Ayurvedic management of Amvata W.S.R. to Rheumatoid Arthitis - A case study

The condition of Amvata was first explained by Madhavkara in Madhav Nidana. Amvata is not only a joint disorder but a disease with systemic involvement, named after its main pathologic constituents ‘Ama’ and ‘Vata’. It is a disorder caused by the impairment of Agni (digestive fire), formation of Ama (bio-toxin) and vitiation of Vata Dosha. Ama combined with Vata Dosha, occupies Shleshmasthana (Asthisandhi) which results in “Amavata”. It is one of the commonest disorders affecting people from the middle age group and is chronic in nature. It can be crippling as it affects the work performance and interferes with day-to-day activities of a person if left untreated. Clinically it can be co-related with Rheumatoid Arthritis (R. A.). Modern medicine doesn’t help in preventing the chronicity of the disorder. Management of R. A. according to modern medicine includes use of NSAID’s (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs), Glucocorticoids, DMARD’s (Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs), immunosuppression therapies, for long term. These drugs also cause side effects in most of the patients leading them to discontinue the treatment. Keeping these points in mind, based on the ChikitsaSiddhanta given in Ayurvedic texts, a case of Amvata was treated. Marked improvement was seen in the patient’s signs and symptoms after treatment. No complication or side effect of any drug used was found during the treatment.