Dr. Vikas Sharma MD, Author at Homeopathy at DrHomeo.com

Sciatica Treatment

The sciatic nerve happens to be the largest nerve in our body. It starts from the lower part of the spinal cord and runs down through the hips and the back of the thigh into the lower leg and foot. The word ‘Sciatica ‘describes a condition of pain and sometimes numbness in the area through which the sciatic nerve passes. Homeopathic medicines can be of great help to patients who suffer from sciatica. Homeopathic treatment of sciatica usually produces no side effect and the relief is mostly very effective.

Sciatica or the pain in the course of the sciatic nerve occurs when there is a compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve by a problem in the lower back or in the course of sciatic nerve. The most common back problems that cause this kind of pain is the disc prolapse or the disc bulge other conditions being spodylolithesis (slipping of vertebrae one over the other) and spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).

Our spine comprises of mainly three structures; bones (vertebrae), the intervertebral disks and the spinal cord. Spinal Bones called as vertebrae are stacked one on top of each other to form the spine or the backbone. Through these spinal bones passes the spinal cord. Intervertabral Discs are a kind of cushions (which act like small shock absorbers and also help in provide flexibility to the backbone) that are positioned between two vertebrae. It is when these discs get pushed (due to aging and wear -tear and arthritis), that the nerve roots of sciatic nerve get compressed or irritated. This leads to an inflammation on the nerve roots causing pain in the course of sciatic nerve.

Sciatica pain usually radiates from the lower part of the back through the buttocks and into the back of the leg and calf muscle. Sciatica pain can range from a very mild ache or spasm in the back of the leg to a very severe incapacitating pain. It can at times be felt like sudden electric shocks or jolts. Usually, only one leg is affected by sciatica. Sciatica pain may also be accompanied by feeling of numbness and weakness in the leg and foot. Patients suffering from sciatica may also complain of tingling or pins and needle sensation in toes and foot. In an advanced case of disc bulge and nerve compression patients may lose their control over bladder and bowel movement. This is a rare but a serious condition and requires an immediate emergency care.

Homeopathic treatment for sciatica is of great help in reliving the pain and treating the disc bulge effectively. Homeopathic medicines are able to help by improving the degenerative changes in the disc and the vertebrae. Homeo medicines also effectively treat the inflammation on the nerve roots caused by compression thereby reducing the sciatica pain. Homeopathic medicines Rhus tox , Arnica Calcarea Flour are very useful in treating the Arthritic changes lumbar spine. For reducing neuritis (inflammation of nerve) homeopathic medicines Colocynth ,Magnesium Phos and Hypericum have wonderful properties. Gnaphlium is very effective in treating sciatica that is accompanied by numbness in the leg.

ECZEMA- HOMEOPATHY TREATMENT

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 137 Comments

Eczemas and Homeopathic Treatment

Eczema refers to an inflammatory condition of the skin often called as dermatitis by physicians. The word Eczema is a broad term and usually incorporates many types of inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. Homeopathy offers a great solution to treating and curing this disorder. Homeopathic medicines, while treating skin disorders are non suppressive in nature and do not have any side effects. The great advantage that homeopathy offers over conventional skin treatments is that its medicines give a long term solution by curing it permanently. [Read more…]

Top Five Homeopathic Medicines to Treat Migraine – Part 2

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 219 Comments

Top Five Homeopathic Medicines to Treat Migraine – Part 2

Epiphegus for migraine headaches

A lesser known drug for migraine but does wonders if symptoms match. I can personally vouch for Epiphegus .I treated my cluster headaches with Epiphegus which would settle over my left eye. Epiphegus is very effective for cluster headaches. This drug has more affinity for left side. It is indicated when headaches come on with MENTAL EXERTION or MENTAL TIRE. Headaches that are triggered by going out in the sun or, shopping or any deviation from normal routine. Mainly headaches that are caused by overwork or fatigue, Epiphegus does wonders in curing them miraculously.

Nux Vomica for gastric Migraines

Gastric migraine is a new terminology that is being used in modern medicine nowadays. It refers to a condition where the headaches are accompanied by gastric disturbances. The gastric disturbances that are usually accompanied with migraine headaches are constipation (this could be in the form of ineffectual desire to pass stool; or not getting complete evacuations) bloating of abdomen or feeling of gas; or a feeling or an inability to release gas. Nux is also used for headaches that brought on by eating fatty, rich fried food. Alcohol consumption when leads to triggering of headaches are effectively treated with Nux Vomica.

Medicines mentioned here are for information purpose only. Kindly do not self medicate.

Top Five Homeopathic Medicines to treat Migraine part 1

Curing Asperger Syndrome

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 60 Comments

Asperger’s Syndrome

The term ‘Asperger Syndrome’ is a neurobiological disorder characterized by developmental disabilities. This disorder is also widely recognized by the name of autism spectrum disorder or ASD.It is characterized by range of developmental disabilities. People with this kind of disorder have problems lack desire to interact with peers , may have socially and emotionally inappropriate behaviour, and generally have repetitive routine. It is also sometimes found that the person affected by ADS has some speech and language peculiarities.

