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Dr. Shalini Kapoor

shalini.dr.kapoor@gmail.com

HOMOEOPATHIC PAEDIATRICIAN AND COUNSELING EXPERT

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With more and more of psychological interventions and changing lifestyles sleeplessness has become a common scenario, nearly everyone suffers from sleepless nights once in a while but does that indicate a diagnosis of insomnia; lets take a closer look through this article and understand insomnia in totality.

Insomnia is defined as having little or poor quality sleep (frequently waking up or having unrefreshing sleep).

Types of insomnia

• Transient insomnia: lasts from one night to a few weeks, occasional, may be due to jetlag or anxiety.
• Acute insomnia: the inability to consistently sleep without interruption for a period of three weeks to six months. Stress or psychological problems such as anxiety are the most common triggers.
• Chronic insomnia: Chronic insomnia is long-term, and persists almost for more than one month.
• Fatal familial insomnia: a very rare inherited disease of the brain. The dominant gene responsible has been found in just 28 families worldwide. If only one parent has the gene, the offspring have a 50% chance of inheriting it and developing the disease. The disease’s progression into complete sleeplessness is untreatable, and ultimately fatal.

Common causes and contributing factors

• Psychological: anxiety, stress, and depression, feelings of grief, worry, exhilaration or excitement
• Physiological: Medical conditions can cause insomnia, such as chronic (long-term) pain (including arthritis, fibromyalgia, cancer), enlarged prostate, cystitis (common in women), over-active thyroid glands, congestive heart failure (CHF), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, heartburn), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhoea, ulcers, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease. These conditions cause imbalances and changes in circadian rhythm (24 hour light and dark balance) and sleep/wake balance.
• Medications: These include nasal decongestants, weight loss drugs, amphetamines (including methamphetamine or crystal meth), some antidepressants, cocaine, and some asthma and heart medications. The abrupt stopping of medications (such as sleeping pills, hypnotics, anti-anxiety drugs, and antidepressants) can cause acute insomnia.
• Sleep apnoea
• Pregnancy, menopause
• Other common causes: Nocturnal polyuria, Excessive thirst or the use of diuretics can also cause these symptoms. Jet lag, shift work, wake-sleep pattern disturbances, aging, excessive sleep during the day, and excessive physical or intellectual stimulation at bedtime can all contribute to acute or chronic insomnia.

Signs and symptoms

Anxiousness, irritability, fatigue (tiredness), poor concentration and focus, difficulty with memory, impaired motor coordination, irritability and impaired social interaction, and motor vehicle accidents because of fatigued, sleep-deprived drivers

Preventive measures

• Exercise: Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes daily, five days a week.. Exercising within two hours of bedtime may cause trouble falling asleep.
• Diet: Avoid large meals and excessive fluids before bedtime, avoid caffeine, nicotine, beer, wine and liquor six to eight hours before bedtime. Small amounts of alcohol can cause early sedation or sleepiness, and is often used as a sedative. However, the use of alcohol as an effective sedative can be extremely misleading because the side effects that can result are usually even more harmful and detrimental to the natural sleep cycle.
• Environment: Controlling the environment, such as light, noise, and temperature, may help prevent insomnia.
• Establish a regular bedtime, use the bedroom for bedroom activities only, avoid staying in bed for long periods of time while awake, or going to bed because of boredom, take the TV or computer out of the bedroom (too much stimulation), relax by reading, taking a bath, or listening to soothing music before getting to bed, and try to avoid emotional upset or stressful situations prior to bedtime.

Homoeopathic treatment

Homeopathy is a healing modality with minimal side effects and non habit forming character. The common remedies of sleeplessness include:-

Coffea Cruda:

This drug suits individuals who are more sensitive to external stimuli than other people. Such patients have increased alertness and wakefulness. They are oversensitive to all stimuli and over-reactive. Insomnia accompanied by restlessness is a strong feature. There is undue excitement of mind and an overcrowding of thoughts leading to Insomnia. Nervous sleeplessness; the patient lies wide awake at night and it is impossible for him to close the eyes. Sleep is often disturbed by dreams. The patient may get sleep only till about 3 a.m. after which he only dozes off intermittently but can’t sleep properly. He may wake up on every sound. This is also a good remedy for nervousness from drinking too much of coffee or wine. Especially suited for insomnia from too much thinking.

Nux Vomica:

Irritability and insomnia remedy. Prescribed for various conditions incident to modern life, including Insomnia. Nux Vomica positively influences multiple systems of the body such as nerves, digestive system, reproductive organs, respiratory organs, etc. Patient sleeps early in the evening and then awakens at 3-4 a.m. after which he falls into dreamy sleep at day break. It is hard to arouse him from this sleep in the morning. Short sleep ameliorates his symptoms in general.

