Kamis, 03 November 2016

Common cold



Common cold

In this congested world, people suffer commonly from common cold. Even though it is highly contagious and annoying, because of its self- limiting nature, it is often left untreated or treated with just home remedies or with over-the-counter drugs. In case of kids, it is the No.1 reason for visiting a doctor. In case of recurrent infection, it can make one run from doctors to doctors since most of the times, most of the medicines work only for time being. Medically, it is called as upper respiratory tract infection (URI).
Incidences – Though kids suffer more often from cold than adults, no one is immune to common cold. It recurs often in people whose defence mechanism is very weak. Further, since there are more than 200 varieties of viruses which cause common cold, getting vaccination or gaining resistance against all the viruses will be very tough.
Causes – Common cold is primarily caused by rhinoviruses and coronaviruses (of more than 200 varieties). Even though it is seasonal, it is not because of cold exposure or weather. Actually, in those climates, viruses have more virulence and the environment is more favourable for them. Common cold gets transmitted through the air (by coughs or sneezes as aerosols containing viruses) and through nasal secretions. Naturally, to clear infective viruses, nasal mucosa produce excessive secretions to wash away them but those virus-containing secretions infect others easily with the contamination of hand/towels/things. Main cause for spreading is sharing and close contact.
Factors favouring repeated infection
  • Damp weather
  • Repeated cold exposure and cold drinks
  • In close contact with sufferers
  • Allergy (sensitive to pollen or dust or cold climate)
  • Structural changes in the nose/sinuses/throat
  • Tonsilitis and Adenoids
Repeated infection is more common in premature babies or children who take cough syrups constantly or often.
Symptoms – can occur in an overnight period after infection. The suffering period may be commonly between 3-5 days. Anyhow, sometimes, it can also last up to two weeks. In all those days of suffering, it is contagious. Most often, symptom of cold starts with running nose or sneezing or tickling in throat. Common symptoms are
  • Running nose
  • Stuffy nose or nasal block
  • Sneezing
  • Throat pain/sore throat/hoarseness – more in the mornings
  • Cough
  • Fatigue/Bodyache/headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Occasionally fever
  • Earache in case of severe or chronic infection
Complications – Complications occur mostly in untreated cases, allergic patients and smokers. One should also be aware that repeated infection can provide the base for sinusitis, nasal polyp, post-nasal drips, adenoids, tonsilitis, bronchitis (lower respiratory tract infection), primary complex, asthma, pneumonia, middle ear infection (CSOM).
Diagnosis is very important to cut short the course and spread of the underlying disease.
Usually discharge/sputum give a clue for diagnosis with quantity, consistency, colour, odour and thickness. One needs to rush for treatment in case of purulent or blood-stained sputum. Yellow or green discharge with odour indicates added bacterial infection.
Investigations - If cold and cough persist for more than a week, it is better to go for proper analysis and treatment with following tests.
  • X-ray of para-nasal sinuses - to rule out sinusitis
  • X-ray of chest - to rule out pneumonia or pleurisy or tuberculosis
  • Microscopic examination of sputum - to reveal causative bacteria
  • Complete blood count - to analyse complications
  • Throat swab and culture - to find out infective bacteria
Prevention - The most important measure to prevent common cold is frequent hand washing, as this can wash away bacteria and viruses that one have acquired from touching contaminated things. Also, one should avoid sharing things/towels/glasses if someone in the family has a cold.
Do
ü      Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing (with kerchiefs or towels and not with hands as it can contaminate further on touching other things).
Avoid 
Ø Contact with infected persons
Ø Smoking and dust exposure
Ø Working in areas of noxious fumes or polluted air
Ø Cold/frozen food items
 Clean
ü      Hands often with soap, especially after blowing nose and before taking food
ü      House with vacuum cleaner than by sweeping or dusting
ü      A/C air filters periodically
ü      Damp places to reduce moulds and dust mites
ü      Bedspreads, pillows, blankets, mattress, rugs, every week
ü      Carpets frequently with vacuum cleaner

