Thursday, January 27, 2011

Aloe Socotrina

One of the most important homeopathic remedies prepared from Aloe vera is Aloe soc. It is extremely important to study this remedy in depth and it has many symptoms of other important remedies including Nux vomica, especially when gastric and intestinal symptoms are concerned. No wonder many practitioners give Nux vomica when actually Aloe soc is indicated, thus obviously resulting in failure. Podophyllum is also one of the closer choices in some cases. However, Aloe soc has some very peculiar symptomatology that definitely differentiates it from Nux, Podo, and many others.

Constitution-

Aloe soc is particularly suited for people of venous constitution. Relaxation and congestion of venous system alternates many times. Portal congestion (including liver, abdomen, rectum and intestines) is noticed. For people that have a kind of hatred with certain people. Or in some cases hatred with everyone and everything. Like a depressed patient, many Aloe people feel life is a burden and they will die soon. Very few distinguishable mind symptoms have been proved of Aloe but those that are proved are very marked like aforementioned. Very excitable state of mind is also observed in some patients, especially when they suffer from abdominal colic. Feels the self-anger or hatred especially when constipated. Aloe is especially suited to weary and sluggish people who dread the thought of physical and mental labor.

Physical Characteristic Symptoms-

  1. Foremost important symptom is insecurity of rectum. Rectum feels full, with fluid, wind; fears whether stool will pass with flatus
  2. And in some cases it does; even solid stools are passed with wind without notice
  3. Heaviness in the entire abdomen with hemorrhoids protruding like bunch of grapes
  4. Gelatinous secretions from rectum, post-nasal, etc
  5. Heavy pressure-feeling in head, alternating with abdominal complaints. Headache across the forehead aggravated by every footstep, with heaviness of eyes and nausea; headache better by closing eyes
  6. A distressing sense of weakness in anal sphincter
  7. The patient is always afraid whether he will pass stools and flatus in public
  8. Hemorrhoids burn, itch, protrude, better by cold water application
  9. Often associated with marked redness of lips
  10. Colic before and during stools
  11. Lot of mucus after stool with pain in rectum
  12. Winter coughs with itching
  13. Lumbago alternating with headache and/or piles
  14. Worse- summers, heat, after eating or drinking
  15. Better- cold, open air

Sulphur- the king of antipsorics is one of the strongest complements of Aloe soc, while Opium can be said as a potent antidote! Certainly a very important remedy to deal with certain acute as well as chronic constitutional troubles!


Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Leucorrhea (White Discharge in Women) and Homeopathic Treatment


{For health queries, mail to- contact@drshreya.com} 

As per the Shaw’s Textbook of Gynecology, leucorrhea is the term restricted to those patients in whom the normal vaginal secretion is increased in amount. It is said that frank gynecological infection that lead to purulent (pus-containing) discharges are actually not included in this term, however, much overlapping exists when a physician diagnoses a case of leucorrhea conventionally.

Many physicians use this term to describe any transparent, whitish or yellowing discharge per vagina, strictly excluding the presence of blood.

Is Leucorrhea Abnormal?

Well, as we saw, if the vaginal discharge exceeds its normal limit, it is abnormal. However, the physician must assess exactly if it is truly abnormal, especially in teenage girls who have recently attained menarche. We often find that many girls often point to normal vaginal secretions that are obviously enhanced during pubertal age group as abnormal. This physiological leucorrhea (or discharge) occurs also during pregnancy, at ovulation, and during pre-menstrual phase of normal menstrual cycle. Enhanced vascularity of vagina and surrounding area is also responsible for pubertal leucorrhea that actually needs no treatment.

However, barring these conditions, when the vaginal secretions are increased in amount leading to one or more symptoms, the physician should treat it depending upon the signs and symptoms. Chronic cervicitis (inflammation of cervix), cervical erosion, mucus polyps, etc are some of the external or conventional factors responsible for leucorrhea. Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ovarian congestion, sedentary habit, chronic constipation etc are also said to cause enhanced vaginal secretions.