Sulphur:

It is a true polycrest remedy having influence on various systems of body like nerves, digestive system, skin, urinary system, respiratory system, reproductive organs, etc. Sleeplessness with waking up at 5 a.m. Sleeps well for 3-4 hours then wakes up; then again he dozes off for the rest of the night. Cat-naps. Occasionally the patient has to get up at night to eat. Patient sleeps on the left side; he gets nightmares when he sleeps on the back. Laughing in sleep is another indication of this remedy. Sees happy dreams and wakes up singing.

Passiflora Incarnata:

It is a very good remedy for insomnia of infants, aged, the mentally worried and overworked people. Sleeplessness resulting from mental exhaustion. The symptoms are worse from mental worries, mental excitement, at night and after meals. Passiflora also helps insomnia in persons with the morphine habit and in nervous individuals.The sleep of the patient is restless and wakeful.

Kali Phosphoricum:

It is one of the very good remedies for sleeplessness, from worry, business troubles etc. The patient is restless during sleep or may be simply drowsy and yawning but unable to sleep. Patient may have a feeling of heat during sleep. Kali Phos. is a good remedy for Somnambulism. Weak and tired feeling with extreme prostration is another important feature of this drug. Conditions arising from neurasthenia, mental and physical depression are wonderfully improved by this remedy. The common causes of complaints are usually excitement, overwork and worry

Dr. Shalini Kapoor

shalini.dr.kapoor@gmail.com

HOMOEOPATHIC PAEDIATRICIAN AND COUNSELING EXPERT

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Irritable bowel syndrome* (IBS) is a “syndrome,” meaning a group of symptoms. The most common symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain or discomfort often reported as cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhoea, and/or constipation. IBS affects the colon, or large bowel, which is the part of the digestive tract that stores stool.

IBS is not a disease. It’s a functional disorder, meaning that the bowel doesn’t work, or function, correctly.

Causes

The exact causes for IBS are unknown. The nerves and muscles in the bowel appear to be extra sensitive in people with IBS. Muscles may contract too much when eat. These contractions can cause cramping and diarrhoea during or shortly after a meal. Or the nerves may react when the bowel stretches, causing cramping or pain.

IBS can be painful. But it does not damage the colon or other parts of the digestive system. IBS does not lead to other health problems.

Symptoms of IBS?

The main symptoms of IBS are

• abdominal pain or discomfort in the abdomen, often relieved by or associated with a bowel movement
• chronic diarrhoea, constipation, or a combination of both

Other symptoms are

• whitish mucus in the stool
• a swollen or bloated abdomen
• the feeling of “not finished a bowel movement”

Women with IBS often have more symptoms during their menstrual periods.

Diagnosis

Clinical diagnosis of IBS is based under Specific symptoms, called the Rome criteria, can be used to more accurately make this diagnosis.

Investigation for IBS

In addition to a physical exam and blood tests, the following tests might be done to diagnose IBS:

• Lower gastrointestinal (GI) series. This test uses x rays to diagnose problems in the large intestine. It is also called a barium enema x ray.
• Colonoscopy.
• sigmoidoscope,

Treatment

Treatment may involve

• diet changes
• medicine
• stress relief

Diet Changes

Some foods and drinks make IBS worse.

• fatty foods, like French fries
• milk products, like cheese or ice cream
• chocolate
• alcohol
• caffeinated drinks, like coffee and some sodas
• carbonated drinks like soda

Some foods make IBS better.

Fiber may reduce the constipation associated with IBS because it makes stool soft and easier to pass. However, some people with IBS who have more sensitive nerves may feel a bit more abdominal discomfort after adding more fiber to their diet. Fiber is found in foods such as breads, cereals, beans, fruits, and vegetables.

Eat small meals.

Large meals can cause cramping and diarrhoea in people with IBS.  Try eating four or five small meals a day instead of less-frequent big meals.

Medicine

Nux vom, Sulphur, Opium, Arg nit, Silicea, Platina, Lyco and other medicines according to symptom similarity .Constitutional medicines are more effective for IBS

Does stress cause IBS?

Emotional stress does not cause IBS. But people with IBS may have their bowels react more to stress. So stress can make the symptoms worse.

Stress Relief

Learning to reduce stress can help with IBS.

Meditation, exercise, hypnosis, and counselling may help.

Points to Remember

• IBS means the bowel doesn’t work in right way.
• IBS can cause cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhoea, and constipation.
• IBS doesn’t damage the bowel or lead to other health problems.
• Stress doesn’t cause IBS, but it can make the symptoms worse.
• Fatty foods, milk products, chocolate, alcohol, and caffeinated and carbonated drinks can trigger symptoms.
• Eating foods with fiber and eating small meals throughout the day may reduce symptoms.
• Treatment for IBS may include medicine, stress relief, and changes in eating habits.

