Is homeopathy effective for urticaria or hives?

        urticaria is one of the common forms of skin allergy  found in both males and females of all races globally.In some people it lasts for a few minutes while in others it last more than a day to weeks and months.what are the causes of urticaria and why does it happen.,how homeopathic medicines help in this allergic response?let us have a look at the different manifestations of urticaria and their causes.

Urticaria is also known as hives or nettle rash, is a group of disorders characterized by eruption of wheals which are transient, itchy, well-demarcated, superficial, erythematous or pale swellings of the dermis.

Urticaria is a common problem with cumulative lifetime prevalence of 1 -5 % and female preponderance. The size of wheal may range from a few millimeters to large confluent lesions. Lesions are very itchy and provoke rubbing rather than scratching .acute urticaria may present as an anaphylactic reaction. Usually urticaria is precipitated by the intake of certain drugs and stings of insects.

Urticaria can be classified on the basis of trigger factors.

1. spontaneous urticaria

Wheals erupt spontaneously and subsides with in a few minutes to hours and do not persist beyond 24 hours.

Acute urticarea resolves within 2weeks. Chronic urticaria persists for more than 6weeks.Episodic urticaria is recurring acute urticaria.

Allergic mast cells are the major effector cells of urticaria.The pathogenesis of acute urticaria involves the interaction of an allergen with specific IgE antibodies on mast cells. This result in vasodilatation, wheal formation and clinical manifestations.Eosinophils play a major role in persistence of wheals.

     Allergic causes----

·        Drugs like pencillin, cephalosporins, insulin, vaccines.

·        Insect stings by bee, wasps etc.

·        Latex in rubber products such as gloves.

·        Inhalants such as pollens, animal dander, mould spores and house dust.

Non allergic causes  -----direct histamine release from mast cells  occurring due to some drugs like aspirin,morphine,iodine based dyes etc.Some foods like peanuts, cheese ,meat ,tomatoes ,pineapple ,strawberries,shellfish,prawns&some food preservatives can also cause this.

Other causes-----

·        Infections

·        Idiopathic-no cause can be identified.

  2 .Chronic urticaria

It is difficult to determine the cause of chronic urticaria.50% are classified as chronic autoimmune urticaria and have circulating auto antibodies in their sera. Remaining cases are labeled as chronic idiopathic urticaria although there are some known aggravating factors such as foods, inhalants, infections.

 3. Contact urticaria

    It occurs following contact with substances like cosmetics, foods, medicaments etc.There can be immunological   contact urticaria due to type 1hypersensitivity.Non immunological contact urticaria are mediated by prostaglandins. Lesions appear within minutes to hours of contact with provoking substances. In Immunological contact urticaria lesions occur on secondary exposure to the substance in pre sensitized individuals.

4. Physical urticaria

It usually has a chronic cause and is induced by a physical stimulus

Types-

·        Dermographism----stroking of skin produces linear lesions or lesions assume the shape of the eliciting stimulus with surrounding erythema [redness].

·        Pressure urticaria results from sustained pressure on some parts of body. It can be immediate or delayed.

·        Cholinergic urticaria occurs as a consequence to sweating  following exercise ,hot bath and is characterized by very small eruptions.localised heat urticaria appear at sites of contact with heat.

·        Adrenergic urticaria appears as multiple small wheals and is induced by stress.

·        Exercised induced anaphylaxis – It starts with itching, followed by urticaria and angioedema.

·        Solar urticaria appears following exposure to sun. Wheals develop over photo exposed parts within minutes of exposure.

·        Aquagenic urticaria happens on contact with water.

·        Cold urticaria occur  on exposure to cold

ANGIOEDEMA

Angioedema is characterized by diffuse swelling of eyelids, lips, genitalia and may be associated with anaphylaxis.

Angioedema involves deeper dermis ,subcutaneous and sub mucosal tissue and is characterized by localized ,episodic,nonerythematous and mildly itchy but painful swelling of skin of eyelids,lips,upper respiratory tract and genitalia.It can be associated with symptoms of dyspnoea and dysphagia which may be life threatening.

