Insomnia

Introduction: Insomnia, this word signifies want of sleep and is used popularly to indicate any impairment in its duration, depth or restorative properties. Insomnia is a sleeping disorder characterized by persistent difficulty in falling asleep.

Normally 7-8 hours of sleep is necessary for human beings. Insomnia can affect not only your energy level and mood, but also it will affect your health.


Types of Insomnia

Primary Insomnia: The term primary insomnia should be reserved for those persons who throughout their lives have never enjoyed restful slumber and in whom none of the usual symptoms of nervousness, depression, or other psychiatric or medical diseases can be elicited.

• Insomnia secondary to another disease condition: Severe insomnia is a frequent complaint of patients suffering from psychiatric illnesses or neurological disorders, brain lesions or history of traumatic brain injury.

Cause

• Certain drugs, medications, caffeine may cause insomnia.

• Fear, anxiety, domestic and business worries which keeps the patient's mind in turmoil can cause insomnia.

• Shift duties and jetlag may cause insomnia. Jet lag is seen in people who travel through multiple time zones, as the time relative to the rising and setting of the sun no longer coincides with the body's internal concept of it. The insomnia experienced by shift workers is also a circadian rhythm sleep disorder.

• Hormonal imbalance during menopause or before menstruation in young girls may cause insomnia.

• Psychiatric illness such as depression, nervousness and brain lesions, neurological disorders may cause insomnia.

• Certain diseases such as hyperthyroidism may cause insomnia.

• Rebound insomnia may be due to excessive use of prescription of sleep aids.

• Insomnia can be common after the loss of a loved one, even years or decades after the death, if the person has not gone through the grieving process due to shock after hearing the news.

Signs and Symptoms

• Difficulty falling asleep at night.
• Waking up during the night.
• Disturbing dreams are frequent and may awaken the patient; exceptionally the patient may even stay awake to avoid them.
• Waking up too early.
• Irritability.
• Falling asleep at odd hours.
• Daytime fatigue and sleepiness.

Diagnosis

A detail medical history to exclude disease conditions causing insomnia is required.

• Blood tests to rule out hypothyroidism and other disease conditions.
• History regarding the patient's sleep pattern, whether the patient sleeps in the afternoon for long hours, whether he is on any medications or he has other health disorders, whether he snores and since how long he is suffering from difficulty in falling sleep is considered.

Treatment

Homeopathic Management

Homeopathic medicines are not habit forming and they are free from dangerous side effects.
A detail history is considered; also whether the patient has any other underlying disorder is considered and then treated with Homeopathy.

After the administration of correct homeopathic remedy, the patient will enjoy sound sleep without frightening dreams. Homeopathic medicines act on mental level. It is the disturbed mind which has to calm down. Sometimes the patient gets frightful dreams. There are different remedies in Homeopathy which cover them as each person is different.

Some people get dreams of fire, some people dream about water, snakes, some dream about day to day worries. The nature of dreams is helpful in selecting the right medicine.Some people do not sleep in the first half and sleep early in the morning.

One patient would actually get up at night and write down his dreams in a diary; he was very intelligent and would remain occupied throughout the day and also very suspicious. Due to the disturbing dreams he was unable to sleep. He was put on homeopathy, he enjoyed sound sleep and he was restored to health.

Another patient was so miserable that he was about to commit suicide as he just could not sleep due tensions, worries. After administration of constitutional homeopathic medicine the patient was better, he could sleep peacefully and all his negative thoughts disappeared.

Keep in mind some important tips if you are suffering from insomnia

• Listen to some good music before going to bed. Chant the name of God and you will never know when you fall asleep.

• Avoid sleeping for long hours in the afternoon. Keep yourself busy; especially old people should do some light activity during day time to ensure good sleep at night.

• Avoid watching television for long hours at night.

• Youngsters should perform vigorous exercise and stay active which will give you good sleep at night.

• Avoid taking tea, coffee after lunch and limit caffeine. Alcohol which may initially make you feel sleepy can cause unrestful sleep and frequent awakenings.

Email me on : tosh116@gmail.com for more details and consultation

Warts and Role of Homeopathic treatment

Introduction: Warts are epidermal outgrowths (skin outgrowths) caused due to infection of the skin and mucous membranes with HPV (human papilloma virus). They are contagious in nature. They can affect any part of the body. They are non-cancerous.

Types of warts
Verruca plana or juvenile warts: They are seen in children usually on the back of the hands or on the face. They are smooth, small, flat topped papules of skin color.

Verruca vulgaris: These affect any part of the body especially the hands and feet. The surface is rough and they are firm in consistency and non tender.

Plantar and palmer warts: They occur on the soles of the feet or on the palms. They are flat due to pressure. They have a tendency to grow inward.

Genital warts: They occur in genital areas of sexually active adults of either sex.

Cause:
• A person can get common warts through direct contact with the human papillomavirus (HPV). One can also get the wart virus by touching a towel or object used by someone who has the virus. People who are more susceptible are more prone to get them.
• Warts usually spread through breaks in your skin, such as a hangnail or scrape. Biting nails can also cause the warts to spread on your fingertips and around your nails.

Complications:
New warts can appear quickly after old ones go away as warts shed HPV virus.

Treatment

Homeopathic Management

Homeopathic medicines given internally give wonderful results and it is advisable not to cut off the wart. Homeopathy believes that whenever there is a derangement of the vital force or life force or in other words slight imbalance in the body it is expressed through skin in the form of some eruptions or warts.

It is an outwardly manifestation of internally deranged vital force. If we cut the wart or try to remove it, the disease is turned inwards and then the vital organs can be affected. Hence it is necessary to treat the person as a whole by considering his other symptoms also and not only his warts.

A detail case taking is required taking into consideration the miasms (disease producing agents) and the mental and physical symptoms of the patients. Then a constitutional medicine is prescribed considering the miasmatic background and other factors.

Within few days or months the warts will disappear and you will be restored to health. You will be also preventing any disease affecting you in future.

Prevention
In order to prevent the spread of warts
• It is advisable not to touch them as picking may spread the virus.
• Do not bite your fingernails if you have warts near your finger nails.
• Do not shave areas with warts.
• Use a different nail clipper for healthy nails.

Written by,
Dr.Santosh Joshi
Classical Homeopath
For consultation email me on : tosh116@gmail.com

High blood pressure -Hypertension

Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms at all. There are no specific warning signs. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is through regular monitoring.

What is Blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force exerted on the walls of your blood vessels (Artery) as blood flows through them.

Your heart is like a pump. When it contracts or beats it sends a surge of blood through the blood vessels and the pressure increases .This is called the systolic pressure.

When your heart relaxes between beats, your blood pressure decreases .This is called the diastolic pressure.

Normal blood pressure falls within a range – it is not a set of numbers. But if you’re an adult ,it should be less then 140/90 mm of Hg.If you have Diabetes ,renal insufficiency or heart failure ,your doctor will want it to be not higher then 130 /85 mm of Hg.If your blood pressure goes above this threshold and stays there ,you have high blood pressure.