Dr, Senthil Kumar BHMS, M. Sc (Psyc), M. Phil (Psyc),

consult.ur.dr@gmail.com

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Vertigo, sensation of spinning around or of seeing nearby objects revolve. Vertigo tends to be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, headache, or sweating.

Diseases of the cerebral cortex, eye muscles, or cerebellum can cause true vertigo, but such diseases are rare. Inflammation, infection, or other diseases of the semicircular canals of the inner ear, such as labyrinthitis (inflammation of the labyrinth), are more common causes and are frequently accompanied by auditory sensations, such as deafness and ringing in the ear (aural vertigo), and by rapid eye movements (nystagmus). These diseases generally last only a few weeks, during which the vertigo is usually experienced briefly and intermittently.

In his article, David H. Frankel explained that Vertigo is one of the least pleasant symptoms one can think of. It is frightening, often sudden and unprovoked, and always miserable. It is not surprising, therefore, that vertigo is a symptom that brings patients to their doctors. Although the word “Vertigo” is commonly assumed to be the same as dizziness, it is actually a distinct type of dizziness.

“Dizziness is a general term for sense of disorientation”, writes Dr. Robert W. Baloh of the University of California in Los Angeles, in a recent issue of the international medical journal, The Lancet.

“Vertigo”, on the other hand, is “an illusion of movement, usually a sense of rotation … a sensation of linear displacement or tilt.” Another distinction between the two is that vertigo, unlike dizziness, is often accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms such as pallor, nausea, vomiting and sweating.

Vertigo can be caused by peripheral disturbances, such as diseases or conditions of vestibular system of the inner ear, or it can be central, due to tumours or other diseases of the brain or brain stem. Doctors can often tell the difference between peripheral and central vertigo by asking patients about their symptoms and then doing a few, simple maneuvers during the physical examination. One of the key findings doctors look for is nystagmus.

Nystagmus appears as rapid, jerky, rotary or up-and-down eye movements that may occur after a rapid change of position.

Sometimes, more advanced techniques, such as brain scans are needed to find the cause. Peripheral vertigo is usually accompanied by more pronounced nausea and vomiting. In addition, patients often complain of hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and the sensation of ear fullness or pain in the ear.

Many of these symptoms are caused by Menier’s syndrome. In this condition, attacks of vertigo are recurrent and accompanied by hearing loss and tinnitus. Occasionally, and most dramatically patients may experience sudden falling spells.

Migraine is another common cause of vertigo, and in fact up to 25 percent of patients with migraine may suffer from vertigo. The problem is most common in adolescent girls.

Vertigo often accompanies the headache, but not always. Sometimes migraine patients with vertigo also experience visual loss, double vision and difficulty in walking or speaking.

In older patients, transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs, are a common cause of vertigo. The attacks begin abruptly and last several minutes. They are due to atherosclerosis of arteries to the brain and patients with this condition often have a history of other atherosclerotic diseases such as heart attacks or poor circulation in the legs.

Positional vertigo is caused by changes in position. One condition, known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo typically occurs when turning over in bed, getting in or out of bed, stooping or bending the head backward to look up. It is caused by head trauma or viral infection. The vertigo is brief, lasting for less than half a minute.

More serious causes for positional vertigo include multiple sclerosis and tumours of the brain stem and cerebellum, the portion of the brain that helps fine tune body movements.

Treatment of vertigo, of course, depends upon the cause. In Menier’s syndrome, therapy consists of salt restriction and diuretics. Occasionally surgery is necessary. Vertigo due to migraine is treated with a variety of medicines intended to reduce the arterial spasm, and vertigo induced by vertibrobasilar insufficiency is treated with aspirin or other drugs that inhibit blood clotting.

But no matter what therapy is used to treat the underlying cause of vertigo, the annoying and often debilitating symptoms must also be attended. None of the agents for this is recommended for long-term use, as they may interfere with the normal compensation process of the body.

However, Homœopathy has a better and most effective solution to different kinds of vertigo and it can be treated quite successfully in a shorter period of time.

 

HOMŒOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR VERTIGO

Vertigo on turning the head. —– Calc., Con., Kali-c.

Vertigo on moving the head. —– Bry., Calc., Con.

Vertigo on looking up. —– Puls., Sil.

Vertigo on looking down. —– Phos., Spig., Sulph.

Vertigo from odour of flowers. —– Nux-v., Phos.

Vertigo on going down winding stairs. —– Gins.

Vertigo on blwoing nose. —– Culex., Codein.

Vertigo on watching or loss of sleep. —– Cocc., Nux-v.

Vertigo on the least noise. —– Ther.

Vertigo while walking. —– Nat-m., Nux-v., Phos., Puls.