Clinical Features of Leucorrhea-

(1)   Discharge- Obviously the foremost pointer is vaginal discharge that exceeds the normal amount
(2)   Itching- many women with white discharge complain of itching of vaginal walls or even cervix. In severe cases, when fungal or bacterial infection sets in, the itching is quite severe with small eruptions and redness visible on vaginal walls
(3)   Smelly discharges- in some cases, when the discharge gets infected or even without it, women complain of smelly discharge that causes lots of discomfort and the woman loses confidence in herself
(4)   Chronic leucorrhea can lead to secondary pelvic infections at times
(5)   In case of thick glutinous leucorrhea, the woman may rarely suffer from infertility too
(6)   Most women with leucorrhea develop low back pain and vague abdominal ache
(7)   In many, the pain descends down the thighs developing heaviness in legs and lethargy

Can Homeopathy Help?

Why not? Homeopathy can certainly help the woman get rid of the nasty leucorrhea. Rather, it has been found that homeopathic medicines can be said as the mildest doses to cure leucorrhea completely and help the woman gain her confidence. However, as always, homeopathic medicines should cater the needs of the patients as a whole and should not be directed merely to treat leucorrhea per say. The constitutional homeopathic medicines help the woman get over the tendency to develop vaginal discharges and also help her alleviate the pelvic infections if any. No doubt, the signs and symptoms of leucorrhea vanish once the homeopathic medicine is started. For acute complains too, apt homeopathic medicines can be given depending upon the existing symptomatology.

Let’s see some of the important homeopathic remedies having marked leucorrhea symptoms-

  1. Alumina-
-         Acrid leucorrhea that scalds the inner aspects of thighs
-         Profuse discharge that is transparent and ropy
-         Burning pains in vagina and cervix
-         Associated with constipation and pressing pains in both groins towards private parts
-         Leucorrhea that runs to feet
-         Chronicity of discharge
-         Worse during day time
-         Better by washing with cold water

  1. Borax-
-         Leucorrhea like white of an egg (albuminous)
-         Females with primary infertility
-         Itching vulva and vagina, may be associated with eczematous lesions around vagina
-         With leucorrhea, sensation as if warm water was flowing
-         Clear, hot, pasty leucorrhea
-         Ma be associated with trembling of limbs especially in the morning
-         Weak calves
-         Biting acrid discharge
-         Dry cracked tongue

  1. Kreosotum-
-         Yellow acrid leucorrhea
-         Discharge smelling of green corn
-         Gushing leucorrhea like bloody water
-         Offensive discharges with too early and prolonged menses
-         Corrosive itching of vulva, burning and swelling of labia
-         Violent itching between labia and thighs
-         Leucorrhea between periods every time
-         Associated with dragging pains in back, extending to genitals down the thighs
-         Excessive weariness and debility
-         Worse after menses, lying down
-         Better by movement

  1. Pulsatilla-
-         Acrid leucorrhea
-         Burning in vulva and vagina
-         Creamy, milky leucorrhea with tired feeling in back
-         Engorged private parts
-         Scanty menstrual flow in anemic women that suffer from milky leucorrhea
-         Worse in warm room
-         Better by cold application and cold drinks

  1. Nitric acid-
-         Soreness of parts
-         Brown, flesh colored leucorrhea that is extremely offensive
-         At times stringy or watery discharge
-         Stitching pains through vagina
-         Small eruptions of ulcers surrounding the vaginal walls
-         Menses like muddy water
-         The woman complains that the hair on genitals are falling out
-         Worse in night, extremes of temperatures

  1. Mercurius sol-
-         Thick white offensive leucorrhea
-         Leucorrhea discharge while urinating
-         Excoriating greenish and bloody leucorrhea with abdominal pain
-         Sensation of rawness in parts
-         Stinging pains in ovarian region
-         Itching and burning of parts
-         Worse after urination
-         Better by washing with cold water

