How many people get affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis ?
Rheumatoid arthritis has a worldwide prevalence rate of 0.5% to 1% in adults .
This disease is two or three times more common in women than in men .
People of any age can get affected with this disease, it even affects children, but it most often starts after 40 years of age .

How does Rheumatoid arthritis affect the body ?
This type of arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, which means our immune system has began to attack it’s own tissues instead of protecting them.
Inflammation is a normal response by our immune system against infections, wounds and foreign objects. In rheumatoid arthritis, the inflammatory immune response is wrongly directed towards our joint tissues.
The chemicals substances produced by our immune system attacks the soft tissues (Synovium) of the joints and cause inflammation in them.
This leads to swelling, stiffness, redness and pain in the joints.
This inflammatory process progresses to damage the bone cartilages and the joint surfaces.  If left unchecked, it further produces joint deformities and disability.
Smaller joints are generally first affected in a symmetrical manner. Potentially any joint can get affected with the disease.
Along with the joints,  other organs and systems of the body, including the lungs, heart, and kidneys can also get affected.

What are the common factors that cause Rheumatoid arthritis ?
The exact cause of the disease is unknown, however many predisposing factors have been attributed.
Improper dietary habits and unhealthy lifestyle are the most common causative factors as per Ayurveda.

Cold weather, physical and mental stress, certain viral and bacterial infections have been attributed as precipitating factors.

How can Gandhiji Nature Cure Centre help ?
Amavata (Rheumatoid arthritis) occurs when an individual indulges in factors that aggravte Vata dosha and Ama (Toxins) in the body. Improper digestion and metabolism leads to accumulation of Ama (Toxins) in our body. This Ama combined with the aggravated Vata dosha localises in the joints and produces pain, swelling and stiffness.
In the initial stage, ayurvedic medications that metabolizes the Ama (toxins) and eliminate them out of the body are prescribed. Later, medications that pacify the aggravated Vata dosha are prescribed by assessing the changes in patients condition.
The choice of the treatment modality is made based on the assessment of the condition of the patient and the severity of the disease.
A Healthy planned diet is essential to support the normal functioning of our immune system, reduce the disease exacerbations and nourish the weakened joints. It thus reduces the severity or frequency of symptoms of the disease.
Following a diet rich in fruit and vegetables helps control the long standing inflammation of the joints. Their nutrients have antioxidant property that helps to neutralize free radical production by the body.

Exercises for Rheumatoid arthritis :-

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis may avoid exercise due to fear of pain, but this will further weaken the muscles and deform the joints.

It is important to practice simple exercises. Rest and exercise should be well balanced according the condition of the patient.
Simplified Yoga practices maintains the muscle strength and improves the flexibility of the joints.
Pranayama  helps to relax the mind and minimize the hyperactivity of the immune system.

To be followed :-
Use garlic in your regular diet. Buttermilk with garlic is an excellent remedy of rheumatoid arthritis.

Use whole grains that are rich in fibre such as wheat, millet, barley, horse gram, brown rice. Consume honey mixed with water. (older the honey, the greater its benefit)
Milk boiled with dry ginger can be taken in the morning and evening instead of tea and coffee.
Consume milk mixed with 3 gms of turmeric powder. Turmeric is  very effective to control inflammation of the joints.
Consume fruits and vegetables such as drumsticks, bittergourd, carrot, green leafy vegetables, cabbage, mustard greens, papaya. These food items help to reduce the inflammation and hyperactivity of the immune system.
Pepper should be sprinkled over the fruits and vegetables that are cooling in nature.  Reduce weight if you are overweight.

To be avoided :-
Unhealthy and irregular dietary habits can trigger the abnormal immune response and increase the pain in the joints.

Curd, Black gram,  fermented food items, deep fried oily foods should be avoided.
Avoid common foods that cause allergies such as dairy products, peanuts, beets, soy, red meat, processed foods, artificial additives and preservatives, white flour and white sugar.
Alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee, soft drinks and ice creams should not be consumed.
Avoid food items that cause indigestion and flatulence. Try to avoid keeping awake at nights and sleeping during daytime.
Consume fruits In their whole form and avoid them in the form of juices. Whole fruits with their fibre content aids in proper digestion and regulates the bowel movements.