Homeopathy shows remarkable results in mild to moderate cases of rheumatoid arthritis. However, in severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis with advanced deformities, Homeopathy helps manage the symptoms. Homeopathic medicines for rheumatoid arthritis help manage pain and stiffness in joints, but the deformities cannot be reversed.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder causing joint inflammation with pain, swelling and stiffness of joints. These symptoms usually begin from small joints of hands or feet and can later affect other large joints too. It tends to involve multiple joints at a time and in a symmetrical way. It is an autoimmune disorder which means that the body’s own  defence cells start to destroy own healthy tissues. In rheumatoid arthritis the immune cells cause inflammation leading to destruction of the joints. It primarily affects joints but can also affect other organs like eyes, skin, lungs, heart etc. If not treated well in time then it progresses and can cause joint deformity and lead to disability. This disease has a strong genetic basis and tends to run in families.

 

What are its symptoms?

Joint symptoms – The main symptoms are pain in joints, swelling in joints, stiffness of joints which mostly appear in morning and after periods of inactivity. In this ,multiple joints are involved in a symmetrical manner i.e.  involving the same joints on both sides of the body.

The symptoms initially start from small joints of hands or feet and may  progress to other joints like wrist, elbow, shoulder, knee, hip and ankle .

The Affected joint is also red, warm and tender to touch in flare up phase. Loss of joint function , mobility and deformity appear in later stages if not treated well in time. Few general signs and symptoms that may attend joint involvement include weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, muscle aches, depression and anaemia.

Diagnostic criteria:

The diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis is as follows:

Any four among the following must be present to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis:

1.Arthritis of multiple joint (3 – 4 different joints or more than that) for a period of more than 6 weeks

2.Morning stiffness that last longer than 30 minutes

3.Symmetrical involvement of the same joints on both sides of the body

4.Arthritis of wrists, hands or finger joints

5.Development of rheumatoid nodules under the skin

6.Positive serum rheumatoid factor

7.Radiographic changes suggesting joint erosion

 

Joint deformities

The main joint deformities that can develop in rheumatoid arthritis are as follows:

1.Swan neck deformity: in this deformity the joint in finger closest to fingertip gets bent towards the palm (flexion of distal inter-phalangeal joint) and the joint in finger nearest to palm bends away from it (hyperextension of proximal inter-phalangeal joint).

2.Boutonniere deformity : in this deformity the joint in finger nearest to palm gets bent towards the palm (flexion of proximal inter-phalangeal joint) and the joint nearest to finger tip bends back (hyperextension of distal inter-phalangeal joint).

3.Ulnar deviation: In this swelling in the metacarpo-phalangeal joints (joint that connect bone in palm to the bone in finger ). It leads to leaning of the fingers away from thumb towards little fingers. This deformity is also known as ulnar drift.

 

Manifestations in body parts other than joints.

– Eyes: Here it can lead to cataract (clouding of clear lens), dry eyes and scleritis (inflammation / redness in the white part of eye)

– Lungs: Inflammation, scar tissue, fibrosis can arise in lungs

– Skin: Rheumatoid nodules can form here. These refer to hard bumps under the skin. They are not painful and move easily on being touched. They mostly form especially on the elbows. They can also form in lungs and heart in later stages.

– Kidneys: Here it may lead to amyloidosis (disease arising from build up of an abnormal protein called amyloid in any tissue or organ).

– Heart: it can lead to inflammation of lining of heart (pericarditis), inflammation of heart muscle (myocarditis) and increase risk of cardiovascular disease (narrowing or blockage of blood vessels supplying heart that can lead to a chest

– Nerve tissue: here it can cause peripheral neuropathy (damage to the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord that causes weakness, numbness and pain, mainly in hands and feet) and carpal tunnel syndrome (pain, numbness, tingling in fingers from compression of the median nerve).

– Blood vessels: these may get inflamed and there may be formation of atheromatous plaques (accumulation of hard material in inner layer of artery wall) which includes lipids and calcium. It tends to narrow artery and hinders in blood flow

– Blood: It may lead to anaemia here

– liver:  is very rarely affected

– it can weakens immune system and make a person prone to infections

– on muscles it can lead to muscle weakness

– it can affect mucous membrane and lead to Sjogren’s Syndrome (syndrome mainly characterised by dry eyes and dry mouth).

What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis and what are the risk factors

The exact cause behind rheumatoid arthritis is not clearly understood. However it is thought to be an autoimmune disease.