What does High blood pressure do to your body?

High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. The heart must pump with more force, and the arteries must carry blood that is moving under pressure. If high blood pressure continues for a longtime, the heart and the arteries may not function well as they should and other organs of the body may also get affected.

There is an increased risk of Stroke, heart failure, kidney failure, heart attack.

Blood pressure measurement

When a doctor takes your blood pressure, he or she measures both your systolic and diastolic pressures and records it in numbers. For e.g. if your blood pressure reading is 124/72 ( 124 over 72) ,then your systolic pressure is 124 and your diastolic pressure is 72.The numbers are calculated in millimeters of mercury and recorded as 124/72 mm of Hg.

These two numbers provide important information about your health. The more difficult it is for your blood to flow through your blood vessels, when both the numbers are on the higher side. When blood pressure is consistently above the normal levels then the person is diagnosed to be suffering from High blood pressure (Hypertension).

General guideline about the range

	Systolic pressure (mm of Hg)	Diastolic pressure (mm of Hg)
Optimal	<120	<80
Normal	<130	<85
High- Normal	130-139	85-89
Stage 1 Hypertension (mild)	140-159	90-99
Stage 2 Hypertension (Moderate )	160-179	100-109
Stage 3 Hypertension (Severe)	> 180	>110

What can you do about high blood pressure?

If you have high blood pressure, you can do a lot to reduce it. Work with your doctor to determine the best treatment that suits you. It may include a low fat diet, a low salt diet, and changes in your lifestyle such as quitting smoking, losing weight, and doing more exercise.

Reducing your alcohol intake may be recommended. Many medicines also can help in reducing and controlling your blood pressure. Your doctor will decide whether you need medicine in addition to the diet and lifestyle changes.

By lowering your high blood pressure you’ll lower your risk of diseases like Stroke, Heart failure, Heart attack and kidney diseases.

FAQs on Blood pressure

Q: Why are the doctors reading different from the one taken at home?

Ans: Blood pressure can vary due to exercise or the environment (temperature, Nervous condition).Particularly when measured at the doctors consulting room; it is possible for blood pressure to increase over readings taken at home due to anxiety and nervousness this is also known as “white coat syndrome”.

Q: The blood pressure reading is always different

Ans: Your blood pressure changes constantly according to the various situations. The blood pressure will show changes in the morning and evening readings this is known as diurnal variation.

Also when you are angry or doing exercise your blood pressure increases, but when you are relaxing or after a good sleep your blood pressure decreases. These fluctuations are completely normal.

Q: How important is it to monitor blood pressure at home?

Ans: One or two readings will not provide a true indication of your normal blood pressure. It is very important to take regular, daily measurements and to keep accurate records. In partnership with your doctor, an accurate record of blood pressure over a period of time can be valuable aid in diagnosing and preventing potential health problems.

Informative purpose please contact your Doctor for Further details .

 Email me on : tosh116@gmail.com for more details and consultation

Testimonials

My Experience with Dr. Santosh Joshi is like any patient goes to a perfect and highly talented Doctor. As in my case Dr. Santosh Joshi treated me in such significant way.

I have been suffering from the disease called ANTEROLISTHESIS since last 4-5 years.

I was suffering from severe neck and shoulder pain. I tried to treat it with allopathic medication. Unfortunately results were not good enough at all. And then fortunately Before 4 months, I came to know about Dr. Joshi’s website and connected him.

Well my good days started..... From the first dose of Dr. Joshi’s Holy Homeopathic Medicine, I did not have any pain in my neck, shoulder and spine. Less then in a month it felt like it was a miracle to get cured by Homeopathy.

I wish the best to Dr. Santosh Joshi and the Holy Homeopathy.

Regard,

Prakash Mohnani

Jaipur

India

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Details of the Recommendation: "I along with my full family am taking medicines from Dr. Santosh Joshi and we all are fit, fine and healthy and living very enjoyable life. In case of my parents they were suffering from quite a diseases since really long and after taking treatment from Dr. Joshi they not only got rid of diseases but also living a lot more better life now. My 5 yrs old kid is on only homeopathy since birth and growing well in all aspects of life."

Top Qualities: Great Results, Expert, On Time

Mr.Sujeet Katiyar

Mumbai India

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“Dr. Santosh has provided me and my family with invaluable medical advice for the past two years. As a result I have seen the health of my toddler improve drastically after switching to his homeopathic remedies. Dr. Santosh's demeanor is always pleasant and courteous. I owe him my sincere thanks and would recommend Dr. Santosh to anyone especially to those who have hit a dead end with conventional medicine. That’s where we were and we have come a long way since.” February 24, 2009

Errol Rosario

Vice President, Information Resources Inc. USA

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I was having severe pain due to Sciatica and was unable to walk. Being an allopathic doctor I took painkillers, which provided only temporary relief. I turned to Homeopathy as my aunt who was under Dr.Santosh Joshi’s treatment had benefited in getting over her ailments so I gave a shot to Homeopathy. To my surprise the pain disappeared in a matter of 3 days and to date I am free from the trouble. I took the medicines for few months those were the constitutional medicines, which helped me overall. I would like to thank Dr.Joshi for his help.

Dr.A.P

Muscat.

U.A.E

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Sean Serafino writes:

Subject: Response to Dr. Joshi

Thank you. This article on anterolisthesis was nicely written in layman terminology which helped me. It cleared up some questions I had as I suffer with this diagnosis. I am being treated by an Osteopath as of this month and am looking forward to playing again. It has been five years!

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Dear Dr.Santosh,

It has been my pleasure and good fortune to get your good services and knowledge in the treatment of me and my kids. It is impossible to forget the favours you have done by telling the medicine over phone, at all odd hours; on your off days and forgive me in case I have forgotten some more. I cannot thank you enough for all u have done so selflessly always thinking of patients comfort over you. Many thanks again and best of luck to you for a very bright future in all the ventures and projects.

Regards

Ujjwala

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• Patient’s name: Sumera and Family

• Disease: Anemia, hair loss

• Country: India

Your experience

My family and me have been consulting Dr Santosh over two years now and have always received good medical advice, patient hearing with a warm and very friendly approach. While staying in Mumbai or even while living out of India, Doctor has helped us handle health issues by way of phone calls/e-mails and even SMS.

We really appreciate his dedication to work and rightly so he enjoys a very special bond with each one of us. It is evident he pays personal attention to our medical histories and has all our details almost memorized so any time of the day, he is ready to advice and attend to our queries.

We wish him a very bright career ahead.

Thanks.

Sumera

Jakarta

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Your services were impeccable................I wish u luck in all u do...........may the best come to you as you always have at least given me the best............thank u so much for everything in the past as in as a patient with you.....You were always there to help me out and Iam very grateful for it.

Thanks n blesses always.