Angioedema with wheals is a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction triggered with in minutes by foods [e.g.: fish, shellfish and nuts], contact with latex or drugs.angioedema without wheals is associated with C I -esterase inhibitor deficiency which can be hereditary or acquired.

Homeopathic management:

From the above description of urticaria with its classification on the basis of causation it is very evident that all those implicated causative factors are just triggers of urticaria or angioedema. The real cause is individual predisposition to get urticaria on exposure to these triggers. Even the common drugs for acute infections like fever, cough etc produce urticaria in prone people. Homeopathy addresses both issues very effectively in acute and chronic states. Homeopathic constitutional medicines and mother tinctures are devoid of any side effects.

 A few homeopathic medicines are listed here: Apis mel, calcarea carb, lycopodium, natrum mur, rhus tox, sulphur, and silicia.Angioedema also can be effectively managed by homeopathic medicines in acute and chronic states if anaphylaxis symptoms are not there. Anaphylaxis [respiratory and swallowing difficulty associated with angioedema] requires emergency hospital care.

urticaria and homeopathy

History of homeopathy

                                              Dr  Samuel Hahnemann-the father of homeopathy



History of homeopathy

           The history of homeopathy begins with its founder Dr Samuel Hahnemann [1755-1843], a German physician who was a MD in conventional medicine .Dr Hahnemann coined the word homeopathy [HOMEOS means SIMILAR and PATHOS means SUFFERING in Greek] to refer the pharmacological principle ’the law of similars’.Although Hahnemann was a physician of conventional medicine he was dissatisfied with the prevailing interventional modalities and incurable nature of chronic diseases. During his time the conventional medicine followed treatment modalities like blood letting, venesections, leeching etc. As the wisdom of this genius was not in accord with these harmful methods he relentlessly searched for better remedies, did experiments in chemistry and pharmacology. He wrote

‘The pharmaceutical Lexicon”. He left his medical profession and found a vocation in translating books as he was a linguist, proficient in 9 languages. In 1790 Hahnemann  could notice  while translating a book by William Cullen  that  Peruvian bark[ cinchona bark]is useful in the treatment of malaria due to its bitter and astringent properties.Hahnemann wrote a bold footnote in his translation that the curing principle can’t be the bitterness as there are so many other substances which are more bitter than Peruvian bark and they do not effect a cure.Hahnemann started experiments with  cinchona bark on himself up to its toxicological doses and developed fever ,chill  and other symptoms similar to malaria.Hahnemann concluded that the diseasing producing principle of the bark is beneficial in treating malaria. This was the beginning of a new system of medicine.Dr Hahnemann conducted studies and experiments with so many substances and he repeatedly verified his findings. Homeopathy was born only after meticulous research on so many substances which were proved beneficial in curing various ailments .Although he faced rampant criticism and threats against the existence of this new system from his own medical school of orthodox medicine, homeopathy could  gain popularity amongst public and spread across Europe and later to Asia.

                 Dr Hahnemann has contributed many treatise and volumes of books of Material Medica to the world ,gained through  his experiments and clinical observations.

       His remarkable contributions to homeopathy include:

• The organon of medicine which describes the philosophical aspects of homeopathy and pharmacology.
• Materia medica pura
• The chronic diseases

There were so many followers for homeopathy   across the world like Dr Kent, Boger, Boenninghausen, DR Johann Ernst Stapf, Hering, Lutz et al. . They have developed homeopathy to the present  upholding the principles of the founder unchanged ,standing the test of time.

Dr Hahnemann has mentioned  two centuries before about iatrogenic [drug induced]  diseases and lifestyle diseases in his book Organon of medicine  as artificial chronic diseases and pseudo chronic diseases  respectively. He predicted the etiology [causation] of incurable chronic diseases as MIASMS. Miasms are nothing but  inherited and acquired predispositions to diseases and infections [we call them in the present day as viruses ,bacteria etc]The conventional medicine[allopathy]  proclaims miasmatic theory  as absurd or unscientific .Now the scientific world  reports so many diseases are of unknown etiology  ,some are genetic inheritances, some are due to environmental factors. All these substantiates that Dr Hahnemann was an astute observer and  a great researcher of all times.