Vertigo while studying or reading. —– Am-c., Arn., Cupr., Cur., Graph., Grat., Nat-m.

Vertigo while or after eating. —– Grat., Nux-v., Puls.

Vertigo as if whirling. —– Bry., Con., Cycl., Puls.

Vertigo as if the bed turned. —– Con.

Vertigo with fainting. —– Nux-v.

Vertigo with staggering. —– Arg-n., Gels., Nux-v., Phos.

Vertigo with eyes closed. —– Apis, Arg-n., Arn., Calad., Chel., Lach., Nat-m., Sil., Stram., Ther., Thuj.

Vertigo with dimness of sight. —– Cycl., Gels., Nux-v.

Vertigo aggravated on lying on right side. —– Mur-ac.

Vertigo when rising from seat. —– Bry., Phos.

Vertigo when rising from stooping. —– Bell.

Vertigo while eating. —– Kissingen

Vertigo from lifting head. —– Popul-c.

Vertigo when rising from bed. —– Bry., Chel., Cocc.

Vertigo when stooping. —– Bell., Nux-v., Puls., Sulph.

Vertigo when ascending. —– Calc.

Vertigo when descending. —– Bor., Con., Fer., Gels., Plat., Sanic., Vib.

Vertigo when lying. —– Con.

Vertigo must lie down. —– Bry., Cocc., Phos., Puls.

Vertigo with occipital pain. —– Gels., Clon., Petr., Sil.

Vertigo after sleep. —– Lach.

Vertigo after suppressed menses. —– Cycl., Puls.

Vertigo of the aged. —– Iod., Phos.

Vertigo from indigestion. —– Bry., Nux-v., Puls.

Vertigo from congestion. —– Bell., Gels., Glon.

Vertigo from brain-fag. —– Chin., Ph-ac., Phos., Sulph., Zinc.

Vertigo from headache. —– Apis, Bell., Calc., Con., Croc., Hydr-ac., Fer., Iod., Lac-c., Lil-t., Nux-v., Onos., Sil., Stro., Sulph.

Vertigo from heart disorders. —– Cact., Kali-c., Lach., Phos., Ver.

Vertigo from feeble heart’s action. —– Dig.

Vertigo from ear diseases. —– Caust., Gels., Stram.

Vertigo after coition. —– Bov., Ph-ac., Sep.

Vertigo while crossing bridge. —– Bar-c., Bro., Lyss.

Vertigo while crossing running water. —– Arg-m., Bell, Bro., Fer., Hyos., Lyss., Sulph.

Vertigo in dark. —– Alum., Arg-n., Kali-i., Pic-ac., Stram.

Vertigo with deafness. —– Merc-c.

Vertigo after emissions. —– Bov., Caust., Nat-s., Sars.

Vertigo, falls backward. —– Chin., Spig., Rhus-t.

Vertigo, falls forward. —– Nat-m., Rhus-t.

Vertigo, falls to left. —– Nat-m., Sil.

Vertigo, falls to right. —– Calc., Caust., Sil., Zinc.

Vertigo, falls sideways. —– Benz-ac., Calc., Cocc., Nux-v.

Vertigo with female symptoms. —– Cycl.

Vertigo with fevers. —– Carb-v., Cocc., Kali-c., Puls.

Vertigo after fright. —– Op.

Vertigo from gas light. —– Caust.

Vertigo from hair binding. —– Sulph-I

Vertigo, as if intoxicated. —– Gels., Nux-v.

Vertigo with nausea and vomiting. —– Chin-s., Cocc., Fer., Lapp., Lob., Petr., Sel., Ther.

Vertigo at night. —– Tarn.

Vertigo felt in occiput. —– Bry., Carb-v., Con., Gels., Petr., Sil., Ver., Zinc.

Vertigo, periodical. —– Cocc., Nat-m., Phos.

Vertigo during pregnancy. —– Alet., Gels., Nat-m.

Vertigo with ringing in ears. —– Lith., Ph-ac.

Vertigo while sewing. —– Graph.

Vertigo while shaving. —– Carb-an.

Vertigo while sitting. —– Apis, Meph., Phos., Puls, Sulph.

Vertigo with sleepiness. —– Æth., Gels., Laur., Nit-ac., Nux-m., Sil.

Vertigo while smoking. —– Gels., Nat-m., Nux-v., Tab.

Vertigo while sneezing. —– Apis, Nux-v., Seneg.

Vertigo with sparks before eyes. —– Ign.

Vertigo with stomach pain. —– Cic.

Vertigo in Summer. —– Psor.

Vertigo while facing Sun. —– Agar., Glon., Kali-p., Nat-c.

Vertigo followed by unconsciousness. —– Sil.

Vertigo while walking. —– Anac.

Vertigo with weakness. —– Æth., Colch., Crot-h., Echi., Sel.

