Arthritis [Siddha Terminology: Keel vayu]

Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more of the joints.The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative arthritis which causes the cartilage, the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones to break down. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, beginning with the lining of joints.

Uric acid crystals, which form when there’s too much of uric acid in the blood, can cause gout. Infections or underlying disease, such as psoriasis or lupus, can cause other types of arthritis.

Keel vayu is caused due to increased vatham dosham in the joints causing pain, swelling and limitation in movements of the joint. diets which increase vatha dosham like intake of potatoes, raw plaintain, cold foods, exposure to cold air, rain increase the invoved dosham and causes keel vayu.