COMMON EYE AFFECTIONS AND HOMOEOPATHY

COMMON EYE AFFECTIONS AND HOMOEOPATHY

When we look at a person, what do we look at first? Obviously, eyes! Also when we speak to someone, we do not feel that the conversation is fruitful unless have good eye contact with that person. No wonder experts always give high priority to eyes when it comes to personal well-being. No one likes haggard, dull-looking eyes that reflect the internal ill-health. And therefore, one should take appropriate care of their eyes and enjoy various colors of life. Any serious trouble in connection with the eyes must always receive the most expert care and attention without any delay. There are, however, some eye conditions to which reference can be made here with advantage.

Homeopathy is the holistic mode of treatment that treats the person as a whole and not merely his external manifestation. Therefore, when there is some problem with the eye (unless it is local injury problem), homeopathy believes that it is due to some internal malady that is reflecting through your eyes. Therefore, detailed history of patient is taken even if he has problem only pertaining to eyes.

EYE PROBLEMS THAT CAN BE DEALT EFFICIENTLY WITH HOMOEOPATHY:

Eye strain

This is a rather vague term and usually refers to a sore, tired sensation in the eyes, attributed rightly or wrongly to over – use. It is, of course, necessary to check the vision for any error of refraction which may need correction by glasses. There may be occupational causes related to the type of work engaged in, or the lighting of the room in which the work is carried out; and it may be possible to make adjustments in respect of such causes of strain.

Remedies which may help in this condition are

AGARICUS – letters seem to swim or above when reading, twitching in lids, eyeballs oscillate from side to side, may be double

CAUSTICUM – vision dim, film before eyes, desire to close eyes, lids feel heavy, eye muscle weak

GELSIMIUM – vision dim, eyeballs sore especially when moving them, eyelids droop, feels very heavy, possibly double vision

JABORANDI – eyes tire easily, sensation of heat and burning, indistinct vision, contracted pupils, white spots before eyes

NATRUM MUR – eyes give out while reading or sewing, letters or stitches run togrther, eyeballs feel too large, objects  appear ringed with fiery zig zags, hot tears stream down face when reading, lids feel gritty, spasmodic closure of lids

PHOSPHORUS – vision obscured by mist or veil, red mist or black spots before eyes, eyes tire easily on use, sees better by shading eyes with hand

RUTA – weakness of vision with blurring, eyes ache while in use, eyes feel hot and burning, especially in evening, eyes water, green halo seen round artificial light, spasm of lower lids

Black specks before the eyes

It is not at all an uncommon experience to notice small black specks or twirligigs apparently floating in front of the eyes. Moreover they change position readily with every movement of the eyes or head. They seem obvious some days ans less noticeable at other times. These specks and spirals rejoice in the name of muscae volitantes and have been attributed to various causes without much confirmatory evidence. In any case they are of little significance and can be disregarded. If especially troublesome a few doses of AGARICUS, CHINA, NUXVOMICA or PHOSPHORUS, according to general indications, may afford relief

Bloodshot eye

Inflammations of the eye, whether superficial or deep, are accompanied by redness, often of a dusky hue, as well as by pain and distress. These call for treatment by an eye specialist. But occasionally, often without obvious cause, a flaming patch of red discoloration may be observed to one or other side of the pupils and iris. This is due to a haemorrhage beneath the conjunctiva and outside the actual eyeball. It is somewhat alarming in appearance but more unsightly than serious in significance

A few doses of ARNICA will speed recovery and allay any pain that may be present. If absorbtion of the blood is delayed LEDUM may be substituted for the ARNICA

Lachrymation

A watery or other discharge from the eye calls for expert attention, especially if severe or persistent. As an immediate measure pending fuller investigation, one or other of the following remedies may be given

ARSENICUM ALBUM – much burning in eye, discharge which is hot and excoriating, intense photophobis

ALLIUM CEPA – streaming eyes and nose, associated with much sneezing, discharge makes nose sore but not skin around eye

EUPHRASIA – eyes water all the time, discharge is burning and acrid, constant blinking

PULSATILLA – profuse yellow discharge, which does not excoriate the skin, worse in warm room, lids sore