Management
Take 
  • Rest with good ventilation
  • Plenty of warm fluids to dilute mucous for easy expulsion
  • Frequent light and small meal to combat vomiting and weakness
  • Steam inhalation to loosen the phlegm
  • Salt water gargling in case of throat infection
  • Proper treatment
Treatment – In spite of medications, the cold would persist for 3-5 days. Also, as cold resolves on its own over a period of time, people commonly hesitate to go for treatment unless the condition gets complicated with violent cough or fever. As antibiotics can’t treat common cold (because of viral infections), people try to avoid drugs and go with home medicines (like curcuma, honey, lemon, etc.) and throat lozenges.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States has also cautioned against the use of over-the-counter drugs and cough syrups for serious side-effects (especially in children). In Allopathy, using nasal decongestants and antihistamines can give temporary relief from nasal congestion, but one should aware that they can bring a rebound of complaints with much intensity in due course. In case of repeated infection, desensitisation or immune therapy will be provided to combat infection and allergic responses.
Homeopathic approach – Some patients continuously use nasal decongestant sprays and cough syrups to control cold. They should be aware that it cannot eradicate cold and further arresting cough or running nose instantly is like adding disease to the complaint. Hence, there will be chances of complication or re-infection which may be felt as continuous or repeated attacks of cold. 
In spite of a wide variety of viruses, to remain healthy, tolerance (i.e., raised immune mechanism) and good health are must. For that, Homeopathy can surely help, so if you feel “always sick with cold” try Homeopathy. In Homeopathy, we treat patients (symptoms of the patients) and not the disease or viruses. Homeopathy treats the constitution and improves immunity. For remarkable improvement and overall immunity, if one happens to take Homeopathy treatment, recurrence as well as the sufferings (cough, running nose, sneezing) can be reduced drastically. Homeopathy can help improve school/college/office attendance of the sufferer.
Homeopathic medicines commonly used in complaints of common cold are Aconite, Ars Alb, Ars iod, Anti-tart, Bacillinum, Belladonna, Bryonia, Calc carb, Corallium, Gelsemium, Hepar sulph, Kali bich, Kali-mur, Pulsatilla, Rhus tox, Sabadilla, Senega, Silicea, Nat-sulph, Nux vom, etc. These medicines should be taken under the advice and diagnosis of a qualified Homeopath.


for new hope

Dr. S. Chidambaranathan, BHMS, MD (Homeo)
Laxmi Homeo Clinic
24 E. New Mahalipatti Road
Madurai, TN 625 001
India

Tel:  +91-452-233-8833 | +91-984-319-1011 (Mob)
Fax: +91-452-233-0196
E-mail:  drcheena@yahoo.com
www.drcheena.com / www.drcheena.in





(Disclaimer - The contents of this column are for informational purpose only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of healthcare professional for any health problem or medical condition.)


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Anemia During Pregnancy


Pregnancy Iron Rich Foods For Anemia

Pregnancy Iron Rich Foods For Anemia


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Pregnancy Iron Rich Foods For Anemia

Pregnancy Iron Rich Foods For Anemia

Iron Deficiency Anemia Causes

Iron Deficiency Anemia Causes


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Rabu, 02 November 2016

NKTR 171 A New Sodium Channel Blocker For Nerve Pain


 Normally I wouldn't consider publishing a pharmaceutical company's own promotion material - this site has a policy of not advertising for third parties. However, today's post from pipelinereview.com (see link below) can be seen as a rare exception because of its newsworthiness for neuropathy patients. It talks about another drug treatment that, at the moment only has a series of letters and numbers as its name. Eventually, it will end up with a more customer-friendly name but until then it is known as NKTR-171.
It's a new sodium channel blocker which experienced neuropathy patients will recognise as something which dampens down neural excitability in the sodium channels of the nervous system. Unlike the anti-epileptics and other drugs that are widely used for this purpose, this one is designed to work on the peripheral nerves (which most of us have trouble with) and avoid the side-effects in the central nervous system which make, anticonvulsants, opioids and antidepressants so unpleasant for many. In that respect, it will make a welcome alternative to some current treatments. It certainly reflects the current energy being put into studying pain in the nervous system and the means to reduce it. Hopefully within a few years, effective treatments with less side effects will emerge.
 