  1. Natrum mur-
-         Dryness of vagina alternating with leucorrhea discharge
-         Acrid watery leucorrhea
-         Associated with bearing down pains that make low back ache
-         Leucorrhea in place of menses
-         Absolutely debilitating vaginal discharges
-         Many times associated with weak legs and depression
-         Worse during puberty, mornings, mental tensions, emotional set backs, etc
-         Better by cold bathing, open air

  1. Graphites-
-         Pale thin leucorrhea
-         Profuse vaginal discharge that corrodes the vaginal walls and inner aspects of thighs
-         Excessive weakness in back
-         Decided aversion to coitus
-         Associated with constipated bowels
-         Indurated feeling of private parts
-         Itching inner aspects of thighs leading to darkening of skin in the region
-         Rawness in folds
-         Gushing leucorrhea instead of menses
-         Small itchy eruptions around private parts
-         Worse morning, scratching, suppression of eruptions

  1. Sepia-
-         Excessive bearing down pains with leucorrhea
-         Yellow green leucorrhea with excess itching
-         Violent itches upward in the vagina from uterus to umbilicus
-         Painful vagina especially on coitus
-         Low back aches all the while, must press the back against a firm surface
-         Must sit crossed legged to prevent protrusion of private parts or thus she feels
-         Relaxed pelvic organs
-         Swollen labial folds
-         Leucorrhea may be present in lumps at times
-         Worse in forenoons and evenings
-         Better by firm pressure, warmth of bed, limbs drawn up

  1. Iodum-
-         Excessively acrid leucorrhea that corrodes the linen and thighs
-         Thick, slimy discharges
-         Wedge-like pains across the ovaries (more on right-side)
-         Cross and restless patient, always excited
-         Always hungry yet with emaciation
-         Easy sweating
-         Worse exertion, night, heat in any form
-         Better by bathing, movement



Saturday, January 22, 2011

Sciatica and Homeopathy


{For health queries, mail to- contact@drshreya.com} 

Pain in low back associated with pain in the posterior aspect of thigh down the leg is termed as sciatica. Many times the pain travels past the knee until feet. Many times, it is also associated with the weakness of thigh and leg musculature.

The sciatic nerve is of the size of our little finger that comes out of the spinal column in the lower back region and travels down behind the hip joint, down the buttock, and down the back of leg to the foot.

Most patients complain of shooting type of pain down their leg starting in low back. Oftener the pain starts suddenly with some quick movement or lifting some heavy weight etc. many times the pain is associated with numbness of one of the parts of leg. Burning and/or tingling pains are also seen in a few. There is a feeling like “leg goes to sleep” in some.

Causative Factors-

Obviously the sciatica sets in due to irritation of the sciatic nerve.

(1)   It happens most commonly due to slipped disc injury or herniation of disc. The discs act like cushions between the vertebrae. If the outer edge of the disc ruptures, it creates pressure on the sciatic nerve leading to pain of sciatica.
(2)   It can also happen due to spinal stenosis that is narrowing of the canal leading to pressure on the sciatic nerve due to bony overgrowth (due to aging). In this type, the patient may have sciatica on both sides.
(3)   Rarely, the piriformis muscle may trap the nerve deep in the buttock, leading to pain and uneasiness.
(4)   A backbone may slip forward over to another backbone (spondylolisthesis) in which there is chance of compressed sciatic nerve.
(5)   Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis that may set in due to aging can be one of the causative factors too
(6)   Some women suffer from sciatica during pregnancy due to pressure on the nerve
(7)   Space occupying lesions like tumors or clots can predispose to sciatica in extremely rare circumstances.

