Adopt the Ayurvedic Approach to Manage Chikungunya Arthritis Symptoms

As known to all, the monsoon season invites mosquito-borne diseases and the Chikungunya virus is one of them. The virus is spread byspecies of Ades mosquitoes. Existing with the property of a single-stranded RNA virus, it belongs to the family of Togaviridae and the genus Alphavirus. The infection results from the transmission of the virus by a mosquito vector followed by an incubation period of 5-7 days. Here, the patients develop an acute illness along with high fever, maculopapular rash, headache, and gastrointestinal infection. The Chikungunya virus also causes musculoskeletal symptoms of joint pain which may resemble autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. Up to half of the cases undergoing joint pain and swelling with the chikungunya virus lasting over 12 weeks are suspected to have Chronic Chikungunya Arthritis.  

Apart from finding many medical relief treatments, a confirmed vaccine and medicine is still a mysterious chapter. But one of the oldest and strongest-rooted treatments for all diseases is Ayurvedic Treatment for Chikungunya Arthritis. The article will pave the path to natural treatment and other measures to be taken during such chronic issues. 

Reasons behind Chikungunya Arthritis

To know about the causes of Chikungunya Arthritis it is important to understand the Chikungunya virus. The symptoms of this virus seen in humans are stated below:

• Fever
• Headache
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Rash 
• Muscle pain 
• Swelling and Joint Pain (Chikungunya Arthritis)

The possible reasons for Chikungunya Arthritis can be:

• Mosquito Bite: Aedes species mosquito carry the chikungunya virus which enters humans with its bite. However, the symptoms of the virus are seen after 5-7 days accompanied by fever and joint pain. The ones with chronic chikungunya arthritis generally observe the symptoms after 10-12 weeks of this disease which can last up to months or years.

• Transmission: Though chikungunya is not a contagious disease it can be transmitted through mosquito bites. So, the mosquito bites the infected person and then bites someone else. The joint pain does not go with the disease and its prolonged effects turn into arthritis.

• Immune System: The immune system starts attacking the healthy cells instead of the infected ones, causing inflammation in the tissues, muscles, and joints.  The antibodies activated often attack the cartilage in bones, resulting in swelling of joints and even restricting movement. 

• Residual Toxins: The toxins left by the virus tend to affect the cartilage causing inflammation. Further, the situation is experienced as frozen joints with extremely intolerable pain. 

Effect of Chikungunya Arthritis on Joints

There has been a mounting concern for chronic arthritis as the post effects of Chikungunya. The pain in joints, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, and fatigue become a major issue to consider. All this happens by a counter-attack of the immune system. The body’s immune system is meant to be activated after contracting harmful viruses. On the contrary, the system mistakes the body’s healthy cells for the infected ones and starts attacking them along with the Chikungunya virus. As a result, the body tissues are harmed (inflammation) and the cells are damaged. This also affects the joints in the body (when inflammation happens), causing immense pain. 

Moreover, the antibodies activated due to the virus, attack the protecting tissue, cartilage. Swelling, and stiffness in joints are observed on damaging the cartilage, limiting the body motion. The virus produces toxins (ama) that affect the immune mechanism causing pain in joints (due to inflammation) such as elbows, wrists, hands, ankles or knees. This occurs a few weeks later of the Chikungunya virus infection. However, by the time arthritis develops, the virus remains no longer in the body.

Most of the affected joints in Chikungunya are: 

• Hand joints
• Wrist and elbow
• The joints of the ankle, feet, and hip

Ayurvedic Treatment for Chikungunya Arthritis

In Ayurveda, Sandhijwara is known as the fever of joints, which is chikungunya arthritis. A post-viral disease depicts that the symptoms of arthritis are seen after the viral infections. Mainly, Vata dosha disorder is described behind this condition. Ayurveda implies a simple approach to treat any disease which includes lifestyle modification, correct diet plans, and Ayurvedic medicines. The authentic herbs present in the medicines are capable of treating any major disorder and returning humans to a healthy life forever. 

There are some herbs such as amalaki, turmeric, giloy, gudhuchi, shillaki, rasna, tinospora, ashwagandha, yashtimadhu, ginger, tulsi, etc. which are effective in lowering the chikungunya arthritis symptoms. Flaunting the properties of anti-inflammatory, laxative, and rejuvenation, these magical herbs are extremely helpful in relieving joint pain. But a fact should be noted-  to consume these herbs or follow any treatment proper healthcare advice is a must. 

One has to switch to healthy food items like fresh fruits and vegetables. Processed food with lots of oil or junk can contribute to worsening the situation, hence must be completely avoided. Also, it is very important to keep the body hydrated by taking adequate amounts of water, coconut water, honey water, ginger water, and coconut milk. 

After correcting the diet, proper exercise, yoga, and meditation need to be scheduled to speed up the recovery process. Leaving the sedentary lifestyle behind, different yoga asanas, bone-strengthening exercises, walking, jogging, or daily activities can ease the pain of chikungunya arthritis. Such diseases come along with stress in daily life, so to maintain peace throughout the journey of recovery meditation, breathing exercises, and listening to relaxing music will help a lot.  

Conclusion

Chikungunya is not a life-threatening condition, yet the effects can remain for years. So, it is important to take care of your health. Dr. Sharda Ayurveda Hospital has all the facilities from doctors till testing and medication. They believe in following the holistic approach of Ayurveda that treats the patient through the medium of nature (Prakriti). The well-qualified doctors and their excellence have resulted in the recovery of 10 lakh+ patients from various chronic disorders. So, do not compromise with the pain of Chikungunya arthritis, instead contact Dr. Sharda Ayurveda, and start your pain-free life.