Rheumatoid arthritis has the unfortunate reputation of being a serious condition and it mostly affects women. This disease is the most severe condition among the inflammatory rheumatisms that affect the joints. Most of the time, it is debilitating and may appear in the 40-to-50-year-old age group. But there are rare cases of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, in which case the first symptoms may appear at an early age. When not properly cared for, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to joint deterioration.
Rheumatoid arthritis usually concerns the joints of the wrists, fingers and knees. In its early stages, the disease manifests itself by the appearance of swelling at the joints. In most cases, it is symmetrical, that is to say, two joints on a given part of the body can be affected simultaneously. The affected joint is subject to a rise in temperature and tends to turn purple. Initial pain may occur intermittently, although it is stronger in the early morning and at night. The most significant indication of joint inflammation is persistent and painful stiffness of joints upon awakening, which can fade away after stretching or following the application of a hot compress.
In most cases, rheumatoid arthritis is a diathetic disease , meaning that many diseases may occur simultaneously with the onset of the first symptoms. It is for this reason that a combination of Luesinum and Tuberculinum resudum is usually prescribed for the entire course of treatment. However, in order to alleviate pain, surface treatments with Aurum mettalicum, Phosphorus or Arsenicum album may be recommended.
As in the case of most joint inflammations, rheumatoid arthritis, even when under medical treatment, may either show an increase or reduction in pain, depending on the patient’s general state of health. Initially, pain may stop following intakes of Ferrum phosphorum. However, if the pain tends to fade away when the body is at rest, a Bryonia-based treatment is recommended. In case of muscular constriction accompanied by joint, the use of Cimicifuga is indicated. Finally, if it is possible to get rid of pain with a massage, Rhus can be used as a palliative.
Depending on the season or weather conditions, it is not uncommon to see patients suffering from inflammations linked to rheumatoid arthritis. When the subject is hypersensitive to the slightest change in weather conditions, homoeopathy recommends a Rhododendron-based treatment. Similarly, if the pain is influenced by temperature changes, it can be reduced with Causticum. In case of pain caused by humidity or rain, the indicated remedy is Dulcamara.
If left untreated, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to irreversible disability. It is therefore advisable to consult a doctor or a rheumatologist as soon as abnormal pain is felt in the joints. In case the disease is already being treated, it is recommended to regularly monitor its evolution in order to determine whether the prescribed treatments are effective or not.
Good to know: Homoeopathy seems to be one step ahead when it comes to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis since it helps to alleviate its symptoms, thanks to the remedies that are adapted to each particular case.