Mamta bajaria

Mumbai India

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I have personally known Dr.Santosh Joshi Homeopathic consultant for over 1 year now. My wife and I have been under his care and treatment for nearly eight months. I have found that he is very meticulous and painstaking. He understands his subject too very well .His line of treatment and the medicines prescribed are very effective and helpful to both of us. In fact he cures.

We are both very thankful to him and wish him well

Mr.Sudhir Thar

Mumbai

India

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Well it’s been a very fulfilling relationship of four years now. I remember going to him when I was suffering from a basic back problem till he and me discovered that it was “Cervical spondylitis”. There was a time when I would feel that I am paralyzed because of my cervical and then my treatment begun and I am perfectly all right now.

Well I don’t know how well people or patients communicate with their doctors but I could speak to him about how I was feeling at every level of my treatment. In due course of my treatment I learnt a lot about how to handle it.

Well while I was just recovering from my cervical that I was faced with a skin and hair problem. Which I also was able to deal with because of him? Now for every little problem I would just go to him for the complete faith that I have developed in him as my savior doctor and a patient relationship so enriching and fulfilling.

I think doc you are one of those god’s blessed people with the magical touch .You have the healing power of words with the right medication. Well I have never thanked you enough doc but I guess through this small little word “thank you” would say it all.

Miss.Gitika.B

Mumbai. India

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Patient's name: Mrs. Carmelita Noronha

Disease: Sciatica

Country: India

Experience : I am 63 years of age. One year back, I had fallen into a gutter. After that I developed severe pain in my left leg. The pain would occur after about 15 minutes of walking. I was told that I had sciatica. Moreover, allopathic medicine offered surgery which was not always effective. I thought this was the end of my leading a normal life.

I was told that alternative medicines like acupressure would help.

But I decided to try homeopathy first. And first time lucky! After taking the first few powders, I did not get any relief. On contacting Dr. Santosh Joshi, he asked me if I was following the instructions fully. Then I realized that I had been asked to stay away from coffee and camphor. But I was still having my morning cup of coffee. So I discontinued my morning coffee and I started getting relief.

The pain in my leg started becoming less. And I actually felt like walking again. It was great to be able to walk again. However, I did not get a full cure. After some time, the pain would come back and I would have to start taking homeopathic medicine again to get relief. This went on for six months and finally one day when I took my blood test I discovered that I had diabetes. I started taking medication for diabetes and the sciatica has gone forever!

But I must say a big thank you to Dr. Santosh Joshi who gave me courage to deal with the problem. I had given up hope of ever walking normally again. I take this opportunity of wishing Dr. Santosh Joshi all the very best in his career. I am sure that he will bring hope and courage to many more like me as he pursues his promising career as a Homeopath.

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Patients Name: Mrs.Babita.Madnani

Disease: Cancer Liver metastasis, Skin allergy, Joints pain, Acidity

Country: India

City: Mumbai

Experience

I got a satisfactory treatment from Dr.Santosh.Iam taking his medicines for the last 1 year and I feel he can understand my problems easily. My skin problem has been solved completely and my joint pains are also much less.

My liver metastases were also reversed during the treatment. I have provided the reports of the same. I am relieved from most of the complaints and now I am living a pain free life.

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At the time of commencement of the treatment, Miss Anuja was having a problem of slow growth in height and problems of appetite. She had problem regarding the general physique.

The treatment started in November. 2006.

After about 3 months of treatment, following improvement is seen in miss anuja:

• Earlier she used to cry for anything. Now there is a considerable improvement. The irritation has almost stopped.

• There is very good improvement in appetite: the child has started demanding food to some extent.

• There is an improvement in general condition of health.

• There is an increase in her height by: 3.5cm. The present height is 83.5 cm.

• The concentration of the child has improved. She has started finding out her own entertainment. She has started talking now. She has started singing also.

• The child has become very active. She has started playing. She has become naughty.

She has been under Dr.Santosh Joshi’s treatment since Nove.2006.

There is a considerable improvement in her physique and general activities since you have started treating her. She is fine and has become active now

Yours sincerely,

Ashutosh.Kulkarni

Pune India

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There was severe pain in the joints. Making any movement was impossible. On investigation RA test was positive. There was no relief from painkillers .So after 3 months I came to Dr.Santosh Joshi for Homeopathic treatment. The pain was better after few days. I took the treatment for 8 months and now I have no complaints.

The stress that was there was also relieved and the fear of disease totally vanished. And now I am very happy and off all the medicines. I would like to thank Dr.Santosh Joshi for helping me.

Best wishes,

Mrs.Sukhada.Narsapur

Indapur.India

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I was suffering from eczema, which was not responding to any treatment, and it was worsening day by day. My relative referred me to Dr.Joshi. I took the medicines and Iam happy to say that my eczema has disappeared and for the past 3 years there has been no recurrence .I was also treated recently for my joint affection due to Chikungunya and Iam absolutely free from the pain. My best wishes to Dr.Joshi and wish him all success in life.

Kusum .N

Athani.India

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We would really like to thank Dr.Joshi for considering my case of Grade 1 Anterolisthesis where I was unable to walk, perform my regular work and was almost bedridden. I was advised surgery but we didn’t have the funds for the surgery we came to Dr.Joshi for pain relief. With his treatment my pain has gone and also I have resumed my daily activities without any discomfort he also made us understand what the disease exactly was and also advised about the things that had to be avoided and the necessary exercises. We are very grateful to Dr.Joshi for his co-operation and effective Homeopathic treatment.

Mrs.Sarita.N

Mumbai.India

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I am thankful to Dr.Santosh Joshi who took up my case of Chikungunya where I was unable to walk due to severe pain in the joints. With his treatment I recovered completely within a short span of time. Now my wife is under his treatment for Rheumatoid arthritis and Iam sure she will also get relieved of her complaints. I wish him all the best and our good wishes.

Mr.Shankar.Gupta

Mumbai India

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Around 2003, I was suffering from stomach upset and after trying Allopathy for years I thought of taking Homeopathic treatment. I started taking Homeopathic treatment from Dr.Santosh Joshi and it really felt like a good option as my health improved and I was feeling better.

After few months I started having lot of pain and on the advice of Dr. Santosh Joshi I went for Sonography. In Sonography Gall bladder stone were detected. After that I started taking Homeopathic treatment for Gall bladder stones. Every time the pain would erupt taking the homeopathy pill would always make me feel better.

Even for acidity and back pain I took treatment from Dr. Santosh Joshi and it has helped me to a large extent.

Mrs.Shreelaxmi Shastri

Chembur

India

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To improvise and provide a better solution to our patients is what we believe in.

Dr.Santosh R.Joshi

Classical Homeopath

Visit us at : www.hhomeopathy.com

Celebrating 10 years in Classical Homeopathy and Wellness ...

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Introduction: It is a syndrome of severe fatigue that doesn’t improve with bed rest and may worsen with physical or mental activity. Good events such as a wedding, birth of a baby, a long tour or vacation may make you feel tired and exhausted, but the fatigue and tiredness goes away after rest.