What  triggers the autoimmune process for RA is not exactly known. But there are certain factors that increase the risk of the disease. First among them is genetic factor . Certain genes ( human leucocyte antigen HLA – DR1 and HLA – DR4) make a person more prone to develop this disease. Females are more at risk as compared to males. Persons of middle age group are more affected. Other factors that put a person at risk of this include a family history of this disease, smoking, obesity, environmental exposures like exposures to asbestos or silica, stress, history of viral infections like Epstein – Barr virus (EBV) and certain dietary factors.

 

Investigations for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The blood test done in cases suspected of rheumatoid arthritis are rheumatoid factor, Anti – cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti – CCP), ESR and c – reactive protein (CRP). Other tests include X-Ray and MRI of affected joints which are done to rule out the severity of the disease.

What are its types?

Seropositive: In this type persons with rheumatoid arthritis have their blood tests positive for rheumatoid factor or anti – CCPs.

Seronegative: A person may develop Rheumatoid arthritis even in the absence of rheumatoid factor or anti – CCPs. This is termed as seronegative type rheumatoid arthritis. In this type the blood tests are negative for RF and anti – CCPs. In such cases diagnosis is done on the basis of clinical symptoms and X- rays. This type is usually  milder than the seropositve type.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is when rheumatoid  arthritis affects children younger than 17 yrs of age.  It is also known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Palindromic rheumatism-: In this recurrent attacks of pain, swelling appears in one or more joints all of sudden. It last for few hours or few days. In between the flare up attacks the pain and swelling subsides completely. It is not a type of rheumatoid arthritis but people having palindromic rheumatism have chance to develop rheumatoid arthritis.

Pathophysiology of Rheumatoid Arthritis

It is an autoimmune disease. Interplay between genetic susceptibility (people having certain genes human leucocyte antigen HLA – DR1 and HLA – DR4 are susceptible to this disease) and environmental factors (such as smoking) are thought to trigger the autoimmune process here.

In rheumatoid arthritis , the immune cells attacks the synovial lining of the synovial membranes surrounding the joints and cause its inflammation and thickening. It may further lead to destruction of cartilage and bone .

Homeopathic treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated naturally with homeopathic medicines. These medicines helps to reduce inflammation of the joints by moderating the immune system. They also help to slow down further progression of the disease. The pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints are also relieved wonderfully with them. The joint damage and joint deformity though can’t be cured but can be symptomatically managed with homeopathic medicines. These medicines are of natural origin thus are safe to use among people of all age groups.

Commonly used medicines to treat it

Rhus Tox – To relieve stiffness and pain in joints

Rhus Tox helps to relieve joint pains and stiffness by reducing the joint inflammation. Persons needing it mainly have joint stiffness worse in the morning and also after a period of inactivity. Warm applications and motion of affected joint helps to relieve their symptoms. Massaging the joint also offer relief in them.

Apis Mellifica – For reducing swelling in joints

Apis Mellifica is a well indicated medicine for cases where joint is highly swollen. Along with this the joint is red, and inflamed. Joint pains which are mainly burning, stinging type are also well treated with Apis. Joint is also sensitive to touch.

Bryonia – For red, hot , swollen joints

Bryonia is helpful for cases where joints are  red, hot and swollen. With this there is pain in joints. The pains are sharp, stitching type. The pain gets worse by motion and better with rest. Warmth may relieve the pains.  It is Indicated when  mostly knee and elbow joints are involved.

Antimonium Crudum – To reduce pain in finger joints

It is very beneficial to treat pain in finger joints and reduce its inflammation. Persons needing it mainly have worsening of pain from cold. They find relief by warm applications. Drawing sensation in the fingers may also be felt.

Actaea Spicata – For wrist pain and swelling

Actaea Spicata is mainly given for cases where wrist pain and swelling are present. Wrist is also red with heat. The pain is worse from motion. It is also indicated to treat pain and swelling in other small joints of fingers, toes and ankle.

Caulophyllum – For small joints

Caulophyllum is also used for treating arthritis that affect small joints. The small joints are painful and stiff in cases needing it. The joints of fingers, toes, ankle and wrist are affected in such cases. The pains keeps on shifting in minutes from one joint to other . In some case nodes are present on finger joints.

Arnica – For markedly tender joints

Arnica is majorly used when the joints are extremely tender. Person has great fear of touching the affceted joint due to pain and tenderness. The knee also has sore, bruised pain along with intense swelling.