Clinical Features of Sciatica-

Pain is the presenting feature in almost all cases of sciatica. Deep shooting pain that starts in low back and travels down one of the legs is the initial symptom. Certain movements bring on the pain in certain individuals. Hip pain is often present. Prolonged sitting or standing can aggravate the pain. Sudden change of postures can lead to such pains occasionally. For example, after the person gets up from the toilet seat, he may develop sudden excruciating pain down the hip. Bending backwards, coughing, laughing, sneezing, or constipation can make the pain worse. Many patients complain of weakness in the leg where pain is located. In severe cases, patients cannot even move their foot without pain. Partial numbness of the leg is often present too.

Clinical Diagnosis-

Straight-Leg-Raising Test- (SLR)

This is one of the reliable diagnostic methods in clinic. The patient is made to lie down in supine position with his hands on the sides of the body. The examiner asks him to raise one of his legs first in hip till the whole lower limb makes right angle to the body. If this raising leg develops pain in low back or back of the buttocks, it is oftener indicative of sciatica. Obviously the test is repeated on both sides.

For advanced tests, one can often make use of CT scans or MRIs etc especially if the pain is very severe and lasts for months together.

Treatment of Sciatica-

Most conventionalists rely on pain-medication that rarely helps beyond the temporary relief. Surgery is obviously the last intervention and often critical, therefore should be avoided as far as possible. Then what can be done? Is homeopathy effective? The answer thankfully is yes! As for many other nerve problems, homeopathy is equally effective in dealing with sciatic nerve damage.

Homeopathic Treatment of Sciatica-

Understand the causative factor, characteristic symptomatology, disposition of the patient, his reaction to the pain factor, aggravating and ameliorating factors of pain, concomitant symptoms, etc are important to be considered before we proceed with the treatment of sciatica homeopathically. One more thing is important to be understood. If you are not well-versed with the science and art of homeopathy, never treat sciatica or any nerve problem for that matte on your own. Expert homeopathic intervention is must!

Top 5 Homeopathic Remedies for the Treatment of Sciatica-

Before we proceed to list of 5 homeopathic medicines for sciatica and their indications, here we must understand that there is no alternative to constitutional homeopathic prescribing when it comes to any nerve pathology. However, for pain factor, many times, we have to give acute homeopathic medicines that will help annihilate the pain and help patient recover faster.

(1)  Rhus tox-
-         Left sided sciatica
-         Or it moves from left to right
-         Tearing pains that lead to extreme restlessness
-         Cannot rest in any position
-         Standing up from sitting posture is often unbearable
-         Dislocative sensation in back
-         Associated with twitching of muscles of leg
-         Crawling sensation with numbness
-         Anxiety about his problem
-         Pain in coccyx going down the thighs
-         Legs feel dead, wooden
-         Sciatica worse after stools
-         Numb pricking pain in limbs
-         Worse- stools, cold, wet weather, washing the parts, beginning to move, after midnight, slight spraining, etc
-         Better by warmth, heat on the affected part like wrapping, rubbing, continued motion

(2)  Colocynth-
-         Affection of nerves in general as well as sciatic
-         Crampy pains in hips and won the thighs
-         Screwing, band-like pains like lightening shocks down the whole limb
-         Left side prominently affected
-         Violent pains brought on after a severe bout of anger or vexation
-         Pains followed by numbness of affected parts
-         Sciatic pains better by pressure
-         Worse- least motion, rotation, night
-         Better by lying on painful part

(3)  Gnaphalium-
-         Intense sciatic pains
-         Pains alternating with or followed by numbness or formication
-         Worse in the morning after getting up, walking, lying down and in cold dam weather
-         Better by flexing the limbs, sitting

(4)  Mag phos-
-         Sudden violent pains that need urgent intervention
-         Crampy paroxysms of pain, sharp shooting pains
-         Pains come in waves, suddenly changing place
-         Extorting cries from patients with sciatic pain
-         Associated with restlessness and prostration
-         Twitching of muscles of leg
-         Constricting sensation in low back and thighs
-         Cutting pains from hips down the back of legs
-         Right-sided sciatica
-         Marked periodicity observed
-         Worse from draft of cold air, touch, night, exhaustion
-         Better by warmth, hot fomentation, rubbing, etc

(5)  Belladonna-
-         Sudden violent pains
-         Redness and heat of affected parts
-         Right-sided sciatica
-         Restlessness
-         Pains like jerks or shocks
-         Full-sensation in buttocks and thighs
-         Low-back feels as if broken
-         Associated with dry moth and throat
-         With congestion to head
-         Worse- heat, checked sweat, jarring, touch, pressure, hanging down the leg
-         Better- bending backward, rest in bed

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Some Interesting and Funny Health-Facts for You!