History of homeopathy in India can be traced back as the year 1835 when Dr John Martin Honigberger   visited India as he was called in by Maharaja Ranjith Singh of Lahore. He cured maharaja ,dispensing the remedy ‘DULCAMARA’ in wine  from paralysis of vocal cord .Honingberger also treated the foot ulcer of maharaja’s horse and he became the chief physician of maharaja’s court.

Later Honingberger shifted to Calcutta and he cured so many cholera cases.

Other important   names in the history of homeopathy in India include Dr Mahendra Lal Sircar, Rajendralal DUTTA, Fr Augustus Muller, DR L.D Dhawale etc. All of them has contributed much to alleviate the distresses of suffering humanity when cholera & plague were epidemic in several parts of India.

Now homeopathy is practised across the world as a solution for acute and chronic diseases ,especially for those diseases where other medical system have no  permanent or effective curative modalities in the present scenario of autoimmune  &iatrogenic diseases and  antibiotic resistance.

Research methodology in relation to homoeopathy

Research methodology in homeopathy - a new perspective
[ a continuation of an article by dr sanjana vb written in 2011]

§Research is a process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting information to answer questions  undertaken within a framework of a set of philosophies, uses procedures, methods and techniques that have been tested for their validity and reliability;

§ it must be controlled, rigorous, systematic, valid and verifiable, empirical and

§two broad categories of research:

    - pure research

    - applied research

§   The path to finding answers to your research questions      constitutes research methodology.

Pure &applied research

•Pure research involves developing and testing theories and hypotheses that are intellectually challenging to the researcher but may or may not have practical application at the present time or in the future.

•Applied research is done to solve specific, practical questions

     It can be exploratory, but is usually descriptive. It is almost always done on the basis of basic research. Applied research can be carried out by academic or industrial institutions.

Research –classification based on objectives

•From the viewpoint of objectives, a research can be classified as:-
•Descriptive-describe systematically a situation, problem phenomenon.

•Correlational-attempts to discover or establish the existence of a relationship/ interdependence between two or more aspects of a situation.

•Explanatory- clarify why and how there is a relationship between two or more aspects of a situation or phenomenon.

•Exploratory-to explore an area where little is known or to investigate the possibilities of undertaking a particular research study

Homoeopathic research methodology -an explorative &applied approach

•Objective :-

•Test the efficacy of several potentized homeopathic drugs diluted beyond Avogadro's limit in modulating significantly many parameters of study  and envisage  the effects in the light of new Nano - particulate theory.

•Study of different attenuations[potencies] of drugs in modifying a particular clinical condition in different ways.

•Study of action of different attenuations on genes,haemodynamic parameters,immunological ,histological and neuro endocrine parameters

•Collaborative research :collaborating with renowned institutes which  can assist in adopting sophisticated and innovative scientific methods  in homoeopathic research can generate waves of new dimensions  in homoeopathy

• unbiased clinical observation and data verification  -as  repeatedly verified  clinical experiences  ,even modified  hemodynamic &biochemical parameters  by the action of a drug provide the material for extensive research on it and it adds to evidence based homeopathy.

• study of action of  homoeopathic drugs in reversing mild form of cell injuries-degenerations. e.g: role of homeopathy in Alzheimer's.

•Study of homoeopathic attenuations in embryological life at the time of development of notochord and nervous system- e.g: altering the gestational diabetes and gestational thyroid dysfunctions in  affecting the foetus.

•Does homoeopathic drugs have any effect on immunological tolerance?

•Does homoeopathic drugs alter any phase of cell cycle-prophase ,metaphase etc. As we study tissue culture and the interventional role of allopathic medicines in altering cell cycle  a few homeopathic potencies like thiosinaminum has to be tried.this can add to cancer research in homeopathy. 