Vertigo while looking out of window. —– Ox-ac.

Vertigo while standing near window. —– Nat-m.

Vertigo while writing. —– Graph., Kali-bi., Sep.

Vertigo aggravated by Tea. —– Nat-m., Sep.

Vertigo with chocking of throat. —– Iber.

Vertigo with trembling. —– Crot-h., Gels., Zinc.

Vertigo as if falling of wall on her. —– Arg-n., Saba.

 

NOTE :

Any information given above is not intended to be taken as a replacement for medical advice. Therefore, it is very important that the patients should avoid self-treatment and rather consult the most abled and qualified classical homœopath and take the treatment under his proper guidance and advice.

Dr. Sayeed Ahmad D. I. Hom. (London)

sayeed_ahmad1@rediffmail.com

 

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INTRODUCTION

Asthma, disorder of the respiratory system in which the passages that enable air to pass into and out of the lungs periodically narrow, causing coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. This narrowing is typically temporary and reversible, but in severe attacks, asthma may result in death. Asthma most commonly refers to bronchial asthma, an inflammation of the airways, but the term is also used to refer to cardiac asthma, which develops when fluid builds up in the lungs as a complication of heart failure. This article focuses on bronchial asthma.

BREATHING

Every cell in the human body requires oxygen to function, and the lungs make that oxygen available. With every breath we take, air travels to the lungs through a series of tubes and airways. After passing through the mouth and throat, air moves through the larynx, commonly known as the voice box, and then through the trachea, or windpipe. The trachea divides into two branches, called the right bronchus and the left bronchus, that connect directly to the lungs. Air continues through the bronchi, which divide into smaller and smaller air passages in the lungs, called bronchioles. The bronchioles end in clusters of tiny air sacs, called alveoli, which are surrounded by tiny, thin-walled blood vessels called capillaries.

Here, deep in the lungs, oxygen diffuses through the alveoli walls and into the blood in the capillaries, and gaseous waste products in the blood mainly carbon dioxide diffuse through the capillary walls and into the alveoli. But if something prevents the oxygen from reaching the alveoli, the body s cells do not receive a constant supply of vital oxygen, and carbon dioxide builds up to harmful levels in the blood.

THE ASHTMA ATTACK

Asthma attacks occur when the bronchi and bronchioles become inflamed, reducing the space through which air can travel through the lungs. This causes the asthmatic to work harder to move air in and out of the lungs. Asthma attacks usually begin with mild chest pressure and a dry cough. As an attack intensifies, wheezing develops and increases in pitch; breathing becomes difficult; and coughing produces thick, stringy mucus. As the airway inflammation prevents some of the oxygen-rich air from reaching the alveoli, the cells of the body start to burn oxygen at a higher rate, actually increasing the body s demand for oxygen. The frequency of asthma attacks varies considerably among asthma suffers. Some people have daily attacks, while others can go months or even years without having an attack.

Inflammation of the airway occurs when an irritant such as pet hair or cigarette smoke comes into contact with the airway walls. Upon detecting the irritant as a harmful invader, the body s immune system sends special cells known as mast cells to the site of irritation, in this case the airway walls. The mast cells release histamine, a chemical that causes swelling and redness in a process called the inflammatory response. Histamine also causes bronchospasms, in which the muscles lining the airway walls contract repeatedly, causing the airways to narrow even more. In addition, cells that lubricate the airways with mucus called goblet cells overreact to the inflammatory response by secreting too much mucus. This mucus clogs the bronchioles, resulting in wheezing and coughing.

CAUSES

Asthma attacks are caused by airway hyperresponsiveness that is, an overreaction of the bronchi and bronchioles to various environmental and physiological stimuli, known as triggers. The most common causes of asthma attacks are extremely small and lightweight particles transported through the air and inhaled into the lungs. When they enter the airways, these particles, known as environmental triggers, cause an inflammatory response in the airway walls, resulting in an asthma attack.

For some people the environmental triggers are allergens. Allergens are usually natural substances, such as plant pollen and mold spores, animal dander (tiny pieces of animal hair and skin), and fecal material from dust mites and cockroaches. Allergens produce an exaggerated response of the immune system in which a specific antibody, immunoglobulin E, initiates the inflammatory response. These same allergens may cause little or no reaction in nonallergic people.

Asthma also occurs in people who do not have allergies. In these people, chemical irritants trigger an inflammatory response that is initiated in a different way than in allergen-triggered asthma. For example, some people are sensitive to certain common chemical irritants, such as perfume, hairspray, cosmetics, and household cleaners. Other chemical irritants include industrial chemicals and plastics, as well as many forms of air pollution, such as exposure to high levels of ozone, car exhaust, wood smoke, and sulfur dioxide. Current research seeks to determine whether indoor pollutants also contribute to the development of asthma.