AS was discovered in 1944 by Hans Asperger, a Viennese pediatrician .He first described it as a personality disorder referring it as a psychopathy in the childhood. Later in 1980’s autistic psychopathy was recognized as a single disorder known as Asperger’s syndrome, named after Hans Asperger. But till this date researchers fail to clear the doubt between Asperger’s syndrome and high functioning autism. Because people with AS share the many symptoms of the high functioning autism. As a result identifying Asperger’s syndrome as a single domain remains in question .therefore pathologists are still struggling to find the exact cause of this syndrome.

Of all the autism spectrum disorders like pervasive developmental disorder(PDD), phenotype(BAP), etc, Asperger’s syndrome has similar symptoms of autism. AS is marked by poor social interactions, odd speech patterns and peculiar way of carrying oneself with the same routine and have resistance to change. It is also noted that people having this syndrome lack motor co-ordination. They are usually clumsy, shabbily dressed and fail to understand other’s body language and facial expressions. They are also unable to emote their feelings and therefore fail to make much friends. And since the usual onset of Asperger’s syndrome is during childhood, therefore the habits once formed last forever.

The signs and symptoms present in a person with AS can broadly be classified as under

 Social interaction
those with AS experience failure in establishing life long relationships .this results due to their poor social interaction. They lack showing empathy towards others. They are not keen to share their experiences with others. They do not involve themselves into situations and are happy if left at their own. They fail to recognize the societal norms and accepted behaviour.Therefore they are unable to fit in the society. They exhibit strange behavior towards others like giving weird facial expressions ,non-smiling face and use of pedantic language. They indulge in one sided conversations and therefore are not good listeners.

 Restricted concern and conduct
Another common symptom in AS patients is their inflexibility regarding their interests and behavior. They follow their own set routine and seldom allow any change. They follow their routine religiously. Any change in their routine can make them violent as reported in some cases. They like to keep their things arranged and any slight change makes them throw tantrums or send them into wailings .they form special interest in any subject and usually excel in it. But they may fail in other subjects if not of their interest. Patients of AS have strong rote memorization but lack in abstract comprehension. An additional symptom in some cases is of repeated motor mannerisms. These mannerisms include hand or finger flapping, rocking, spinning, jumping etc.

 Oral communication
Those with Asperger syndrome might not have any delay in language formation but they do encounter problems while using correct words in the correct context. They are quite familiar with wide and new words but lack the sensibility to use them. They interpret the words according to their will. They are unable to note the elusive differences in accent ,tone and pitch. The most peculiar feature about their oral communication is their use of ornamental language. Their sentences are often laden with pedantic words as if quoting from a book. They are unable to sustain other people’s interest in their conversation due to lack of correct intonation and their tendency to jump one topic to another like drop of a hat.

 Other symptoms
People with AS often relate their problems with their sensory experiences i.e. experiences related to the senses of touch,smell,hear and seeing. Another symptoms identified in some cases are attention difficulties and sleep problems.

Causes of Asperger’s syndrome –
Many researchers believe heredity to be the main cause of this disorder while some suggest mental disorders like depression and bipolar disorder to be associated with AS. Some research in AS cases have led researchers to associate birth defects with the syndrome. Some are also looking at environmental factors as a possible cause to Asperger’s Syndrome.
Although pathologists are still trying to distinguish AS from ASD ,yet some findings determine a different mechanism of AS from ASD.Neuroanatomical studies suggest that the AS’s mechanism involves some abnormal migration of embryonic cell during the conception of a fetus ,resulting in the alteration of control thought and behavior in the later stage.

WHY MIGRAINE OCCURS

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 46 Comments

Why migraine occurs

Migraines, known to be one of the most common ailments of the nervous system, cause frequent headaches and at times other neurological symptoms such as tingling, numbness or weakness on one side of the body. However, initial symptom still remains occurrence of an aura (intuition that an attack is about to happen), such as a visual disturbance like bright spots or zigzag lines appearing before the eyes.

Now how does an aura begin? Well, it starts with temporary contraction of the vessels supplying blood to the brain. As soon as these vessels, tightly constricted till then, open up and a gush of blood flows through to the brain, a severe headache, mostly one-sided, follows. Though all migraines may not follow the same pattern, important is that these headaches occur after a person has passed through, rather than during, the times of stress, for example after an examination or some important interview.

FUNCTIONAL DISORDERS

Even as details about migraines are yet to be known, researchers point out that these severe headaches are caused by functional changes in the trigeminal nerve system, a major pain pathway in the nervous system. It may even result out of the imbalances in brain chemicals, including serotonin. The levels of serotonin, which plays a regulatory role for the pain messages passing through this pathway, drop during a headache. This, as per researchers, causes the trigeminal nerve to release substances called neuropeptides, which travel to the brain’s outer covering, known as meninges. Once it reaches there, blood vessels become enlarged and inflamed, resulting in headache.