1. When you are looking at someone you love, your pupils dilate, and they do the same when you are looking at someone you hate.
2. The human head is one-quarter of our total length at birth but only one-eighth of our total length by the time we reach adulthood.
3. Your body gives off enough heat in 30 minutes to bring half a gallon of water to a boil.
4. Blondes have more hair. The average human head has 100,000 hair follicles, each of which is capable of producing 20 individual hairs during a person’s lifetime. Blondes average 146,000 follicles. People with black hair tend to have about 110,000 follicles, those with brown hair have 100,000 follicles. Redheads have the least dense hair, averaging about 86,000 follicles.
5. At the moment of conception, you spent about half an hour as a single cell.
6. In a lifetime, the average person produces about 25,000 quarts of saliva, enough to fill two swimming pools.
7. There are about 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the human body.
8. Heart pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood through those vessels every day.
9. Men without hair on their chests are more likely to get cirrhosis of the liver than men with hair.
10. The human brain cell can hold 5 times as much information as the Encyclopedia Britannica.
11. The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades.
12. Your nose can remember 50,000 different scents.
13. The average woman is 5 inches shorter than the average man.
14. One uses 200 muscles to take one step.
15. The largest cell in the human body is the female egg and the smallest is the male sperm.
16. One gets a new stomach lining every three to four days. If you didn’t, the strong acids your stomach uses to digest food would also digest your stomach.
17. Scientists say the higher your I.Q. The more you dream.
18. Forty-one percent of women apply body and hand moisturizer at least three times a day.
19. The width of your armspan stretched out is the length of your whole body.
20. There are as many hairs per square inch on your body as a chimpanzee. You don’t see all of them because most are too fine and light to be noticed.
21. Women hearts beat faster than men.
22. Three years after a person quits smoking, there chance of having a heart attack is the same as someone who has never smoked before.
23. Scientists have discovered that the longer the ring finger is in boys the less chance they have of having a heart attack.
24. The right lung of a human is larger than the left one. This is because of the space and placement of the heart.
25. In a lifetime, the heart pumps about one million barrels of blood.
26. People that suffer from gum disease are twice as likely to have a stroke or heart attack.
27. At one time it was thought that the heart controlled a person’s emotions.
28. Women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression than men in the United States.
29. From all the oxygen that a human breathes, twenty percent goes to the brain.
30. People who ride on roller coasters have a higher chance of having a blood clot in the brain.
31. Once a human reaches the age of 35, he/she will start losing approximately 7,000 brain cells a day. The cells will never be replaced.
32. It is not possible to tickle yourself. The cerebellum, a part of the brain, warns the rest of the brain that you are about to tickle yourself. Since your brain knows this, it ignores the   resulting sensation.
33. In America, the most common mental illness is Anxiety Disorders.
34. Your brain is 80% water.
35. Your brain is move active and thinks more at night than during the day.
36. The chances of getting a cavity is higher if candy is eaten slowly throughout the day compared to eating it all at once and then brushing your teeth.
37. If an identical twin grows up without having a certain tooth, the other twin will most likely also grow up with that tooth missing.
38. Gardening is said to be one of the best exercises for maintaining healthy bones.
39. Although the outsides of a bone are hard, they are generally light and soft inside. They are about 75% water.
40. Your thigh bone is stronger than concrete.
41. By donating just one pint of blood, four lives can be saved.
42. Blood is such a good stain that Native Americans used it for paint.
43. A woman has approximately 4.5 liters of blood in her body, while men have 5.6 liters.
44. Women blink twice as often as men.
45. The shark cornea has been used in eye surgery, since its cornea is similar to a human cornea.
46. The number one cause of blindness in adults in the United States is diabetes.