Not all triggers are environmental. Aggravations from within the body are known as physiological triggers and include exercise and infections, such as the common cold. Sometimes substances that asthmatics eat or drink bring on attacks. Chemicals found in food or medicine such as food sulfites found in beer and wine and medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen are especially problematic for many asthma sufferers. Intense emotion, such as crying, shouting, or laughing, may provoke hyperventilation, a rapid inhalation of oxygen that causes the airway to narrow. In asthmatics, hyperventilation often results in an attack. Many asthmatics are especially sensitive to physical exercise in cold weather.

Research suggests that genetic factors may increase the risk of developing the disorder. Children with a family history of asthma are more likely to develop asthma than other children. Despite this apparent genetic link, many people without a family history of asthma develop the disorder, and scientists continue to investigate additional causes.

DIAGNOSIS

Physicians typically diagnose asthma by looking for the classic symptoms: episodic problems with breathing that include wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. When symptoms alone fail to establish a diagnosis of asthma, doctors may use spirometry, a test that measures airflow. By comparing a patient s normal airflow, airflow during an attack, and airflow after the application of asthma medication, doctors determine whether the medicine improves the patient s breathing problems. If asthma medication helps, doctors usually diagnose the condition as asthma.

Identifying the specific trigger of a patient s asthma is usually more difficult than the initial diagnosis. Triggers may be easily recognizable and consistent; for example, a patient may always develop an asthma attack when using a particular cosmetic or household cleaning product. When the triggers are more difficult to identify, doctors perform a series of allergy skin tests to help determine whether allergy triggers are responsible. Skin tests are not conclusive, however, because patients may have skin reactions to substances that do not necessarily trigger an asthma attack. Doctors may also use spirometry to evaluate a patient s airflow before and after exposure to common triggers. Triggers that decrease airflow may be responsible for the patient s asthma.

ALLOPATHIC TREATMENT

Although there is no cure for asthma, effective treatment is available for preventing attacks and for controlling and ending attacks soon after they have begun. Asthma medications are taken orally or inhaled in vapor form using a metered-dose inhaler, a hand-held pump that delivers medication directly to the airways. There are two kinds of asthma medications: bronchodilators, which reduce bronchospasm; and anti-inflammatory medications, which reduce airway inflammation.

Bronchodilators are the most widely used medications for controlling sudden asthma attacks and for preventing attacks brought on by physical activity or exercise. They work directly on sites called beta-receptors that are attached to small muscle bands encircling the airways. When these drugs attach to the beta-receptors, the muscles relax and the airway dilates. Theophylline is a bronchodilator that works by relaxing the muscles surrounding the airways.

Anti-inflammatory medications work mainly by interfering with the activity and chemistry of immune cells, such as mast cells, that cause inflammation in the airway walls. Anti-inflammatory medications also help relax the airway muscles that constrict during bronchospasm. Corticosteroids reduce asthma symptoms by suppressing the immune response, and they often succeed when no other asthma treatment works. Over time they reduce the sensitivity of the airways to many common triggers. Long-term use of oral corticosteroids may have severe side effects, including weakening of the bones and the development of cataract, a clouding of the lens of the eye. Recent studies suggest that small doses of inhaled corticosteroids taken in combination with certain bronchodilators may work equally well while significantly reducing the side effects. Leukotriene modifiers, another type of anti-inflammatory medication, are taken orally as an alternative to corticosteroids for the long-term treatment of mild asthma.

Immunotherapy is a treatment option for asthma caused by allergens. This form of therapy modifies a person s allergic response by repeated exposure to small amounts of allergens. The asthmatic is injected periodically with known allergens, a procedure that trains the asthmatic s body to react to the allergens differently. Immunotherapy is especially effective in reducing allergic reactions to dust mites, animal dander, pollen, and fungi.

To control asthma attacks before they begin, asthmatics can measure their peak expository flow rate (PEFR), which is a gauge of how fast a person can exhale air from the lungs. By breathing into a small hand-held device called a flow meter, an asthmatic can learn when their airways are first starting to narrow. When the PEFR falls, asthma medication may be needed to prevent an attack. PEFR and medication should be used under a physician s guidance.

Asthmatics can also prevent and control attacks by limiting their exposure to environmental triggers, especially allergens. Frequently cleaning carpeting, bedding, and household upholstery reduces levels of irritants and allergens in the home. To prevent asthma attacks, asthmatics should wear a mask while cleaning. Regularly bathing pets minimizes levels of animal dander in the air. Asthmatics should take care to avoid pollutants and irritants such as cleaning sprays and cigarette smoke whenever possible. Seasonal allergies to pollen and mold spores can be reduced by avoiding the outdoors during peak periods of activity.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT

Asthma is one of the distressing ailments which are not easy to cure. After using palliative medicines to overcome an acute attack, one should resort to constitutional treatment in order to give permanent relief to the patient. The main constitutional medicines are:

1. Tuberculinum
2. Thuja
3. Natrum Sulph.
4. Medorrhinum
5. Syphilinum

The above medicines are to be given inter-currently in potency not below 200. No other medicine is to be given for 2 to 3 days before and after. If any of the above medicines have the desired effect, further drugging of the patient should be avoided.