COMMON TRIGGERS

Migraine may result out of several causes, but the most common triggers that have been witnessed include hormonal changes, stress, intake of certain foods, sensory stimuli, changes in the sleep-wake schedule and intense physical exertion, including sexual activity. On the hormonal front, the exact relationship between them (hormones) and headaches is not clear yet, but researchers believe fluctuations in estrogen trigger headaches in many women, who have history of migraines. Females often report headaches immediately before or during their periods, and this corresponds to a major drop in estrogen. Others have an increased tendency to develop migraines during pregnancy or menopause. Hormonal medications, such as contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, may also worsen migraines.

Then, stress at work or home can instigate migraines. Overuse of caffeine; certain seasonings; fermented, pickled, marinated, canned or processed food; skipping meals or even fasting can trigger migraines. Alcohol, especially beer and red wine, too can be a cause. Bright light and sun glare can produce head pain. So can unusual smells, including scents such as perfume and flowers, and unpleasant odours, such as paint thinner and secondhand smoke. Besides, environmental changes like in weather, season, altitude level or barometric pressure and certain medications can also aggravate migraines.

TIME FOR MEDICAL ADVICE?

Despite being a chronic disorder, migraines often remain undiagnosed, and as a result untreated. As soon as a a person witnesses the first symptoms of a severe headache, he or she should track the attacks and contact a doctor. If one has a history of headaches, advice from the doctor becomes even the more compulsory. One should definitely contact a medical practitioner if an abrupt, severe headache like a thunderclap occurs; if headache with fever, stiff neck, rash, mental confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness or trouble speaking is there; headache after a head injury persists or a chronic headache that gets worse after coughing, exertion, straining or a sudden movement attacks a person.

Top 4 Homeopathic Medicines for Headaches

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 18 Comments

Headache is a prevalent medical complaint, and everyone tends to get it at one or other point of their life. There are more than 100 types of headache. Among them, the most common types are migraine, tension headache, sinus headache, and cluster headache.

A person may get a headache in only one region of the head or more than one region. The various regions include frontal (forehead), temples (sides of the head), vertex (top of head) and occiput (back of the head). In some cases, the pain starts from a particular area of the head and then radiate to another area. Homeopathic mode of treatment carries a great scope to treat cases of headache. Homeopathic medicines are highly effective for headache arising from various causes. Headache both of recent as well as long duration can be treated wonderfully with homeopathic medicines. Homeopathic medicines bring recovery in headache cases by aiming to treat the root cause behind it. Homeopathic medicines for treating headache are of natural origin and hence are highly safe to use among persons of all age groups. The top grade homeopathic medicines for treating headache include – Belladonna, Glonoinum and Natrum Mur.

Top grade Homeopathic Medicines for Headache

1. Belladonna – Top Ranked Medicine for Headache

Belladonna is a top listed medicine for headache. It is a natural medicine prepared from a plant named Deadly Nightshade of the natural order Solanaceae. For using this medicine, the nature of pain in the head remains throbbing and pulsating type. Fullness in the head may also be felt. Pains come suddenly and tend to cease suddenly. From headache in all locations of the head, pain is most marked on sides of the head (temporal region). Along with headache, redness of eyes and face attend. Headache triggered from light is also indicative to use Belladonna. Apart from this headache that is triggered by the slight noise or exposure to cold air are also treated well with this medicine. Hard pressure over the head, tight bandaging or wrapping up head relieves the pain in most cases needing Belladonna.

Key Indications:

– Throbbing and pulsating type of headache
– Headache triggered from light, from slight noise or from exposure to cold air
– Headache better from hard pressure over the head, tight bandaging or wrapping up head

2. Glonoinum – For Congestive Headache

Glonoinum is the next highly effective medicine for headache. It is mainly helpful in case of a headache that is congestive in nature. There is a sensation as if all the blood has surged to head with extreme congestion. There is also a constriction in vessels of the head. Throbbing, bursting sensation in head appears. The person feels every pulsation in the head. Extreme fullness in the head is felt with sensation as if it would burst. Great heat is felt in the head with severe pains in the forehead, and throbbing in temples. Vertigo may arise along with flashes of heat to the face, head, and throbbing headache. The face appears red, flushed with heat. Headache may get worse from motion or jar. In most cases needing Glonoinum, the headache is relieved by sleep. Glonoinum is a top listed homeopathic medicine for headache arising from sun exposure. Its use is highly recommended for summer headaches.