Also bad events such as illness of a loved one, death, arguments, disappointed love can make you feel tired, sad, anxious and nervous. But these feelings are temporary and the person is back to normal as time heals most of the wounds.

But—if your feelings of anxiety, depression, or fatigue severely disrupt your daily life or persist for more than a few weeks, or if your feelings seem out of proportion to the event that caused them—or if there is no specific cause—then it's time to see your doctor.

Women are diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome far more often than men. Tiredness is severe enough to decrease our ability to participate in daily activities.

Cause: The exact cause is not known. Some of the possible causes are:
• Anemia

• Hypoglycemia

• It is more common in individuals who have previous psychiatric illness.

• Encephalitic illness

• Endocrine dysfunction

• Viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus or human herpes virus

• Depression

• Allergies

The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome may be an inflammation of the pathways of the nervous system as a response to an autoimmune process.

Signs and Symptoms:
Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are vague and vary from individual to individual.

• Severe chronic fatigue for at least six months or longer not alleviated by rest with other medical conditions excluded.

• Forgetfulness or difficulty in concentration

• Sore throat

• Enlarged lymph nodes in neck and axilla

• Muscular pain

• Anxiety

• Does not feel fresh to take up a new task or assignment

• Headache

• Disturbed sleep

• Mental exhaustion

• Shortness of breath

• Blurring of vision, dry eyes

• Weight loss or weight gain

• Tiredness even early in the morning. Does not feel fresh to get out of bed.

Complications:
• Depression
• Side effects of medicines to treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Due to fatigue the patient avoids social functions, and this leads to isolation.

Diagnosis: General physical examination will reveal enlarged lymph nodes, and other signs. There may be pharyngitis,signs of anemia etc.

The diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is made after ruling out all other known possible causes of fatigue, such as:

• Infections
• Other illnesses (such as heart, kidney, liver diseases)
• Auto immune disorders.
• Tumors
• Depression etc.

There are no specific tests to confirm the diagnosis of CFS, though a variety of tests are usually done to exclude other possible causes of the symptoms.
Some tests usually done are

• Complete Blood Count
• M.R.I (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of brain.

Homeopathic Management

In Homeopathy mental symptoms acquire great importance. All the mental symptoms are considered while case taking as well as the physical symptoms and then a remedy is administered.

Mental symptoms include the feelings and emotions of the patient, any major mental trauma in the past, such as death of a relative, financial loss, divorce, wrong decisions, and all such things are considered to know the cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

In case of students repeated failure in exams could be the cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Also the physical symptoms such as pain are considered. Based on the totality of the symptoms and repertorisation remedy is selected and the patient is restored to health mentally and physically.

Email me on : tosh116@gmail.com for more details and consultation

Homeopathy – A Holistic system of medicine

• History of Homeopathy
• What is Homeopathy?
• Why Homeopathy?


History of Homeopathy

Homoeopathy was discovered in Germany 200 years back by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann.

He was a M.D physician. However, he was getting disenchanted with the kind of treatment doctors gave patients in his days. Most of it involved purging, one way or another. Patients were given laxatives, emetics or were made to bleed by applying leeches, in an attempt to cure diseases. Hahnemann gave up his practice of medicine and worked as a chemist.

He was also a scholar fluent in 14 languages. So he started translating the original medical work while he was translating one of the work of a doctor he came across the detail that the bark of the Cinchona tree could cure malaria.

Having a scientific mind, he decided to experiment. He ate a little of Cinchona bark and noted it produced symptoms similar to malaria. He gave the same bark to few of his friends and relatives and they produced malaria like symptoms. But he went one step further whenever a patient came with malaria; administration of this bark cured the disease condition!

He continued experimenting with different medicinal substances. He noticed that those that produced symptoms similar to a disease were capable of treating the disease. He formulated the law: SIMILIA SIMILIBUS CURENTUR. (LIKE Cures LIKE).

Homoeopathy was born!!!


What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a specialized system of medicine developed by “Dr.Samuel Christian Frederic Hahnemann” based on the natural law of healing “Similia Similibus Curentar” which means likes are cured by likes.

“Homois” means like (Or similar) and “pathos” means suffering.Thus Homeopathy is a system of treating diseases by the administration of remedies which possess power of producing similar sufferings in a healthy being.

This law of Similars for curing has been in use since the time of Hippocrates, Father of medicine. But it was Dr.Samuel Hahnemann who developed it into a complete system of medicine enunciating the law and its application in 1810.



Why Homeopathy?

The above question comes to our mind when we are trying to switch off from one stream of medicine to another. We all know that every science has its positive aspects and its limitations.

Let’s see what Homeopathy has to offer to the suffering humanity. It is based on the principle of “Similia similibus curenter” i.e. “like cures like”.

Homeopathy is a Holistic method of treatment where the whole body and mind is taken into consideration not just the diseased part or organ or just a few symptoms. Every minute shift of health is noted down in the minutest details in the form of causation, sensation experienced. This is known as case taking.

After careful analysis and evaluation the medicine that suits the constitution is selected. The treatment is based on individualization depending upon constitution of each individual.

Homeopathic medicine helps the system to bring back the lost balance when it is in a diseased state. When the right homeopathic medicine is administered it stimulates the body and produces an action, which is known as the primary action, and then the body will take care of the disease this is known as the secondary action.

Homeopathic medicine acts at the level Psycho neuro endocrinal axis and brings back the imbalanced disease state to a balanced state of health.

The best effect is seen when children are put on homeopathy. It allows the child to blossom like a flower. They will lead a healthier life and even the hereditary tendencies which are carried can be minimized.

The homeopathic medicines can be administered in a very simple way and because of its sweet taste kids take the medicines without any fuss.

In chronic diseases after the remedy is administered it will act at a very deep level and will help the individual to fight the disease. We can get good results if the case is properly managed and if the patient reports at the beginning of the sickness and gives the original unmodified picture of the illness.

In acute conditions after the medicine is administered it will bring back the lost harmony in a rapid gentle way without producing any complications.

Homeopathic medicine can be very useful during epidemics. The remedy that is selected on the symptoms that are characteristic during the epidemic is known as the “Genus Epidemicus”.

This genus epidemicus when given to the people where there is an outbreak it will help the people in not contracting the epidemic disease. For e.g. Cholera, Influenza, Plague etc.

Homeopathy is the only system of medicine which works as a preventive and helps the patient to remain healthy and not get affected by the environment. In homeopathy there are medicines, which can be given as a prophylactic medicine that will help the individual to prevent the disease when there is an outbreak of certain diseases.

For e.g. If there are 2 children in a house and one is suffering from say Chicken pox in order to prevent the other child from getting the infection if he is given the indicated remedy he will not contract that disease or even if he contracts the disease it will be in a very mild form..


Homeopathy is a system of medicine where the remedies are prepared from the natural substances that are obtained from the Plant Kingdom, Mineral kingdom and Animal kingdom. These substances undergo a process of potentisation and serial dilutions. This process releases the latent power of the medicine. The more the substance is diluted the more is the power of that drug. The power is known as the “Potency”.