Further, in Asthma the diet plays a very vital role. Thus, the use of white flour, eggs, white sugar, meat, fish, milk, curd and puddings should be avoided.

BREATHING :

Difficult getting air into the lungs. —– Brom., Iod.

Difficult getting air out of lungs. —– Chlor., Sul.

In rapid short breaths. —– Acon., Ant-t., Phos.

Shallow. —– Acon., Ant-t., Nux-v., Phos.

Wheezy. —– Ars-a., Cinch., Hep-s., Ipec., Phos.

Rattling. —– Seneg., Sil.

Rattling and wheezing. —– Ipec., Seneg., Sil., Squil.

As if air passages were full of smoke. —– Brom.

With fear of suffocation. —– Ars-a., Ipec., Sul., Ver.

PERSPIRATION

Easy. —– Cinch.

Cannot perspire. —– Cham.

Profuse. —– Hyper.

COUGH

Chocking. —– Hep-s.

Loose. —– Dulc., Nat-s.

Dry. —– Acon., Ars-a., Bry., Med., Nux-v., Psor.

Violent. —– Kali-c.

Violent and incessant. —– Ipec.

Spasmodic. —– Aral., Cupr., Phos.

Paroxysmal. —– Nux-v., Samb.

Deep sounding, hoarse. —– Dros.

< After physical exercise. —– Dulc.

With: desire but inability to cough. —– Cham.

With: vomiting. —– Kali-c., Ipec., Lob.

With: ending with vomiting. —– Ipec.

With: pain in chest under short ribs. —– Lob.

With: bleeding from the nose. —– Dros.

With: must hold chest when coughing. —– Nat-s.

With: caused by tickling in throat pit. —– Rumex

EXPECTORATION

Difficult. —– Alumen, Dulc.

Profuse. —– Blatta, Grind., Sul.

Worse from. —– Hyper.

Bloody. —– Nux-v.

None. —– Cupr.

BETTER FROM

Rapid walking. —– Lob.

Stool. —– Poth.

From being at seaside. —– Med.

WEATHER

< Change from warm to cold. —– Dulc.

< Wet and damp. —– Dulc., Nat-s., Sil.

< Dry cold air. —– Hep-s., Rumex

< Foggy. —– Hyper., Kali-c.

< Warm dry weather. —– Syph.

< Damp weather. —– Hep-s.

PAIN

In right lower chest. —– Kali-c

In left lower chest. —– Nat-s.

In right and then in left lungs. —– Lyc.

Through upper third of right lung. —– Ars-a.

Through lung to back. —– Kali-hyd.

In chest and mammae. —– Med.

With burning feeling. —– Ars-a.

With a constrictive feeling in the chest. —– Ars-a., Cupr., Ipec., Lach.

With cramplike feeling in cardiac region. —– Ptel.

ASTHMA WITH

Painful larynx. —– Med., Phos.

Persistent nausea. —– Ipec.

Dyspnoea (Shortness of breath). —– Acon., Dulc., Euc., Ipec., Kali-p., Lach., Med., Psor., Sil., Sul.

Hands and face blue. —– Squil.

Face pale. —– Sil.

Liability to get colds. —– Cinch.

TIMING

11 p. m. to midnight. —– Aral.

Midnight to 2 a. m. —– Ars-a., Samb.

2 to 3 a. m. —– Dros., Kali-ars., Samb.

2 to 4 a. m. —– Kali-c.

3 a. m. —– Samb.

4 to 5 a. m. —– Nat-s.

< In morning. —– Lach.

> Day time. —– Med.

Always < at night. —– Aral., Dros., Syph., Tub-bov.

SLEEP

On face in knee/chest position. —– Med.

Must sit up. —– Ant-t.

Must sit up as fears suffocation. —– Ars-a.

Must lie with head high. —– Ars-a., Cinch.

Must lie flat on back with arms outstretched. —– Psor.

Sleepless. —– Chlor.

< Lying down. —– Grind., Kali-c., Sul.

> Lying down. —– Psor., Ver.

> From stool. —– Poth.

Awakes suddenly 3 a. m., nearly suffocated, has to sit up. —– Samb.

TYPES OF PATIENTS

Fair haired, delicate-skinned. —– Brom.

Corpulent. —– Blatta

Easy perspiring. —– Cinch.

