A mother’s dream is to fully nurture her child, which becomes harder if she is postpartum with a painful condition like Arthritis. It also results in psychological trauma in addition to bodily incapacity.
Arthritis is a condition that can affect anyone at any age. It is a general term used to describe inflammation of the joints, which can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. Most people associate Arthritis with the elderly, but the truth is that it can affect anyone – even young, healthy mothers.
Postpartum Arthritis is a condition that can occur after pregnancy and can be very painful and debilitating. It is often overlooked and underestimated, but the truth is that it can have a significant impact on a woman’s health and quality of life.
This article will explore the scary truth about postpartum Arthritis and why you should be aware of it.
What is postpartum Arthritis?
Postpartum Arthritis is a form of inflammatory Arthritis that develops after childbirth or in the first year after delivery. It can affect joints in the hands, feet, and spine. The condition is characterized by swelling, pain, redness, and warmth in the affected area. In some cases, it can also lead to joint deformities. Postpartum Arthritis is thought to be caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy. The hormones released during labour can lead to increased levels of inflammation in the joints and make them more susceptible to injury.
Is Arthritis common after pregnancy?
Postpartum Arthritis is not a common condition, but it is more common in women who have had multiple pregnancies. Studies have shown that postpartum Arthritis occurs in up to 4% of women following delivery. Women who are obese or have pre-existing joint diseases are at a higher risk of developing postpartum Arthritis.
What causes postpartum Arthritis?
New mothers may experience postpartum Arthritis or joint pain.
Due to the vigorous antibody and cell-mediated immune reactions, most autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid Arthritis and psoriatic Arthritis, enter remission during pregnancy. Following birth, the symptoms may recur.
After birth, the immune system typically gets stronger. Pre-existing allergies or autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), lupus, or psoriatic Arthritis may be brought on by a hyperactive immune system.
A hormone called relaxin is released during pregnancy and childbirth. The body’s ligaments relax due to this hormone, enabling the mother to bear the baby’s weight and carry out a successful delivery. The ligaments need some time to reposition themselves after birth is complete. Joint pain follows as a consequence of this.
Another factor contributing to joint discomfort in pregnant women is nutrient depletion. Joint discomfort can result from a magnesium and calcium deficiency.
The pregnancy weight increase is another factor in acute joint pain after delivery. The baby’s weight continues growing while you are pregnant, and your body does its best to support the weight.
In addition to age and heredity, other factors such as obesity, inactivity, smoking, infections, employment, and dietary deficiencies can cause flare-ups of Arthritis during the postpartum period.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of postpartum Arthritis is joint pain, usually in the hands, feet, and spine. Other symptoms include swelling, redness in the affected area, tenderness, and stiffness. In some cases, there may be a limited range of motion in the affected joint and deformity of the joint.
How long does postpartum Arthritis last?
Postpartum Arthritis is an intermittent condition that can come and go. Symptoms can last weeks to months and may resolve spontaneously or respond to treatment. Sometimes, the condition may persist for years and lead to chronic joint pain.
Management of postpartum Arthritis in Ayurveda
Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala typically focuses on balancing the body’s energy and restoring its natural balance. It may include diet changes, herbs, yoga, massage, and lifestyle modifications.
Postpartum Arthritis can be easily managed with Ayurvedic panchakarma therapies such as snehapanam, abhyanga, swedanam, anuvasana vasti, and internal medications. Along with this following pathya, Yoga asanas such as Balasana, Uttanasana, Bhujangasana, Dhanurasana, Matsyasana, and other exercises are beneficial. Practising Bhramari Pranayama can help balance Vata.
Tips to prevent postpartum Arthritis
To prevent postpartum Arthritis, keeping your joints healthy before and after pregnancy is essential.
- Regular exercise can help to keep your joints strong and flexible
- Proper nutrition can help to provide the nutrients necessary for joint health
- It is also essential to get plenty of rest during pregnancy to help reduce fatigue and joint soreness
- Following proper garbhini paricharya and sutika paricharya or Post Delivery Care can benefit you a lot
- Consuming nutrient-rich foods including omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory foods such as ginger, turmeric etc.
- Control your weight gain
- Practice meditation and yoga asanas as mentioned above
The bottom line
Postpartum Arthritis can be a painful and debilitating condition. It is essential to be aware of the possibility of developing postpartum Arthritis and to take steps to prevent or manage it if it occurs. With proper management, most women can be symptom-free within weeks or months.
Proper conception and postpartum care can prevent the risk of developing Arthritis in the future.