Key indications:

-Congestive headaches

– Throbbing, bursting, pulsating headache

– Sun headache and summer headaches

3. Natrum Mur – Another Excellent Medicine for Headache

Natrum Mur is next well-indicated medicine for treating headache. It is a highly suitable medicine for headache from sun exposure. Headache from sunrise till sunset is attended well with this medicine. Natrum Mur is also very beneficial medicine for headache in females around the menstrual cycle. The female needing this remedy have headaches that appear immediately before/after menses or during menses. The nature of headache is throbbing in nature usually with heat in the head. In some cases, there is a sensation as if many little hammers are knocking in the head. Headache is most marked in the forehead. Headache appearing from eye strain, reading is also indicative to use this medicine. Natrum Mur is also useful for headache where profuse watering from eyes or disturbed vision attends. Headache; beginning with blindness or zig-zag dazzling, like lightning in eyes, is another characteristic feature to use this medicine.

Key indications:

-Headache from sun exposure

– Headache in females worse around menstrual cycle

– Headache from eye strain

Other Important Medicines

1. Iris Versicolor – Natural Remedy for Migraine

Iris Versicolor is prepared from a plant commonly named Blue Flag of the family Iridaceae. It is an excellent medicine for migraine that gets triggered by acidity calls for its use. The key features are headache, nausea, vomiting and burning in the gastric tract. The headache may be dull, shooting, and throbbing in nature. Vomiting is mainly bitter, sour in nature. Other symptoms that may appear includes blurring of vision prior headache, vertigo and constriction in the scalp.

2. Kali Phos – For Tension/Stress Headache

Kali Phos is a very useful medicine for tension/stress headache. To use Kali Phos the symptoms to look for includes nervous headache, a sensation of weight in the back of the head, and weakness. Pain locates across the forehead and into both temples. The sensation of a band around forehead just above eyes is frequently felt. Sensitivity to noise also attends headache. Tiredness is also well marked with a headache. Stress headache triggered by stress, anxiety and emotional disturbances is a key pointer to use this medicine. The individuals needing Kali Phos are anxious, sad and full of cares, worries. Kali Phos is also well indicated for a headache that arises from mental exertion as in students.

3. Cedron – For Cluster Headache

Cedron is a prominent medicine for treating a cluster headache. To use Cedron the main symptom to look forward is pain around the eye (periorbital pain). The pain is severe, shooting in nature. Periodicity in the occurrence of this pain is well marked. The person needing this medicine tend to get this pain at a particular hour of the day. The pain around the eye may radiate to the temples or back of the head or into the ear. Along with headache watering from eyes or burning in the eyes may also be present.

4. Kali Bichromicum – For Sinus Headache

Kali Bichromicum is a very effective medicine for treating a sinus headache. The person needing this remedy has pain in the forehead above the eyes, with stoppage of the nose. The pain may be dull, or throbbing in nature. Frontal sinus feels congested. Another characteristic feature is mucus dripping in the throat from the posterior nares. In some cases vertigo, shooting pain at the root of the nose and thick yellowish-greenish discharge from nose also appears.

5. Sanguinaria Canadensis – For Headache on the Right Side

Sanguinaria Canadensis is a prominent medicine for right sided headache. This medicine is prepared from a plant commonly named bloodroot of the natural order Papaveraceae. Pain starting from the back of the head and then ascending up and locating over the right eye is the characteristic feature to use this medicine. Sleep or lying quietly in a dark room relieves the pain in most cases needing this remedy. Headache arising from fasting are also treated well with Sanguinaria Canadensis.

6. Spigelia Anthelmintica – For Left-Sided Headache

Spigelia Anthelmintica is prepared from a plant named Pinkroot of the family Loganiaceae. It is a useful medicine for left-sided headache. Headache located over the left side temporal region, forehead and eyes is indicative symptoms of this medicine. Most persons needing this remedy have pain that begins in the back of the head, extends up and settle over the left eye. The nature of pain is violent, throbbing and pulsating type. Stooping may worsen headache in some cases. Pain in eyeballs may attend the above symptoms that are seen to be aggravated from eye movement.

7. Nux Vomica – For Headache Arising from Gastric Issues

Nux Vomica is a wonderful medicine for headache arising from gastric issues. The headache may be located in the forehead, top of head or back of the head. Along with headache, constipation is present with ineffectual urging for stool. The stool remains unsatisfactory even after passing it several times a day. Other symptoms that may appear with above include flatulence, rumbling, gurgling in the abdomen. Nux Vomica is also indicated for headache from taking alcohol.

8. Carbo Veg – For Headache from Excessive Flatulence/Gas

Carbo Veg is an effective medicine for headache from excessive flatulence/gas. In addition to headache, there is bloating in abdomen especially upper abdomen. Belching (putrid, sour in nature), and heartburn attends. In some persons, water brash may also appear.

9. Epiphegus – For Headache from Exertion

Epiphegus is a helpful medicine for headache from exertion, mental/physical exhaustion. Epiphegus is prepared from a plant named beech drop of family Orobanchaceae. Pain usually is felt on sides of the head (temporal region). The nature of pain is the pressing type. The pain may radiate to the back of the head. A unique attending feature is increased saliva with constant spitting with headaches.

