Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the commonest form of arthritis caused by gradual, progressive degeneration of the joint cartilage (pad) with advancing age.

It is characterised by –

1. Pain and stiffness in the affected joint (usually a joint of the lower limb) which increase very gradually over the years,
2. Absence of any real swelling, redness or warmth in the affected joint,
3. Presence of a typical crackling noise (called crepitus) on moving the joint and 
4. Formation of new bone (in the form of projections called osteophytes) along the joint-margin. 

Treatment

Check if most symptoms of any of these remedies match with most of your symptoms:

Arnica 30:

Osteoarthritis following an injury to (e.g., a fracture of) a joint. Apart from pain and stiffness, there is a sore, beaten-up gelling in the joint. Everything, on which the affected joint lies, seems too hard. Joint-pains are worse from touch (massage) or heat (unlike Rhus tox). Resting the affected joint dose not relieve pain.

Bryonia 30:

Joint pain which gets worse from least motion or exertion but improves with absolute rest (compare Rhus tox). Applying heat to the joint or lying on it helps (compare Arnica). Pressing, massaging or bandaging the joint also helps.

Calc phos 30 :

Osteoarthritis in lean, emaciated persons. Apart from pain and stiffness, there is a sensation of numbness and crawling in the affected joint. Symptoms are worse in damp, cold weather but better in hot, dry weather.

Causticum 30:

Chronic osteoarthritis with joint-deformities from contractures of muscles. Pain is worse in clear fine weather but lessens in the monsoon.

Rhus tox 30:

Osteoarthritis characterised by stiffness, pain and a feeling of soreness in the affected joint (compare Arnica).Pain and stiffness are worse after rest (inactivity) but gradually diminish on walking around (unlike Bryonia). Joint-problems are worse in rainy weather but better by application of dry heat.

Notes:  

• Discontinue the medicine as soon as about fifty per cent improvement has occurred. Restart the medicine if symptoms worsen again or reappear later.
• If none of the above-listed medicines seems matching or if no improvement occurs even after taking ten doses of the selected medicine, consult a competent homoeopathic doctor. 

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is a small, finger-like organ present at the junction of small and large intestines. When it gets inflamed (swollen), the condition is termed appendicitis. Homoeopathy, frequently, succeeds in averting surgery to remove a swollen appendix.

Treatment

Check if most symptoms of any of these medicines match with most of your symptoms:

Belladonna 30:

Sudden, acute a appendicitis with agonising abdominal pain, high fever, flushed face and throbbing carotids. The fever, at times, may rise ro the extent of causing violent delirium.

Bryonia 30:

Gradually developing appendicitis with severe pain in the abdomen forcing the victim to lie absolutely still since slightest motion aggravates the pain. The victim feels better by lying on the abdomen or the right side and by cold applications to the abdomen. There is extreme thirst for large quantities of cold water.

Lris tenax 30:

This is considered a near-specific medicine for appendicitis. There is severe pain in the right groin, frightening the victim almost to death. The pain lessens with warm applications. Dryness of the mouth and the eyes is another feature pointing to this remedy.

Constipation

Constipation is the natural consequence of leading a sedentary, irregular, modern life.

Treatment

Check if most symptoms of any of these medicines match with most of your symptoms:

Alumina 30:

Constipation due to dryness and inactivity of the intestines. There is no desire to evacuate the bowels till there is a large accumulation of stools. The stool, even though soft, requires much straining to be expelled; it adheres to the rectum like clay. The person has an abnormal craving for indigestible things like chalk, charcoal, etc. and an aversion to meat and potatoes.

Bryonia 30:

Constipation due to extreme dryness of mucous membranes of the large intestine. There is no desire to pass stools. When they do pass out, the stools heard and dry (as if burnt). Constipation causes headache which becomes worse on moving the head. There is extreme thirst for large quantities of cold water. There is a dislike for milk and fried foods.

Graphites 30:

Constipation due to dryness of mucous membranes. The stools are very hard, in the form of large lumps which are joint together by slimy threads. Constipation is relived by drinking hot milk. A dry, cracking skin and a sad, weeping disposition are other features of this remedy.

Nux v 30:

Constipation from consuming an excess of tea-coffee and leading a sedentary life. The is frequent, ineffectual desire to pass stools. Only a small amount of stools are evacuated, the person never feeling satisfied. Constipation, sometimes, alternates with diarrhoea. An oversensitive nature and a tendency to catch colds are other pointers to this remedy.