For bathing the eye either EUPHRASIA or HYPERICUM can be used as lotion (two drops of mother tincture to the eye-bath of water)

Quivering Lids

Sometimes a sudden quivering or twitching is felt in one or other eyelid. This is a distressing sensation and seems to occur for no apparent reason. It usually passes off quite quickly and is not a cause for alarm. Various remedies recommended for this condition, among them AGARICUS, BELLADONA, CALC CARB, CICUTA are very useful

Styes

Recurrent styes on the eyelids will call for careful assessment on constitutional lines by a physician. Various remedies may have to be considered but in many cases GRAPHITIS, PULSATILLA or SULPHUR will give relief, as a local application a compress of HYPERICUM lotion (ten drops of mother tincture to the half pint of water) should be helpful.

Eye Injuries

Eyes must be treated with even more respect than ears. The most expert and skilled attention is called for in almost any type of eye injury. As a temporary measure a moist pad of HYPERICUM lotion (ten drops of mother tincture to the half pint of cold water) may be placed over the eye and ARNICA 200 administered. If there is much pain this can be followed by HYPERICUM 6 in hourly doses till relief is obtained. An alternative remedy is ACONITE, which has been called the Arnica of the eye, give a few doses in 30 potencies

If the pain is felt in the eyeball SYMPHYTUM 6, PHYTOLACCA 6 or COLOCYNTHIS 6 may be given. Pain persisting for a long time after the injury may yield to ARNICA 30, twice daily for a few days. If there ia a speck of dust or other foreign bodies in the eye it should be bathed in HYPERICUM lotion (two drops of mother tincture to the eye-bath of water). If after this the object is still felt to be present the lids may be everted and if the speck is visible an attempt should be made to wipe it off with a wisp of soft hand kerchief dipped in the HYPERICUM lotion. If the object is firmly embedded and cannot be easily wiped off, expert aid must be sought without delay. For persisting pain or discomfort after removal of the object, the eye should be bathed with EUPHRASIA lotion (two drops of mother tincture to the eye-bath of water) and EUPHRASIA 6 given internally. A very useful fluid for the use as an eye-wash is an infusion of tea leaves, warm or cold as preferred

In the black eye the damage is mostly around the orbit and the pain and discoloration and swelling cause both distress and disfigurement. ARNICA 30 should be given hourly upto five or six doses, or, if the relief is obtained by cool applications, LEDUM 30. Further treatment may be with ARNICA 6 or, if the eye is painful then HYPERICUM 6

A pair of lovely black eyes, unless separately administered, may indicate a fracture of the base of the skull and immediate steps must be taken to obtain expert advice. ARNICA should of course be given a dose or two of 200, and 30 or 6 to follow.

For quick control of bleeding in a cut eye apply firm pressure with a pad soaked in equal parts of CALENDULA tincture and cold water.

Glaucoma

Common form of glaucoma is associated with an increase in the fluid pressure inside the eye. This pressure may cause damage to the optic nerve and Vision loss may result.

GELSEMIUM (gels) - Eye signs are eyelids heavy, glaucoma and descemetitis, dim-sighted, pupils dilated and unaware of light, orbital neuralgia, detached retina, hysterical amblyopia. General signs are motor paralysis, dizziness, drowsiness, dullness, and trembling, muscular weakness. Mind signs are dullness, languor, listless, apathy about his illness. Head signs are vertigo, pain in the temple, extending into the ear.

PHYSOSTIGMA (physost) - Eye signs are glaucoma, night blindness, photophobia, contraction of pupils, twitching of ocular muscles, partial blindness, paresis of accommodation, astigmatism, a spasm of ciliary muscle, with irritability after using eyes, increasing myopia. General signs are spinal irritation; head cannot bear to raise eyelids. Mouth signs are tongue feels sore on the tip. Heart signs are fluttering of heartfelt in the throat.

RUTA GRAVEOLENS (ruta) - Eye signs are pressure deep in orbits, pressure over eyebrow, eyestrain followed by headache, disturbances of accommodation, weary pain while reading, and asthenopia. General signs are flexor tendons; all parts of the body are painful, as if bruised, feeling of intense weakness, weakness, and despair.

