Management ofAmavata(rheumatoid arthritis) with diet andVirechanakarma.
Amavatais a disease in which vitiation ofVata Doshaand accumulation ofAmatake place in joint(s), and it simulates rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at modern parlance.Shamana(conservative) andShodhana(biological purification of the body) treatments are advised in Ayurveda whereas anti-inflammatory, analgesics, steroids, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are required for its management as per modern medicine, which are not free from side effects. A female was suffering from multiple joints pain with swelling, severe morning stiffness, restricted movements, malaise, andMandagni(poor appetite) for the past 1½ year, which was classified asAmavata/RA (having 7/10 score as per the RA classification criteria, 2010). AfterDeepana-PachanaandSnehapana,Virechanakarmawas done by the administration ofTrivrita Avalehaand castor oil. The assessment was made on the basis of relief in signs and symptoms and serological findings of RA factor, C-reactive protein (CRP), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. AfterVirechanakarma, RA factor reduced from 94.0 IU/ml to 50.0 IU/ml, CRP reduced from 22.7 mg/L to 1.8 mg/L, and IgE was reduced from 680 kU/L to 53.7 kU/L, with remarkable reduction in joints pain and swelling. Further, by avoiding specificNidanas, i.e., known allergens for food, drugs, and inhalants, the patient has relief in almost all signs and symptoms for the past 1 year of follow-up with least medications. This single case report highlights thatAmavata/RA can be managed with appropriate diet regimen,Virechanakarmaand can be managed effectively with minimum requirement of medicines.
Department of Shalyatantra, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
Sanjay Kumar
SK
Gupta
Department of Panchakarma, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
Anup B
AB
Thakar
Department of Shalyatantra, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
Tukaram S
TS
Dudhamal
Department of Shalyatantra, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
Aditya
A
Nema
Amavata; Deepana-Pachana; Virechanakarma; rheumatoid arthritis