 Nektar Presents Positive Preclinical Data for NKTR-171, A Novel Sodium Channel Blocker to Treat Neuropathic Pain, at 41st Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience 
15 Oct 2012

NKTR-171 Demonstrates Dose-Dependent Analgesia with Significantly Reduced CNS-Related Side Effects in Preclinical Studies

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA I October 15, 2012 I Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) today announced that preclinical data for NKTR-171, a new investigational drug candidate to treat neuropathic pain, was presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience: Neuroscience 2012. NKTR-171 is a novel sodium channel blocker designed to act in the periphery in order to treat neuropathic pain while avoiding the serious central nervous system (CNS) side effects associated with current therapies, including anti-epileptic and anti-convulsant medications, such as gabapentinoids.

Neuropathic pain, also known as nerve pain, is a type of chronic pain that occurs when nerves become injured or damaged by systemic disease, infections, autoimmune disease, or physical trauma due to toxins or injuries. It is estimated to effect more than 20 million people in the U.S. alone.1

"Sodium channels have long been known to play a significant role in the changes in neuronal excitability that lead to neuropathic pain," said Stephen Doberstein, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of Nektar Therapeutics. "We are extremely pleased that NKTR-171 exhibits effective analgesia in multiple neuropathic pain models without generating the CNS side effects observed with current therapies used to treat neuropathic pain. We look forward to continuing to prepare NKTR-171 for our first human studies, which are planned for 2013."

In a series of in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies examining the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of NKTR-171, NKTR-171 effectively blocks the inactivated state of sodium channel cells and, at the same time, demonstrates a significantly reduced brain to plasma ratio when compared to currently-approved sodium channel blockers. In well-validated animal models of persistent neuropathic pain, NKTR-171 shows superior or comparable efficacy to gabapentin. In addition, at analgesic doses, NKTR-171 did not significantly impair motor coordination in an established preclinical model of sedative potential in animals, suggesting that the therapeutic index (the ability to provide analgesia at doses that do not cause significant side effects) could potentially be greater for NKTR-171 than for currently available therapies.

These data presented in Abstract #81.06/JJ11 at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting can be found on Nektar's website at:

http://www.nektar.com/pdf/pipeline/SFN_2012_NKTR_171_poster.pdf

About NKTR-171

NKTR-171 is a new sodium channel blocker that was designed to block sodium channels in the peripheral nervous system and was created using Nektar's advanced polymer conjugation technology. By selectively restricting the molecule to the periphery, NKTR-171 is intended to provide analgesia for neuropathic pain conditions without the severe sedation and other CNS side effects associated with current therapies used in the treatment of neuropathic pain. In preclinical testing, NKTR-171 demonstrates dose-dependent and effective pain relief without exhibiting sedative effects at analgesic doses.

About Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain, also known as nerve pain or peripheral neuropathy, is the result of nerve damage and can be caused by such diverse conditions as diabetes, shingles, cancer, HIV, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia, as well as injury or trauma to the nerves. According to the Neuropathy Association, an estimated 1 in 15 Americans suffer from peripheral neuropathy1. Its prevalence is particularly high among diabetes patients and incidence increases with age1. Though neuropathic pain is a very common condition, the symptoms of it can be highly variable, including numbness, tingling, and pricking sensations, sensitivity to touch, or burning sensations, making diagnosis difficult. If left untreated, peripheral neuropathy can lead to permanent nerve damage2.

Today, medicines that act by blocking sodium or calcium channels such as the gabapentinoids and anti-epileptic medications, are used in the treatment of neuropathic pain but are known to cause serious CNS-related side effects, such as sedation and dizziness. Sodium channel blockers, such as Lidocaine, are known to be effective in addressing peripheral nerve pain, however the lack of an oral form limits its utility2. In spite of the shortcomings of medications currently prescribed for neuropathic pain, total U.S. sales in 2011 were $2.5 billion3.

About Nektar

Nektar Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics based on its PEGylation and advanced polymer conjugation technology platforms. Nektar has a robust R&D pipeline of potentially high-value therapeutics in oncology, pain and other therapeutic areas. In the area of pain, Nektar has an exclusive worldwide license agreement with AstraZeneca for naloxegol (NKTR-118), an investigational drug candidate, which is being evaluated in Phase 3 clinical studies as a once-daily, oral tablet for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation. This agreement also includes NKTR-119, an earlier stage development program that is a co-formulation of naloxegol and an opioid. NKTR-181, a novel mu-opioid analgesic candidate for chronic pain conditions, is in Phase 2 development in osteoarthritis patients with chronic knee pain. NKTR-192, a novel mu-opioid analgesic in development to treat acute pain is in Phase 1 clinical development. In oncology, etirinotecan pegol (NKTR-102) is being evaluated in a Phase 3 clinical study (the BEACON study) for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and is also in Phase 2 studies for the treatment of ovarian and colorectal cancers.