SPIGELIA (spig) - Eye signs feel too large pressive pain on turning them; Pupils dilated, photophobia, rheumatic ophthalmia, severe pain in and around eyes, extending deep into the socket. Neurological signs are ciliary neuralgia, a true neuritis.General signs are touch sensitive; parts feel chilly, send a shudder through a frame.

CATARACT        Any opacity that may occur in the lens or its capsule or both is called cataract.It is one of the commonest forms of interference with vision generally with the advancement of age.some important homoeopathic remedy for cataract are Calcarea fluorica; Calcarea phosphorica; Causticum; Cineraria; Conium maculatum; Fluoricum acidum; Magnesium carbonicum; Natrium muriaticum; Nux vomica; Phosphorus; Santoninum; Silicea.

Mother tinctures effective for eye affections are as follows

EUPHRASIA Q – it is very effective in acute eye affections, traumatic conjunctivitis, blepharitis and corneal ulceration with acrid discharges

ZINCUM SULPH Q – very useful for corneal opacities

ARGENTUM NITRICUM – useful for purulent Ophthalmia, pus is thick, yellow and bland worse in warm room or fire better in open air

CINERARIA MARITIMA Q - it is very effective in cataract one drop 4-5 times a day should be instilled in the eyes for several months. It also useful in corneal opacities after trauma

References

1. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine
2. Wikipedia.com/eye afections
3. Homeopathic Materia Medica” by Boericke
4. http://healthy-ojas.com/eye/eye-remedies-homeopathic.html
5. Quick Bedside Prescriber – J.N.SHINGHAL.
6. First aid Homoeopathy in ailments by B.Jain
7. http://onlinehomeopath.hubpages.com/hub/Eyecare-and-homeopathy
8. http://www.medwonders.com/medblogs/general/cataract-and-homoeopathy-2038.htm
9. HOMPATH software
10. Principles of Prescribing, Dr. K.N.Mathur.
11. Mother tincture therapeutics and materia medica by Dr. Vinay jain

Dr. S. R. AMEERKHAN BABU., M.D. (Hom) (Gen.med)

Reader, Dept. of Practice of Medicine

Vinayaka Mission’s Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital,

Salem, Tamilnadu.

STEPS TO MANAGE SLEEP DISORDERS – GENERAL AND HOMOEOPATHIC MEASURES

STEPS TO MANAGE SLEEP DISORDERS

– GENERAL AND HOMOEOPATHIC MEASURES

Sleep is an opportunity for the brain and body to rest and be restored. In addition, many functions important to good health take place during sleep at night. The amount of sleep that people need can vary widely. Infants may need up to twenty hours; many children need from ten to fourteen per night. The average requirement for adults is estimated at six to eight hours, but many people need much more than that feeling chronically stressed and compromised, both physically and mentally, because of insufficient sleep.

A sleep disorder, or somnipathy, is a medical disorder of the sleep patterns of a person or animal. Some sleep disorders are serious enough to interfere with normal physical, mental and emotional functioning. Polysomnography is a test commonly ordered for some sleep disorders.

Disruptions in sleep can be caused by a variety of issues, from teeth grinding (bruxism) to night terrors. When a person suffers from difficulty in sleeping with no obvious cause, it is referred to as insomnia. In addition, sleep disorders may also cause sufferers to sleep excessively, a condition known as hypersomnia. Management of sleep disturbances that are secondary to mental, medical, or substance abuse disorders should focus on the underlying conditions.

'SLEEP HYGIENE' SOLUTIONS FOR BETTER SLEEP

From having occasional difficulty sleeping to insomnia, there is a lot can do to get a better night's sleep, feel refreshed when awake, and remain alert throughout the day. It's called "sleep hygiene".

There are four general areas important to sleep hygiene:

• Our circadian rhythm, or 24-hour cycle
• Aging
• Psychological stressors -- those factors can cause difficulty falling asleep and disturb the quality of our sleep
• Common social or recreational drugs like nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol

Circadian Rhythm

We all have a day-night cycle of about 24 hours called the circadian rhythm. It greatly influences when we sleep and the quantity and the quality of our sleep. The more stable and consistent our circadian rhythm is, the better our sleep. This cycle may be altered by the timing of various factors, including naps, bedtime, exercise, and especially exposure to light (from traveling across time zones to staring at that laptop in bed at night).