47. The eye of a human can distinguish 500 shades of the gray.
48. People generally read 25% slower from a computer screen compared to paper.
49. Men are able to read fine print better than women can.
50. All babies are colour blind when they are born.
51. The reason why your nose gets runny when you are crying is because the tears from the eyes drain into the nose.
52. The most common injury caused by cosmetics is to the eye by a mascara wand.
53. The highest recorded speed of a sneeze is 165 km per hour.
54. It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
55. While sleeping, one man in eight snores, and one in ten grinds his teeth.
56. 85% of the population can curl their tongue into a tube.
57. On average, a man spends about five months of his life shaving.
58. Hair will fall out faster on a person that is on a crash diet.
59. Hair is made from the same substance as fingernails.
60. People that use mobile phones are 2.5 times more likely to develop cancer in areas of the brain that are adjacent to the ear they use to talk on the mobile phone.
61. Over 90% of diseases are caused or complicated by stress.
62. Chances of a women getting breast cancer are increased by excessive use of alcohol.
63. A person that is struck by lightning has a greater chance of developing motor neurons disease.
64. A headache and inflammatory pain can be reduced by eating 20 tart cherries.
65. Each year in America there are about 300,000 deaths that can be attributed to obesity.
66. A study indicates that smokers are likely to die on average six and a half years earlier than non-smokers. A person who smokes a pack of cigarettes a day will on average lose two teeth every ten years.
67. Studies indicate that listening to music is good for digestion.
68. Lack of sleep can affect your immune system and reduce your ability to fight infections.
69. Over 40 million Americans have chronic bad breath.
70. Carbon monoxide can kill a person in less than 15 minutes. (It is present in smoke caused by fires)
71. Every day the human stomach produces about 2 liters of hydrochloric acid.
72. The risk of cardiovascular disease is twice as high in women that snore regularly compared to women who do not snore.
73. It has been medically been proven that laughter is an effective pain killer.
74. The first known contraceptive was crocodile dung, used by Egyptians in 2000 B.C.
75. A pregnant woman’s dental health can affect her unborn child.
76. When a women is pregnant, her senses are all heightened.
77. Studies show that couples that smoke during the time of conception have a higher chance of having a girl compared to couples that do not smoke.
78. Kissing can aid in reducing tooth decay. This is because the extra saliva helps in keeping the mouth clean.
79. Studies have shown that the scent of Rosemary can help in better mental performance and make individuals feel more alert.
80. Scientists say that babies that are breastfed are more likely to be slimmer as adults than those that are not breastfed.
81. People have the tendency to chew the food on the side that they most often use their hand.
82. One out of 20 people have an extra rib.
83. People with darker skin will not wrinkle as fast as people with lighter skin.
84. People with allergies can lower allergy reactions by laughing.
85. People that smoke have 10 times as many wrinkles as a person that does not smoke.
86. Girls have more tastebud than boys.
87. Eighty percent of 10 year old girls in the USA go on a diet.
88. Children who are breast fed tend to have an IQ seven points higher than children who are not.
89. Eating chocolate three times a month helps people live longer as opposed to people who overeat chocolate or do not eat chocolate at all.
90. The average person has at least seven dreams a night.
91. The average person walks the equivalent of twice around the world in a lifetime.
92. The average person laughs about 15 times a day.
93. The vocabulary of the average person consists of 5,000 to 6,000 words.
94. About 10% of the world’s population is left-handed.
95. One human hair can support 3 kgs of weight
96. Bile produced by the liver is responsible for making your feces a brownish, green colour.
97. From the age of thirty, humans gradually begin to shrink in size.
98. The average person falls asleep in about 12 to 14 minutes.
99. People over the age of fifty will start to lose their dislike for foods that taste bitter.
100. It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile.
Source: http://www.listlovers.com/2009/02/13/101-interesting-human-body-and-health-facts/