Nektar's technology has enabled eight approved products in the U.S. or Europe through partnerships with leading biopharmaceutical companies, including Affymax's OMONTYS® for anemia, UCB's Cimzia® for Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis, Roche's PEGASYS® for hepatitis C and Amgen's Neulasta® for neutropenia. Additional development-stage products that leverage Nektar's proprietary technology platform include Baxter's BAX 855, a long-acting PEGylated rFVIII program, which is in Phase 1 clinical development.

Nektar is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional operations in Huntsville, Alabama and Hyderabad, India. Further information about the company and its drug development programs and capabilities may be found online at http://www.nektar.com.

SOURCE: Nektar Therapeutics


http://www.pipelinereview.com/index.php/2012101549185/Small-Molecules/Nektar-Presents-Positive-Preclinical-Data-for-NKTR-171-A-Novel-Sodium-Channel-Blocker-to-Treat-Neuropathic-Pain-at-41st-Annual-Meeting-of-the-Society-for-Neuroscience.html




Gentle Yoga For Neuropathy


Today's post from neuropathylandolakes.com (see link below) takes a look at yoga as being a possible help with neuropathy pain. We often hear about yoga, or acupuncture, or Tai Chi and others as being useful for neuropathy sufferers but very few sites show us exactly how. This article isn't that much better but does provide one or two ideas for getting you started. As you've probably heard from yoga fanatics; yoga is anything but gentle although the benefits are said to be awesome. Here it's advised that you do use the more gentle yoga poses to help relieve your symptoms and as any neuropathy sufferer will tell you, gentle can be strenuous and painful enough. Maybe worth further investigation. 
 
A Simple and Effective Treatment for Foot Neuropathy: Gentle Yoga Posted by john on September 4, 2014

Ease the pain of neuropathy in feet with a simple yoga practice—even if you’ve never done yoga before.

Peripheral neuropathy can be an aggravating and chronic condition, and it’s tough to treat using traditional medications. But there’s a treatment you can do on your own—in a class, or at home—that can be very beneficial over time, and that’s gentle yoga.

Yoga isn’t just about spiritual growth or physical fitness anymore. Many neuropathy patients are finding that simple yoga poses can alleviate uncomfortable tingling or numbness in the fingers and toes. Best of all, many basic yoga poses are easy to learn and don’t require special equipment.

Some of the benefits of a regular yoga practice include: 


Increased circulation to the hands and feet. Many yoga poses use the pull of gravity to shift habitual blood flow patterns, particularly to the feet. (Don’t worry, this doesn’t require a headstand!)


Improved body self-awareness. A regular yoga practice can help you connect with your body sensations and really notice what your body is telling you.


Relaxation and peacefulness. A simple, non-strenuous yoga practice for 10 to 30 minutes before bed can help you relax and sleep better. Or, if you prefer, use yoga as a gentle wake-up practice in the morning to set a peaceful tone for your day.

In general, yoga is a wonderful form of self-care that can be modified for your own unique physical goals and needs.

If you have no experience with yoga, it’s best to begin with assistance from a teacher. You can look for a local “gentle yoga” class or use a beginning yoga DVD as a guide at home.

Here’s one very simple yoga technique to get you started with relief for your feet. Sit cross-legged with your shoes and socks off. Weave your fingers one by one through the toes of the opposite foot, and hold this position for about 20 seconds. Then, switch to using the other hand and foot. You may want to do this 2 or 3 times for each foot.

http://neuropathylandolakes.com/a-simple-and-effective-treatment-for-foot-neuropathy-gentle-yoga/

