Homeopathy for Rheumatoid Arthritis and its Complications

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that mainly affects the joints. The joints get inflamed swollen, painful and stiff. In chronic cases, joint deformities may also develop. Rheumatoid arthritis mostly affects small joints, like fingers, wrist, ankles, and toes. However, with passing time, the large joints also tend to get involved. In the long run, extra-articular (outside the joint) sites may get involved too including eyes, heart, lungs, skin, blood vessels, kidneys, etc. Homeopathic medicines for complications of rheumatoid arthritis help to halt the progress of the disease and prevent further complications. Depending upon the type of complication, it can be either treated entirely with natural medicines or be managed symptomatically.       

The Main Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis arises from an autoimmune response whereby the synovium of a joint is attacked by immune cells from a misdirected response resulting in joint inflammation and its consequent symptoms. Certain factors put a person at risk to get rheumatoid arthritis, like a family history of rheumatoid arthritis, smoking, and obesity.

Complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis and their Homeopathic Solutions

Rheumatoid arthritis, if not treated early and controlled well in initial stages can go beyond inflammation of the joints and put a person at high risk of developing complications. These complications result from inflammation of the body parts other than the joints (by the same autoimmune process as for joint inflammation) in rheumatoid arthritis. Apart from this, the side effects of conventional treatment used for rheumatoid arthritis leads to many complications. The most common complications of rheumatoid arthritis include anemia, joint deformity, eye inflammation, insomnia, depression, carpal tunnel syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome, osteoporosis, and pleurisy. Early diagnosis and regular treatment of rheumatoid arthritis may prevent many of these from developing. Ferrum Met, Causticum, Merc Sol, Coffea Cruda, Ignatia Amara, Hypericum, Nux Moschata, Calc. Phos and Bryonia are the top remedies to treat the various complications from RA.

Homeopathy medicines can help in effectively managing many complications of rheumatoid arthritis and improving the quality of life. These medicines work to manage the complications of rheumatoid arthritis by moderating the immune activity. The amount of recovery also varies as per the intensity and chronicity of the complications. Some complications like insomnia, depression, and carpal tunnel syndrome are treatable, while others like anemia, eye inflammation Sjogren’s syndrome, osteoporosis, and pleurisy can be managed symptomatically to a certain level. The help provided in case of a joint deformity is limited to management of pain and stiffness in the affected joint.

1. Anemia due to Blood Loss and More

Anemia is very commonly seen in rheumatoid arthritis cases.
Inflammation in the body causes the release of certain proteins that decrease the body’s ability to use iron. Another reason is reduced response to erythropoietin in case of rheumatoid arthritis. The kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Red blood cells in the body get reduced over a period due to the inability of the body to respond to erythropoietin.
Apart from this, conventional medications used for treating rheumatoid arthritis (including NSAID’s and steroids) may also lead to anemia through blood loss. NSAID’s can cause stomach ulcers that bleed and lead to anemia.

Ferrum Met – For Anemia in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Ferrum Met is a medicine used to treat anemia in rheumatoid arthritis. It yields excellent results in cases where there are symptoms like weakness and fatigue as a result of anemia. There is a lack of stamina to do any work, the face appears pale, vertigo and episodes of shortness of may appear frequently, and palpitations from minimum exertion may also be present.

2. Joint Deformity due to Proliferating Pannus

In rheumatoid arthritis, the inflammatory cells of the immune system accumulate in the synovial membrane. These cells form a proliferating pannus (abnormal layer of fibrovascular tissue). Certain substances are released from this pannus which can erode the bone, destroy the cartilage and the surrounding ligaments. This results in bone fusion and the joint becomes immobilized, losing its functioning ability.

Causticum – To Manage Joint Deformity

Causticum is a well-indicated medicine to help in the management of rheumatoid arthritis case where there is a joint deformity. Joint deformity with joint damage and contracted tendons indicate the need for this medicine. Causticum is a broad acting homeopathic medicine that offers help in reducing the stiffness, and pain in deformed joints in rheumatoid arthritis. The person needing this medicine may have tearing pain in affected joints. Warmth may help in relieving the joint pain. Although the joint deformity cannot be reversed with this medicine, it can help halt the further progression of joint damage by moderating the overactive immune system.

3. Eye Inflammations like Iritis, Scleritis, and Uveitis

Eye inflammation is a very common complication of rheumatoid arthritis. Iritis, scleritis, and uveitis are the types of eye inflammation seen in rheumatoid arthritis.
The sclera is the white part of the eye, and its inflammation is known as scleritis. The symptoms of scleritis include eye redness, pain, swelling, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and tearing.
The Uvea is the vascular layer of the eye, and its inflammation is known as uveitis.
Iritis is a form of uveitis where the iris gets inflammed. The symptoms of uveitis include pain and redness in the eyes, blurred vision, floating spots before eyes, and light sensitivity.

Merc Sol – For Eye Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Merc Sol helps in managing symptoms of eye inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. The symptoms including burning in the eyes, pain in eyes and sensitivity to light, acrid eye discharges, foggy vision, floating black specks and dim vision.