10. Glonoinum – For Headache from Exposure to Sun

Glonoinum is a beneficial medicine for headache arising from sun exposure. Following sun exposure there appears throbbing, bursting, congestive headaches. Blood seems to surge to head with extreme congestion and fullness. Violent pulsation in the head is felt. There appear a sensation as if the head would burst. Great heat is felt in the head along with pain. The face also appears red, flushed with heat. Vertigo may also accompany headache in most cases.

11. Ruta Graveolens – For Headache from Eyestrain

Ruta Graveolens is a highly valuable medicine headache arising from eyestrain. This medicine is prepared from a plant commonly named as ‘garden rue’ belonging to natural order Rutaceae. The headache appears in the forehead from eye strain arising from excessive use of eyes in reading, sewing etc. The nature of pain may be aching, pulsating or stitching in nature. Heat in the eyes may also be present along with the above symptoms.

12. Gelsemium Sempervirens – For Headache in Back of Head (Occiput)

Gelsemium Sempervirens is a natural medicine prepared from plant yellow jasmine of the natural order Loganiaceae. This medicine works well in headache located in the back of the head (occiput). In some cases, diplopia (double vision), and dim vision may be present. Pressure may relieve the headache. Gelsemium Sempervirens is also well indicated for a headache that appears from emotional causes.

13. Silicea – For Headache when Pain from Nape of Neck Extends to Head

Silicea is a well-indicated medicine for headache where pain commences in the nape of neck and base of the brain and extends up and over the whole head. A cold sensation may be felt in the head. Wrapping head warmly may relieve. Silicea is also indicated for chronic morning headaches. Headache that gets worse from mental exertion; excessive study, cold air exposure are also indicative to use Silicea.

14. Sepia Succus – For Headache during Menopause

Sepia Succus is a beneficial medicine for headache during menopause. The headache appears in terrible shocks that make the person scream. Nausea, vomiting may attend headache. In few cases, a cold sensation on the top of the head may be felt. Sepia Succus is also suitable homeopathic medicine for females that have hair fall in addition to headache during menopausal period.

15. Natrum Mur – For Headache Worsening around Menstrual Cycle

Natrum Mur is a prominent medicine for headache in females worsening around the menstrual cycle. Headache locates over the vertex (top of head) and over the eyes. A sensation as of thousand little hammers knocking on the brain may be felt. Nausea, vomiting may attend. In some cases, dim vision, or zig-zag dazzling, like lightning in eyes may appear before a headache.

16. Ipecac – For Headache accompanied by Nausea and Vomiting

Ipecac is a medicine made from a plant named Ipecacuanha of the family Rubiaceae. Headache accompanied by nausea and vomiting is a characteristic feature to use this medicine. The individuals needing this medicine may have a headache in the back, top or front of the head. The nature of the pain may be throbbing or stinging or aching in nature. Along with headache nausea is constant. Vomiting may consist of watery fluid or greenish color.

17. Cocculus Indicus – For Headache from Loss of Sleep

Cocculus Indicus is prepared from a plant called Indian Cockle of family Menispermacae. It is a suitable medicine for headache from loss of sleep. The headache is attended with nausea and vomiting in most cases. Light and noise are unbearable during headache in persons needing Cocculus Indicus.

18. Phosphorus – For Headache Triggered by Strong Odors

Phosphorus is a significant remedy triggered by strong odors. The nature of pain is most times throbbing, pulsating, pressing type. The head feels congested. Heat on the top of the head may also attend. In a few cases, sweating on the head is also present. Dimness of sight may be there before the onset of a headache.

Causes of headache

The headaches may arise either from an underlying medical condition or without an underlying medical condition. Depending upon this factor headaches are classified into primary and secondary headaches.

1. Primary headaches

Primary headaches arise from overactivity of structures in the head that are sensitive to pain. Changes in chemical activity in the brain also play a role in primary headaches. Primary headaches do not relate to any separate underlying medical condition. Following are the common type of primary headaches:

-tension / stress headache

– migraine

– cluster headache

2. Secondary headaches

Secondary headaches are the ones that arise from an underlying medical condition. Secondary headaches are often a symptom of a disease. The reasons for secondary headaches include

– sinusitis / sinus infection

– high Blood pressure

– Cervicogenic headache (headaches caused by problems with the nerves, bones, or muscles in the cervical spine (neck).

– gastrointestinal disorders

– dental complaints

– temporal arteritis

– post-traumatic (head injury)

– influenza

– Alcohol-induced hangover

-meningitis, encephalitis

Common Types of Headache

1. Migraine

Migraine refers to headache causes throbbing, pulsating pain, usually on one side of the head. The pain is severe and is often attended with nausea and vomiting. The cause of migraine is not clearly understood. However, genetics and environmental factors tend to play a role in migraine. There are many well-known triggers for the migraine attack. The major ones include stress, bright lights, noises, food (like fatty food, chocolates, caffeinated drinks, marinated food, cheese, fermented food), smoking, alcohol intake, MSG (monosodium glutamate), sun exposure, loss of sleep, strong odors, and tiredness. In addition to these hormonal fluctuations during menses or during menopause or during pregnancy can also trigger a migraine.