The homeopathic medicines do not have side effects when they are used judicially. As the action is at the dynamic level and drug substance is minimum. Homeopathy can be used for a wide range of diseases with success if practiced in the right way.

Let us make a healthy harmonious living possible through Homeopathy…

Dr.Santosh Joshi
Classical Homeopath

Email me on : tosh116@gmail.com for more details and consultation 

What is Anterolisthesis ? and Role of Homeopathic treatment

There are several symptoms in the diseases of the spine. The person may experience stiffness, limitation in the movement and deformity but pain gets the foremost importance because of discomfort and the disability that is experienced by the suffering person.

The vertebrae are the bones that protect the spinal cord. Each vertebra has a thick drum-shaped area in front called a vertebral body. Between the vertebrae are spaces that allow nerves (nerve roots) to go from the spinal cord to other parts of the body.

What is anterolisthesis?In anterolisthesis the upper vertebral body is positioned abnormally compared to the vertebral body below it. More specifically the upper vertebral body slips forward on the one below. The slippage often occurs as a result of bone fractures

The amount of slippage is graded on a scale from 1 to 4. Grade 1 is mild (20% slippage), while grade 4 is severe (100% slippage).

Symptoms
Symptoms can vary depending on whether the slippage is enough to compress the nerve roots (the portion of the nerve that leaves the spinal cord to connect to other parts of the body) that go from the spinal cord to other parts of the body. In this case, the symptoms will differ depending on where the affected area is.

Symptoms can involve movement or problems feeling sensations (such as heat, cold, pain, etc ), loss of control of bowels or bladder, pain and poor posture.

DiagnosisA doctor will take the patient's medical history and do a physical exam, including checking the patient's reflexes.
X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will also show the slippage of the vertebrae.

Role of Homeopathy
The role of homeopathy lies in the fact that it can bring back the lost balance in the human body, which is in a diseased state. Homeopathic remedies act at the psycho neuro endocrinal axis. In other words it stimulates the human body, which in turn will take care of the disease.So the first step in treating is a correct case history.

Human body is a complex network and the human mind can play a major role in defining any disease. So we have to know the emotional nature in details all the events that have happened which have affected the patient have to be mentioned in details.The patients should give all the details avoiding any conflicts.

The emotional aspect, intellectual attainments any conflicts have to be explained to the best of patient’s ability. As it is important to know the causative factor that has brought in the present situation

In homeopathy the symptoms are listed in a book known as a repertory. (It is an index of symptoms and the remedies that can cure that symptom are noted.)

So if we take for e.g. the back chapters from any repertory and search for the patient’s symptoms we can get the exact symptom or the similar expression and the remedies, which are listed against these symptoms, have the capacity to cure them.

In addition to this we have sophisticated homeopathic software’s, which help to go through the huge database and find the right expression of the disease.If we consider a remedy say Calcarea flur in this remedy we find the symptoms of erosion of joints, cracking of the joints, destruction is as if the theme of the remedy.

At the mental level the patient is very aggressive, angry and destructive. So this remedy has the capacity to act in diseases, which have progressed, to the level of destruction and when it is given in the indicated case it will relieve the patient at the physical as well as at the mental level.So we have to understand that the homeopathic remedies act at a very deep level and if the line of treatment is managed properly we can get amazing results.

As it is an Anterolisthesis is a mechanical disorder in advance cases where the patient has to undergo surgery in such cases the Homeopathic medicines will help in quick recovery. It will also help in relieving the pain.

Article written by
Dr.Santosh Joshi.
Classical Homeopath

Email me on : tosh116@gmail.com for more details and consultation

Renal Calculi (Kidney Stone) & Role of Homeopathy

Introduction

Kidneys are the organs which help the body get rid of its waste products. These waste products are thrown out of the body through the urine. The waste products consist of various toxic substances, as well as some normal salts and minerals (which are present in excess in the body).

Normally, these salts pass easily through the urine. But, in certain conditions, the salts get deposited in the urinary tract, and this leads to the formation of a stone. Renal calculi are more prevalent in males than in females.

Definition
“Calculus” means a stone. Renal calculi refer to the formation of stones in the kidneys, which mainly consist of the aggregates of crystals of the normal constituents of urine.

Causes and risk factors
The causes can be grouped into different categories for a better understanding, as follows:

Environmental and dietary: where due to any of the these factors, there is increased excretion of the normal mineral salts present in the urine
• Decrease in the urine volume when the environmental temperature is high or the fluid intake of the patient is reduced.

• When a person consumes diet containing higher concentration of proteins, sodium (salt), or reduced concentration of calcium.

• Increased excretion of salts in the urine.

• Decreased concentration of citrates (a constituent of urine, which normally keeps calcium in solution).

Other medical conditions:
• Hyperparathyroidism (increased functioning of the parathyroid gland), which leads to increased calcium excretion in the urine, increasing the chances of stone formation.

• Ileal disease (a part of the intestine), results in increased absorption and excretion of oxalate.

Inherited conditions:
• Genetic factors also play a role in certain people.

According to the main mineral constituent of the stone, they can be of various types: oxalate calculus, phosphate calculi, uric acid and urate calculi, cystine calculi, and xanthine calculi.

Also, depending on the position of the stones in the urinary tract, they can be termed as kidney stones, bladder stones or ureteric stones.

Risk factors
• Persons with vitamin A deficiency are at a higher risk of developing kidney stone.

• Dehydration leads to increased precipitation of the salts in the kidney, hence increasing the chances of stone.

• Patients having recurrent urinary infections.

• Patients, who are on complete bed rest, are at a higher risk.

However, in developed countries, mostly, calculi are seen in healthy young people without any single predisposing factor or any abnormality in the investigations.

Screening and diagnosis
• In most of the patients, the presence of a stone is not known for a long period, unless it produces any symptoms or it is accidentally diagnosed during other investigations. Most of the stones remain silent.

• The majority of the symptoms are produced either due to the passage of the stone through the ureters (narrow tubes carrying urine from the kidney to the bladder), or due to a secondary bacterial infection.

• Pain is the leading symptom.

• In some cases, there may be a fixed renal pain in the loins, which may be aggravated by movement or while climbing the stairs.

• In majority of the cases, the patient who is previously not having any symptoms, suddenly becomes aware of the sever pain, which develops in the loins and radiates from the flanks to the groins.

• The pain starts increasing steadily and then reaches its peak within a few minutes.

• The patient may experience this intense pain for 2 hours, after which it may subside or may continue for hours or days.

• During the attack, the patient becomes anxious. He may have profuse sweating and vomiting.

• There may be an increased frequency of urination, dysuria (painful urination), strangury (painful passage of a few drops of urine), or hematuria (passage of bloody urine) during the attack.

• After the attack of renal colic subsides, there may remain a residual intermittent dull pain in the loins or back.

• In case the patient develops urinary tract infection, he may present with fever, chills, burning urination etc.

• Very rarely, the patient may develop complications like anuria (complete absence of urine in 24 hours), due to the obstruction of the ureters.