Senna 30:

The extract or concoction prepared from the leaves of senna ha been used as a purgative since ancient times. Severe constipation with pain in the abdomen, especially in the liver region. The stools are hard and dark. There is flatulence and loss of appetite.

Silicea 30:

Obstinate constipation; stools are retained for long time in the intestines. They pass out only after great straining. The stools are partly expelled and then recede back, forcing the person to remove them mechanically with the fingers. The patient has an intolerance for cold weather. In fact, he wraps himself with warm clothes even in summer. However, he has a liking for cold drinks and foods (ice-cream).

Notes:

1. Consume a high-fibre diet and drink plenty of fluids (water). Perform exercise or yogasanas regularly.

2. 1.   Discontinue the medicine as soon about fifty per cent improvement occurs. Restart-listed medicine if symptoms worsen again or reappear later.

3. 1.   If the selected medicine does not help, consult a competent homoeopathy doctor.

WOUNDS

A wound is break in the skin and, often, the soft tissues beneath the skin are also damaged.

There are four types of wounds: incisions, lacerations, abrasions and punctures. An incised wound is clean cut, caused by a sharp-edged instrument like a blade or a knife. A lacerated wound is such in which the skin is irregularly torn. An abrasion is an injury in which the upper layer of the skin is scrapped off, due to violent rubbing with an uneven surface. A punctured wound is caused by a pointed object like a nail or a pain.

Deep wounds, where tissues underlying the skin like muscles, tendons, blood-vessels or nerves are damaged may require skilled attention or surgical intervention. But ‘not so serious’ wounds can be treated at home. These not only require internal medicines but also external dressings, Calendual officinalis, prepared from the tall, wild marigold, ‘the herb of the sun’, are the chief homoeopathic medicine for wound-dressing. Calendula is not an antiseptic in a literal sense, but germs do not thrive in its presence. When a fresh wound is dressed using Calendula lotion, germs can be kept away. Even when wounds are already badly infected, we have seen offensive purulent discharges becoming clean and sweet-smelling in a day or two. However, Calendula is not the only external wound-remedy. Hypericum and Ledum are also useful in treating wounds, each having its own indication. Hypericum lotion is particularly effective in relieving pain of injured nerves. Ledum lotion is helpful for punctured wounds and sprains, especially if the injured part remains cold and numb. It should, however, be noted that Arnica lotion is an irritant and should not be applied to broken skin. A lotion of any homoeopathy remedy can be prepared by putting ten drops of the mother tincture (of the remedy) in one cup of pure (boiled and cooled) water.

We would like to emphasize over here that a dressing once applied should be left undisturbed for days. For a day or two, the dressing may be freshly moistened from the outside with the lotion in sue, but on no account should it be moved or removes, even though it may look stained or give off an unpleasant odour. Not only do frequent dressings interfere with healing by causing damage to growing calls and new blood-vessels but they also cause pain and discomfort to the patient and, what is even more serious, predispose to fresh contamination of the wound by air-borne germs. If, after a couple of days of applying the dressing, there are signs of wound-contamination and consequent inflammation (viz. redness, heat, swelling and pain) in the vicinity of the wound, Hepar sulph 30 should be given internally, there a day till these signs subside.

The pricinpals of treating any type of wound homoeopathically are the same:

• Give a dose of Arnica 200, to counteract the shock to trauma,
• Clean the wound gently yet thoroughly, either with mild soap and water or with the lotion of an appropriate homoeopathy remedy.
• Dress the wound with a suitable homoeopathic lotion, leaving it undisturbed for a few days and
• Give an appropriate homoeopathic remedy, to be taken orally, for a few days.

An abrasion should be cleaned with Calendula lotion. An incised or lacerated wound should be cleaned either with Calendula lotion or with Hypericum lotion, if nerves have been injured causing severe pain. A punctured wound should be cleaned with or soaked in Ledum lotion.

After a wound has been cleaned, it requires to be dressed and bandage, to prevent its contamination with bacteria. A dressing is a sterile gauze-piece, soaked in an appropriate homoeopathy lotion and put directly over the wound. A bandage hols the dressing in place for a few days, till healing has progressed considerably. Most wounds can be dressed using either Calendula or Hypericum lotion. However, Ledum lotion should be used for punctured wounds. As mentioned earlier, the dressing should not be disturbed for a few days. If it feels excessively dry, it can be moistened from time to time by pouring over it, a few drops of the concerned lotion.