The symptoms of migraine include one-sided headache. The major attending features include nausea, vomiting, aversion to light, noise, and talking. Some people experience few symptoms before the migraine attack appears attack by which they can predict that a migraine attack is about to come (aura). These symptoms include – seeing flashes of light, zig zags before eyes, dim vision, blurring of vision, numbness/tingling/pin needle sensation in the arms or around the mouth.

2. Cluster Headache

Cluster headache is a severe headache in which pain locates around one eye (periorbital headache). The pain comes in clusters (group) during which one or more than one episodes of headache appears daily. The headache during the cluster period mostly appears at precisely the same hour each day. The duration of each episode of headache ranges from 15 minutes to 3 hrs. The cluster period lasts for weeks or months. This cluster period is followed by a period of remission during which no headaches appear at all. The remission period varies from months to years together. The reason behind a cluster headache is yet not known. A family history of cluster headache puts a person at risk.

Symptoms of cluster headache include one-sided pain located in or around the eye. This pain may radiate to head, face or neck. Watering from the eye, swelling of eye, redness of the eye, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, drooping of eyelids of the same side of pain are few accompanying symptoms.

3. Tension headache

In tension headache, diffuse dull pain in head appears which is described as a tight band like feeling around the head. The reason behind the tension headache is not well known yet. However, contraction of muscles of head, scalp, and neck are thought to play a role in tension headache. There are certain trigger factors that can lead to muscle contraction and give rise to a tension headache. Few trigger factors include stress, anxiety, fatigue, cold, sinus infection, sun exposure, poor posture while sleeping/sitting, eyestrain. Symptoms of a tension headache include dull, aching pain in the whole head with a tight band-like sensation around the head. Along with this pain in the neck, shoulders may attend. Muscles in neck, scalp, and shoulders also feel tightened. Head pain seems to get worse as the day passes. Tiredness usually attends the above symptoms.

4. Sinus headache

Sinus headaches appear from the congestion of the paranasal sinus that locates behind your eyes, nose, cheeks, and forehead. Sinus headaches most commonly appear when sinus becomes inflamed from allergies or from infection. In sinus headache, a constant pain/pressure in the forehead or the bridge of your nose is felt. The pain usually gets worse on moving head suddenly or coughing or leaning forward. Few symptoms tend to attend which includes a runny nose or green/ yellow nasal discharges, stuffy nose, decreased sense of smell facial swelling, a pressure in ears, feverish feeling.

Factors That Trigger Headaches

-Stress, anxiety
– fatigue
– certain food substances that includes caffeinated drinks, cheese, fermented food, processed food, nuts, and marinated food
– alcohol
– Eyestrain
– too much or too less sleep
-sun exposure
– skipping meals
– hormonal changes
– Overuse of analgesics (pain killers)
– Bright light
– Loud sounds
– Strong smells

Investigations

Most cases of headache usually don’t require any investigation. For e.g., tension headache, migraine headache cluster headache are diagnosed based on clinical symptoms. While in case a doctor suspects sinusitis as a reason behind the headache he may recommend X-ray of the paranasal sinus. If other causes like a brain tumor, meningitis, encephalitis, a clot in the brain, are suspected then investigations including CT or MRI scan are recommended.

How serious is a headache?

Most cases of headache are mild, and usually not a reason for big concern. They tend to resolve well in time. However, in some cases, the reason behind headache may be a serious condition like meningitis, critically high blood pressure, ruptured aneurysm, brain tumor. So every case of headache should be thoroughly analyzed to rule out any serious condition in the very beginning.

Are there any lifestyle changes that can help manage a headache?

Yes, following are some measures that are helpful to manage headache.

1. Managing stress

2. Avoiding smoking and alcohol.

3. Avoiding food substances like caffeinated drinks, cheese, fermented food, processed food, nuts, and marinated food.

4. Getting adequate sleep every day.

5. Taking plenty of fluids

6. Taking steam in cases of sinus headache

Autism Treatment

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 190 Comments

After having seen over 5000 cases of autism spectrum disorder I can tell you with great certainty that homeopathy really works effectively in autism treatment. But there is a lot of discussion that not all cases respond to homeopathy; which is in reality true and there is a solid medical basis behind it, which I would be describing in my further posts. In this post which is going to be the first in the series of ‘Homeopathy and Autism’ I am going to discuss which type of autism cases improve with homeopathy. I am writing this feature considering in mind the hundreds of mails that I receive every week asking how I am able to help kids with homeopathy.( apologies for all those whose mails have gone unanswered ) I hope this series does answer the required info that the parents seek. Il try and put this feature in as less medical jargon as I can ; ‘cause I know that more parents would be reading this series

Dr. Vikas Sharma is a neuro-developmental specialist who has been working in the field of Autism Treatment (neuro developmental disorder) and homeopathy since 1996.