Selasa, 01 November 2016

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR ANEMIA


Anemia is a condition in which you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body's tissues. Having anemia may make you feel tired and weak.
There are many forms of anemia, each with its own cause. Anemia can be temporary or long term, and it can range from mild to severe. See your doctor if you suspect you have anemia because it can be a warning sign of serious illness.
Treatments for anemia range from taking supplements to undergoing medical procedures. You may be able to prevent some types of anemia by eating a healthy, varied diet.
Causes                                                                                                                                       
Anemia occurs when your blood doesn't have enough red blood cells. This can happen if:
·         Your body doesn't make enough red blood cells
·         Bleeding causes you to lose red blood cells more quickly than they can be replaced
·         Your body destroys red blood cells
·         What red blood cells do
·         Your body makes three types of blood cells — white blood cells to fight infection, platelets to help your blood clot and red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body.
·         Red blood cells contain hemoglobin — an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color. Hemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body and to carry carbon dioxide from other parts of the body to your lungs so that it can be exhaled.
·         Most blood cells, including red blood cells, are produced regularly in your bone marrow — a spongy material found within the cavities of many of your large bones. To produce hemoglobin and red blood cells, your body needs iron, vitamin B-12, folate and other nutrients from the foods you eat.

Causes of anemia

Different types of anemia and their causes include:
·         Iron deficiency anemia. This is the most common type of anemia worldwide. Iron deficiency anemia is caused by a shortage of iron in your body. Your bone marrow needs iron to make hemoglobin. Without adequate iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells.
Without iron supplementation, this type of anemia occurs in many pregnant women. It is also caused by blood loss, such as from heavy menstrual bleeding, an ulcer, cancer and regular use of some over-the-counter pain relievers, especially aspirin.
·         Vitamin deficiency anemia. In addition to iron, your body needs folate and vitamin B-12 to produce enough healthy red blood cells. A diet lacking in these and other key nutrients can cause decreased red blood cell production.
Additionally, some people may consume enough B-12, but their bodies aren't able to process the vitamin. This can lead to vitamin deficiency anemia, also known as pernicious anemia.
·         Anemia of chronic disease. Certain diseases — such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, Crohn's disease and other chronic inflammatory diseases — can interfere with the production of red blood cells.
·         Aplastic anemia. This rare, life-threatening anemia occurs when your body doesn't produce enough red blood cells. Causes of aplastic anemia include infections, certain medicines, autoimmune diseases and exposure to toxic chemicals.
·         Anemias associated with bone marrow disease. A variety of diseases, such as leukemia and myelofibrosis, can cause anemia by affecting blood production in your bone marrow. The effects of these types of cancer and cancer-like disorders vary from mild to life-threatening.
·         Hemolytic anemias. This group of anemias develops when red blood cells are destroyed faster than bone marrow can replace them. Certain blood diseases increase red blood cell destruction. You can inherit a hemolytic anemia, or you can develop it later in life.
·         Sickle cell anemia. This inherited and sometimes serious condition is an inherited hemolytic anemia. It's caused by a defective form of hemoglobin that forces red blood cells to assume an abnormal crescent (sickle) shape. These irregular blood cells die prematurely, resulting in a chronic shortage of red blood cells.
·         Other anemias. There are several other forms of anemia, such as thalassemia and malarial anemia

Risk factors
These factors place you at increased risk of anemia:
·         A diet lacking in certain vitamins. Having a diet that is consistently low in iron, vitamin B-12 and folate increases your risk of anemia.
·         Intestinal disorders. Having an intestinal disorder that affects the absorption of nutrients in your small intestine — such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease — puts you at risk of anemia.
·         Menstruation. In general, women who haven't experienced menopause have a greater risk of iron deficiency anemia than do men and postmenopausal women. That's because menstruation causes the loss of red blood cells.
·         Pregnancy. If you're pregnant and aren't taking a multivitamin with folic acid, you're at an increased risk of anemia.
·         Chronic conditions. If you have cancer, kidney failure or another chronic condition, you may be at risk of anemia of chronic disease. These conditions can lead to a shortage of red blood cells
  • Slow, chronic blood loss from an ulcer or other source within your body can deplete your body's store of iron, leading to iron deficiency anemia.
  • Family history. If your family has a history of an inherited anemia, such as sickle cell anemia, you also may be at increased risk of the condition.
  • Other factors. A history of certain infections, blood diseases and autoimmune disorders, alcoholism, exposure to toxic chemicals, and the use of some medications can affect red blood cell production and lead to anemia.
  • Age. People over age 65 are at increased risk of anemia.
Complications
Left untreated, anemia can cause many health problems, such as:
·         Severe fatigue. When anemia is severe enough, you may be so tired that you can't complete everyday tasks.
·         Pregnancy complications. Pregnant women with folate deficiency anemia may be more likely to experience complications, such as premature birth.
·         Heart problems. Anemia can lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). When you're anemic your heart must pump more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen in the blood. This can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure.
·         Death. Some inherited anemias, such as sickle cell anemia, can be serious and lead to life-threatening complications. Losing a lot of blood quickly results in acute, severe anemia and can be fatal.
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
FERRUM METALICUM 30- Ferrum met. is one of the top remedies for anemia.  The persons needing Ferrum Met are weak with paleness, and have frequent false flushings appearing at the slightest excitement. Vertigo, pulsating headaches and ringing in ears are also experienced by patients. Difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath with palpitations in heart are dominantly present in such patients, as is coldness of body.  Ferrum met is also prescribed for  females who are anemic due to excessive bleeding during periods. The blood flows abundantly and the periods last much longer than normal.