Aging

Aging also plays a role in sleep and sleep hygiene. After the age of 40 our sleep patterns change, and we have many more nocturnal awakenings than in our younger years. These awakenings not only directly affect the quality of our sleep, but they also interact with any other condition that may cause arousals or awakenings, like the withdrawal syndrome that occurs after drinking alcohol close to bedtime. The more awakenings we have at night, the more likely we will awaken feeling unrefreshed and unrestored.

Psychological Stressors

Psychological stressors like deadlines, exams, marital conflict, and job crises may prevent us from falling asleep or wake us from sleep throughout the night. It takes time to "turn off" all the noise from the day. One must develop some kind of pre-sleep ritual to break the connection between all the stress and bedtime.

Social or Recreational Drugs

Social or recreational drugs like caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol may have a larger impact on our sleep than we realize. Caffeine, which can stay in our system as long as 14 hours, increases the number of times we awaken at night and decreases the total amount of sleep time. This may subsequently affect daytime anxiety and performance. The effects of nicotine are similar to those of caffeine, with a difference being that at low doses, nicotine tends to act as a sedative, while at high doses it causes arousals during sleep.

Alcohol may initially sedate us, making it easier to fall asleep; however, as it is metabolized and cleared from our system during sleep, it causes arousals that can last as long as two to three hours after it has been eliminated. These arousals disturb sleep, often causing intense dreaming, sweating, and headache. Smoking while drinking caffeine and alcohol can interact to affect our sleep dramatically. These sleep disturbances may be most apparent upon awakening, feeling unrefreshed, groggy, or hungover.

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT FOR SLEEP DISORDERS

Professional homoeopaths do not generally prescribe remedies to treat symptoms individually, as the symptoms are considered to be only the outward sign that your vital force is struggling to overcome disease. Instead a remedy is prescribed for the whole person. Accurate prescribing is essential to the success of homoeopathy. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions. The medicines given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the treatment of this condition. The symptoms listed against each medicine may not be directly related to this disease because in homeopathy general symptoms and constitutional indications are also taken into account for selecting a remedy.

Reportorial rubric

[Kent] Sleep, Sleeplessness

Acon., Argen. Nit, Arsenicum album, Belladona, Bryonia, Cactus, Calcerea, Chamomilla, China, Cicuta v, Coffea, Cyclamen,Hepar sulp, Hyosyamus,Kali ars, Kali Carb, Lachesis, Mercurius, Merc. Cor, Nux.vom, Opium, Phosphorus, Plumbum, Pulsatilla, Rhus.tox, Sepia, Stannum met, Silicea, Staphy, Sulphur, Thuja

[Complete] Sleep, Sleeplessness, night

Arsenicum album, Causticum, China, Cina, Coffea, Conium, Ferrem met, Graphites, Hyosyamus, Mag.carb, Moschus, Nat.mur, Nit.ac, Nux.vom, Olendar, Opium, Phosphorus, Plumbum, Rhus.tox, Silicea, Spigelia, Squilla, Thuja

[Boericke] Nervous system, Sleep, Insomnia (Sleeplessness)

Absin, Acon., Anacardium, Arsen album, Avena, Belladona, Calcerea, Camph, Camph – monobrom, Cann ind, Chammomilla, Cimcifuga, Cinchona, Coca, Cocaine, Cocculus, Coffea, Cypripedium pubescens, Gelsimium, Hyoscyamus, Hyoscyaminum hydrobromatum, Ignasia, Kali brom, Lupulus hum, Nux.vom, Opium, Passiflora, Pulsatilla, Scutellaria  lateriflora, Sulphur, Sumbulus ferula

[Boenninghausen’s] Sleep, Sleeplessness

Aconite, Arsenicum album, Bryonia, Calcerea, Chamomilla, Coffea, Hepar sulp, Kali Carb,  Mercurius, Nux.vom, Pulsatilla, Sepia, Silicea