For abrasions, Calendula 30 is a good internal remedy. Give it thrice a day for a few days. For incisions or lacerations, again Calendula 30 or (if pain is sever) Hypericum 30 can be given three or four times a day. For very severe pain in an incisional wound,  Hypericum can be substituted by Staphisagria 30. For punctured wounds, Ledum 30 is an ideal internal remedy. If the injured part is not numb and cold and if there is severe pain shooting upwards, Ledum can be replaced by Hypericum 30.

As usual, discontinue the medicine as soon as pain has been relived considerable and healing has advanced satisfactorily.

Pulled or strained muscle

A sudden strenuous activity, without adequate preparation or warming up may give rise to a pulled / strained muscle. A strain is an injury in which muscle fibres are unduly stretched and sometimes partially torn resulting into swelling, spasm (rigidity) and pain in the affected muscle.

Back muscle is commonly strained when lifting a heavy weight incorrectly. Strains of thigh, arm and forearm muscle are also fairly common, especially in athletes.

In case of a sore, bruised, beaten-up feeling in the affected muscles, Arnica 30 is the remedy of choice. A dose of this remedy should be given every hour or two till relief is obtained.

On the other hand, if the pain and stiffness are worse after a period of rest (i.e., when beginning to move) but better after stirring around, Rhus tox 30 will be more helpful. Rhus tox can also be tried if Arnica seems to have helped only partially.

Injuries with blunt objects (bruises/contusions)

A bruise is an injury caused by a blow from or a collision with a blunt object, resulting into damage to the soft tissues beneath the skin. Here, the skin remains intact and unbroken, but the underlying tissues and blood capillaries are injured causing extravasations of blood into the tissues. There is swelling, pain (sort of sore, beaten feeling) and a blue-black discoloration of the affected part.

The possibility of serious damage to internal organs (in, case of blow on the head, the chest or the abdomen) or of internal bleeding must be considered, even though there is little sign of injury on the surface. An increased pulse-rate, distressed breathing, sever vomiting or progressive deterioration in the general condition are danger signals warranting urgent skilled attention or hospitalization.

When treating a bruise, the remedy that should spring to the mind first, is Arnica. Arnica Montana is prepared from a plant called the ‘leopard’s bane’ that grows wild in the mountains. It is observed that if a sheep or a goat falls down the hillside and hurts itself, it instinctively nibbles the leave of this plant. Dr, Hahnemann was the first to test Arnica scientifically. While proving the remedy, volunteer’s reported a sore, bruised feeling in the body, as if after a bad fall and a sensation of ‘shock’. According to the law of similar, the symptoms that Arnica produces in health people are the symptoms that Arnica can cure.

Therefore, when treating a bruise, immediately give a dose of Arnica 200 to overcome shock and initiate healing. Therefore, give Arnica 30 every fifteen minutes (for very severe pain) or every three to four hours (for moderate pain) till considerable improvement occurs.

If the pain is very severe or if it shoots upwards (as happens when never-rich parts like fingers, toes or the spine are injured), Arnica may be replaced by Hypericum 30, Herpericum, called the Arnica of nerves, is prepared from a plant called St.John’s wort.

If there seems to be an undue delay in the disappearance of the bruise and, especially, if the injured part remains cold and numb, it would be a good plan to change to Ledum 30, thrice a day. You can be doubly sure of Ledum’s correctness if cold applications to the affected part seem to relieve considerably.

In case of a blunt injury to the eye, again Arnica helps. Alternatively, Aconite 30 (called the Arnica of the eye) can be used. However, many eminent doctors have suggested Symphytum, Hypericum or Ledum for eye-injuries. How do we choose from these remedies? If there is injury to the eyeball from a tennis ball, or an infant sticking its fist into the mother’s eye, give Symphytum 30. If the injury, however, is immediately above or below the eye ( causing a black-eye) give Arnica 30. Ledum is distinguished by ‘better from cold-applications’ and Hypericum 30 is for the injury that is excessively painful.

In this motorised age, blunt injuries to the head are becoming increasingly common. Any head injury must be taken seriously, even if after such an injury the patient has been able to walk or seemingly has no complaints. Headaches, bouts of vomiting or inexplicable changes in pulse, breathing, behaviour or consciousness, could be the signs of injury to the brain or blood-vessels in the skull. This is an emergency calling for skilled medical or surgical intervention.

Immediately following a head injury, whether the parson is conscious or not, give Arnica 200. Thereafter, give Arnica 30 every 30 minutes. Five to six such doses should help the person a lot. If there is mental confusion and other signs of a disorder of the brain (viz. rigidity of give Cicuts 30 every two hours till relief is obtained or further specializes help is available.