ALETRIS FARINOSA Q--Aletris Farinosa is the best  Homeopathic medicine for women suffering from anemia with extreme weakness and fatigue. There is a marked weariness and tiredness all day in such patients. The energy level seems to be markedly reduced and the body feels powerless. Frequent episodes of faintness and vertigo are common and even the face appears very pale. Anemia in women due to repeated abortions is best treated with  Aletris Farinosa. Vaginal discharge due to anemia can also be corrected with this  medicine. Aletris Farinosa is also effective  t for women with anemia due to abundant bleeding during periods.

CHINA 30—China is the best remedy for anemia following excessive bleeding. The bleeding can be the result of a traumatic injury, excessive bleeding in periods or bleeding from any part of body like throat, bowels, nose, etc. The person is exhausted and even fainting spells occur due to extreme anemic conditions consequent to blood loss. Episodes of vertigo with marked weakness are also experienced. The body feels cold and pallor is marked. The face especially appears pale with sunken features.  China acts both as a haemorrhage controller as well as enhances the amount of blood after the bleeding episodes.

NATRUM MURIATICUM 30-Natrum muriaticum is one of the best medicines for anemia with weight loss. Natrum Mur acts very efficiently to control weight loss as a result of anemia. The person appears very lean and emaciated with loss of flesh. The headache due to anemia is also best treated with Natrum Mur. The headache is mainly bursting in character. Nausea and vomiting may accompany the pain in head. Natrum Mur is also effective  when anemic patients experience palpitations. Natrum Mur has a great ability to control palpitations due to decreased blood. Anemia due to longstanding grief is also best treated with this  remedy Natrum Mur.Natrum mur patients have a craving for salt, this is a strong indication of Natrum  mur. Natrum mur. is effective for anemia following malaria.  Natrum Mur is also known to cut the bad effects of taking excessive quinine used as an anti-malarial drug

FERRUM PHOS 6X-Ferrum phos is a haemoglobin enhancer. Ferrum Phos is the most frequently used  Homeopathic medicine to increase the haemoglobin level. It can be safely used among people of all age groups. Even during anemia in pregnancy, Ferrum Phos is a safe Homeopathic remedy though the dosage is to be properly handled by the physician during pregnancy. The skin appears pale in persons needing Ferrum Phos and they also experience palpitation of heart and weakness. The pulse rate is quickened. Vertigo and headache also appear as symptoms. Ferrum Phos is also the best  remedy for controlling sweat in anemic patients especially at night.

PICRIC ACID 30- Picric acid is an effective remedy for pernicious anemia.  Picric Acid have  extreme weakness and prostration. Very marked weakness is present with a tired feeling all day. Tingling in limbs with needle-like sensation is often present. There is also an aversion to do any kind of work.

PHOSPHORUS 30-Phosphorus is another effective remedy for pernicious anemia.  Phosphorus is  of great help when there is a numbness of hands and arms. Longstanding diarrhoea with weakness is also experienced. An increased desire for cold drinks and ice creams is often noticed in Phosphorus patients.Phosphorus is also prescribed for anemia due to kidney diseases .

ARSENIC ALBUM 30-Arsenic alb is another effective remedy for anemia following malaria. Arsenic Album is prescribed  when there is a marked weakness that gets worse at night.  The person seems exhausted with much weakness. Even a slight exertion seems to worsen the weakness. Other important symptoms include anxiety and restlessness.