Remedy	Individualizing  Symptoms
Aconite	Sleeplessness related to anxiety, shock, fright or grief. The sufferer is frequently troubled by nightmares and insomnia accompanied by physical and mental restlessness. Symptoms are worse from pressure of bedding, during menses and in a warm room. Better in open air.
Arnica	Sleeplessness associated with jet lag and overwork, the sufferer’s bed feels too hard and uncomfortable, and they may be overtired. Also useful for insomnia related to recent injury. Worse from least touch or wine. Better for lying with the head low or lying outstretched.
Arsenicum Album	feel sleepy during the day but anxious at night. Restless in bed with anxious dreams and nightmares. Also for warmth, warm drinks, moving about, and sleeping propped up in bed.
Chamomilla	Sleeplessness related to restlessness, irritability, anger or the overuse of coffee. This is a well-used remedy for children suffering from insomnia who refuse to be calmed. Also handy for insomnia and restlessness during the first part of the night and insomnia related to nightmares. Worse for being covered but better for sweating.
Cocculus	Difficulty sleeping due to being overtired or exhausted. People needing this remedy are often emotionally sensitive, suffer from motion sickness and/ or depression. Symptoms are worse for touch, noise or cold, worse during menses and better for lying on the side.
Coffea c.	This is an excellent remedy for insomnia, particularly where the person is troubled by unwanted thoughts and the nervous system is over-excited, causing an over activity of the mind and body. Worse for cold and noise and better for warmth. Also useful for insomnia during pregnancy.
Gelsemium	Sleeplessness associated with anxiety related to impending events such as stage fright in people who tend to be dull and drowsy, who cannot get fully to sleep, or have a restless or overly heavy sleep. Worse in damp, humid weather or in spring and better for reclining with the head held high.
Ignatia	Sleepless from grief or sadness. Those who’ll benefit from this remedy are very light sleepers who often whimper while sleeping and have re-occurring bad dreams. Worse for cold open air and touch and better from pressure and warmth.
Kali phos	Sleeplessness related to anxiety, mental strain, muscular fatigue, night terrors, restlessness or sleepwalking. Worse for touch, cold or fatigue and better for leaning against something.
Nux vom	Sleeplessness associated with irritability, anger and gastrointestinal complaints in people who are impatient, fastidious and competitive. The person who’ll benefit from this remedy often wakes at around 3am, is worse for cold, dry weather, worse from eating and better for strong pressure and damp, wet weather.
Opium	If the person is feeling sleepy but unable to get to sleep, if the bed is too hot, or else sleep comes but it is so heavy that the person snores and cannot be roused.
Pulsatilla	The Pulsatilla type is restless in the first part of sleep and can’t decide if they’re too hot or too cold and they may wake up too early.  Insomnia may be related to sadness, fear or irritability. Symptoms are worse from eating bread, fatty or rich food before sleep, and symptoms are worse before or during menses. Better in the open air or cool weather.

MOTHER TINCTURES

Absinthium

Sleeplessness due to nervous excitement

Avena sativa

Insomnia with despondency

Passiflora Incarnata

60 drops in a ounce of hot water at 8pm induces sleep

Thea

For nervous sleeplessness with history of tea abuse

Piscidia

Here cause of sleeplessness is mental worries

Hypericum

The key actions are antidepressant, antispasmodic, analgestic, astringent, antiviral, sedative and it stimulates bile flow

References

1. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine
2. Wikipedia.com/sleep disorders
3. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica, Dr.J.T.Kent
4. Complete Repertory by Roger van Zandvoort
5. Repertory to Homeopathic Materia Medica” by Oscar E. Boericke
6. www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders
7. http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/sleep/sleep_ins_homeopathy.htm
8. Quick Bedside Prescriber – J.N.SHINGHAL.
9. http://hpathy.com/homeopathy-papers/sleep-easy/
10. http://www.homeohome.com/about-swasthya-clinic/articles-patients/46-articles-for-laymen-general/183-insomnia-and-homoeopathy.html
11. Boenninghausen's therapeutic pocket book by Clemens von Boenninghausen
12. Principles of Prescribing, Dr. K.N.Mathur.
13. LILIENTHAL S., Homoeopathic Therapeutics
14. DEWEY W. A., Practical Homeopathic Therapeutics

Dr. S. R. AMEERKHAN BABU., M.D. (Hom) (Gen.med)

Reader, Dept. of Practice of Medicine

Vinayaka Mission’s Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital,

Salem, Tamilnadu.

