Izorrategi espondilitis

Hola, aquí os dejo algunas pistas para luchar contra la Espondilitis Anquilosante y otras artritis en una web muy interesante que explica la dieta sin almidón y su efecto beneficioso sobre este tipo de enfermedades.

La Planta Harpagofito reduce y mejora el dolor articular

http://propiedadesplantas.jaimaalkauzar.es/la-planta-harpagofito-reduce-y-mejora-el-dolor-articular.html

Diversos estudios clínicos han demostrado que la raíz de esta planta medicinal es eficaz en osteoartritis de columna, cadera y rodilla y en lumbalgias al disminuir la inflamación y el dolor en los reumatismos.

Se estima que entre el 15% y el 30% de la población sufre algún tipo de dolencia relacionada con los dolores articulares. Reumatismos, artrosis, lumbalgias, artritis… suponen el 35% de las consultas de atención primaria. Pero, a pesar de su altísima prevalencia, apenas si existe un tratamiento para paliar el dolor que causan, y que es su principal característica.

La falta de tratamientos farmacológicos eficaces o la consecución de los efectos secundarios que éstos suelen acarrear han convertido a las plantas medicinales en una buena alternativa en el control de estas dolencias como coadyuvantes a los tratamientos ortodoxos, pues ayudan a frenar el proceso inflamatorio y degenerativo del cartílago y controlar el dolor del paciente, con una menor incidencia de efectos adversos.

Así lo reconoce Miguel Bernad, especialista del servicio de reumatología del hospital La Paz, de Madrid, quien asegura que, unido a su elevado perfil de seguridad, además de analgésicos tradicionales, como los AINEs (antiinflamatorios no esteroideos) o el paracetamol, se pueden asociar plantas medicinales como tratamiento coadyuvante dentro del proceso de dolor articular, dado que parecen tener efectos analgésicos y antiinflamatorios.

El secreto: reducir la inflamación

Tal es el caso del harpagofito. Originario del sur de África, del desierto del Kalahari, (donde era empleado tradicionalmente para el tratamiento de problemas gastrointestinales), es la planta medicinal más eficaz en el tratamiento de los procesos reumáticos e inflamatorios. Así lo demuestran numerosos ensayos clínicos y farmacológicos, que han comprobado que sus beneficiosos efectos sobre la salud se deben a la actividad conjunta de sus principios activos, principalmente los iridoides (como el harpagósido) que tienen una acción periférica (respuestas musculares sensitivas y vasculares) más que a una acción analgésica central, hecho que le convierte en especialmente activo en pacientes de edad avanzada.

Según los resultados de los ensayos, los principios activos de esta raíz son capaces de inhibir la producción de diversas citoquinas que intervienen en la inflamación (como la IL1-beta, TNF alfa). Además, reducen la síntesis de PGE2 y de óxido nítrico al inhibir la expresión de enzimas como el COX-2. En definitiva, según afirma el doctor Bernad “su mecanismo de acción está en relación con la inhibición de enzimas implicadas en los mecanismos de la inflamación, gracias a lo cual disminuye la síntesis de citoquinas, disminuye la inflamación y mejora el dolor.

Tan eficaz como la aspirina

En cuanto a su eficacia y seguridad frente a otros tratamientos de síntesis, el harpagofito ha sido analizado en ensayos controlados, aleatorizados y doble ciego (8 frente a placebo y 2 frente a ácido acetilsaliclíco y un inhibidor del COX-2). Los resultados no dejan lugar a dudas, mostrando mejor respuesta frente a placebo e igual eficacia que otros tratamientos en la disminución de la inflamación y el dolor en osteoartritis de columna, cadera y rodilla, así como en episodios agudos de dolores crónicos de origen desconocido.

Los estudios realizados muestran una eficacia positiva del harpagofito similar a la ofrecida por los inhibidores de la COX2, cuando se emplean preparados que contienen una dosis de 50 mg / día de harpagósido, durante un tiempo de 2 ó 3 meses, pero con una ventaja sobre los fármacos tradicionales: la incidencia de efectos adversos es mínima, explica Teresa Ortega, vicepresidenta del Centro de Investigación Sobre Fitoterapia (Infito).

Por todo ello las principales instituciones europeas en la materia, como la European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) otorga a esta planta indicaciones terapéuticas para la artrosis dolorosa, tendinitis, pérdidas de apetito y dispepsia.

Tratamientos ayurvédicos para la Espondilitis Anquilosante

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2003;62:276-277; doi:10.1136/ard.62.3.276

Copyright © 2003 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & European League Against Rheumatism.