ALSTONIA SCHOLARIS 30-  Alstonia Scholaris is considered a complete tonic for patients who have anemia and other complaints following malarial fever. The complaints apart from anemia are weak digestion. The patients needing Alstonia Scholaris have  a history of diarrhoea during malarial fever.

ALUMINA 30-Alumina is an effective remedy for anemia due to nutritional disturbances. Alumina is the best  remedy when there is sluggishness of the gastric system and the person remains very constipated. The intestines are so sluggish that the stool is retained for many days together.  The urge to pass stool is absent. Along with constipation, pica is dominant and there is a desire for chalk, coffee grounds and other indigestible things. The person also has sensitivity to cold air. 

NUX VOMICA 30—Nux vomica is also effective for anemia due to nutritional disturbances.  Nux Vomica has constipation and senstivity to cold air. Nux Vomica, the constipation symptom is scanty stool with frequent ineffectual desire to pass stool. Acidity and heaviness in abdomen after eating is also marked.

CALCAREA PHOS 6X-Calcarea Phos is the best  remedy for children with anemia and a weak digestive power. The abdomen is full of gas. Desire for salt or meat (especially smoked meat) is often noted. The child is also usually irritable and also has weak bones.

CALCAREA CARB 30-Calcarea carb is suited fat, flabby persons who have  a desire for lime, chalk and pencils.  Copious sweat on head is a guiding symptom of Calcarea carb. Calcarea carb patients have a craving for boiled .

NITRIC ACID 30-Nitric acid is an effective remedy for anemia with craving for chalk, paper, earth or any such indigestible things.There are often cuts at the corners of mouth. Aphthae or ulcers in the mouth are also seen frequently

PULSATILLA NIG. 30- Pulsatilla is an excellent remedy for anemia of those patients who were heavily and irrelevantly drugged by medications and tonics or due to accidental stoppage of menses. Pulsatilla patient is of weeping disposition and cries at the drop of a hat. Pulsatilla patient feels better in open air and worse in heat. Thirstlessness is another guiding symptom of this remedy.

STROPHANTHUS HIS. Q- Strophanthus is prescribed when anemia with palpitations and breathlessness is present. Strophanthus tones up the heart and is safer for the aged. Dyspnoea is present especially  when ascending . Lungs congested.

LECITHINUM 3X-Lecithinum has a favourable influence upon the nutritive conditions of blood . It increases the number of red blood corpuscles and amount of haemoglobin. Loss of flesh and general breakdown noticed.

NATRIUM CACODYL 1X- Natrium cacodyl is a specific remedy for anemia. It increases the number of red blood corpuscles to double.

CEANOTHUS Q-Ceanothus is prescribed when anemia is due to dysfunction of liver and spleen. There is violent dyspnoea is present. Bronchitis with profound secretion occurs.

IRIDIUM MET 30—Iridium met is effective in anemia after exhausting diseases or due to old age  or in children growing too fast. It increases red blood corpuscles.

KALI CARB. 30- Kali carb is an effective remedy for anemia. Blood lacks red blood corpuscles. The skin is milky white or watery with great debility. Young ladies at the time of puberty have menstrual troubles on account of great weakness. There is bloating of face, eyelids , and backache in lower back. These conditions occurring during menopause , especially bloating this remedy is indicated.

TEUCRIUM 10M—Teucrium is very effective in children for anemia due to pin worms. It will also eradicate worms.




Pain Hurts!


This article is from The Pain Web (see link below) which is a British website for health professionals dealing in research, assessment and treatment of pain. It is written by a Dr Chris Wells and explains how and why we feel pain and how new ideas for treatment are constantly in development. It has been slightly edited to exclude paragraphs which would be incomprehensible to non-medical readers.