GENERAL TIPS TO GET BETTER SLEEP

GENERAL TIPS TO GET BETTER SLEEP

-Dr. S. R. AMEERKHAN BABU., M.D. (Hom) (Gen.med)

• 
  

In India, at least 10% of the people can’t sleep without the sleeping pills. In Mumbai the percentage of people suffering from insomnia is high. We believe that if this condition prevails for the next hundred years, not a single person will be able to sleep without medication.  Our whole being is totally connected to the sleep we have. Depression, heaviness, acidity, hypertension, tension all are related to the sleep problems.

A common concern of those who sleep poorly is that lost sleep will damage their health. Recent research demonstrated that the nightly loss of four hours of sleep over 10 days in healthy young adults reduced a number of measures of immune function. Two research papers described how sleeping less than five hours per night lowered the life span.

We all have trouble sleeping from time to time. But we can make it easier to get a good night's sleep every night with these simple steps.

• Cut caffeine. Simply put, caffeine can keep you awake. It can stay in our body longer than we might think – the effects of caffeine can take as long as eight hours to wear off. So if we drink a cup of coffee in the afternoon and are still tossing at night, caffeine might be the reason. Cutting out caffeine at least four to six hours before bedtime can help you fall asleep easier.
• Avoid alcohol as a sleep aid. Alcohol may initially help fall asleep, but it also causes disturbances in sleep resulting in less restful sleep. An alcohol drink before bedtime may make it more likely that we will wake up during the night.
• Relax before bedtime. Stress not only makes us miserable, it wreaks havoc on our sleep. Develop some kind of pre-sleep ritual to break the connection between all the day's stress and bedtime. These rituals can be as short as 10 minutes or as long as an hour. Some people find relief in making a list of all the stressors of the day, along with a plan to deal with them this can act as "closure" to the day. Combining this with a period of relaxation perhaps by reading something light, meditating, aromatherapy, light stretching, or taking a hot bath can also help us to get better sleep. And don't look at the clock! That "tick-tock" will just tick you off.
• Exercise at the right time. Regular exercise can help us to get a good night's sleep. The timing and intensity of exercise seems to play a key role in its effects on sleep. If we are the type of person who gets energized or becomes more alert after exercise, it may be best not to exercise in the evening. Regular exercise in the morning even can help relieve insomnia, according to a study.
• Keep bedroom quiet, dark, and comfortable. For many people, even the slightest noise or light can disturb sleep like the purring of a cat or the light from laptop or TV. Use earplugs, window blinds or curtains, and an electric blanket or air conditioner everything possible to create an ideal sleep environment. And don't use the overhead light if  need to get up at night; use a small night-light instead. Ideal room temperatures for sleeping are between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures above 75 or below about 54 can disrupt sleep.
• Eat right, sleep tight. Try not to go to bed hungry, but avoid heavy meals before bedtime. An over-full belly can keep us up. Some foods can help, though. Milk contains tryptophan, which is a sleep-promoting substance. Other foods that may help promote sleep include tuna, halibut, pumpkin, artichokes, avocados, almonds, eggs, bok choy, peaches, walnuts, apricots, oats, asparagus, potatoes, buckwheat, and bananas. Also, try not to drink fluids after 8 p.m. This can keep us from having to get up to use the bathroom during the night.
• Restrict nicotine. Having a smoke before bed -- although it feels relaxing actually puts a stimulant into your bloodstream. The effects of nicotine are similar to those of caffeine. Nicotine can keep us up and awaken at night. It should be avoided particularly near bedtime and if wake up in the middle of the night.
• Avoid napping. Napping can only make matters worse if we usually have problems falling asleep. If we do nap, keep it short. A brief 15-20-minute snooze about eight hours after we get up in the morning can actually be rejuvenating.
• Keep pets off the bed. Pet sleep with us may cause us to awaken during the night, either from allergies or pet movements.
• Avoid watching TV, eating, and discussing emotional issues in bed.The bed should be used for sleep and sex only. If not, we can end up associating the bed with distracting activities that could make it difficult for us to fall asleep.