•Role of homoeopathic drugs in genetics.- in modifying genetically transmissible diseases like ADHD,thalassemia,sicklecell anaemia etc treting the parents with homeopathic medicines for a specified time period and study the effect in progeny following the rules of genetics with the assistance of a geneticist.

•Parameters

•Scientifically acceptable

•Homeopathic drug of study shouldn’t have any action at physiological level[ as diluted beyond Avogadro's limit ]only dilutions from 30 and higher  has to be taken for research as the study intends  to explore the dynamic actions of remedies

•Drug standardization as per Aphorism 122. This drug standardization is conducted to ensure quality, genuineness, and authenticity of raw drugs and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of drugs.

•Study of drugs in disease and health- to test the law of similars.Study the effect of drug in diseased individuals and controls[healthy] who share similar characteristics.

RCT s can be chosen as the study design; provided the groups are similar  with respect to the drug under study in physical &mental constitutions,and the drug must have pathological similarity [sphere of action]with the disease under study.
Role of statistical analysis  in Homeopathic research:

          It is very familiar to all homeopaths across the globe that homeopathy has been subjected to harsh criticism taking statistics as a parameter to analyse the efficacy of homeopathic medicine.Is statistical analysis free from biases? To answer this query we must know what is statistics.In research we use it as a tool to interpret the data we have gathered.

17 th september 2015:---------

research methodology a new perspective -part 2

Recent advancement in science and technology is not recommending RCTs as the best methodology for research.
The role of statistical tests depends solely on the data we provide which  are based on  sampling techniques and sample size, the method of study,the research tools etc.
In homeopathic medical science we can do interventional trials in different ways.The first one is adopted by the majority .it studied at the level of altering health by a medicinal substance and it is measured by a research tool such as lab investigation or imaging techniques.later its statistical analysis gives a 'p' value and we retrieve conclusions based on the p value whether the tests is significant or not.

The second methodology is at  cellular and subcellular level. 


[will be continued]

Intermittent explosive disorder and carcinosin – A constitutional approach

Intermittent explosive disorder and carcinosin –

 A constitutional approach

Intermittent explosive disorder it may seem to be a rare disorder from a medical man’s perspective. But any expedition through the route of law may lead us to the fact that most often crimes occur due to momentary explosion of temper .it may be illustrated by incidents like road rage, domestic violence ,murder  of business partners  and even quarrels and disputes between strangers ending in culpable crime or assault. If the cause of such an emotional outburst or unbridled agitated state of mind is probed in depth it may guide us to “intermittent explosive disorder”. It is a variant of aggressive disorder.

                    Individuals with this disorder experience aggressive impulses which they act upon reflexivity and without thought or concern for the situation and find this lack of control distressing. Physiological symptoms such as tingling, buildup of pressure inside the head or chest, or palpitations may accompany the episode. Some individuals report sudden exhaustion or deflated mood after the episode passes.

Individuals usually have a history of problems with relationships, job loss, criminal behavior, alcohol abuse and injuries resulting from fights and accidents. Early studies suggested that the violent outbursts may be due to minor neurological abnormalities and hence a full neurological and neuropsychological assessment is often suggested. However, discrete organic pathology is usually not identifiable. In recent years, interest has focused on serotonergic and adrenergic neurotransmitter abnormalities in violence-prone individuals .several episodes of impulsive behavior that result in serious damage to either persons or property, where in the degree of the aggressiveness is grossly disproportionate to the circumstances or provocation, and

the episodic violence cannot be better accounted for by another mental or physical medical condition. persons with this disorder may act even with low degree of provocation.

           

The individual may describe the aggressive episodes as "spells" or "attacks" in which the explosive behavior is preceded by a sense of tension or arousal and is followed immediately by a sense of relief. Later the individual may feel upset, remorseful, regretful, or embarrassed about the aggressive behavior.

They get frustrated by something, or by a rejection, and they 'blow up,'

Some psychiatrists who take a cognitive approach to mental disorders believe that IED results from rigid beliefs and a tendency to misinterpret other people's behavior in accorda nce with these beliefs.