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2003;62:276-277
© 2003 by BMJ Publishing Group & European League Against Rheumatism

LETTER

Ayurveda in ankylosing spondylitis and low back pain

A Falkenbach^1,2 and R Oberguggenberger¹

¹ Gasteiner Heilstollen Hospital, Bad Gastein-Boeckstein, Austria
² Gastein Research Institute, Bad Gastein, Austria

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr A Falkenbach, Gasteiner Heilstollen Hospital, A-5645 Bad Gastein-Boeckstein, Austria;
falke@gasteiner-heilstollen.com

Accepted 8 July 2002

Keywords: Ayurveda; ankylosing spondylitis; low back pain

Patients with chronic rheumatic diseases are frequent users of alternative and complementary medicine.^1–5 In a previous study we found that more than 50% of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) had experience with such treatments.⁶

Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medical system, is receiving increasing attention from patients and medical doctors in Western nations. Western medicine and Ayurveda have, however, severe difficulties in understanding each other, which impairs the use of Ayurveda as a reasonable "complementary" treatment for patients.

According to the Ayurvedic tridosha teachings rheumatic symptoms result from an inequality and disharmony among the three doshas (humours), in particular from a predominance and dysfunction of the vata dosha.⁷ If this view is applicable to Western patients, one would expect patients with rheumatic disease to show a surplus and overflow of vata constitutional factors (predisposing for rheumatic disease) and patients who are vata types to have more severe symptoms.

The present investigation evaluates the predominant dosha in patients with AS in comparison with patients with (non-inflammatory) low back pain and healthy controls, and the degree of functional impairment in the groups of patients with AS with predominating vata, pitta, or kapha features.

Patients with AS (n=141, 114 male, 27 female, mean age 52 years) and non-inflammatory low back pain (n=63, 35 male, 28 female, mean age 60 years) presenting for treatment at the Gasteiner Heilstollen Hospital and healthy controls (visitors, staff, n=55, 32 male, 23 female, mean age 43 years) were asked to complete a questionnaire deciding which group of features listed in table 1 would, in their own view, best reflect their own personal characteristics. These features are typical symptoms and signs of vata, pitta, or kapha as proposed by Rudolph in 1997.⁸ The questionnaire did not give the Ayurvedic denotations to the patients, but named the groups A, B or C. Patients had to decide on one group, which was taken as the individual’s predominating vata, pitta or kapha dosha. For quantification of functional impairment of the patients with AS a German version⁹ of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI¹⁰) was used (with Likert formatted scales).

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window] Table 1 Patients were asked to decide which group of features (A, B, or C) would, in their own view, best reflect their own personal characteristics (according to reference 8, modified, English translation). The denotations vata, pitta, or kapha were not given to the patient Vata A Pitta B Kapha C Body build Slight, thin Normal Large Skin Dry, rough, cool Soft, warm, pale Fat, soft, greasy Veins Easily visible Slightly visible Not visible Eyes Small, dry Medium, often reddened Large, moist Sleep Light and interrupted Active, short, harmonious Long and heavy Appetite Variable Hearty Moderate Sweat Sparse, odourless Profuse, strong odour Pleasant odour Memory Medium Precise Good long term memory Language Fast Loud and clear Melodic Character Shy Jealous Caring Behaviour Unsure Egoistic Satisfied with self Dislikes Cold, wind, dryness Heat and midday sun Moisture, cold Table 1 Patients were asked to decide which group of features (A, B, or C) would, in their own view, best reflect their own personal characteristics (according to reference 8, modified, English translation). The denotations vata, pitta, or kapha were not given to the patient

No predominance of the vata dosha was found in patients with AS or low back pain. The distribution of predominating vata, pitta, or kapha features did not differ (no significant difference in ² test) between patients with AS (vata n=46 (33%); pitta 64 (45%), kapha 31 (22%)), patients with low back pain (vata 18 (29%), pitta 28 (44%), kapha 17 (27%)), or healthy controls (vata 18 (33%), pitta 25 (45%), kapha 12 (22%)). Also, patients with AS had the same degree (no significant difference in analysis of variance) of functional impairment whether they showed predominating vata (BASFI, mean (SEM) 3.6 (0.3)), pitta (3.9 (0.29)), or kapha features (3.2 (0.39)).

Evidently, the present evaluation failed to show an association between a certain dosha and the manifestation or severity of AS or low back pain. The results do not advocate that Ayurvedic treatments should be employed for AS on the grounds that disharmony in the tridosha system and overflow of vata need correction.