Homeopathic Treatment of Autism and the Modalities related to it

I will first answer the part ‘Which autism cases improve with homeopathy?’ Or in other words what kind of autistic kids improve with homeopathy and what are the factors that govern their improvement?.
Autism treatment – my observation One day, As I was going through my autism treatment record stats (compiled for my post graduation in homeopathy the topic of my thesis being “ autism treatment and the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines” I came across some very startling facts on why autistic kids show remarkable improvement with homeopathy where as some kids will show less or no improvement. The whole issue is multi-factorial and is complicated but I’ll try and explain it in simple language.

Factors Determining Autism Treatment with Homeopathy

Autism children treatment -The factors although many , can be broadly divided into three sections a) the age of the child at which theautism treatment starts , b) the severity of autism ( has many dimensions to it ; ill try and discuss as many I can in this and the subsequent post) , the third is the c) homeopathic intervention ( the skillful application of homeopathic medicines )

Role of age Factor in Autistic children treatment with homeopathy

The part a) that is the ‘age factor’ is very easy to understand that the age of the childwith autism, at which the homeopathic intervention starts has a very big impact on the outcome of the Autism treatment. In other words autistic kids who start receiving homeopathic treatment at a young age have much brighter chances of recovery than kids who start receiving homeopathic intervention at an older age.
It is not very true to say that once the child is diagnosed with autism around the age of two, that his condition would not regress further. Quite a few autistic kids do regress further between the ages of 3 -7 though very slowly and in some cases even beyond that age. This regression can be very slow at times slow enough to be noticed by parents. My observation is that the autistic kids regress the max in between the ages of 18 months and 3 years. After which if the regression is there, is very slow. The severity benchmark gets defined by the age of three or so. Although, I can predict the severity even at the age of two by careful observation.
So when we say ‘age factor’ we in reality are speaking about the severity of autism too. In simple words the autism levels may increase along with age causing more difficulty in treating with homeopathy. Thus, earlier the intervention starts the better it is. My stats show that the autistic kids who started Autism treatment at the ages between the 18 months and three years are much low now in the autism rating scale compared to the autistic kids whose autism treatment was started at later age but at the same time. Three and a half and four is not also very late age but the affectivity of theautism treatment can be compromised. Most of the cases that come late (especially kids showing milder forms of autism) are usually late due to the fact that the parents have been haggling with the issue of ‘yes autism’ and ‘no autism’. i.e the parents are always shuffling between whether their child has autism or not , because his symptoms are mild ; my advice for such parents would be to not get scared or traumatized by autism as autism is a spectrum disorder and can range from mild to severe; so kindly don’t waste the essential time and go ahead and meet a homeopathic specialist in the field of neuro dev disorders and start the autism treatment as early as possible. Or else By the time you will reach a person who could have treated your child , his autism might have grown enough not to respond to homeopathy.
In some rare case I have had remarkable improvement at the age of eight. At younger age the when the autism is less complicated the chances a very effective recovery are very high. A very important cases that always comes to my mind when I speak about age factor is about a child with clear cut signs of autism (confirmed by PGI NEURO DEV DEPT. Chandigarh,India.) starting homeopathic autism treatment at the age of two and being nearly out of it by the age of three and a half. It was pretty shocking for everybody but that’s how homeopathy can bring very astonishing results.

My stats and observation combined for autism treatment with Homeopathic Remedies

Please remember that age factor is also complicated by the severity factor. This means that a child even at the age of five if he has less of autism will still respond favorably to homeopathic autism treatment in comparison to the child whose intervention starts at three but has severe form of autism. So remember the age factor is strongly governed by the severity factor, which inversely is also true. (I know this may sound complicated, but I have tried to be as simple and explicit as possible.
Please remember that the autism treatment outcome with homeopathic medicines is governed by many factors thus the plain simple contextual understanding of the following Para may not be completely understood until the relationship between the age and severity factors is understood
Please read the above Para gain before you read this
Autistic kids between the age of 18 months and 42 months are most favorable to respond to homeopathic autism treatment and come out of autism. 42 to 60 months have good to moderate chances of recovery. This means that they show gradual and limited improvement with autism treatment. Beyond this the chances are fair to poor.

Click on the link below to read the second part of the post.

Part 2 read further – The role of Homeopathy in Treating Autism

Homeopathic Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 94 Comments

Homeopathic Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

For a rheumatoid arthritis patient ,the quality of life can be severely affected by relentless pains, stiffness and fatigue. Even small activities like writing, opening a jar lid or simple walking inside the house can cause great pain and fatigue. If you thought, living with pain and fatigue for ever was the only option for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient, then try homeopathy. The treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in homeopathy is very effective in early and moderate stages of the disease. Homeopathic medicines can control, relieve and even cure rheumatoid arthritis; Although in advanced stages, where the deformities have taken place in the joints, homeopathy may not be of much help.

