. . . Pathogenesis of RA continued
As the urogenital organs initially develop as one system, when the menses are suppressed, one of the first symptoms to appear is increased frequency and urgency of urination. When the functioning of one structure of mesodermal origin is disturbed, all other structures derived from the same energy field will likewise be somewhat disturbed. As the uterus is derived from mesoderm, menstrual disturbances will at first be reflected in other mesodermal organs. If the suppression is prolonged, more remotely related structures such as the joints, muscles and connective tissue become affected.
Another possible causative factor based on the same principles is the state of dental health. The membranous union of a tooth with its socket is a fibrous immovable joint called a gomphosis. The tissues of this joint are of mesodermal origin. Therefore, when there are dental problems such as deposits of pus or bacteria or other impurities in the gum pockets, or when the teeth are badly decayed, the effects of these disturbances will influence other structures of similar embryological origin. It is therefore of utmost importance that everyone who presents with characteristic rheumatic symptoms be referred for a thorough dental checkup and treatment as required. Persisting or untreated periodontal disease can cause aggravations and create obstacles to treatment and cure in RA.
The depth of the miasmatic infection, the duration of it presence and the inciting factors determine what course the rheumatic diathesis will take. The course may be acute or chronic, with spontaneous exacerbations or remissions. It may be characterized by mild intermittent attacks or it may progress to an irreversible crippling disease. The poorest prognosis is seen in those patients who have a high titer of rheumatoid factor, multiple rheumatoid nodules and vasculitis. These signs are characteristic of tertiary sycosis. Thus one would expect that once the process has progressed to this stage, irreversible structural damage would take place. Those patients who have extra articular manifestations along with the tertiary joint symptoms are examples of the deepest and most severe mixed miasmatic infection.
The rheumatoid arthritis patient can present at various stages of the disease process: latent, secondary, tertiary, mixed miasm.
Latent stage: 1. Mild joint stiffness without any signs of an inflammatory process. Medical scientists cannot explain the generalized stiffness that is premonitory of rheumatic disease. In homeopathy it is recognized as one of the prominent general symptoms of sycosis: lameness, stiffness, soreness, bruised sensation. These occur as a sequel of the psoric stagnation of energy flow and its resulting sensation of heaviness due to the continually increasing accumulation of blocked energy. Without the proper flow of prana, all functions will be disturbed. 2. Sensation of heaviness is a warning signal and may be one of the earliest signs that the latent rheumatic process is about to become active. 3. Early morning stiffness that is ameliorated by a hot bath and by continuous movement.
. . . (to be continued)
Dr. Barbara Bova, HOD, Department of Homeopathy