Monday, May 24, 2010

Homeopathy for Sports Injuries

Below are some of the most common and effective remedies for various muscle aches, pains, bruising and injuries from sports,  physical exercise and/or exertion:
Arnica montana
Arnica is the sine qua non for all forms of trauma, including soft tissue injuries, falls, blows, bruises, contusions, sprains, strains, broken bones, overexertion, mental stress, shock, and PTSD. Arnica is an essential addition to any sports first aid kit. Arnica can be helpful at the time of acute injury or even years later for injuries that have failed to completely heal.
Hypericum perforatum
Hypericum is one of the best medicines for injured nerves, especially in sensitive areas like the fingers, toes, and under the nails. It is useful in crush injuries, painful lacerations, and when intolerable, violent, shooting, and sharp pains are present. It is helpful in cases of brain and spinal cord injury. Hypericum can be used when wounds feel more tender than they look. It can also be helpful post-operatively for nerve injuries or after tooth extractions.
Rhus toxicodendron
Rhus tox is helpful in cases where there is pain and stiffness of muscles and joints known as the ?rusty gate? phenomenon. Helpful in strains and sprains caused by over-lifting or overexertion.
Ruta graveolens
Ruta is highly effective in cases of injured or bruised bones, joints, and tendons that present sore, aching pains and restlessness. Ruta has special affinity for the flexor tendons of the ankles and wrists. It is helpful in cartilage injuries and bruises of the periosteum. Helpful in sciatic pain that is worse when lying down at night and for persistent lameness and weakness after sprains or strains.
Symphytum
Symphytum is particularly helpful in injuries to bones, cartilages, and periosteum when there is excessive pain
. It is good for old painful injuries that have failed to heal properly. Useful in fractures and broken bones where there is a pricking or stitching sensation that remains after the wound is healed. Symphytum is known for its ability to help heal nonunion of fractures.
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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Role of Homeopathy in the Management of Autism

M.A. Rajalakshmi BHMS, M.S.
Consultant Homeopathic Physician and Psychotherapist
Anjana Homeo Clinic
Faculty, Gokula AYUSH Arogyadhama, Center for Holistic Well-Being of M.S. Ramaiah Medical College & Hospital

Address: Bangalore

Source: The Internet Journal of Alternative Medicine? ISSN: 1540-2584

Citation: M. Rajalakshmi : Role of Homoeopathy in the Management of Autism: Study of Effects of Homoeopathic Treatment on the Autism Triad . The Internet Journal of Alternative Medicine. 2008 Volume 6 Number 1
Abstract:
Autism is a disorder with a wide range of severities. The major issues that come up while dealing with autism are in the following areas: Firstly there are the behavioural issues such as hyperactivity, temper tantrums, poor attention span, decreased concentration and poor focusing. Secondly there are the speech, language and communication issues that are a major concern for parents. Thirdly there are the social skills impairment such as poor eye contact and poor interaction with peers. It has been seen that it is not possible to manage the above mentioned problems with just training alone. Learning is not possible when the child is hyperactive or is not able to focus or concentrate. Also the behavioural and communication problems may stem from an internal rather than an external cause that needs to be rectified. In such a situation it has been observed that with homoeopathic treatment the child's understanding, eye contact and in the long run, communication also improve. For example: In one case, a parent mentioned that she was trying to train her son in self care activities that was very tedious, as she had to make him do it step by step and he would forget it immediately. She would then have to repeat the whole process every day. But after homoeopathic treatment, she just had to ask him to do that activity and he would comply without making any mistakes as his understanding and receptive language skills had improved.
This study aims to throw light on how Homoeopathy can be used as an effective tool for the management of Autism.
In this paper I attempt to highlight the effectiveness of Homoeopathic treatment for autism with case studies, based on my experiences of treating Autism Spectrum Disorders in a special school setting where I worked as a consultant for four years and in my private practice.





Saturday, May 1, 2010

Premenstrual Syndrome





Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a term used to describe a varied group of physical and psychological symptoms that occurs few days or week before the menstruation or any time after ovulation and disappear almost as soon as menstrual flow starts or shortly thereafter.

Sometimes the symptoms are so severe that they interfere with their day-to-day lives. This type of PMS is called premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD.

Premenstrual syndrome involves a combination of physical, mental, and behavioral symptoms. PMS is a complex health concern. Up to 70-80% of women experience some symptoms of PMS during their childbearing years.

ETIOLOGY OF PMS:

Exactly what causes premenstrual syndrome is not known, but several factors may contribute to the condition. It is often linked with genetic factors because twins often suffer with it.

Current theory suggests that central nervous system neurotransmitter's interaction with sex hormones may be responsible for PMS. It is also linked with activity of serotonin. Research points to the changes that occur in hormone levels before menstruation begins; when the ovaries are working to make both estrogen and progesterone. Women who do not ovulate do not have PMS. It is believed that change in progesterone level is responsible for woman?s mood, behavior, and physical changes during the luteal phase (or second half) of the menstrual cycle.