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Some Homeopathic Remedy Tips for Beginners-

These tips have been mentioned in the Homeopathic Materia Medica by E. B. Nash.


Major Remedies with--

1) Cramping pain - Cuprum, Colocynth, Mag phos

2) Burning pain - Arsenic, Cantharis, capsicum, Phosphorus, Sulph acid

3) (Objective) coldness- Camphora, Secale cor, Veratrum album, Heloderma

4) (Subjective or sensational) coldness- Calcarea carb, Arsenicum alb, Cistus, Heloderma

5) Sensation of fullness- Aesculus, China, Luco

6) Sensation of emptiness- Cocculus, Phosphorus, Sepia

7) Bearing down- Belladona, Lilium tig, Sepia, etc

8) Bruised soreness- Arnica, Baptisia, Eupatorium perfm Pyrogen, Ruta

9) Sensation of constriction- Cactus grand, Colocynth, Anacardium

10) Prostration or weariness- Gelsemium, Picric acid, Phos acid

11) Numbness- Aconite, Chamomilla, Platina, Rhus tox

12) Erratic pains- Lac can, Pulsatilla, Tuberculinum

13) Sensitiveness to pain- Aconite, Chamomilla, Coffea

14) Sensitiveness to touch- China, Hepar sulph, Lachesis

15) Bone pains- Aurum, Asafetida, Eupatorium perf, Merc

16) Sticking or stitching pains- Bryonia, Kali carb, Squilla

17) Pulsating or throbbing pain- Belladona, Glonoine, Melilotus

18) Hemorrhages (passive) - Hamamelis, Secale, Crotalus, Elaps

19) Hemorrhages (active) - Ferrum phos, Ipecac, Phosphorus

20) Emaciation- Iodum, Natrum mur, Lyco, Sarsaparilla

21) Blue swellings- Lachesis, Pulsatilla, Tarantula cub

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

ANGER- Let’s Deal With It!


One of the quotes by Buddha says, “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”

But despite knowing this, almost all of us get in touch with this ‘hot coal’ once in a while! Anger is said to be a potent and natural emotion. We can say that it is an emotion that is expressed when we hear or see something that we do not expect. Such situations may lead to frustrations too but ultimately they culminate into anger. Getting angry is not bad but letting anger take control of our psyche and lead on the path of destruction is bad. One who can control anger and channel it positively for further work is the one who has conquered anger.

Everyone has certain expectations from a person, situation or work. When these expectations are not met with, he or she experiences one of the most dangerous emotions in the world, ANGER!

As we said earlier, the response to anger differs from person to person. There are people who get vehement in rage and will not deter from even attacking the person they are angry with. There are people who throw things in anger and vexation and also there are people who brood in solitude with this anger.

As with all other emotions, one can categorize angry people into two main categories- 1) Optimist and 2) Pessimist. This might look too common classification but these two categories define most angers. An optimist always views his emotions positively, even if it is anger and derives some positive conclusion out of the situation, however grave it may seem. A pessimist will nod in negation and will frustrate either himself or others around him. Nagging kind of behavior after the bout of anger is also quite common and hatred crops up out of this.

Thus, we can say that the outcome of anger differs from person to person depending upon how he or she perceives it.