DIET AND SLEEP

How much of a direct effect diet has on sleep is still unclear. Adjusting our eating routine may also help us to get a better night's sleep. Most people in our country eat a light breakfast, a moderate lunch, and a large meal in the evening. Yet leaving the largest meal to the end of the day may not be the best choice, since it can result in uncomfortable distention and possibly heartburn when we retire for the night.  

Pattern for a more sleep-friendly meal plan: 

• Eat a substantial breakfast. Because we are breaking our nighttime fast and consuming the nutrients will need for energy throughout the morning, breakfast should be our largest meal of the day. Whole-grain breads and cereals, yogurt, and fruit are just a few examples of good breakfast choices. 
• Opt for a moderate lunch. Choose brown rice, pasta, or whole-grain bread and a serving of protein -- fish, eggs, chicken, meat or beans. 
• Finish with a light dinner. It is particularly important to eat lightly for our evening meal in order to prepare for a good night's sleep. Plan to finish our meal at least two hours before going to bed, preferably longer.
• Homoeopathic medicines like Aconite, Arsenicum album, Arnica, Bryonia, Calcerea, Chamomilla, Coffea, Hepar sulp, Kali Carb,  Mercurius, Nux.vom, Opium, Passiflorra, Pulsatilla, Sepia, Silicea are very much useful in treating sleeplessness.

References

1. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine
2. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica, Dr.J.T.Kent
3. Repertory to Homeopathic Materia Medica” by Oscar E. Boericke
4. www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders
5. Boenninghausen's therapeutic pocket book by Clemens von Boenninghausen
6. Principles of Prescribing, Dr. K.N.Mathur.
7. LILIENTHAL S., Homoeopathic Therapeutics
8. DEWEY W. A., Practical Homeopathic Therapeutics

Dr. S. R. AMEERKHAN BABU., M.D. (Hom) (Gen.med)

Reader, Dept. of Practice of Medicine

VMHMC&H,Salem, Tamilnadu.

SHARME HOMOEO CLINIC,

109, Dr.Babu house, Nallithottam,

Erode – 638011, Tamilnadu

EOSINOPHILIA AND HOMOEOPATHY

                                                            

The term Eosinophilia refers to conditions in which abnormally high amounts of Eosinophils are found in either the blood (more than 600 cells per microliter (μ L))or in body tissues. Several causes are known, with the most common being some form of allergic reaction   Eosinophil is a type of white blood cell. Eosinophils are produced in the bone marrow and are normally found in the bloodstream and the gut lining. They contain proteins that help the body to fight infection from parasitic organisms, such as worms. But in certain diseases these proteins can damage the body. Diagnosis is by complete blood count (CBC).

Aetiology

• The exact causative mechanisms of Eosinophilia remain largely unclear
• Very common Causes of Eosinophilia are Asthma, Hay fever, Drug allergies, Allergic skin diseases like Eczema, Sarcoptes scabiei, Scabies
• Common Causes of Eosinophilia are Connective tissue disease, Food allergy, Psoriasis, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Allergic rhinitis

Clinical Features

Sympioms includes

• Skin allergy,
• Cough
• Frequent cold attack
• Throat irritation
• Bone pain or tenderness
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Joint contractures
• Muscle weakness
• Tenderness and swelling of the arms and legs (occasionally including joints)
• Thickened skin with puckered appearance

Diagnosis

• Complete blood cell (CBC) count with differential to quantitate the percentage eosinophils and absolute number of eosinophils (AEC).However, in some cases, a more accurate absolute eosinophil count may be needed.
• Medical history is taken, with emphasis on travel, allergies and drug use.
• Patients with allergic symptoms should have a nasal smear for eosinophilia and Gram stain. Patients with asthma symptoms should have sputum examination for eosinophilia.