FEATURES

                  Most people diagnosed with IED believe that other people are basically hostile and untrustworthy, that physical force is the only way to obtain respect from others,

Selective perception: The person notices only those features of situations or interactions that fit his negative view of the world rather than taking in all available information

Misinterpreting the motives of others: The person tends to see neutral or even friendly behavior as either malicious or manipulative.

Denial: The person blames others for provoking his violence while denying or minimizing his own role in the fight or other outburst.

Personalizing: The person interprets others' behavior as directed specifically against him.

AETIOLOGY[CAUSE]

Emotional or psychological cause

 People with impulse control disorders such as intermittent explosive disorder are more likely to have a family history of addiction and mood disorders.

Research also has shown that people with intermittent explosive disorder often grow up in unstable families marked by severe frustration, physical and emotional abuse, alcoholism, violence and life-threatening situations. They often

Lack role models to teach them how to control their impulses and emotions.

 Feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem, which are common among people with the disorder.

They also might become explosive when confronted with situations that remind them-consciously or unconsciously-of frustrating or dangerous experiences from their childhood. But regardless of the causes, explosive episodes are more likely to occur during periods of stress.

Endocrine

In people with IED seratonine level is  found to be very low.

Differential diagnosis

rule out brain tumors, traumatic injuries of the nervous system, epilepsy, or similar physical conditions.

Treatment

·       Medicinal management

·       Psychotherapy

·       Meditation

Homoeopathic medicinal management

Staphysagria

Chamomilla

Nux vomica

Natrum muriaticum

Ignatia

Lycopodium

Sepia

Tarantula

hyos

Nitric acid

These are some of the medicines used to treat IED after erecting a totality. According to  organon of medicine  mental diseases are explosions of latent psora  and antipsoric remedies can be of immense help to exterminate the disorder after the acute episodes are over.

Miasmatic approach

Chiefly selection of antisycotic and anti syphilitic remedies are of great help.also carcinosin as  a representative of cancer miasm

Grounds of selection

sycosis

·       Fixed ideas

·       Low self esteem

·       Destructive impulses

·       Degenerated state of mind

·       Irritability

·       Disposed to fits of anger

Syphilis

·       Depression

·       Lack of self confidence

·       Impulsive

·       Stupid thoughts

·       Criminal mind

Anti Miasmatic drugs: carcinosin,thuja,medorrrhinum,syphilinum,nitric acid,

Reportorial approach

·       Mind anger

·       Mind  anger indignation

·       Mind anxiety

·       Mind Contradiction is intolerant of

·       Mind destructiveness

·       Disobedience

·       Mind impetuous

·       Mind irritability

·       Mind kill sudden impulse to

·       Mind rage

·       Mind malicious

Carcinosin –a constitutional ,antimiasmatic approach

Carcinosin- a nosode from carcinoma

Miasm –cancer miasm

Carcinosin is a wonderful drug most often overlooked by many of us in the treatment of chronic ailment. This    article is just an attempt to throw light on to the fact that carcinosin is a  crucial remedy for pediatric age group during the formative years of  mental development. Childhood ambience has prime role in the creation of a healthy mind although the influence of genetics can not be ignored.

Let us have look at the carcinosin drug picture and analyze how a carcinosin child evolves as a personality with unbridled emotions.

·       Carcinosin is usually indicated in patients with strong family history of cancer ,t.b.diabetes

·       Carcinosin child is easily annoyed. obstinate,

Demanding, meticulous, detail, perfectionist and orderly in excess. Fastidious. Carcinosin fastidiousness is not primary, that it stems from a desire to please others

·       sleep knee chest position

·       Carcinosin has either a craving or an aversion

to one or more of the following:

Salt, Milk, Eggs, Fat meat, Fruit

·       precocious, intelligent

·       He is a depressed child; frightened on seeing cruelties, which may create in him a want of confidence.

·       Capricious and hyperactive

·       Seeking consolation  and appreciation

·       Fearful

·       Excitable, and also dull, sometimes.

