Traditional system of medicine of India, Ayurveda is not only a medical system but a way of life which aims at holistic management of health and diseases. Ayurveda is divided into eight disciplines i.e Kaya Chikitsa (Internal medicine), Shalya (surgery), Shalakaya (ENT), Bhoot vidya (Psychiatry) Kaumar-bhritya (Pediatrics), Agad tantra (Toxicology), Rasayana (Geriatrics or Jara chikitsa) and Vajikarna (Eugenics and aphrodisiacs).
Thus, Rasayana Chikitsa or Geriatrics or Jara Chikitsa is one among eight branches of Asthanga Ayurveda, which not only deals with diseases and conditions associated with old age but is also used as a preventive method against unhealthy body changes. Rasayana Chikitsa enhances immune system, arrests ageing, gives lusture to skin provides energy and nourishes body (Sapta dhatus).
People between age 65-85 yrs are rising throughout the globe. It is believed that by year 2030, world population of people between 60-85 yrs of age will increase by 66% so quite a good number of populations will come under graying population. Many advances in scientific medicine have ensured longevity in the life span in Indian men and women, traced post independence. Indian aged population is currently the second largest in the world. This group of population is exposed to number of diseases one among them is osteoarthritis i.e Sandhigatavata.
Osteoarthritis or Osteoarthosis is mainly related to aging but metabolic, genetic, chemical and mechanical factors can also lead to it. Its symptoms mainly appear in middle age and almost everyone has them by the age of 70 yrs. This disease is caused by loss of cartilage of the joints which is a protein substance that serves as a cushion between bones of the joints and when it degenerates, the bone next to it becomes inflamed leading to total loss of cushion between the bones of the joints and this causes friction between the bones leading to pain and there is limitation of joint mobility. Also, there is hypertrophy of the bone at articular margins.
Osteoarthritis is one of the major problems for which the treatment is almost limited with focus on pain reduction. Osteoarthritis of knee is more prevalent in our population which interferes not only with the physical activity but entire quality of life. Features of Osteoarthritis seem to be similar with Sandhigatavata described in Ayurveda. The cause of Sandhigatavata in Ayurveda is attributed to improper diet, lifestyle and oldage leading to degeneration of body elements, aggravation of Vata Dosa and reduction in Shleshaka Kapha, a slimy substance present in the joint.
RISK FACTORS
- Obesity is the most powerful risk factor for Osteoarthritis of knees as it increases the mechanical stress on cartilage.
- Faulty posture also predisposes to this disease.
- Repeated trauma or surgery to the joint structures.
- Abnormal joints at birth (congenital abnormalities)
- Gout
- Diabetes and other hormone disorders like growth hormone disorders.
SYMPTOMS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS
- Deep aching pain that gets worse after exercise or putting weight on it and is relieved by rest.
-grating of the joint with motion
- joint swelling
-limited movement.
TREATMENT
Treatment of Osteoarthritis is aimed at
1. Reducing pain
2. Maintaining mobility
3. and minimizing disability
In modern medicine although many drugs have been reported to be effective but are not free from severe side effects. In patients where the aggressive medical management has failed, surgical treatment is advised.
TREATMENT IN AYURVEDA
The disease Sandhigata vata like Vatik disorders is difficult to treat and its crippling effect on patients with many emotional problems. If treated early the symptomatic involvement may occur and progress of disease is lessened.
Different preventive and palliative treatment and procedures like Panchakarma are advocated for management of Osteoarthritis by Ayurvedic physicians by considering the prakriti, age, tolerability etc of the patients, stage of the disease and the season etc. As the disease is considered to be caused to a pathological condition which is caused by aggravated Vata dosa hence its treatment measured inlcude to ensure the state of equilibrium of vitiated Vata by Vatahara and Rasayana drugs.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Healthy diet
Proper exercise
Maintenance of weight
Proper posture during day to day activities
Beware of energy draining foods like fast foods, canned, frozen packaged left over and old foods, foods laced with preservatives chemicals and additives.
Tags: Ayurveda, ayurvedic, Chikitsa, diseases, exercise, Food, health, holiday, medical, medicine, Osteoarthosis, Panchakarma, treatment