Should headache or other symptoms persist, give Netrum sulphuricum 30, A few doses of this remedy may clear up symptoms and restore well-being in a surprising way.

Childhood-Disorders In Homoeopathy

Measles

Measles is highly infective, viral disease (usually) of children, which though bothersome is not serious. It sets in with symptoms of catarrh e.g. sneezing, running nose, redness and watering of eyes, house cough, prostration and fever which may go quite high (103-104• F). At this early stage, it is difficult to distinguish measles from an attack of cold or influenza. However, in about 24 hours characteristic Koplik spots (raised, white, salt-like spots) develop inside the mouth, confirming the diagnosis. On the fourth day appear small, red rashes, first on the face, then on the neck/ body and finally on the legs; adjacent rashes may coalesce to from raised blotches. With the appearance of rashes, the fever declines. The rashes disappear in 4-5 days.

Treatment

Measles can easily be prevented through Homoeopathy. When an epidemic of measles breaks out, give your child a dose of Morbillinum 200 in the morning and another in the evening. This Homoeopathy medicine confers upon your child, a reasonably strong immunity against measles.

However, if your child has already contracted an infection of measles (say from neighbourhood on from his school), given him that remedy from the below-listed ones, whose symptoms match with those of your child

Aconite 30:

Sudden onset of acute symptoms (described earlier) accompanied by intense nervousness restlessness and in inexplicable fear, especially in the evening and at night. During fever, the child has an acute, thirst for large quantities of cold water (like Bryonia, but unlike Gelsemium, Pulsatilla). He feels better in open air.

Arsenic 30:

Here again, the child exhibits acute restlessness, anguish and fear (like Aconite). However, unlike Aconite, the dislike cold drinks or foods because they seem to worsen his problems. Moreover, he complains of burning (in the eyes, skin, etc), which is relieve by warm applications.

Belladonna 30:

Sudden onset of acute symptoms of measles (like Aconite). The skin (of the face and body) is dry, hot and red. Unlike Aconite, there is an absence of thirst, especially during the febrile stage, and a dislike for  open air.

Bryonia 30:

Very slow, gradual onset of symptoms (like Gelsemium), accompanied by dryness of the eye, the mouth, intestines, etc) consequently, there is acute thirst for large quantities of cold water (like Aconite). The child lies absolutely still on the bed because even the slighted motion seems to aggravate his problems; even when coughing he hold his chest to prevent it from moving.

Euphrasia 30:

Suitable during the early (catarrhal) stage of the disease if these symptoms are present profuse watering from the eyes, causing burning and redness of eyes, however profuse nasal discharge is bland (non-burning); cough is present only during the day time (especially in the evening) but is absent at night.

Ferrum Phos 30:

Slow, gradual onset symptoms. Fever intensifies at night or in the early morning (4-6 a.m.).There is throbbing headache which is relived by cold applications.

Gelsemium 30:

Very slow, gradual onset of symptoms (like Bryonia, Ferrum phos) of measles, accompanied by dullness of the mind, drowsiness and dizziness. There is trembling of the limbs and the whole body. Another characteristic feature is completed absence of thirst (like Pulsatilla).

Pulsatilla 30:

This remedy, perhaps the most important medicine for measles, is distinguished by a weeping disposition, thirstlessness (like Gelsemium) and an internal feeling of chilliness (yet the child dislike covering and wants to be in open air.

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Homoeopathy In Sunstroke

Prolonged exposure to the rays of a hot, summer sun may cause a heat-stroke. The self-cooling mechanism of the body (through evaporation of sweet from the skin) fails giving rise to very high fever, hot and dry skin and rapid, bounding pulse. The victim is dizzy, nauseated, week and generally, has a headache. If not treated in time, vomiting, delirium, convulsions or unconsciousness may occur.

Even more important than homoeopathy remedies are the following first- aid measures:

♦ Move the victim into shade.

♦ Cool the victim as quickly as possible by pouring liberal amounts of cool water over the body. Alternatively, place a cold compress on the person’s head and warp a cold wet sheet around the body.

♦ If the patient is conscious, give cool drinks to be sipped slowly.

Glonoine 30 is the homoeopathy remedy of choice for sunstroke. Give a dose every fifteen minutes until patient improves.

If the victim has not responded positively to cold applications mentioned above. Glonoine may be replaced by Belladona 30, a dose to given every fifteen minutes, till improvement is seen.