All women have both female and male hormones within the natural balance of the body. However, increased levels of male hormones as well as increased levels of prolactin can result in a delayed ovulation and low levels of progesterone, leading to PMS. Cyclic changes in hormones seem to be an important cause, because signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome change with hormonal fluctuations and also disappear with pregnancy and menopause.

Low levels of serotonin, an important chemical produced by the brain, may in fact be the major cause of PMS responses. Serotonin helps to regulate sleep cycles and carbohydrate metabolism and influences the regulation of estrogen and progesterone. There is a theory that the common PMS response of increased appetite with cravings for carbohydrates may be caused by low serotonin levels. Insufficient amounts of serotonin may contribute to other symptoms of PMS, such as depression, fatigue, food cravings and sleep problems.

According to another theory PMS involves inflammatory substances called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are produced in the breast, brain, reproductive tract, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract where PMS symptoms originate; which is responsible to problems such as cramping, breast tenderness, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.

Another theory explaining PMS also linked to low levels of vitamins and minerals. Other possible contributors to PMS include eating a lot of salty foods, which may cause fluid retention, and drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which may cause mood and energy level disturbances.

Endorphin levels drop during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle; which may lead to nausea, jumpiness, and various types of pain in some women. Normal levels of this hormone lead to cheerful, happy moods and also make people less sensitive to pain.

However, it may be related to social, cultural, biological, and psychological factors.

SYMPTOMS OF PMS:

There are a number of symptoms that comes under this heading, the exact symptoms and severity may vary in different cases and with every menstrual period. The most common symptoms include:

Mood swings
Anxiety and stress
Irritability
Dizziness
Breast tenderness and swelling
Acne
Abdominal Bloating
Tiredness/ fatigue
Sex drive changes, loss of sex drive or disinterest in sex
Lack of control or impulsivity
Feel temporarily antisocial, avoiding friends and rejecting invitations
Low self-esteem, tend to have negative, sad thoughts and experience a transitory lack of enthusiasm and energy
Stiff neck
Headaches/migraines
Depression
Crying Spells
Sadness, feelings of "fogginess"
Difficulty concentrating
Indecisiveness
Forgetfulness
Weight gain from Water retention
Appetite changes and food cravings for carbohydrates and sweets
Insomnia or difficulty in falling asleep
Muscular and joint pain
Unable to concentrate
Mild fever
Social withdrawal
Allergic and infection problem may worse
Irregular heart beats, palpitations
Chest pains
Swelling of ankles, feet, and hands
Backache
Abdominal pain
Recurrent cold sores
Nausea
Constipation or diarrhea
Decreased coordination
Less tolerance for noises and lights
Painful menstruation
Confusion
Poor judgment
hostility, or aggressive behavior
Increased guilt feelings
Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
Decreased self-image
Paranoia or increased fears
Low self-esteem
Although the list of potential signs and symptoms is long, most women with premenstrual syndrome experience only a few of these problems.

DIAGNOSIS OF PMS:

There is no special test to point out PMS. The following may help in making the diagnosis:

Complete history of the patient
Physical examination
Psychiatric evaluation in some cases
Mineral Analysis Test
Blood tests to rule out other illnesses

FEW TIPS FOR PREVENTION OF PMS:
You can manage the PMS symptoms or sometimes changes in the regular diet and lifestyle may reduce the symptoms. This plan is usually recommended first.

DIET

o Eat a well-balanced diet with increased whole grains, vegetables, fruit,

o Eat smaller, more frequent meals each day to reduce bloating and the sensation of fullness. It may help you to keep blood sugar at a steady level and reduce cravings.

o Avoid candy, sodas, and sugary foods during the week before your period which helps to decrease bloating and swelling.

o Limit salt and salty foods to reduce bloating and fluid retention.

o Limit caffeine it can make breast tenderness worse and increase headaches.

o Avoiding caffeine, sugar, nicotine, and alcohol eases irritability and improves sleep patterns.

o Take the foods high in complex carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains

o Take diet rich in of vitamins and minerals

o Choose foods rich in calcium

EXERCISE

o Keeping a consistent exercise program may also improve your well-being throughout the menstrual cycle.

o Regular daily exercise like brisk walking, cycling and swimming can help to improve overall health and alleviate symptoms such as fatigue and a depressed mood.

o Regular aerobic exercise also reduces stress and promotes regular sleep patterns. Regular aerobic exercise is beneficial and may reduce PMS responses because it increases production of endorphins (the body's natural painkiller), which in turn may raise the serotonin level.

o Physical exercise increases sympathetic tone, a condition that lowers heart rate and reduces anxiety sensations.

REDUCE STRESS

o Get plenty of sleep. The body may have different sleep requirements at different times during a woman's menstrual cycle, so it is important to get adequate rest.

o Practice progressive muscle relaxation or deep-breathing exercises to help reduce headaches, anxiety and trouble sleeping or insomnia.

o Yoga may help.

Keep a record to identify the triggers and timing of your symptoms. This will allow you to intervene with strategies that may help to lessen them.

A warm bath, listening to music, massage therapy may help.