Old people particularly. —– Carb-v., Kali-c.

Sensitive, result of mental emotions. —– Coff.

Dark haired. —– Iod.

GENERAL MODALITIES

Better at seaside. —– Med.

Better in open air. —– Iod., Napth.

Worse for pressure on throat. —– Lach., Rumex

Worse for motion. —– Ars-a., Ver.

Worse for talking. —– Arum-t., Dros.

Worse in warm room. —– Iod.

Worse for food. —– Kali-p.

Worse with annual hayfever. —– Psor.

Worse due to exertion. —– Aspido., Coca, Ars-a.

Worse due to dust. —– Poth., Brom.

Worse going upstairs. —– Kali-p.

SUNDRIES

Sailor gets asthma on going to shore. —– Brom.

Attack of asthma due to mental or nervous emotions. —– Coff., Kali-p., Succ-ac.

ASTHMA FOLLOWS

Eczema. —– Ars. Stibiatum

Measles. —– Carb-v.

Whooping cough. —– Carb-v.

NOTE :

Any information given above is not intended to be taken as a replacement for medical advice. Therefore, it is very important that the patients should avoid self-treatment and rather consult the most abled and qualified classical homoeopath and take the treatment under his proper guidance and advice.

References:

MS Encarta Encyclopoedia.

Asthma by N. W. Jollyman

Dr. Sayeed Ahmad D. I. Hom. (London)

sayeed_ahmad1@rediffmail.com

Dr. Shalini Kapoor

HOMOEOPATHIC PAEDIATRICIAN AND COUNSELING EXPERT

.

Can Homoeopathy help?

a) at what stage ?

At the primary stage of muscular pain, spasm, sprain , back pain, chronic or acute, spasms and cramps can be caused by many different factors.  Some of these factors include strain, excess weight, stress, overwork, repetitive motion or injury. One of Homeopathy’s greatest triumphs is in the  relief of tired, achy, overused and injured muscles and joints. It is effective in treating everyone from the noblest weekend warriors to professional athletes.

b) how long should the treatment continue ?

Till the muscular pain subsides. Once relief from the symptoms if felt, stop taking the homeopathic medicine. Only take it again if exactly the same symptoms come back.

c) how is it better than other allopathic medicines ?

Homeopathy encourages the body to heal itself from the inside out.  This can be an especially effective form of treatment for back pain.  Homeopathy for lower back muscle spasm and pain relief may help the sufferer to feel better all around, not just where the back is concerned.  For back pain where a psychological cause is at the root, just the relief of knowing that homeopathic methods will not cause side effects may be helpful in easing some of the pressure on the sufferer.

d) are there any side effects ?

Homeopathy is legendary in it’s relief of muscle strain and pain. All natural, minimal side effect  and non-habit forming.

e) what to avoid during the course of medication ?

Avoid or modify activities that aggravate pain  Decrease stress on the joints by using assistive devices such as braces, splints or canes as needed While on a course of homeopathic treatment, you should avoid strong flavours such as mint (including toothpaste), coffee or camphor.

f) how long it will take for the condition to improve ?

Using homeopathy to give relief for lower back muscle spam pain can work well and give long lasting relief. It will also depend on nature and extent of disease and patient’s personality..

g)      Cost ?

More cost effective in comparison to the other systems

Other Alternative Therapies

Acupuncture- A study conducted at Sheffield University in the United Kingdom looked at the long-term symptom reduction and economic benefits of acupuncture for persistent low back pain. How does acupuncture work? According to traditional Chinese medicine, pain results from blocked energy along energy pathways of the body, which are unblocked when acupuncture needles are inserted along these invisible pathways.

A scientific explanation is that acupuncture releases natural pain-relieving opioids, sends signals that calm the sympathetic nervous system, and releases neurochemicals and hormones.

Exercise therapy-A supervised exercise program or home fitness regimen

Functional restoration-For injured workers, testing intended to improve job performance and job fitness and performed in a supervised environment

Interdisciplinary therapy-Therapy with physical, vocational, and behavioral components, provided by multiple professionals from different disciplines

Physical therapies-Interferential therapy, low-level laser therapy, lumbar supports, short-wave diathermy, superficial heat, traction, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and ultrasonography

Psychological therapies-A category including biofeedback, progressive relaxation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and operant therapy

Yoga-The use of specific body positions and breathing techniques, with an emphasis on mental focus.

Music Therapy

Music therapy is a low-cost natural therapy that has been found to reduce the disability, anxiety, and depression associated with chronic pain.

.Music therapy significantly reduced disability, anxiety, and depression. Music had an immediate effect on reducing pain, although the results were not statistically significant.

Dr. Shalini Kapoor

HOMOEOPATHIC PAEDIATRICIAN AND COUNSELING EXPERT