Saturday 23 March 2013

Dengue and its Homeopathic treatment

DENGUE IS EASILY TREATABLE WITH HOMEOPATHY

My post of `Dengue treatment' has received the maximum hits on my blog. This is a mixed bag for me. It seems obvious that people visiting the site are looking for the sensational. Dengue with its fearsome reputation as a killer disease certainly attracts attention. My treatment of this case is not divulged in detail as I did not wish to encourage duplication which could have disastrous results.The blog is meant for budding homeopaths to learn the nuances of the simple art and science of homeopathy without obfuscation with convoluted philosophy.

The treatment of Dengue with Homeopathy follows the same methodology as the treatment of any other fever or for that matter any acute disease. This makes the homeopathic treatment of Dengue devoid of any bells and ribbons. The skill of treating acute cases lies in the possession of a certain amount of courage (developed through experience) combined with a sound knowledge of the homeopathic principles and appropriate application of these in every individual case. However let me say that no acute case must be touched without a confident diagnosis, prognosis and accurate assessment of the patients condition. A thorough physical examination followed by appropriate laboratory and radiological investigation of the patient is an absolute must. Any short-cuts here can lead to disaster. The minimal protocol in fever would be: Complete blood count, Smear for MP, Serum Widal test (in India, Typhoid is endemic in many areas);  Blood glucose (if patient is above 35yrs of age), Urine examination with microscopy. Any disease specific test may be added to this list especially in the event of a prevalent epidemic. If the WBC blood count exceeds 15000/cu.mm or there is severe neutrophilia (>85%) then a P.smear report with Serum Creatinine may be added. X-ray chest may be advised if respiratory or other pathology is suspected. USG abdomen is necessary to co-relate suspicion of abdominal pathology. CT scan of the concerned body part (Head, Spine, abdomen etc.) may be advised to confirm related pathology. Here I would like tell the story of a patient, himself a doctor whom I was called to see. The patient had acute frontal headache of four days duration. No h/o similar headache before. No h/o fever, vomiting, cognitive or neurological deficit. A couple of physicians and an ENT surgeon had seen him. An ophthalmic opinion had been taken. Blood investigations were normal. On the basis of The X-ray skull `Waters view' a diagnosis of Sinusitis was arrived at. At this point in time I was called in to treat the sinusitis since it was opined, Homeopathy is the best treatment for sinusitis. My immediate assessment of the case was that, the history and severity of the case did not fit this diagnosis despite the Xray being suggestive of the same. I wanted to rule out an S.O.L. My advice to get a CT scan was met with disbelief and even scorn. I refused to prescribe any medicines till a CT was done. The following day the CT scan report came through- `Well defined lesion in the (R) frontal lobe suggestive of space occupying lesion of the brain'. My duty was over. The patient was advised immediate Right lobectomy after which the good doctor now leads a normal life, continuing with his practice. I had had the courage to speak my mind, over-ruling the opinion of several of my learned colleagues and tragically was proved right. But all's well that ends well. Had I treated him on the basis of somebody else's diagnosis, I would have escaped liability but lost the respect of my professional colleagues besides precipitating a very tragic end. It also reiterates my closely held opinion that Homeopathy is a complete system of medicine and cannot be practiced by casual `followers' however passionate they may be - a temptation many succumb to due to our accent on `philosophy'.  By embracing philosophy homeopaths attempt to abrogate their responsibility as physicians. Something our fellow doctors from other systems and the courts are loath to accept.

I would like to add a small note on the importance of diagnosis in Homeopathy. Firstly it plays only a minimal role in arriving at a prescription. But its importance lies in the fact that a correct diagnosis can reveal a wealth of information which can lay the foundation for cure or failure. To begin with it helps to select or reject a case. Certain diseases do not respond to Homeopathic treatment or else are better treated with surgery or at the worst are incurable. It is your business to know this before you attempt treatment. Diagnosis helps in patient as well as disease evaluation - the state of progress of the disease and the present condition of the patients vitality may help decide on whether the case should be handled. This information gained by investigating the patient will also help the physician to create a mental map of the course of recovery during treatment and diagnose any untoward progress or complications of the disease itself (e.g. intestinal perforation in typhoid). Feeble attempts to label such events as Homeopathic aggravation is deplorable and demonstrates an abject  lack of medical prudence. Repeating the investigations can also confirm reversal of pathology where present,  before proclaiming a cure.

Monday 4 March 2013


Thyroidinum is a not too often used drug. I myself have used it only in a handful of cases chiefly as an intercurrent. In one case of Psoriasis though, I have used it as a first prescription. One must refrain from using it as a specific prescription for Myxedema or hyperthyroidism.
 
THYROIDINUM            Source: animal-sheep
PROVER                       MIASM: Psora, sycosis, tubercular
CAUSE
Myxedema, scleroderma, syphilis, tetanus, anemia, valvular heart  disease
MIND
Depression alternates with mania. Hysteria. Weeping, homicidal, dangerous, quarrelsome, suspicious, persecuted, excited, nightmares, laughing, grunting
HEAD
Abnormal hair growth/ hair fall. Grey
EYES
Optic neuritis
FACE
Flushes with distant pains. Burning, desquamation Swelling
MOUTH
Thirsty, ulceration cheek
THROAT
Goitre
HEART/CHEST
Palpitation, angina, cardiac arrest. Cardiac failure  Faintness.Tachycardia,. Breathless, livid, dying.
STOMACH
Indigestion
ABDOMEN
Diarrhea, constipation
URINARY
Increased in diabetes
FEMALE
Early, profuse, prolonged menses
EXTREMITIES
Quivering, tremors
SKIN
Psoriasis. Blue-black skin, great  desquamation, stiffness
FEVER
Flushing, high fever unconsciousness, back pain.
PECULIAR SYMPTOMS
Stooping=palpitation. Depression alternates with mania. Homicidal, persecution, suspicious. > recumbent.