• Some other complications like severe infection or impaction of the stone in the ureters may occur producing severe constant pain.

Diagnosis
• Diagnosis can be easily made based on the history obtained from the patient. But, a few investigations may be advised to confirm the diagnosis.

• Urine examination: It is a very common test routinely advised for the confirmation of diagnosis of renal calculus. It may show the presence of amorphous material, or blood, or pus in case of a stone.

• Radiological examination: Opaque stones can be seen (phosphate calculi, cystine calculi).

• Excretion urography: Here, a dye is injected in the kidneys and its excretion is recorded at specific intervals after injecting the dye, with the help of a ultrasonography.This helps to find out the non-opaque stones, their position, their size and also the functioning of the other kidney.

Treatment
• Conservative treatment is helpful only in cases of stones less than 0.5cm diameter. It consists mainly of hydrotherapy.

• The treatment aims at dissolving the stone, or aiding the passage of the stone with the urine.

• If the attempts to dissolve the stone fail, surgical intervention may b e advised, which consists of endoscopic or an open surgery.Endoscopic surgery is preferred over the open surgery now a days.

• Another way of dissolving the stones is through extra corporeal shock wave lithotripsy (where, shock waves generated outside the patient’s body are focused on the stone; so that it gets fragmented and can easily pass through the urinary tract.)

• Though, any of the means stated above may be helpful in eliminating the stone, there is every possibility of its recurrence.

Homoeopathic treatment
• In homoeopathy, acute remedies prescribed during an attack of renal colic, act very efficiently in relieving the pain of the patient.

• Other symptoms of burning micturition, blood in urine, painful urination, and increased frequency of urination will also be relieved.

• After the attack of the colic has subsided, we may give homoeopathic constitutional medicines based on the patient’s physique and mentality, his nature of previous complaints etc.i.e. Considering the patient as a whole, and not only his complaints of the renal stone.

• This constitutional medicine will remove from the patient, his tendency of formation of stones; and thus prevent recurrence of the stone.

• Thus, homoeopathic remedies can very effectively be used either during an acute attack of colic or during the silent period. It can effectively control the acute symptoms as well as remove the tendency of the stone formation.

Patient care
• During an attack of renal colic, bed rest is the immediate treatment

• Application of warmth to the affected site may also help in reducing the pain.

• The patients, who are diagnosed as having renal stones, are advised to drink at least 2 litres of water per day.

• Restriction of sodium intake in diet (intake of salt) to prevent recurrence of oxalate stones.

• Avoid vitamin D supplements as they increase calcium excretion in the urine.

• Also, increase dietary calcium intake, but avoid calcium supplements in the form of tablets.

Written by,
Dr.Santosh Joshi
Classical Homeopath
E-mail : tosh116@gmail.com

Role of Homeopathy in Acne

Written by Dr. Santosh Joshi Classical Homeopath


What to expect during the Homeopathic acne treatment?Homeopathy has a range of natural and effective remedies that offer a solution to the acne. During the treatment you will notice that your quality of sleep improves, you feel fresh and energetic.

Then the acne will start drying up and in the next step the number of acne will reduce and also the intensity of the acne will come down. During the course of treatment little new acne will also come till the time the treatment is not completely over. The other associated symptoms like, pain burning will go away.

Acne should not be treated with external applications because the cause is an internal disorder. If you try to treat the acne by external applications there are chances that you might suppress the disease and this is not good for the overall health of the individual.

How Homeopathic treatment works?
Homeopathic treatment is an individualized form of treatment. So the disease picture expressed by each individual will have its own characteristic symptoms besides the symptoms of the disease.

For e.g. If two individuals are suffering from acne, One individual gets depressed due to the appearance of the acne on the face; she becomes very conscious about it. While on the other hand the other individual is pretty ok with the acne and it doesn’t affect her at all.

Here we see two individuals responding to the same disease in a different way. One is getting depressed while the other is not bothered at all. The individual response will be very important in selecting the right Homeopathic remedies.

Your Homeopath takes into consideration mans illness not in one part as being sick; but he considers the manifestation of illness in one part in its relation to the whole man. So the medicine selected is the one that suits the constitution of the patient.

Homeopathic Remedies acts at the level of Psycho neuro endocrinal axis and it helps the body to bring back the imbalance to a balanced state of health.Excess secretion at any place is controlled by the feedback system in the body. Homeopathic remedy only gives stimulus to the internal mechanism of the body in a diseased state this is known as Primary action. Then the body takes control to bring back the imbalance in a diseased state to a state of health. This is known as secondary action.

The factors that contribute to the formation of acne mostly are over production of oil (Sebum), irritation caused to the hair follicles due to irregular shedding of the dead skin and the bacteria that comes into play. The homeopathic remedies will help in bringing back the over production of the sebum to the normal level by stimulating the bodies internal mechanism. It will also bring back the hormonal imbalance to a normal level. This in turn will resolve the acne.

In Homeopathy a deeper look is taken into the subtle and complex burden that we carry with us from our hereditary tendencies. The Homeopathic remedy act at a deep level and helps to relieve the individual of these tendencies as much as possible. It also helps in building the immunity of the person to ward off further disease.

They remove such a tendency of your skin to acne formation, thus chances of recurrence after the homoeopathic treatment are minimal.

Homeopathic medication

The following is the line of action in a Homeopathic treatment

• Constitutional remedy
• Acute remedy
• Intercurrent remedy

The Constitutional remedy: It is the remedy that is selected after careful analysis and evaluation of the symptoms. The constitutional remedy is the one which helps in achieving cure. This is the remedy that is repeated mostly infrequently as it is needed to bring back the imbalance in a body to the normal balance.

Homoeopathic constitutional medicines are prescribed not only on the basis of the signs and symptoms, but also according to your physical and mental make up. Thus, they affect your entire body and not only your skin

That’s the reason why we ask so many questions about the nature, emotions, fear etc to define the individuality of the person.

The Acute remedy: During the acute episode of the disease we need to give the acute remedy to relieve the acute condition. The acute remedy is selected from the symptom totality during the acute phase of the disease.

The Intercurrent remedy: Sometimes during the course of treatment we find that there is no further improvement in the case. The case has come to a standstill in such cases the Intercurrent remedy is used. In other words it helps in removing the blocks that hamper the further improvement.

Dr.Santosh Joshi
Classical Homeopath

Email me on : tosh116@gmail.com for more details and consultation

Acne

ACNE

Introduction:
Acne is the most common problem with which our teens suffer from. It is viewed as a normal physiological reaction of the skin. The commonest type of acne appears during the teenagers and rarely persists into the third decade. Though it is more common in women than in men, the severity is known to be more in men.

Definition:
Acne is one of the self limited disorders of the skin, usually occurring after puberty, due to a reaction of the skin to various triggering factors. In persons prone to acne, when their skin is exposed to any of such agents, the size of the sebaceous glands (glands present in the skin) increases, resulting in increased production of sebum (an oily secretion of the sebaceous glands).