How to Control Anger? (Some time-tested tips from experts to manage anger)-

Whenever you feel angry, before resorting to any act, think about—

1)     The results- this kind of thinking can be cultivated cautiously. Think what this act of yours will result in. It may have some physical as well as legal complications. More than that please think about its effect on your health. This is hard to think about when you are angry. Agreed! But understand a point that says- “Your stomach contracts to half of its size when you are angry”. No need to say it hampers your digestion and even poses a grave risk to gastric mucosa over a period of time. Hypertensive patients carry the risk of impending heart problems if they fail to control anger and channel it positively. Think about the possibly estranged relationships that you savor so much.
2)     Others’ Approach- When we get angry, in most of the cases, we think only about ourselves. Thinking about others in similar consequences many times helps us gain control over the anger as well as the situation we are facing.
3)     Think about the causes- think what frustrated you so much that you got angry. Many times the causes are trivial and even if they seem apparently severe at that particular time, they don’t last long. Think whether compromising on to your health due to this trivial thing worth? It is true that such thinking does not emerge quickly unless you are a real positive soul. But with practice, you can certainly begin your positive journey only to relish the best of its fruits on all fronts.

What can be done when you feel the anger racing up your head?

(1)    Walk away- The age-old technique our elders told us is to walk away from the scene. This time-tested technique works still in most cases (would like to say ALL). This holds true in cases of acute anger that results due to some situation that arrived without your expectation. Walk away or engage in some act other than discussing the situation or stop yourself from commenting at the very moment. This tip needs to be cultivated but ask those who have done this and they will tell how marvelous the results are! Most people say that once they give themselves little time before they speak up, they usually are much cooled down.
(2)    Put you in others’ shoe- Many times our rage is the result of misunderstanding about the other party. Even if it is not misunderstanding, usually others do have a point when they say something. Understanding this aspect many times solves lots of issues that have potential ability to turn into a battleground. Even if others seem wrong, you can convince them in more constructive ways after the moment passes by. This point is especially important for parents of teenage children. You definitely know why!
(3)    Think positive- This point is already mentioned earlier but it so important that it deserves second thought. It is a fact that ‘anger’ is the greatest enemy of negative thinkers. It never allows them to move ahead and they keep embracing the same old story that obstructed their way. On the contrary, the positive thinkers are used to look for an opportunity even in the worst of adversities. Obviously they find their way through the anger and pave their way to more fruitful conversation and work in future. Learning from the situations that provoke anger is one of the best ways to conquer the anger.

Some Strategies or Treatments that Will Help You Conquer Anger-

A)     Relaxation techniques- Many things have been said about relaxation techniques in this blog earlier. And same stands true for anger management. People that were earlier laughing about the efficacy of yoga and Pranayam in dealing with such issues today are the greatest followers of the same. The simple steps in yoga and Pranayam literally burns the negative energy in you and instills huge amount of positive energy. It involves the meditation technique too necessary to know “Self” and conquer negativism.
B)     Learn the art of communication- You may take a professional course on communication or learn this art from any person whom you admire for his qualities of good communication. After all you are your best teacher. Learn the difference between healthy communication and conflict.
C)     Develop a problem solving attitude- Anger is not bad in all circumstances. Especially when you are angry about some social disharmony, probably your anger will pave way for something fruitful for the society. However, try to channel this anger positively, trying to analyze the root cause of the issue, and planning how you can fix the situation.
D)     Time management- Most of the times, mismanagement of time is the chief cause behind anger burst outs. Schedule your priorities and discipline yourself a bit to overcome such situations. With practice it is possible and the reward is matchless.
E)     Cognitive therapy- Some specialists in cognitive therapy believe that they can channel your thoughts in better direction. The same anger vanishes in thin air after consistent cognitive therapy.
F)     Homeopathy- Yes, homeopathy deals with anger probably the most effectively. There are homeopathic medicines like Colocynth, Chamomilla, Cina, Staphysagria, Acid fluoricum, Belladona, Stramonium, etc that deal with different types of anger at different times. Most importantly they also help nullify the physical imprints of anger. One may be surprised to know, but in homeopathy some traces of childhood anger carried into adulthood are very important tools for matching the perfect remedy while solving a case. Such innate angers that are not expressed are more dangerous than those expressed. Homeopathy deals with all of them effectively and helps one conquer anger spells by positively modifying the inner-most traits of an individual.