Stellaria Media – for pains in almost all the joints

Stellaria Media is indicated for cases where for pains is felt in almost all the joints. The joints are sore to touch. Stiffness is also there in the joints. Sometimes the pain shifts from one joint to another.

Ledum Pal – For painful, swollen ankles

Ledum Pal offers great help in reducing pain and swelling in the ankles.

Persons needing it have worsening of ankle pain from movement. They find relief in it by cold applications. They may have ascending rheumatism where pain start from feet joints and then ascend to joints above it in the leg.

Calcarea Carb For pain and swelling in knee joint

It is an Important medicine to manage pain and swelling in the knee joint. The pains are drawing, tearing in nature . The knee is swollen mostly at night time. It is also hot and tenderness to touch.

Colchicum – For pain that worsens from touch

Persons having joint pain that worsens from touch are highly benefited with this medicine. Along with this they have heat and stiffness in the joints. The joints mainly involved where it is indicated are wrist, ankle, finger sand toes. Most times the pain are worse at night time in them. It is also used in management of cases where finger joints are highly damaged and distorted.

Sanguinaria Can – for shoulder joint pain

Sanguinaria Can works well to treat shoulder joint pain. It also helps to reduce attending stiffness in it. Shoulder pain gets worse by raising the arm in cases needing it. Worsening if pain at night is also noted in such cases.

Pulsatilla – For shifting pain

Pulsatilla is highly recommended medicine to treat shifting pains in joints. . The pain keeps on shifting. The affected joints are swollen and red. It is also indicated for joint pain in wet weather.

Causticum and Guaiacum – for managing cases with joint deformity

Causticum and Guaiacum both are excellent medicines to manage advanced cases having joint deformity. Though these medicines can’t reverse the joint damage and deformity. But they can help to reduce pain and stiffness in joints. They also help to manage swelling in the affected joints.

Some other rare medicines to treat cases of rheumatoid arthritis

Apart from above commonly used medicine some other rare medicines to treat cases of rheumatoid arthritis include Lithium Carb, Ruta, Salicylic Acid, Calcarea Phos, Ferrum Met, Lactic acid and Natrum Sulph. The key symptoms to use these medicines are as follows.

 

Lithium Carb : Pain, swelling and tenderness in small joints. Relief in joint pain from hot applications. Node formation of joints.

 

Ruta: Stiffness and pain in feet and hand joints. Node formation on wrist joint.

 

Salicylic Acid: joint pain worsen from touch and motion. Shifting pains in joints.

 

Calcarea Phos: For joint pain worsening in cold weather

 

Ferrum Met: to treat anaemia with joint inflammation

 

Lactic acid: joint pains with excessive weakness

 

Natrum Sulph: Joint pain in damp, cold weather

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid Arthritis is as an autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting joints. It leads to pain, swelling and stiffness in joints. In long standing cases of Rheumatoid Arthritis, the affected joints are destroyed, resulting in varying degrees of deformity. Homeopathic remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis are made of natural substances, are of great help in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Homeopathic RA treatments are completely safe with no side effects, they work to eliminate the root cause of the problem.

Top Homeopathic Remedies For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Natural Homeopathic remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis with  pain in finger joints

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.

Homeopathic treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis with pain in wrist joints

Actaea Spicata is an excellent natural Homeopathic medicine for treating the pain in wrist of a patient suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis. Tearing and tingling type of pain in the wrist with excessive swelling, that gets worse with touch and motion, is also effectively treatedby Actaea Spicata. Another Homeopathic remedy of great benefit when a patient of Rheumatoid Arthritis has a tearing type of pain in the wrist, especially on the right side, is Rhododendron. The pain gets worse when the wrist is kept in a resting position. This is also the Homeopathic remedy for patients who complain of rheumatic pain in wrist which gets worse during stormy weather. Natural Homeopathic medicine Colchicum Autumnale is the ideal treatment for rheumatic pain of wrist where the pain is aggravated by touch and at night. The pain in wrist in which there is a sensation of needles and numbness of fingertips is also treated by Homeopathic medicine Colchicum Autumnale.Formica Rufa, on the other hand, is a very beneficial Homeopathic medicine for rheumatic pain in wrist joint when the pain appears suddenly and the patient feels better by rubbing or pressing the wrist.