Neuropathic Pain, Development & Treatment

Pain hurts! Recent functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) shows that most people who complain of chronic pain have very significant activation of part of the brain which lights up as a result of acute pain from experimental injury. It is now accepted by scientists and pain relief specialists that chronic pain is a condition in its own right and is often mediated by changes within the central nervous system, leading to activity in the limbic system (a set of brain structures responsible for controlling various functions in the body.) which produces an unpleasant sensory and emotional disturbance. The amount of physical insult needed to promote unpleasant pain diminishes with chronicity so that patients experience both hyperalgesia, that is, severe pain on being provoked with normally mildly painful stimuli, and allodynia, which is pain being produced by normally non-painful stimuli, such as stroking or touching. We know and see these events in conditions such as post-herpetic neuralgia and post nerve injury, but it is becoming increasingly clear that these phenomena also occur in some patients with chronic back pain, fibromyalgia and similar chronic conditions.

Of course there are still those who malinger, that is, consciously complain of pain when none exists, in order to receive financial advantage, sign off work and the like, and it is difficult to distinguish sometimes between these and the genuine chronic pain sufferer, but just because there is no significant amount of physical disease at the time of examination, this does not mean that the patient is not experiencing real pain. The aforementioned fMRI shows that patients who have pain as a result of psychological and psychiatric disturbances (for example, depression or somatoform disorders) also feel and experience disturbances in the same part of their brain as the acute pain sufferer, the limbic system; ie, they are suffering from pain.

The limbic system not only experiences pain but also handles fear, anxiety, sleep, punishment and autonomic changes. It affects tension, which in turn affects the intensity of pain. Recent studies on antidepressants show that these produce regrowth of parts of the limbic system which have degenerated because of depression, further cementing the relationship between pain and depression and the response of pain to antidepressants. The complex nature of the sensation of pain was first appreciated by Melzack and Wall, who described the gate control theory of pain in the late '70s. At first their work was contested, but there has been gradual appreciation that pain is greatly attenuated both in the spinal cord and in the brain, and if there is lack of attenuation can lead to very severe and unremitting pain in the absence of significant nociception (the ability to feel pain, caused by stimulation of a nociceptor - the sensor of pain).

In the peripheral nervous system, if there is nerve damage, damaged axons sprout and form collateral nerve endings and areas which can be damaged or stimulated with light touch. Sodium channels become over-active and nociceptors become sensitised. Sleeping nociceptors, which are usually inert, awaken; basal cell firing increases, wallerian degeneration occurs and sympathetic fibres invade the dorsal root ganglia and sensitise the gate allowing the throughput of pain.

It is not generally realised that pain causes greater negative effects on the quality of life than many other conditions. A report by Sprangers et al in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology (Sprangers et al, 2000) reports quality of life more affected by musculo-skeletal conditions than renal disease, cerebro-vascular, neurological, gastro-intestinal and even cancer. Pain affects every aspect of a human's life, mood, activity, sleep, independence, fitness, social life and family life. Chronic pain patients become physically and psychologically impaired, overweight, unfit, depressed and anxious. They become socially disadvantaged and lose social contacts.

The cost of pain to the economy is immense. Not only is there a direct cost to the family (estimated at over £10,000 per year) but there is also a cost to the Health Service (£6,000,000,000 per year) as well as social security, unemployment benefits and the like (Sleed and Eccleston,2005).

Pain treatments for neuropathic pain. The most effective treatments for neuropathic pain have been shown to be tricyclic antidepressants (NNT = 2) and opioids (NNT = 2). Pregabalin and Gabapentin come out with an NNT of about 4. Lidoderm patches, which will become available in the UK next year, have a NNT of 2 to 4. Tramadol has a NNT of 4; Capsaicin, which will also be available as a patch in the UK before long, has a NNT of 6 and SSRIs have a NNT of 6+. All of these are good treatments.

However, of course the problem here is one of side-effects. Many of these drugs have significant side-effects; the NNH (number needed to harm) of tricyclics is 6, of opioids 8, of gabapentinoids 12, of Tramadol 15, Capsaicin 10 and of SSRIs 20. The safest by far is the Lidoderm patch, with a NNH of 40 - but guess what? It will cost more than the others! Thus treatment choices are going to be a balance between efficacy, which most of them have, side-effects, which most of them produce and cost, and remember that the newer ones are nearly always more expensive. In fairness, they have to be, because the pharma company has to reclaim its development costs.

Pain Clinics are usually glad to see patients where success has not been achieved, as often further medication changes, or the addition of other specific treatments, for instance, nerve blocks or Pain Management Programmes, can be successful in reducing pain and increasing activity
http://www.thepainweb.com/doclib/topics/000081.htm