HOMEOPATHY FOR PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS type of chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the skin and the joints. There may or may not be any visible skin affection but when present it is usually seen as patchy, raised, red areas of skin inflammation with scaling. The statistics show that nearly 10 % of psoriasis patients develop an associated inflammation of their joints.
This disorder is more evident in the fourth and fifth decade of life and both males and females are affected equally. The skin and joint complaints often appear separately. In fact the skin disease precedes the joint affections in nearly 80 % of the cases. But there are a few rare cases where there is no history of skin disorder and this makes the diagnosis difficult.
Psoriatic arthritis is a systemic rheumatic disease that can also cause inflammation in the eyes, heart, lungs, and kidneys. This occurs when the skin disease is suppressed by strong chemical medication and medicated strong ointments which clear up the skin but drive the disease deeper into the other vital connective tissues. Therefore its best not to suppress the skin eruptions It affects mostly people who have psoriasis, a skin disease that's also related to the immune system. Sometimes doctors misdiagnose it as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis.
The cause is still unknown though there are a few theories about how it might be caused. Currently most researchers feel that it involves a combination of genetic and immune, as well as environmental factors. A genetic marker HLA-B27 is frequently found in the blood of patients suffering from psoriatic arthritis. There are also some changes observed in the immune cells.
TYPE There are five types of psoriatic arthritis:
1. Symmetric
2. Asymmetric
3. Distal interphalangeal predominant (DIP)
4. Spondylitis
5. Arthritis mutilans.
1. Bursitis: Inflammation of a bursa, a small sac of fluid that cushions and lubricates an area between tendon and bone or around a joint
2. Tendonitis: Inflammation of a tendon, a ropelike fiber that connects muscle to bone
3. Gout: Disease caused by deposits of uric acid crystals in the joints; characterized by pain, swelling, redness, heat and stiffness in a joint or joints
4. Reactive arthritis: Form of arthritis that, in addition to joints, can affect the eyes; typically is triggered by an infection
5. Rheumatoid arthritis: Inflammation of membranes or tissues lining the joints; over time, the inflammation may destroy the joints
Psoriatic arthritis can develop without the skin lesions characteristic of psoriasis or the nail changes. Generally, psoriasis appears before the arthritis.
TREATMENT OF PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS?
There are a number of different types of treatments availible for this disorder but none of them help to cure or control the disease effectively. These are just temporary measures to relieve the symptoms. Homoeopathy is the only system of medicine that has the capacity to control the disease and nearly cure it. This is due to the fact that in Homoepathy we treat not only the disorder but the patient as a whole taking into consideration his entire personality and symptoms which are peculiar in his case. The constitutional remedy boosts the patient's own immunity to fight against the on going inflammation and disease process.
Along with the Homoeopathic treatment it is very essential to exercise in the correct manner. Exercise programs should be given by a physical therapist who customizes the program according to the disease and physical capabilities of each patient. Warm-up stretching and other techniques like hot shower or heat applications are helpful to relax muscles prior to exercise. ICE application after the routine is extremely important to reduce the post-exercise soreness and inflammation.
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT
The constitutional remedy is the most effective one which retards the disease process and tries to revert the system to its original form but along with this one needs to give other co-lateral Homoeopathic medicines to provide symptomatic relief for the pain, swelling and movements. There are a number of remedies in Homoeopathy which will help and I have listed a few important ones.
RHUSTOX
The early morning stiffness which got better with movement is the key symptom. Here the patients all ways says that the initial first few movements are very painful then it becomes slightly better. The patient describes the pain as "tearing" especially of the tendons and ligaments. Another common description is as if the part is "stiff and paralysed" and there is a constant desire to move the limb. A Rhustox patient gets relief from taking a hot bath or applying heat to the joints. Cold and dampness are the two things that makes their pains worse therefore winter and the monsoon season are the usually when the symptoms are worse. Rhustox also has the typical Psoriasis skin symptoms and the most peculiar symptom is " itching better by Hot water".
BRYONIA
There is stiffness and swelling just like in Rhustox but the difference between the two is that a Bryonia patient is much worse on movement rather than getting relieved. In fact these patients prefer to lie in bed and on the affected side whenever they are in pain. They cannot bear to be touched and will allow you to examine the joint reluctantly.
Here the patient describes the pain as if "sprained" with a lot of weakness and heaviness. Bryonia patients feel better when they bandage the affected part and apply pressure but movement is unbearable. Normally they can't take the heat and want everything cold including large quantities of cold water but the psoriatic pains are relieved by warmth.
Bryonia will make movement less painful for the patient and reduce the inflammation of the joint.