Traditional Indian doctors may maintain that the present form of defining the predominating dosha is an illicit simplification and that extensive diagnostic procedures are needed to establish a proper diagnosis in the sense of Ayurveda. This may be true, but it is up to them to disprove the present conclusion by more sophisticated methods. Here, with our simplified methods we could not find a reasonable foundation for recommending Ayurvedic treatments for patients with the Western diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis.

REFERENCES

1. Chandola A, Young Y, McAlister J, Axford JS. Use of complementary therapies by patients attending musculoskeletal clinics. J R Soc Med 1999;92:13–16.[Abstract]
2. Ernst E. Usage of complementary therapies in rheumatology: a systematic review. Clin Rheumatol 1998;17:301–5.[CrossRef][Medline]
3. Ramsey SD, Spencer AC, Topolski TD, Belza B, Patrick DL. Use of alternative therapies by older adults with osteoarthritis. Arthritis Care Res 2001;45:222–7.
4. Rao JK, Mihaliak K, Kroenke K, Bradley J, Tierney WM, Weinberger M. Use of complementary therapies for arthritis among patients of rheumatologists. Ann Intern Med 1999;131:409–16.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
5. Resch KL, Hill S, Ernst E. Use of complementary therapies by individuals with "arthritis". Clin Rheumatol 1997;16:391–5.[CrossRef][Medline]
6. Curda B, Luxl M, Glauninger P, Falkenbach A. Häufigkeit der Anwendung konventioneller und unkonventioneller Therapiemaßnahmen bei Patienten mit Morbus Bechterew. Forsch Komplementärmed Klass Naturheilkd 2000;7:85–8.[CrossRef][Medline]
7. Ulrich-Merzenich G, Kraft K, Singh LM. Rheumatic diseases in Ayurveda: a historical perspective. Arthritis Rheum 1999;42:1553–5.[CrossRef][Medline]
8. Rudolph HJ. Gesichtspunkte zu einer Typologie in der ayurvedischen Medizin. In: Bühring M, ed. Naturheilkunde; Grundlagen, Anwendungen, Ziele. München: CH Beck, 1997:76.
9. Ruof J, Sangha O, Stucki G. Evaluation einer deutschen Version des Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) und Dougados Functional Index (D-FI). Z Rheumatol 1999;58:218–25.[CrossRef][Medline]
10. Calin A, Garrett S, Whitelock H, Kennedy LG, O’Hea J, Mallorie P, et al. A new approach to defining functional ability in ankylosing spondylitis: the development of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index. J Rheumatol 1994;21:2281–5.[Medline]

