| Rheumatoid Arthritis and Turmeric |
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease that affects the joints, often those in a person's wrists, fingers, and feet. The common symptoms of RA are pain, stiffness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and fever.
- It is very important for people with RA to ensure that (1) their RA was
diagnosed by a professional with substantial conventional medical training and
(2) their condition is being followed by a rheumatologist (a physician who
specializes in rheumatic diseases like RA). This is important to minimize damage
to the joints and bones, as well as disability.
- It is important to tell your health care provider(s) if you are using or
considering using Turmeric to treat RA. This is for your safety and a
comprehensive treatment plan.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is what is called an autoimmune disease. In this type
of disease, a person's immune system (the system in the body responsible for
fighting disease) mistakenly attacks the person's own body. In RA, the parts
attacked are the linings of the joints (places in the body where two bones
connect). The reasons that this happens are complex and not fully understood. RA
causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in a person's joints and problems with
functioning. However, RA affects different people in different ways, in terms of
the symptoms they have, how serious the symptoms are, and how long the symptoms
last. RA is different from other types of arthritis (such as osteoarthritis).
For example:
- RA usually occurs in a symmetrical pattern; for example, if one hand is
affected, usually the other will be, too.
- RA often affects the wrists and fingers, though it can affect other parts of
the body.
- RA is an autoimmune disease affecting the entire body. A person with RA may
feel tired and weak, have fevers at times, lose appetite, lose weight, and
generally not feel well.
There are many proven treatments in conventional medicine for RA. They are used to relieve pain, reduce swelling, slow down or stop the damage to joints, help the person function better, and improve the person's sense of well-being. Medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biological response modifiers, and corticosteroids. Non-drug treatments include physical therapy; modified exercise programs; devices such as canes, special shoes, and splints (rigid supports that keep a part of the body from moving while it heals); and lifestyle changes—such as balancing activity with rest, eating a healthy diet, and reducing stress. Scientific research is advancing in understanding the many complexities of RA and in uncovering new and promising treatments.
Among the many reasons that some people use Turmeric for RA are:
- Because conventional treatment is not working as well as they would like
- A wish for greater relief of symptoms and/or disability
- Issues with side effects of drug treatment
- A desire to reduce some of the stress that comes from living with a chronic
illness and to cope better
- An understanding that Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic medince for centures
and is "natural"
These three botanicals have a history of use in Ayurveda to treat inflammatory conditions. Based on some early findings that may indicate promise, NCCAM is supporting studies at the University of Arizona on these three botanicals, to increase scientific knowledge about them and determine whether they are helpful for chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and asthma.
Turmeric is believed by many to be one of the natural remedies for arthritis, specifically inflammatory arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory properties.