AURUM MET
Aurum or rather gold is an element also used by the other systems of medicine to modify the disease. It prevents the progressive joint destruction and deformity but injectable gold or oral gold preparation given has tremendous side-effects including bone marrow suppression which leads to anaemia , low white blood cells and adverse effects on the kidney which is extremely dangerous.
In Homoeopathy we potentise this gold to such neglible amounts so as to avoid the harmful side-effects but retain the curative power of the drug. Therefore it is used when there is already considerable joint destruction. The patient says his pain is deep as if the bones are sore and aching. There is a lot of tightness around the affected joint, sensation as if bandaged. All the pains are worse at night time and better in the morning.
Aurum Met will prevent further destruction and cease the disease process.
ARNICA
This is one of the most important drugs in Homoeopathy for pain and joint affections. Whenever there is a history of injury to the part no matter how trivial or how long back it occurred this remedy should be thought of. The injury could have been the trigger factor for Psoriatic Arthritis to develop.
The patient says he feels as is the part is bruised or beaten and has great fear of being touched due to the sensitivity of the part. He says that everything is too hard and is restless to find some comfortable place to rest. Like Rhustox, Arnica is better by motion but the difference is that in this drug Cold gives relief.
Arnica will make the pain disappear rapidly.
Antimonium Crudum is the top natural remedy for Rheumatoid Arthritis when the patient is suffering from pain in finger joints . The patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis who complain of pain in finger joints which gets worse in cold weather or by washing hands in cold water and gets better by applying something warm on the fingers can greatly benefit from this Homeopathic remedy. Antimonium Crudum also yields good results in patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis in whom the pain in finger joints alternates with stomach complaints and a thick white-coated tongue. The arthritic finger pains which worsen after taking wine can also be treated with this Homeopathic medicine.
Lithium Carbonicum is another Homeopathic medicine of great help for patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis who complain of pain in finger joints accompanied by swelling over the finger joints. The patient’s condition gets better by applying hot water. Patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis with pain in finger joints who complain of dim vision and weakness of eyes as an associated symptom can also benefit from natural Homeopathic medicine Lithium Carbonicum. It is also the Homeopathic remedy for patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis who have a history of some heart complaint along with pain in finger joints.
Caulophyllum is the ideal natural Homeopathic remedy for pain in finger joints with much stiffness in a patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Caulophyllum is also of great help when the pain in finger joints shifts from one finger to another in a very short time. Guaiacum Officinale is another top Homeopathic medicine when the patient has pain in finger joints that is pricking with much stiffness, and which gets worse by heat.
for more details and treatment mail us on drajay@yahoo.co.in
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS type of chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the skin and the joints. There may or may not be any visible skin affection but when present it is usually seen as patchy, raised, red areas of skin inflammation with scaling. The statistics show that nearly 10 % of psoriasis patients develop an associated inflammation of their joints.
This disorder is more evident in the fourth and fifth decade of life and both males and females are affected equally. The skin and joint complaints often appear separately. In fact the skin disease precedes the joint affections in nearly 80 % of the cases. But there are a few rare cases where there is no history of skin disorder and this makes the diagnosis difficult.
Psoriatic arthritis is a systemic rheumatic disease that can also cause inflammation in the eyes, heart, lungs, and kidneys. This occurs when the skin disease is suppressed by strong chemical medication and medicated strong ointments which clear up the skin but drive the disease deeper into the other vital connective tissues. Therefore its best not to suppress the skin eruptions It affects mostly people who have psoriasis, a skin disease that's also related to the immune system. Sometimes doctors misdiagnose it as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis.
The cause is still unknown though there are a few theories about how it might be caused. Currently most researchers feel that it involves a combination of genetic and immune, as well as environmental factors. A genetic marker HLA-B27 is frequently found in the blood of patients suffering from psoriatic arthritis. There are also some changes observed in the immune cells.
TYPE There are five types of psoriatic arthritis:
1. Symmetric
2. Asymmetric
3. Distal interphalangeal predominant (DIP)
4. Spondylitis
5. Arthritis mutilans.
Symmetric arthritis
This form of psoriatic arthritis is much like rheumatoid arthritis but generally milder with less deformity. It usually affects multiple symmetric pairs of joints (occurs in the same joints on both sides of the body) and can be disabling. The associated psoriasis is often severe
This form of psoriatic arthritis is much like rheumatoid arthritis but generally milder with less deformity. It usually affects multiple symmetric pairs of joints (occurs in the same joints on both sides of the body) and can be disabling. The associated psoriasis is often severe
Asymmetric psoriatic arthritis typically affects only a few
joints. They can be large or small and anywhere in your body. Fingers
and toes may swell like sausages.