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by inflammation of the lining of the joints (synovium) causing pain swelling and eventually deformity. The main symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are pain in joints, swelling, and tenderness of the joints, stiffness of the affected joints, hard bumps like nodules under the skin in the affected joints, tiredness, fever, reduced appetite and weight loss. The small joints like wrist, hands, feet and ankle are affected first. Big joints like elbow knee, hip and jaw are affected later as the disease progresses.

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a misdirected immune response; also called as auto immune disorders. The immune system (defense system) is a complex organization of cells (antibodies) designed normally to “seek and destroy” invaders of the body, particularly infections. Patients with autoimmune diseases have antibodies in their blood that target their own body tissues, This means that in Rheumatoid Arthritis , body’s own defense cells ( antibodies, mainly white blood cells whose purpose is to fight bacteria’s and other microorganisms entering our body), start attacking the lining (synovium) of the joints. This causes inflammation in the synovium which over the period of time releases proteins. These proteins cause arthritic changes in the cartilage, bones, ligament and tendons of the joints.Although it is not completely understood, but researchers believe, that genetic and environmental factors are responsible for the triggering an attack of rheumatoid arthritis.

The reason why homeopathy is effective in treating early and not so advanced stages of rheumatoid arthritis, is the fact that homeopathy is very efficiency in treating and modifying auto immune disorders. Homeopathic medicines used for treating rheumatoid arthritis, gradually desensitize our immune system and are able to optimize this over reaction of the defense system ; Thus, controlling the further onslaught on joints. Homeopathic medicines also reduce the inflammation and fatigue in a very natural way and do not produce any kind of side effects. Anemia that occurs in RA is very effectively treated with homeopathic medicine Ferrum Metallicum. Homeopathic medicines that are used in treating RA are Colchicum , Rhus Tox , Caulophyllum , ledum pal and Carcinocin. The Scope of homoeopathic treatment in rheumatoid arthritis is very favorable. But the patient needs to understand that the homeopathic system is aiming to clear out the disease from the body and not trying merely to suppress or give temporary relief .Thus it could take a while before one experiences relief. The time for its treatment is dependent on various factors-The chronicity of the disease (the duration since the disease has been in the body), genetic propensity and the extent of damage.

AUTISM HOMEOPATHY A STRONG HOPE

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 128 Comments

Autism homeopathy a strong hope

The treatment of autism with homeopathy has gained a lot of popularity in the recent years. This is mainly due to the fact that homeopathy can be very effective in treating autism.

At the very outset, I would also like to make things very clear that not all cases respond very favorably to homeopathy.

A certain percentage (although not very high) shows little or no improvement with homeopathy. But for those autistic children who start improving with homeopathy; it can really alter their life. The best part of their recovery with homeopathy medicines is that there is totally zero side effect and their physical and mental development is in no way adversely affected. [Read more…]

Pigmentation

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 285 Comments

Pigmentation The True Cure with Homeopathy

pigmentation also called as melasma or chloasma, facial pigmentation is characterized by brownish blotchy discoloration on the face that usually develops over a period of time. The pigmentation is due to the overproduction of the melanin (pigment that gives color to our skin) by the pigment cells called as melanocytes. Although melasma is a simple disorder and does not have any severe medical implication on the body but it can cause a severe cosmetic concern.

This at times leads to a psychological stress for the patient. Homeopathy medicines provide an effective and a safe alternative to get rid of this unwanted discoloration. [Read more…]

Top Five Homeopathic Medicines to Treat Migraine – Part 2

Top grade Homeopathic Medicines for Headache

1. Belladonna – Top Ranked Medicine for Headache

2. Glonoinum – For Congestive Headache

3. Natrum Mur – Another Excellent Medicine for Headache

Other Important Medicines

1. Iris Versicolor – Natural Remedy for Migraine

2. Kali Phos – For Tension/Stress Headache

3. Cedron – For Cluster Headache

4. Kali Bichromicum – For Sinus Headache

5. Sanguinaria Canadensis – For Headache on the Right Side

6. Spigelia Anthelmintica – For Left-Sided Headache

7. Nux Vomica – For Headache Arising from Gastric Issues

8. Carbo Veg – For Headache from Excessive Flatulence/Gas

9. Epiphegus – For Headache from Exertion

10. Glonoinum – For Headache from Exposure to Sun

11. Ruta Graveolens – For Headache from Eyestrain

12. Gelsemium Sempervirens – For Headache in Back of Head (Occiput)

13. Silicea – For Headache when Pain from Nape of Neck Extends to Head

14. Sepia Succus – For Headache during Menopause

15. Natrum Mur – For Headache Worsening around Menstrual Cycle

16. Ipecac – For Headache accompanied by Nausea and Vomiting

17. Cocculus Indicus – For Headache from Loss of Sleep

18. Phosphorus – For Headache Triggered by Strong Odors

Causes of headache

Common Types of Headache

My stats and observation combined for autism treatment with Homeopathic Remedies

Autism homeopathy a strong hope

Pigmentation The True Cure with Homeopathy

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