Causes and risk factors:

• The main cause of onset of acne at puberty is due to increased production of androgens (Hormones) in both males and females.

• Cosmetics and certain medications block the hair follicles and hence promote the formation of comedones (which we commonly denote as blackheads or whiteheads), which are the clinical hallmark of acne vulgaris (the variety which is commonly seen in the teens).

• As the comedones are blocked, the sebum has no outlet; it gets accumulated in the comedones and hence becomes prone to infection. Due to infection with yeast and bacteria, the comedones become inflamed and this worsens the condition.

• Friction and trauma lead to rupture of the comedone wall and hence the oily sebum comes out. This adds to the oiliness of the face. Hence, an oilinessacne cycle ensues.

• Much of the times, acne appears before or during menstruation due to the hormonal changes which occurs during that period.

• Fatty food increases the oiliness of the face and hence is one of the causes.

• Mental stress, anxiety may also lead to development of acne.

Screening and diagnosis:

Acne vulgaris:• It is characterized by non inflammatory to mildly inflamed comedones, which are the earliest lesions.

• Such lesions are self limited, though they may progress to form large inflamed nodules (boil –like).

• These nodules may rupture and may produce unhealthy scars.

• Face is the most commonly affected region; though forehead, cheeks, chin, nose and back may also be affected in many people.

Acne rosacea:
• This type of acne is characterized by erythema (flushing), telangiectasis (a lesion formed due to dilatation of the blood vessels in the affected area) and superficial pustules (a small elevated skin lesion filled with pus like matter).

• Comedones are seen rarely in these cases.

• Face is the most commonly affected area. Unlike acne vulgaris; chest and back are not usually involved.

• Subsequently, it may lead to inflammation of the eyes (keratitis, iritis), which may even lead to blindness.

Diagnosis of this condition is clearly based on clinical findings.
Patient care:
• The patients should take enough care of their skin by washing it regularly; but limit the use of soap.

• They should avoid touching the affected skin constantly.

• The use of cosmetics should be limited.

• Avoidance of the agents which flare up the lesions.

• Do not pick at the acne this may lead to further aggravation and scarring of the skin.

Dr.Santosh Joshi
Classical Homeopath
Email me on : tosh116@gmail.com for more details and consultation

Bird flu (avian influenza)

Introduction

Bird flu has led to the deaths of hundreds of millions of wild and domestic birds and to a small number of human deaths. However Right now, bird flu remains difficult for humans to contract. Most people who have developed symptoms have had close contact with sick birds. In a few cases, bird flu has passed from one person to another.

A major bird flu outbreak could occur in humans if the virus mutates into a form that can spread more easily from person to person this is a cause of great concern. Earlier the flu pandemic of 1918 and 1919 had claimed millions of lives worldwide.

Signs and symptoms

Illness seems to develop within one to five days of exposure to the virus. The exact incubation period for bird flu in humans is not clear. Sometimes the only indication of the disease is a relatively mild eye infection (conjunctivitis). But more often, signs and symptoms of bird flu resemble those of conventional influenza, including:

Fever
Cough
Sore throat
Muscle aches

People who are affected with the most virulent type of virus strain — H5N1 — may develop life-threatening complications, particularly viral pneumonia and acute respiratory distress (ARDS), the most common cause of bird flu-related deaths.

Causes

How humans get bird flu
Migratory waterfowl, and ducks in particular, carry the viruses that cause bird flu. These birds spread the infection to susceptible species, especially domesticated chickens, turkeys and geese, resulting in severe epidemics that sicken and kill large numbers of birds — sometimes in a single day.

Avian viruses generally don't affect humans, but in 1997, an outbreak of bird flu in Hong Kong infected 18 people, six of whom died. Since then, human cases of bird flu have been reported in Asia, Africa, the Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Most were traced to contact with infected poultry or surfaces contaminated by sick birds.

Direct bird-to-human transmission

Wild birds shed the virus. Infected migratory waterfowl, the natural carriers of bird flu viruses, shed the virus in their droppings, saliva and nasal secretions. Domestic poultry become infected from contact with these birds or with contaminated water, feed or soil. They may also catch the disease the same way humans contract conventional flu — by inhaling the airborne virus. Heat destroys the virus, but it can survive for extended periods in cool temperatures.

Open-air markets, where eggs and birds are often sold in crowded and unsanitary conditions, are hotbeds of infection and spread the disease into the wider community.

H5N1: In the current epidemic, two influenza subtypes have proved especially dangerous — H7N7, which sickened poultry workers in the Netherlands, and H5N1, which has been responsible for the majority of human and avian deaths in Asia. Of these,

H5N1 is of particular concern for several reasons:
Direct transmission. H5N1 became the first known bird flu strain to jump directly from birds to people when it surfaced in Hong Kong in 1997. It has since infected people in many countries. Other strains have caused illness in humans, but none is as severe as H5N1.

Virulence. The virus is especially lethal, killing close to 100 percent of susceptible birds and more than half of infected people. Birds that do survive can shed the virus for at least 10 days, greatly increasing the flu's spread.

Rapid spread. Since 2003, hundreds of millions of birds have died, a loss that's ecologically and economically devastating. It's also alarming from a public health standpoint — widespread infections among birds may lead to more human disease.

H5N1 mutates quickly and is notorious for grabbing large blocks of genetic code from viruses that infect other species. For that reason, it has particular potential to combine with a human flu virus, creating a new viral strain that spreads rapidly from person to person. The emergence of such a virus would mark the beginning of a potentially devastating pandemic.

Risk factors

The greatest risk factor for bird flu seems to be contact with sick birds or with surfaces contaminated by their feathers, saliva or droppings. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a handful of cases of limited human-to-human transmission of bird flu. But unless the virus begins to spread more easily among people, infected birds or associated material present the greatest hazard.

The pattern of human transmission remains mysterious. Young children seem especially vulnerable to the virus, although some experts note that children are more likely to have contact with sick birds or to play on ground contaminated with droppings. What's more, people of all ages have contracted and died of bird flu. At this point, too few people have been infected to know all the possible risk factors for bird flu.

When to seek medical advice

See your doctor immediately if you develop flu symptoms, including a fever, cough and body aches, and have recently traveled to a part of the world where bird flu occurs. Be sure to let your doctor know when and where you were traveling and whether you visited any farms or open-air markets.

Complications

Most people with bird flu have signs and symptoms of conventional influenza. Some also develop life-threatening complications such as viral pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, which causes the air sacs in your lungs to fill with fluid, leading to severe breathing difficulties. More than half the people who have contracted bird flu have died.

A few cases of person-to-person transmission have occurred, but they were limited in scale. Still, some health officials fear that it's just a matter of time before avian viruses figure out a way to spread easily among people.

Treatment

Several bird flu vaccines are in the works, and at least one may be available in early 2007. Although that vaccine seems to protect against the H5N1 strain currently circulating, it's not known whether it will be effective against a mutated form.