La visión ayurvédica de la osteroartritis y la artritis reumatoide

Arthritis An estimated 46 million adults in the United States reported being told by a doctor that they have some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia. One in five (over 21%) adults in the United States report having doctor diagnosed arthritis. In 2003–2005, 50% of adults 65 years and over reported an arthritis diagnosis. By 2030, an estimated 67 million of Americans aged 18 years or older are projected to have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. This is the data about Arthritis collected by different agencies from United Sates of America. One thing in this Data is important to note that this is only from U S, data from all over the world may be more shocking. Arthritis is a condition which is increasing all over the world day by day. Once arthritis was known as a disease of old age but now young people are also effected by this disabling disease. People are suffering from different kind of Arthritis everywhere. This is a preventable disease, but our Physicians have no time to consult a patient for the prevention of arthritis. First of all they will try themselves to treat arthritis by using different medicines. This may be Quinine, which can reward you with deafness but not sure it will make your joints perfect or not? Immunosuppressive treatment by using different kind of steroids are also common, which can "bless" you with hundred of other diseases also? So be aware about Arthritis, it won't kill you, I am sure but it can lead you to disability in moving, sitting and walking also!! Arthritis is a condition with painful joints. There may be some kind of inflammation in your joints or there may be deposition of different kind of waste products which can lead you to Arthritis. It is possible you are facing pain due to improper between two bones making a joint, which cause pain in that joint. According to these etiological factors Arthritis itself is of different types. These types are as follows (Know more about these by clicking these) Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Gout and Pseudo Gout Juvenile idiopathic Arthritis Ankylosing Spondylitis Osteoarthritis : Sandhivata Osteo arthritis is the most common form of the Arthritis. It is mostly found in the aged people. It is commonly known as O.A. and also called degenerative arthritis and degenerative joint disease. This is a condition in which low grade inflammation results in pain in the joints by wearing of the cartilages. These cartilages act as a cushion inside the joints. When these cushions are not in a proper form the bones making a joint touch each other and cause pain. The second reason is, decrease or destruction in the synovial fluid in side the space of a joint. This fluid is unctuous in nature and helps in a friction less activity of a joint. When any of these two conditions start appearing in the joint (Loss of cartilages or decrease in synovial fluid) pain appears in the joints. Generally the pain in the Osteoarthritis is aching with loss of mobility of the effected joint. Due to loss of movement muscles and ligaments surround the joint are also weakened due to lesser uses and disability increases with the time. Generally OA attacks the bigger and weight bearing joints. Knee and elbow joints are the mostly effected. Because OA proceeds slowly-slowly, that is why a patient "awakens" when a lot of damage has occurred inside the joint. Causes of the Osteoarthritis: Aging: Due to hardening of arteries, bones cannot get the proper nutrition, which is most important for the joints to maintain their laxity. Poor metabolism of the Calcium in the body. Over-weight and obesity, causing extra load on the weight bearing joints. Lack of proteoglycones, which are helpful in the bone formation. Osteoarthritis in Ayurveda : Osteoarthritis is known as Sandhivata in Ayurveda. In word Sandhivata, Sandhi means the joint and Vata stands for the Vata Dosha. When activities of the Vata increase inside the Sandhis, joints, it is known as the Sandhivata. Vata is dry in nature so it absorbs the fluidity, from any part of the body and it is also destructive or catabolic in nature, due to these two reasons Vata cause destruction of the cartiages and reduction in the Synovial fluid inside the joint capsule. Individuals with the Vata Prakruti are more prone for the Osteoarthritis, as their main Dosha is Vata. Sign and Symptoms of OA/Sandhivata: Cracking sounds in joints. Chronic pain, which becomes sever in cold seasons and during nights. Inability to bear the weight in knee joint. Pain during walking is the most common symptom of the OA Is Calcium supplements are important to get rid of the Osteoarthritis? When one is diagnosed with the OA, one starts to look for the calcium supplements to heal his/her joints. But perhaps you don't need those supplements anymore. Calcium is the most dry element of the nature and according to Ayurveda it holds a lot of Vata component and Aakash Mahabhuta (as it is porous in nature) that is why by using more and more Calcium supplements we only invite the renal calculi, don't get any calcium for our bones and joints. It is a truth that our bones reshuffle the calcium with those after an age. If this calcium gets stored at a proper place, bones will remain healthy. When the same calcium from bones, goes to wrong places, it makes spikes, known as osteophytes, these spikes cause pain most of the times. So if you want to make your bones intact and stronger, go for the diets and lifestyle, which can help body in proper metabolism of the calcium, available with our body. Follow the diet and lifestyle listed below to maintain your bones and joints properly-

Diet for osteoarthritis: Eat a wholesome diet. It is usually seen that from the time heart diseases has increased in our society, cases of OA are increasing day by day. This is due to excessive use of the high-fiber diet and fat free foods. This kind of diet is how much successful in reducing the risk of heart attacks, is clear with the increasing graph of heart diseases all over the world, but it is sure people are more suffering with the painful joints. Avoid eating dry and cold food items. Don't consume Carbonated Drinks of Cola and Pepsi, these are good for nothing. Avoid eating preserved and packed food stuff. Their nutritious value on the labels is not true always. Cook you food in an Ayurvedic Way and eat it with heart. Don't consume extra calcium food stuff, like eggs and cheese daily. It is least helpful for your bones. Avoid extra leafy vegetables in your diet. Eat Black Gram cereals at least once in a week. Add Saindhava Salt in your diet along with the Spices according to your Doshas. Lifestyle for Osteoarthritis: Don't misuse your joints. Both excessive use and reduced use of your joints is bad for you. Move at least for 30 minutes daily. Weight is a main cause in the destruction of your joints. so keep your weight optimum. While loosing weight, try to increase your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate). Don't go for excessive fasting as it will cause dryness in your body and will increase catabolic process in your body. Don't bear the natural urges of urine and stool, these increase Vata in your body and causes problems with your bones, as Vata resides in bones, due to their porosity. If you are affected by OA badly, never start long walks all of a sudden. Apply the Ayurveda Massage oils once in a week on your joints to protect your joints and if you are suffering with the disease, then apply these oils daily. After applying the oils on your joints, don't forget to foment you joints properly, take a sauna bath or an herbal steam bath. Herbal Supplements for Osteoarthritis: Shallaki (Boswelia Serrata): An Ayurveda herb, which reduces pain from joints and rebuilds your cartilages. This is more potent than the glucosamines. Guggulu (Commiphora Mukul): Ayurvedic herb, restores your Vata level to normal and also helps in the reduction of weight so good for those who are over weight and suffers from the Joint pains. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Well known for its effect on muscles, bones and joints. Reduces pain as well as strengthens the muscles so that they (muscles) can help the joints in proper functioning.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Aamvata