·       Even a short nap refreshes

·       Carcinosin has a tendency to bite nails until it bleeds

·       Sympathetic and compassionate.

·       Crying, weeping mood, tearful.

·       Weeping in sympathy with others.

·       Weeping telling her own sickness.

·       Seeker of appreciation; it creates impetus in him.

·       Reprimand disturbs him to the core, and puts him off the track

·       Blue sclera of infants, is a marked symptom

·       cafe-au-late birthmark on his chest

·       Hypersensitive to music (sometimes he does mourn), with very strong sense of rhythm and dance. Children who love to dance

·       Fear or liking for thunderstorm. Fear of the dark, dogs and animals in general. Fear of other children at school, does not know defense.

·       Aversion to  conversation .Very sensitive to reproaches to scares, frights disorders. Night terrors in the child. Major need for affection. Feelings of unhappiness and unhappiness disorder

·       We also have a history of serious infectious diseases very early in infancy or in early infancy. In children with a history of insomnia.

·       Sleep disturbed, restless. Takes to fall asleep at large influx of ideas awake almost all night, insomnia He wakes up with shivering. Sleeps in knee chest position or arm above the head

·       Rash between the shoulder blades, worse undressing

·       Patient usually has violent palpitations.

·       Carcinosin usually has an unpleasant childhood.

Carcinosin is not an anger remedy .but it has crucial role in the treatment of behavioral and aggressive disorder to root out or modify the stigma of miasm left by the formative years and environment.

Let me conclude with a slogan that “a healthy mind is the cornerstone of a healthy society”. So mental health also should be there as our prime concern if there is an earnest desire for peaceful, safe environment as crimes occur at that moment when tranquility is lost and turbulence conquer the mind.

    As a system of medicine which emphasizes the role of mind in curing diseases and establishing the “ease” of body and mind homoeopathy has a crucial role in eradicating the malady affecting human minds.

Homeopathy Torrents: IIT-B team shows how homoeopathy works

Homeopathy Torrents: IIT-B team shows how homoeopathy works: "IIT-B team shows how homoeopathy works Source : The Times of India 16 dec 2010Mumbai: Six months after the British Medical Association wrot..."

THYROID diseases- a metabolic enigma?

WHAT IS THYROID?
thyroid is a butterfly shaped endocrine gland situated in front of trachea  on lower part of neck,which secrete thyroxines and calcitonin which play crucial role in the mental and physical well being   and homeostasis of the system.

WHAT  ARE THYROID DISORDERS?
Thyroid being an endocrine gland of complex structure and intricate hormone synthesis mechanisms ,is prone to auto immune attack,inherent enzyme deficiency for hormone synthesis ,iatrogenic trauma due to drugs .The consequences are dysfunction of the gland- hypo or hyper functioning gland produces a wide clinical spectrum .Apart from functional disorders thyroid can be the seat of malignancy -most commonly papillary carcinoma.- either primary or mestatic   tumours.

common thyroid disorders:
colloid goiter
hashimoto's thyroiditis
neonatal hypothyroidism
postpartum autoimmune thyroiditis
thyroid nodule
multinodular goiter
 grave's disease
toxic adenoma
thyroid tumors-papillary
                       - follicular
                         -medullary carcinoma thyroid

what is hypothyroidism and what is the risk?

hypo functioning thyroid  produces comparatively low amount of thyroxines and hence affects the body and mind  badly.The symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain,oedema,hair loss,weakness,amenorrhoea or scnty menstruation,myalgia,coarse thick skin,depressive mood,forgetfulness ,cold intolerance,diminished reflexes,hoarsenessbradycardia,peripheral neuropathy .myxoedema is extreme hypothyroidism  which can lead to myxoedema coma and myxoedema madness.
major causes of hypo thyroidism?
iodine defeciency
autoimmunity
iatrogenic  :antithyroid drugs - carbimazole,propylthiouracil 
                    psychiatric drugs like lithium compounds
                     amiodarone

                                                                                                                 blog will be continued