Prevention

The international effort to prevent the spread of bird flu focuses on the health of both birds and humans. Measures to help control the virus among domestic poultry include:

Culling.

Surveillance programs
Banned birds. Many countries have banned or restricted the importation of birds and hatching eggs from regions with bird flu epidemics.

Avoid domesticated birds. If possible, avoid rural areas, small farms and especially any close contact with domesticated fowl.

Avoid open-air markets. These can be colorful or dreadful, depending on your tolerance level, but no matter how you see them, they're often breeding grounds for disease.

Wash your hands. This is one of the simplest and best ways to prevent infections of all kinds.

Watch your kids. Keep a careful eye on young children, who are likely to put their hands in their mouths and who may not wash thoroughly.

Steer clear of raw eggs. Because eggshells are often contaminated with bird droppings, avoid mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce, ice cream, and any other foods containing raw or undercooked eggs.

Email me on : tosh116@gmail.com for more details and consultation 

Depression and Homeopathy

Depression is a medical disorder which affects the thoughts, moods, feelings, behavior of a person it can also affect the physical health. There can be various factors like loss of close people, Stressful life situations, difficulty in adaptation to the surroundings which can trigger depression.

In certain cases depression might occur spontaneously without any specific cause. In some cases the depression can be due to some organic brain diseases or a space occupying lesion (tumor) in the brain.

Signs and symptoms

• Depressed mood The person feels Sad, Weeping spells, Hopeless and Helpless feeling

• Loss of interest in the daily activities that the person enjoyed

The above two symptoms are the most important symptoms in diagnosing depression.

Besides these most of the following symptoms should be present for more then 2 weeks to diagnose a case of depression

• Sleep disturbances
• Impaired thinking or concentration
• Changes in weight
• Agitation
• Fatigue or slowing of body movements
• Low self-esteem
• Less interest in sex.
• Thoughts of death.

Types of Depression

• Major depression or clinical depression
1. Depressed mood, feeling of worthlessness, guilt.
2. Behavioral symptoms include agitation and social withdrawal
3. Difficulty in concentration and decision making
4. Sleeplessness (Insomnia) Too much sleeping (Hypersomnia)

• Dysthymia
It is a chronic form of depression in this the person might be free from the symptoms for a period of time and this will alternate with a state of depression. It is a less severe form of depression but it also places the person in the increased risk to suffer from major depression.

• Adjustment disorders
This can happen when one losses a close person or a close relative or loss of job one becomes overwhelmed by this. This is a normal process and with passage of time one comes to terms with the loss.

But if the person is unable to come to terms with the loss and he/she develops the signs of depression then it is termed as adjustment disorders. It can be acute if it lasts for less then 6months and chronic if it lasts for more then this period.

• Bipolar depression or manic depression disorder
The person suffers from recurrent episodes of elation (mania) and depression is a characteristic symptom of bipolar depression. The person when he/she is in the manic phase will affect the judgment of the person and it might also have periods when the person has increased creativity in his work.
In this type of depression there is a swing of moods to the extremes (poles) that’s why it is termed as bipolar depression or manic depressive disorder.

• Seasonal affective disorder
It is a pattern of depression related to the changes in season and a lack of exposure to the sunlight.

Causes
• Heredity
• Stress
• Medications
• Illnesses
• Personality
• Postpartum depression
• Hormones
• Alcohol, nicotine and drug abuse


Diagnosis
It is diagnosed on the basis of the signs and symptoms that are present. Also your physician will do the physical examination to rule out any other abnormality that mimics depression.
If the person is having strong suicidal tendencies then he/she might have to be admitted to the hospital for observation.

Complications
• Suicide
• Dependency

Role of homeopathy in the treatment of Depression

The first question that comes to the mind is how these Homeopathic medicines are going to help in fighting the disease. As we all know in a diseased state the internal bodily mechanisms do not work in a harmonious way. So to bring back the lost harmony to its original balanced state the correct Homeopathic medicine has to be given.

The homeopathic medicine acts at 3 levels the Psyche, Neuro, Endocrines at the level of the psyche it helps to bring balance which in turn will affect the neurological balance and the correct secretion of the hormones which play an important role in maintaining the harmonious flow. The homeopathic medicines do not treat the disease but it helps in bringing back the lost imbalance back to its normal state.

To find the correct Homeopathic remedy one needs a complete case study so all the aspects of the emotional nature, Fears, Social relations, family relations, ups and downs in life have to be taken into consideration. Also the past history, problems in adjusting, Family history of any major illnesses have to be mentioned.

What has caused the present state is very important and how the person has reacted to it will be very useful. We will consider few remedies in brief and how they will be represented in the depressed state.

In Digitalis
There is depression; sadness melancholy after love disappointment. The patient develops pain in the heart and is sleepless due to this. He is low spirited.

In Natrum.muriaticum the classic medicine we all know which is very useful in ailments coming on after love disaapointment.The patient will brood over the events again and again and cannot forget it even after years have passed. The Natrum.mur patient will cry when alone and consolation aggravates all the complaints.

I will narrate a case in brief which will tell how deep a role the emotions play the patient had been referred to me by a colleague as the patient was not responding to the medicines
The patient has developed multiple uterine fibroids and she has severe pain due to them.

It took me over an hour to get the correct information the lady was very hesitant to divulge this information she is a married lady for over 30 years but she is unable to forget her first love affair which was broken.

She said she is very sad and cries when she is alone, she loves music and she just cannot forget the affair and it makes her miserable and also she feels guilty about it. This is a brief information we confirmed the other points and prescribed her Natrum.muriaticum 200c 1 dose. The result the patient never came back to me. After a months time I go a call from the doctor who had referred the case to me.

She told after that dose the pain had disappeared and the sonography showed regression in the fibroids. I asked why the patient didn’t report back. I was told she felt embarrassed as what I will think about her . But I was very happy to solve the case.

So what I want to stress on is finding the “Cause” what has led to the problem in most of the cases if we are able to develop the rapport with the patient they will express as it is told by Doctor Pierce Schmidt we have to find where the shoe pinches. This will help us in finding the right remedy and also we can offer solution.

The other important remedy is Ignatia.amara the complaints come on after a loss of close person or love disaapointment.The “Sighing” in this remedy is so marked that it is impossible to miss this remedy. The patient is silent complaints coming on after emotional shock. The patient is non communicative will sit silently will brood and weep.

The depression of Aurum is extreme there is loathing of life, no desire to live, Suicidal disposition, and constant thoughts of suicide. There is also marked fear of death.

Depression can be treated with Homeopathy but a correct case history and perceiving the patient is very vital. Along with treatment the patient also will need counseling which should be provided as per the requirement. While handling patients with strong suicidal tendencies it is the responsibility of the treating physician to talk about the state to the parents or the care giver.

Please do not self medicate
If there are any queries feel free to write to me on the following address or Email me.

Dr.Santosh Joshi
Homeopathic consultant

E mail: tosh116@gmail.com
tosh116@yahoo.com

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Chembur
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