4. Disturbed Sleep due to Pain

Disturbed sleep, poor quality sleep, and sleeplessness are commonly seen in cases of rheumatoid arthritis. It has been estimated that around 70 – 80% of the people dealing with rheumatoid arthritis face sleep issues.
Pain in the joints can keep the person awake at night. Lack of sleep modifies the way in which the central nervous system processes pain and worsens the pain perception, thereby reducing the pain tolerance. Disrupted sleep thus increases the pain sensitivity and a vicious cycle sets in, where joint pains decrease sleep quality and poor sleep cause more pain.
Conventional medicines (like prednisone) that are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis may also cause insomnia.

Coffea Cruda – For Sleeplessness in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Coffea Cruda is a medicine used to manage sleeplessness in cases of rheumatoid arthritis. It is prepared from raw berries and dried seeds of Coffea arabica. The symptoms that indicate the need for Coffea Cruda are restless sleep, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. The person needing Coffea Cruda is highly sensitive to pain and suffers from intolerable pains. The pains are so severe that it leads to irritability and weeping. The person keeps on tossing and turning in bed.

5. Depression and its Link to Tissue Necrosis Factor

People with rheumatoid arthritis are at twice the risk to develop depression as compared to people who do not have RA. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, and the pain related to it tends to make the person feel hopeless and depressed. In addition to the pain, the increased levels of tissue necrosis factor – alpha (TNF-a) in the blood (of people having RA) is linked with high risk of depression.

Ignatia Amara – For Depression in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Ignatia Amara is a useful medicine for treating depression in rheumatoid arthritis. This medicine helps in significant recovery from depression and imparts a sense of well being. This medicine can be used in people who have rheumatoid arthritis and tend to feel sad and depressed, weep bitterly, don’t like to talk and tend to remain alone. Hopelessness, irritability, mood swings, and heaviness in the head are other symptoms that indicate the need for this medicine.

6. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel is a space in the wrist which serves as a passageway for the median nerve and various tendons. Pinching or pressing of this median nerve leads to carpal tunnel syndrome. In rheumatoid arthritis affecting wrist joint, there are high chances to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. The swelling of joints and tendons narrows the space form which median nerve passes from the wrist. Due to the narrowing of the passageway the median nerve gets pinched, leading to carpal tunnel syndrome. The symptoms of this syndrome include numbness or tingling in the thumb, index finger, middle finger and the ring finger. A burning sensation in these fingers may also be present. Pains in the wrist/hand and weakness in the hand are other symptoms.

Hypericum Perforatum – For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Hypericum Perforatum is a natural medicine for carpal tunnel syndrome arising in rheumatoid arthritis. This medicine is prepared from the fresh plant named St.John’s –wort. The natural order of this plant is Hypericacee. This medicine gives excellent results in the case of carpal tunnel syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis cases. The symptoms indicative of this medicine are numbness or tingling sensation in thumb and fingers. A crawling or burning sensation in the fingers are some characteristic symptoms.

7. Sjogren’s Syndrome leading to Dry Eyes and Mouth

People with rheumatoid arthritis are at risk to develop Sjogren’s syndrome characterized by dry eyes and dry mouth due to the destruction of lachrymal glands and salivary glands respectively. The dry eyes cause a gritty sensation in the eyes, along with burning, redness, and itching in the eyes.
Dry mouth leads to difficulty in swallowing and speaking, and the lips may also become dry. A dry mouth also predisposes a person to develop fungal infections. Joint pains may also arise along with dry mouth and dry eyes.

Nux Moschata – For Sjogren’s Syndrome

The key indications for using Nux Moschata are excessive dryness of eyes and intensely dry mouth. Due to eyes dryness, there appears an inability to close eyes. The dryness of mouth is so marked that the tongue sticks to the roof of the mouth. A sensation of having cotton in the mouth may also felt. The dryness of mouth is worse at night time, and the lips too may get dry.

8. Bones Prone to Fractures due to Osteoporosis

In osteoporosis, the bones become fragile, brittle and very prone to fractures. The pain and resulting inactivity due to arthritis can further increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, and bone loss is more pronounced in the areas surrounding the joint affected by rheumatoid arthritis.
Additionally, the corticosteroids used for treating rheumatoid arthritis put a person at risk for osteoporosis. Medications like glucocorticoid (used for treating RA) also trigger a significant bone loss.

Calcarea Phos – For Managing Osteoporosis 

Calc Phos is an effective homeopathic medicine for managing osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis. This medicine helps in strengthening weak and brittle bones. It is useful in cases where fractures have occurred as a result of osteoporosis. In case of a fracture, homeopathic medicine Symphytum Officinale is a primary medicine that is used along with Calcarea Phos. Both these homeopathic medicines effectively help in bone healing.

9. Inflammation of Tissue Lining of Lungs

Inflammation of tissue lining of lungs and the inner side of the chest cavity is known as pleurisy. It leads to shortness of breath, chest pain and sometimes a cough. People with rheumatoid arthritis are at high risk to develop pleurisy, and it is one of the most common complications of rheumatoid arthritis.

Bryonia Alba – For Pleurisy in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Bryonia Alba is an important medicine for managing pleurisy in rheumatoid arthritis. This medicine is prepared from the plant wild hops belonging to natural order Cucurbitaceae. This medicine can be used along with conventional treatment. Bryonia Alba helps in managing the symptoms of pleurisy (inflammation of the lining of the lungs), like sharp chest pains and shortness of breath. The chest pain is seen to get worse from motion and on inspiration. A dry cough may also be present.