by JL Geraldo
It comes without warning. You suddenly experience pain along your knees or hips when you move. The pain constricts your movement. Also, you notice some swelling in your hands and feel pain when you wriggle your fingers. These are the telltale signs of arthritis.

The Western world defines it as an inflammation of the joints in the body. Arthritis originates from the Greek word “arthro” meaning “joint” and “-itis” meaning inflammation. Joints are places where two bones meet, like in the knees, fingers, and elbow. The affected joint becomes swollen, tender, and painful. Doctors classified arthritis as a rheumatic disease. It affects joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilages, and other organs of the body.

Common Types of Arthritis

There are more than 100 known types of arthritis, but the most common are:

• Osteoarthritis—the joints of the body have cartilages that insulate bones from rubbing each other. When these cartilages thin out because of wear and tear, the bones meet and rub against each other. The affected joint swells and becomes painful. Osteoarthritis usually results from aging.
• Rheumatoid arthritis—this is a type of malfunction in the autoimmune system where the body attacks itself.
• Septic arthritis–an infection in the joint.
• Gouty arthritis–when high levels of uric acid crystals are deposited in the joint, causing inflammation.
• Psoriatic arthritis–a combination of arthritis and psoriasis that affects both skin and joints.

Symptoms of Arthritis

The most obvious signs of arthritis are:

• Pain that limits mobility
• Inflammation and stiffness of the affected joint
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Breathing difficulty

Arthritis in Ayurveda

Ayurveda maintains that almost all pains are caused by the imbalance of vata (air) dosha. Eating unhealthy foods so common in Western world like meat-loaded hamburgers, soft drinks, fatty French fries, alcoholic drinks, among others, cause constipation, flatulence (gas), acidity, and indigestion. These produce toxins or ama. Ama is the toxic byproduct of indigestion. These toxins circulate and get deposited in the weaker part of the body. When it piles up in the joints, it aggravates vata. This results to an ailment called amatava. In English, amatava is arthritis.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Arthritis

Since arthritis is the direct result of ama and imbalance of vata, ayurveda treats arthritis by removing ama and restoring vata balance. This can achieve by the following:

• Fasting. You will deliberately skip meals. How long depends on an individual condition. Fasting expels ama in the body.
• Mix 5 teaspoon of castor oil into 200ml of warm water. Sweeten with a tablespoon of pure honey and drink before going to bed. Drink this twice a week.
• Gently massage the affected joint with maharayan tailam.
• Mix two teaspoons of lemon juice, 250 ml of water and a teaspoon of honey. Drink twice or thrice a day.

To reduce pain and swelling, drink juice extracts from any of the following: dry ginger, turmeric (curcumin), fenugreek, ashwagandha, sallaki (Boswellia), guggul, and giloy (Tinospora). The extracts of these herbs are more effective in reducing the pain and inflammation of all types of arthritis and joint pains.

Extract guggul herb juice and drink 1 or 3 gm after meals with warm water. Take twice a day.

Prevention of Arthritis

• Choose healthy foods and avoid spicy, fatty, oily, and frozen meat products.
• Do simple exercises like walking or yoga. Exercise promotes good bowel movement and prevents the accumulation of toxins in the body.
• Stop smoking. Moderate alcoholic drinks or stop drinking them altogether if you already have arthritis.
• Eat plenty of citrus fruits. Vitamin C in fruits and vegetables strengthen bones. Also drink lots of water–at least ten glasses a day.
• For your protein needs, choose chick peas and kosher meat.
• Lead a healthy and active lifestyle. Involve yourself in sports like regular swimming to exercise the joints.
• Avoid sudden, jerky movements that could harm your joints.
• Develop regular sleeping habits.