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Aamvata Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses those occur when the body tissues are mistakenly attacked by its own immune system. The immune system is a complex organization of cells and antibodies designed normally to "seek and destroy" invaders of the body, particularly infections. Patients with autoimmune diseases have antibodies in their blood that target their own body tissues, where they can be associated with inflammation. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease. Rheumatoid Arthritis in Ayurveda Rheumatoid arthritis in Ayurveda is described as Aamvata. It is a condition caused by the Aam; "improperly digested foods and raw metabolites" what Ayurveda call "Aam". Aam, etymologically means an item which is not ripened, cooked and digested or metabolized properly. In relation to Aamvata, it becomes the food which is not digested properly or the digested food which is not metabolized properly. This Aam, when travels in the body with Vata (which decides all kind of movements of the body). Wherever Vata finds closed channels, this Vata leaves the "Aam" there, which cause different kind of diseases in that particular organ. This description of Aamvata in a 5000 year old science shows, how much scientific and enriched that science was, right from its beginning. Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Modern science is not sure, why this disease appears in the body all of a sudden. There are many hypotheses to describe the etiology of this disease, but none of these is affirmative. It is believed now a days that this is an autoimmune disorder, and now with the growing interest in the genetics, modern researchers have found genes responsible for the rheumatoid arthritis, but not the cause which triggers those genes to make a foe a friend? Ayurveda believes that the reasons which cause loss in the potency of digestive and metabolic fires inside the body to digest and assimilate the available foods are responsible for this disease. These are- Excessive drinking of water. Over eating. Eating next meal or something before the digestion of the prior taken meal. Affluence: both of food and money. To not to exert at all, living a life full of comforts. Accumulation of toxins inside body, due to improper and irregular detoxification. This disease also has a relation with mind. It is commonly seen that RA attacks women mostly; it shows that this has some "emotional" reasons also, whether these are responsible for causing it or for aggravation of this condition. In many cases it has been noted that women who were mentally-upset from long times, suddenly caught by this disease, which again relates it with psychology. When ever mood is upset, this disease aggravates is the next thing showing how much impact of the psychology it has. Sign and Symptoms: For modern science and Ayurveda as well, believe that this disease shows different sign and symptoms, according to the involvement of the organ or the system. In context of joints following symptoms appear- Fever, malaise and headache. Pain in joints. Generally small joints are affected in this disease. Morning Stiffness. Weakness in muscles surrounding the joints. Structural deformities in effected joints, mostly the fingers. Beside these signs and symptoms, Ayurveda has told two unique things, first Rheumatoid arthritis always follows Anemia and the second one is before attacking on joints it starts showing some signs related with the digestive system also. These signs are- Loss of appetite. Foul smell in stools and fart. Sticky stool, hard to flush properly. Excessive urination. Flatulence, bloating and many other GIT related upsets. These sign and symptoms are to alarm one about the next coming dangerous disease of Rheumatoid arthritis so that an individual can stop this disease to appear in full.

Diet For Rheumatoid Arthritis: Take fresh food, cooked with Spices. Avoid taking packed and preserved food items. Don't drink chilled drinks or water, along with, after or before taking food. Take hot water with your food. Fix timings of your food. Add some Trikatu (A mixture of Pippali, Shunthi and Maricha) in your salads and drinks. Use only a small amount. Drink Shunthi (Dried and processed ginger) with hot water in morning. It is better to take Appetizer Tea, in morning and evening times. Avoid Non vegetarian foods. Lifestyle for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Be punctual Don't apply oils on the effected regions, doesn't matter what they claim to do. If pain is unbearable go for the dry fomentation. Avoid exposure to cold climate. Don't roam here and there in rains and dewy weather. Avoid stress, join Yoga course, read healthy literature. Herbs For Rheumatoid Arthritis: Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) : Best known herb for RA. Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) : Removes Aam from the body and pacifies Vata. Shallaki (Boswellia Serrata): Protects your cartilages and joints against RA and OA. Trikatu (A mixture of Pippali, Maricha and Shunthi) : Enhances digestive and metabolic capacities of the body. Appetizer Tea : A blend of all the herbs required for better working of your digestive fire by Atharvas!

Colección de posturas de yoga (en inglés)

Aquí presento una colección de 118 poses de yoga o asanas con su descripción en inglés tomada de la revista Yoga Journal