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Distal interphalangeal predominant (DIP) psoriatic
arthritis mainly affects small joints at the ends of the fingers and toes, as well as the nails. Sometimes it's confused with osteoarthritis, what most people think of when they hear "arthritis," when the cartilage and bone in the joints wears away.
Spondylitis affects the backbone. It can cause inflammation
and stiffness between your vertebrae -- the bones of your neck, spine,
and lower back -- and pelvis. Spondylitis can also attack ligaments that
connect muscles to bones and other connective tissue.
Arthritis mutilans is the most severe and destructive form
of psoriatic arthritis. Fortunately, it's rare. It damages the small
joints in your fingers and toes so badly that they become deformed.
To
diagnose psoriatic arthritis, rheumatologists look for swollen and
painful joints, certain patterns of arthritis, and skin and nail changes
typical of psoriasis. X-rays often are taken to look for joint damage.
MRI, ultrasound or CT scans can be used to look at the joints in more
detail.
Blood tests may be done to rule out other types of arthritis that have similar signs and symptoms, including gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In patients with psoriatic arthritis, blood tests may reveal high levels of inflammation and mild anemia. Occasionally skin biopsies (small samples of skin removed for analysis) are needed to confirm the psoriasis
- See more at: http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Psoriatic-Arthritis#sthash.s7rrno70.dpuf
Blood tests may be done to rule out other types of arthritis that have similar signs and symptoms, including gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In patients with psoriatic arthritis, blood tests may reveal high levels of inflammation and mild anemia. Occasionally skin biopsies (small samples of skin removed for analysis) are needed to confirm the psoriasis
- See more at: http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Psoriatic-Arthritis#sthash.s7rrno70.dpuf
To
diagnose psoriatic arthritis, rheumatologists look for swollen and
painful joints, certain patterns of arthritis, and skin and nail changes
typical of psoriasis. X-rays often are taken to look for joint damage.
MRI, ultrasound or CT scans can be used to look at the joints in more
detail.
Blood tests may be done to rule out other types of arthritis that have similar signs and symptoms, including gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In patients with psoriatic arthritis, blood tests may reveal high levels of inflammation and mild anemia. Occasionally skin biopsies (small samples of skin removed for analysis) are needed to confirm the psoriasis.
- See more at: http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Psoriatic-Arthritis#sthash.s7rrno70.dpuf
Blood tests may be done to rule out other types of arthritis that have similar signs and symptoms, including gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In patients with psoriatic arthritis, blood tests may reveal high levels of inflammation and mild anemia. Occasionally skin biopsies (small samples of skin removed for analysis) are needed to confirm the psoriasis.
- See more at: http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Psoriatic-Arthritis#sthash.s7rrno70.dpuf
To
diagnose psoriatic arthritis, rheumatologists look for swollen and
painful joints, certain patterns of arthritis, and skin and nail changes
typical of psoriasis. X-rays often are taken to look for joint damage.
MRI, ultrasound or CT scans can be used to look at the joints in more
detail.
Blood tests may be done to rule out other types of arthritis that have similar signs and symptoms, including gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In patients with psoriatic arthritis, blood tests may reveal high levels of inflammation and mild anemia. Occasionally skin biopsies (small samples of skin removed for analysis) are needed to confirm the psoriasis.
- See more at: http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Psoriatic-Arthritis#sthash.s7rrno70.dpuf
Differential Diagnosis of Psoriatic ArthritisBlood tests may be done to rule out other types of arthritis that have similar signs and symptoms, including gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In patients with psoriatic arthritis, blood tests may reveal high levels of inflammation and mild anemia. Occasionally skin biopsies (small samples of skin removed for analysis) are needed to confirm the psoriasis.
- See more at: http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Psoriatic-Arthritis#sthash.s7rrno70.dpuf
1. Bursitis: Inflammation of a bursa, a small sac of fluid that cushions and lubricates an area between tendon and bone or around a joint
2. Tendonitis: Inflammation of a tendon, a ropelike fiber that connects muscle to bone
3. Gout: Disease caused by deposits of uric acid crystals in the joints; characterized by pain, swelling, redness, heat and stiffness in a joint or joints
4. Reactive arthritis: Form of arthritis that, in addition to joints, can affect the eyes; typically is triggered by an infection
5. Rheumatoid arthritis: Inflammation of membranes or tissues lining the joints; over time, the inflammation may destroy the joints
Psoriatic arthritis can develop without the skin lesions characteristic of psoriasis or the nail changes. Generally, psoriasis appears before the arthritis.
TREATMENT OF PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS?
There are a number of different types of treatments availible for this disorder but none of them help to cure or control the disease effectively. These are just temporary measures to relieve the symptoms. Homoeopathy is the only system of medicine that has the capacity to control the disease and nearly cure it. This is due to the fact that in Homoepathy we treat not only the disorder but the patient as a whole taking into consideration his entire personality and symptoms which are peculiar in his case. The constitutional remedy boosts the patient's own immunity to fight against the on going inflammation and disease process.