Prevention

• Avoid exposure to known allergens.
• Do not eat raw or undercooked snails, fish, frogs, slugs, freshwater prawns or other animals that may be contaminated with parasitic worms.
• Thoroughly wash all produce to ensure that they are not contaminated with parasitic worms.

TROPICAL EOSINOPHILIA

Syn: Weingarten syndrome, pulmonary eosinophiliosis.

This condition which is common in tropics is characterized by an absolute eosinophil count of 2000/cmm or more in peripheral blood and associated with respiratory symptoms. Current evidence suggests that eosinophilia is an allergic reaction to helminthic parasites particularly filarial worms.

It is a syndrome characterized by cough dyspnea a raised white cell count with persistent and absolute eosinophilia with systemic manifestations like fever loss of weight and lassitude. Chert X-ray shows ground glass appearance.

Homoeopathic Management for Eosinophilia

• Homeopathic medicines stimulate the immune power to act against the disease. So homeopathic medicines acts well in cases of Eosinophilia. Homoeo medicine controls the Eosinophils level in body and helps to reduce the symptoms with out producing any side effect
• Homoeopathy is highly effective in the treatment of allergies and fully capable of stimulating the organism to heal to the point of complete relief from all allergy symptoms.
• There is a special mention about allergic diseases in Homoeopathic literatures under the heading IDIOSYNCRASY. Dr Samuel Hahnemann, founder of Homoeopathic system of medicine defined idiosyncrasy 200 years ago in his famous book Organon of Medicine as “Idiosyncrasies by which are meant peculiar corporeal constitutions which although otherwise healthy, posses a disposition to be brought into a more or less morbid state by certain things which seem to produce no impression and no change in many other individuals”.
• Manifestations of allergic reactions and idiosyncracies are same. Both are hypersensitive reaction. An idiosyncratic individual is oversensitive to one or few things which doesn’t require treatment as the person in healthy, but allergic disorders are due to morbid susceptibility.
• Successful Homoeopathic prescribing demands a detailed case taking to find out the evolution of disease, relation with life situation, also to find out characteristic symptoms. According to Hahnemann it is the constitution of an individual that becomes sick first. The objective of treatment should be the improvement of the constitution, so that sensitivity, which has gone bad, is corrected or brought within normal range. It has been proved, verified and confirmed that if a proper indicated constitutional treatment is given to the child for sometime, it improves the constitution. In due course, the attacks become lesser in frequency and severity.
• By constitutional approach we can prevent the recurrence of the complaint by modifying the altered susceptibility.
  Miasmatic remedy can help to remove any miasmatic block obtained from the familial background, past history of patient and also the presentation.
• Acute prescriptions are required during acute flare-ups.
  Thus the concept of totality of symptoms and principle of individualization together enables the homoeopathic physician to perceive the disease in its whole content to make a suitable prescription
• Lachesis is a sure cure for tropical eosinophilia.
• Remedies like Aconite napellus, allium cepa, Anti.tart, Arsenicum album,  Bryonia alba, Calc.Carb, Drosera, Phosphorus, Hepar sulph, Veratrum viride, Kali carb, Mercurius sol, Kali bich, Natrum sulph, Sulphur Sambucus nigra, Ipecac, Balsamum peruvianum, Asclepias tuberose, Naphthalinum, Sinapis nigra are very much useful in treating eosinophilia.

References

1. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine
2. Wikipedia.com/eosinophilia
3. Quick Bedside Prescriber – J.N.SHINGHAL.
4. http://homeoall.com/eosinophilia-homeopathy-treatment/
5. http://www.homeopathyzone.com/blog/article/the-homeopathic-treatment-of-allergies
6. http://doctorprasanna.com/articles/naso-respiratory-allergies-and-homoeopathy/
7. Principles of Prescribing, Dr. K.N.Mathur.
8. LILIENTHAL S., Homoeopathic Therapeutics
9. DEWEY W. A., Practical Homeopathic Therapeutics

Dr. S. R. AMEERKHAN BABU., M.D. (Hom) (Gen.med)

Reader, Dept. of Practice of Medicine

Vinayaka Mission’s Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital,

Salem, Tamilnadu.