Diseases of the Joints
There are different diseases of the joints:
Arthralgia / Rheumatism
Due to an excess of phlegmatic items, phlegmatic fluids (humors) are produced and accumulate in the joints. In this way, due to the accumulation of fluids, the ligaments become weak and reduce the movement of the joints, because of which a persistent pain remains at the site of the joints. A mild pain is felt while standing up or sitting down. The pain decreases with more movement. In this type of joint disease, there is no swelling, nor are there any cracking sounds. The body generally becomes cold.
Causes: Excessive use of wet and hot items, deficient diet.
Ankylosis / Joint Calcification
Due to severe cold, the fluids freeze, due to which the cartilages and membranes of the joints become defective, and the joints begin to rattle. Sometimes, due to the severity of the disease, a fever occurs but there is no sweating. The limbs fuse together and turn to stone. Sometimes their muscles get pulled and the fingers of the hands and feet bend or override each other.
Causes: Cold weather, excessive use of cold items.
Rheumatoid Arthritis / Rheumatic Fever
When Streptococci bacteria attack, the body produces A.S.O.T for defense, which prevents the disease from progressing. The inflammation remains limited only to the throat, but when these bacteria attack repeatedly, at that time this disease increases and causes swelling in the joints, pain in the throat, and inflammation in the heart. In this way, this disease begins. Then, complications such as nervousness, restlessness, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, weight loss, changes in heart sounds, and contraction and blockage of heart valves (cusps) occur. Generally, when the patient does any work, things slip from the hand, and sometimes tremors occur. Sometimes subcutaneous nodules are formed. The condition of the face becomes like someone making a grimace. There is a faltering in the gait and red spots appear on the skin. Upon getting a C.B.C test, HB and RBC decrease while WBC increases. E.S.R increases and A.S.O.T becomes apparent.
A.S.O.T (Anti-Streptolysin O Titer): This test increases in rheumatic fever, glomerulonephritis, endocarditis, and scarlet fever.
E.S.R: 7 to 15 is normal, but in this disease, it increases above 40, reaching 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, and even exceeding 120.
R.A Factor: This is often hereditary through genes. The blood of people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis contains a microglobulin-type antibody called R.A Factor; in people in whom this is positive, it causes highly destructive changes. Severe pain and stiffness occur in the joints, and they do not remain capable of movement. This condition can prolong up to six weeks. As soon as the patient moves, they become exhausted with pain, and swelling occurs on these joints along with a fever, and subcutaneous knots (nodules) are formed, and taking an X-ray of these patients shows indications of toxicity in them.
Decalcification occurs and generally, along with this, there is also a risk of the following diseases occurring:
S.L.E (Lupus Erythematosus)
Endocarditis
Tuberculosis
Syphilis
Cancer
Viral infection, etc. Sometimes the uric acid of these patients is also elevated. At that time, their liver and kidneys are also being affected.
Gout / Excess of Uric Acid
Uric acid is a crystallizable acid that is naturally present in the blood and urine. It is actually the end point of nucleic acid metabolism, which usually comes into existence from the breakdown of nucleic acid present in the body, and in this, approximately 300 mg is obtained solely from food. Uric acid does not dissolve in water; however, it dissolves easily in alkaline salts, and its appropriate amount is 5.5 mg% in women and 7 mg% in men. If uric acid in the blood increases beyond this, it is called Hyperuricemia. In this state, uric acid begins to collect in the joints in the form of urates and sometimes appears on the inner surface of the joint in the form of crystals, and due to monosodium urate crystals, pain, inflammation, and swelling occur in the joints. This disease is called Niqras in Unani medicine and Gout in modern medicine. Its symptoms often manifest around the patient's ankle, heel, big toe, and fingers, which gradually begins to affect all joints. The joints become inflamed and swollen. Due to the excess of pain, walking and even sitting or standing becomes difficult. Due to the retention of uric acid crystals in the joints, their natural movement is affected. At the site of swelling, the skin feels blue and stretched. The patient walks with a limp. Due to the increase of acidity in the blood, sleep decreases. The digestive system is disturbed, the head feels heavy, and sometimes dizziness occurs due to high blood pressure, and throat ailments occur. Due to inflammation in the kidneys, their filters become incapable of absorbing waste materials. Therefore, urine is less, its consistency is thick, its color is dark turbid, and it is highly acidic. This ailment has mostly been noted in people over thirty years of age. If it is not properly remedied, uric acid stones form in the patient's kidneys, which are expelled from the body with extreme agony.
Causes: There are two major factors for the increase of uric acid in the body:
The use of a diet in which uric acid is high, such as meat, etc.
In the case of inflammation and contraction in the kidney, the proper excretion of uric acid does not take place. Uric acid increases in these conditions:
Gout (Niqras)
Kidney failure
Blood cancer
Increase in red blood cells (Polycythemia)
Toxaemia of Pregnancy
Excess of calcium in the blood
Psoriasis
Piles (Hemorrhoids)
The curse of alcohol
Resolving Pneumonia
Causes: Excessive use of dry and hot items.
Sciatica
This pain starts from the hip and goes into the entire leg. When this disease increases, the leg, foot, toes, and heels—all parts feel agony.
Causes: Defects in the kidneys, excessive use of dry or wet items.
Back Pain
Back pain is an extremely distressing disease. People suffering from this disease are in great pain. Walking, sitting, and standing become impossible. One does not feel like doing any work. If something is done, severe pain has to be faced, and the patient gets tired and places their hand on the back.
Causes: Excessive intercourse, spermatorrhea, nocturnal emission, leucorrhea, low blood pressure, TB, anemia, diabetes, psychological pains.
Spasm and Tetanus
In this disease, all voluntary muscles of the body become spasmed, and the body stiffens and becomes straight like an arrow or bent like a bow. At the beginning of the disease, stiffness or tightness occurs in the muscles of the neck, then spasm begins to occur in the muscles of the mouth and face. Sometimes the mouth closes and does not open. The patient cannot sleep.
Causes: The effect of toxins such as nux vomica (strychnine) etc., attack of tetanus bacteria (Clostridium tetani) which usually attack from horse or donkey dung upon falling on the road.
Displacement of Vertebrae / Kyphosis
The uprooting or displacement of back vertebrae from their place is called Hadba. If their inclination is towards the front, it is called Hadba-e-Muqaddam (lordosis/anterior curvature), and if it is towards the back, it is called Hadba-e-Muakhkhar (kyphosis/posterior curvature). In this condition, inflammation occurs in the membrane over the spine, due to which calcium components are not completely absorbed into the bones, so dissolution occurs in the muscles. Its correct diagnosis is made through X-ray and M.R.I.
Causes: Excessive use of hot and dry items.