Along with the Homoeopathic treatment it is very essential to exercise in the correct manner. Exercise programs should be given by a physical therapist who customizes the program according to the disease and physical capabilities of each patient. Warm-up stretching and other techniques like hot shower or heat applications are helpful to relax muscles prior to exercise. ICE application after the routine is extremely important to reduce the post-exercise soreness and inflammation.
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT
The constitutional remedy is the most effective one which retards the disease process and tries to revert the system to its original form but along with this one needs to give other co-lateral Homoeopathic medicines to provide symptomatic relief for the pain, swelling and movements. There are a number of remedies in Homoeopathy which will help and I have listed a few important ones.
RHUSTOX
The early morning stiffness which got better with movement is the key symptom. Here the patients all ways says that the initial first few movements are very painful then it becomes slightly better. The patient describes the pain as "tearing" especially of the tendons and ligaments. Another common description is as if the part is "stiff and paralysed" and there is a constant desire to move the limb. A Rhustox patient gets relief from taking a hot bath or applying heat to the joints. Cold and dampness are the two things that makes their pains worse therefore winter and the monsoon season are the usually when the symptoms are worse. Rhustox also has the typical Psoriasis skin symptoms and the most peculiar symptom is " itching better by Hot water".
BRYONIA
There is stiffness and swelling just like in Rhustox but the difference between the two is that a Bryonia patient is much worse on movement rather than getting relieved. In fact these patients prefer to lie in bed and on the affected side whenever they are in pain. They cannot bear to be touched and will allow you to examine the joint reluctantly.
Here the patient describes the pain as if "sprained" with a lot of weakness and heaviness. Bryonia patients feel better when they bandage the affected part and apply pressure but movement is unbearable. Normally they can't take the heat and want everything cold including large quantities of cold water but the psoriatic pains are relieved by warmth.
Bryonia will make movement less painful for the patient and reduce the inflammation of the joint.
AURUM MET
Aurum or rather gold is an element also used by the other systems of medicine to modify the disease. It prevents the progressive joint destruction and deformity but injectable gold or oral gold preparation given has tremendous side-effects including bone marrow suppression which leads to anaemia , low white blood cells and adverse effects on the kidney which is extremely dangerous.
In Homoeopathy we potentise this gold to such neglible amounts so as to avoid the harmful side-effects but retain the curative power of the drug. Therefore it is used when there is already considerable joint destruction. The patient says his pain is deep as if the bones are sore and aching. There is a lot of tightness around the affected joint, sensation as if bandaged. All the pains are worse at night time and better in the morning.
Aurum Met will prevent further destruction and cease the disease process.
ARNICA
This is one of the most important drugs in Homoeopathy for pain and joint affections. Whenever there is a history of injury to the part no matter how trivial or how long back it occurred this remedy should be thought of. The injury could have been the trigger factor for Psoriatic Arthritis to develop.
The patient says he feels as is the part is bruised or beaten and has great fear of being touched due to the sensitivity of the part. He says that everything is too hard and is restless to find some comfortable place to rest. Like Rhustox, Arnica is better by motion but the difference is that in this drug Cold gives relief.
Arnica will make the pain disappear rapidly.
Antimonium Crudum is the top natural remedy for Rheumatoid Arthritis when the patient is suffering from pain in finger joints . The patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis who complain of pain in finger joints which gets worse in cold weather or by washing hands in cold water and gets better by applying something warm on the fingers can greatly benefit from this Homeopathic remedy. Antimonium Crudum also yields good results in patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis in whom the pain in finger joints alternates with stomach complaints and a thick white-coated tongue. The arthritic finger pains which worsen after taking wine can also be treated with this Homeopathic medicine.
Lithium Carbonicum is another Homeopathic medicine of great help for patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis who complain of pain in finger joints accompanied by swelling over the finger joints. The patient’s condition gets better by applying hot water. Patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis with pain in finger joints who complain of dim vision and weakness of eyes as an associated symptom can also benefit from natural Homeopathic medicine Lithium Carbonicum. It is also the Homeopathic remedy for patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis who have a history of some heart complaint along with pain in finger joints.
Caulophyllum is the ideal natural Homeopathic remedy for pain in finger joints with much stiffness in a patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Caulophyllum is also of great help when the pain in finger joints shifts from one finger to another in a very short time. Guaiacum Officinale is another top Homeopathic medicine when the patient has pain in finger joints that is pricking with much stiffness, and which gets worse by heat.
for more details and treatment mail us on drajay@yahoo.co.in
