and MRI scans
Ayurvedic Diet Management Options for managing Rheumatoid arthritis
The recommended diet for patients with RA is like the diet recommended for the Ayurvedic condition known as amavata (a disease of the joints that causes similar symptoms to RA).
For amavata, Ayurveda recommends a diet that balances Vata.
Examples of foods to eat on this diet include:
- Grains that are easy to digest (cooked oats, rice, and cream of wheat)
- Legumes (lentils, dal, mung beans, miso, and tofu)
- Lukewarm water, or water boiled with ginger root, helps with digestion and removes toxins
- Green, leafy vegetables
- Berries
- Spices like ginger, turmeric, and garlic, aid with digestion
- Buttermilk
- Aged wine in moderate amounts