Homeopathic medicines for pain in knee joints in a patient of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rhus Toxicodendron is among the top natural Homeopathic medicines for treating rheumatic pain in knee joints. For this medicine to be used, the main symptoms to be considered are pain and stiffness of knees which get worse while the patient is resting, and there is a decrease in pain as the patient walks continuously. Bryonia Alba is another Homeopathic medicine that can yield very good results in the treatment of rheumatic pains of knees. The patients requiring this natural Homeopathic remedy complain of excessive stitching type of pain, stiffness and swelling in knee joints. Excessive rheumatic knee pain that gets worse by a little motion of knees and better by absolute rest can also be treated with Homeopathic medicine Bryonia Alba. Calcarea Carbonica is an excellent Homeopathic medicine for treating rheumatic pain in knee joints when the pain increases by working in water like washing clothes. Another symptom that guides towards using this natural Homeopathic remedy in rheumatic patients is pain in knees with much swelling and coldness of knees. Homeopathic medicine Salicylicum Acidum is also used for excessive rheumatic pain in knee joints with much swelling and high fever that get worse on the slightest touch and movement of knee. Homeopathic medicine Causticum is used to treat rheumatic pains of knee if the patient gets relief from pain by applying something hot and experiences restless legs at night.

Homeopathic remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis with shifting pain in joints

Pulsatilla Nigricans is a natural Homeopathic medicine of great help forRheumatoid Arthritis patients who complain of shifting type of painsin joints. It is also the ideal Homeopathic medicine for rheumatic pains that constantly shift from one joint to another along with chilliness and making the patient restless. The patient also has no thirst for water the whole day. Caulophyllum is another Homeopathic remedy for treating rheumatic pains that goon wandering mainly in small joints of fingers and wrist. If the rheumatic pain in joints is of shooting nature or the pain gives the sensation of an electric shock while rapidly shifting from one joint to another,natural Homeopathic medicine Phytolacca Decendra is the ideal remedy. Homeopathic medicine Kalmia Latifolia is used for treatment of shifting pain in joints when the pains are of a pricking nature, with numbness of affected joint and shifting from one joint to another in quick succession.

Homeopathic medicines for acute inflammation of joints in patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Apis Mellifica is a wonderful natural Homeopathic medicine for acute inflammatory condition of joints where the joints, especially the knee joint, are excessively swollen with acute sensitivity to touch and warmth. Along with the acute swelling, a stinging type of painin joints also directs towards the Homeopathic treatment provided by Apis Mellifica. Another Homeopathic medicine for treatment of an acute inflammation of joints is Arnica Montana. It is the ideal choice whenthe patient complains of swelling in joints with sore, bruised pains as if beaten up. There is also a heightened fear to touch the inflammed joints on account of the pain. Natural Homeopathic medicine Sticta Pulmonarisis is benefical in treating acute inflammation of joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis when the symptoms are redness, heat, and swelling in joints with a shooting type of pain, especially in knee joints. Homeopathic medicine Actaea Spicata is mainly used for acute inflammation of wrist and finger joints where the swelling in joints appears on slight motion with a tearing type of painwhich gets worse by touch.

Natural Homeopathic medicines for stiffness of joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rhus Toxicodendron is the best Homeopathic medicine for reducing the stiffness in joints due to Rheumatoid Arthritis where the patient feels that the joints are stiffwhen at rest and the stiffness gradually reduces as the joints come into motion. An example is knee stiffness being reduced by continuous walking. Rhus Toxicodendron is also the natural Homeopathic remedy for stiffness of joints which worsensif the patientgets wet in rain. Caulophyllum is also used forthe Homeopathic treatment of stiffness joints, mainly finger joints, with a drawing type of painin finger joints that shifts from one joint to another. Another natural Homeopathic medicine, Causticum, is mainly used when the knees joints are markedly stiffand tensewith pain in knees and heat provides relief. Guaiacum Officinale is also a useful Homeopathic medicine for the treatment of stiff joints in patients withRheumatoid Arthritis when the main symptoms are immovable stiffness of joints with pain in joints that getsworse by applying pressure and heat.

Homeopathic medicines for Rheumatoid Arthritis with deformity of joints

The top natural Homeopathic medicine for treating deformity of joints is Medorrhinum. This Homeopathic remedy is mainly prescribed when finger joints are deformed and nodes have formed on finger joints. Excessive burning heat in the hands along with deformed fingers also calls for the Homeopathic treatment of Medorrhinum. An equally good Homeopathic medicine is Benzoicum Acidum, which is recommended for treatment of deformed joints, mainly knee joint, where rheumatism is associated with Gonorrhoea and very offensive urine. Guaicum Officinale is the best natural Homeopathic medicine where the nodosities are formed on joints, leading to immovable stiffness of joints.

Best natural Homeopathic medicines for Juvenile Arthritis

Arthritis developing before the age of 18years is referred to as Juvenile Arthritis. Abrotanum is a very good Homeopathic medicine for Juvenile Arthritis. It is a natural Homeopathic remedy for pain in joints of a pricking character, mainly in wrist and ankle joints. If the arthritis develops due to suppression of diarrhoea, then Abrotanum is the best and specific Homeopathic remedy. Natrum Phoshphoricum is another Homeopathic medicine for Juvenile Arthritis where the wrist and finger joints are involved. The main symptom that must be present for this medicine to be used is joint pains accompanied by acidity, sour eructations and sour vomiting.

Natural Homeopathic remedies for Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriasis is a skin condition in which red inflamed patches on skin are covered by silver white flakes on them. The joint painthat results because of its association with Psoriasis is referred to as Psoriatic Arthritis. Homeopathic medicines that can be used for the treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis are Sulphur and Radium Bromatum. Sulphur can be used for the treatment of joint pains that occur due to suppression of psoriatic skin lesions by external ointment applications, along with excessive heat in palms and soles. Radiumm Bromatum can be used in Psoriatic Arthritis where the joint pains are worse at night along with itching and burning on the skin.

Top Homeopathic medicines for Reactive Arthritis

Reactive Arthritis is a condition of painful inflammation of joints that occurs in response to infection in another part of the body due to bacteria. The main infections that result in Reactive Arthritis are firstly intestinal infection due to salmonella, shigella or other intestinal bacterias and secondly, the sexually transmitted diseases caused by Neisseria Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia Trachomatis bacterias. The main symptoms of Reactive Arthritis are joint pains that follow or accompany diarrhoea or dysentery, frequent or burning urination, discharges from urethra, conjunctivitis and skin inflammation.
Abrotanum is the best natural Homeopathic medicine for Reactive Arthritis where the arthritis follows diarrhoea, which is suppressed due to any cause or where joint pains alternate with dysentery. Its use is recommended in cases of arthritis where the joints, mainly ankle or wrist joints, are inflammed, stiff and pains that are of pricking character are present. Another medicine which is of great significance in Homeopathic treatment of Reactive Arthritis is Kali Bichromicum. The patients of Reactive Arthritis who complain of joint pains that alternate with dysentery can benefit from this Homeopathic medicine. Kali Bichromicum is also the Homeopathic remedy for patients in whom the main symptoms are pain, stiffness and swelling of joints that wander from one joint to the other rapidly and get worse by cold. Natural Homeopathic medicine Asclepias Tuberosa is the idealremedy in those cases of Reactive Arthritis where joint pains are accompanied by dysentery. The patient requiring this medicine complains of an offensive stool like rotten eggs with mucus in stool and pain and stiffness in joints where the patient is afraid to bend the joints because he feels that the ligaments and tendons adjoining the joints will breakon bending. Natrum Sulphuricum is yet another natural Homeopathic medicine for Reactive Arthritis where joint pains are accompanied by diarrhoea which is worse in morning. The joints, mainly knee joints, are stiff and painful with burning in the soles of feet. The other two medicines which are used for Homeopathic treatment of Reactive Arthritis where the inflammatory joint pains follow supression of gonorrheal infection are Medorrhinum and Thuja Occidentalis. Thuja Occidentalis is the natural Homeopthic remedy for patients of Reactive Arthritis in whom the joint pains are accompanied by inflammed urethra with frequent uncontrollable urination and where sharp cutting pains in urethra follow after urinating. Medorrhinum is the Homeopathic medicine suited for patients in whom the joints, mainly finger joints,get stiffwith excessive painalong with burning in hands. For Medorrhinum to be used in Reactive Arthritis, the symptoms of inflammation of urethra with excessive pain in urethra while urination alongwith joint pains must be present. Pulsatilla Nigricans is another excellent natural Homeopathic medicine for patients of Reactive Arthritis. This Homeopathic remedy is beneficial when pain and swelling in joints shift from one joint to another, accompanied by chilliness, inflammation in conjunctiva of eyes with thick yellow discharges and thick yellow gonorrheal discharges from urethra.