Search Results for: sinusitis

Nasal Polyps – Causes , Symptoms and Homeopathy

Soft growths arising from mucous membrane of nose or paranasal sinus are referred as nasal polyps. They are painless and non cancerous growths. There is no specific cause leading to nasal polyps. However, certain factors including nasal allergies, nasal infections and chronic nasal catarrh are linked with formation of nasal polyps. Nasal polyps lead to symptoms of stuffy nose, post nasal drip, sneezing, runny nose, loss of smell and headaches.

Can Homeopathy treat Nasal Polyps ?

The most common treatment option suggested by conventional system in nasal polyps is surgical removal; But surgery offers a temporary relief in many cases. This is so because surgery is just excising the polyps and not taking care of the body’s tendency to form polyps . In most cases, Nasal polyps reappear after surgery. Homeopathy offers effective, natural and alternative treatment for nasal polyps. Homeopathic medicines promise a effective treatment in nasal polyps by treating the root cause. Homeopathic medicines treat nasal polyps in a safe and gentle manner. I would rank the following six homeopathic medicines as the best homeopathic medicines for nasal polyps – Lemna Minor, Kali Bichrome, Sanguinaria Can, Calcarea Carb, Teucrium and Phosphorus.

Homeopathic treatment for Nasal Polyps:

Lemna Minor – One of the Best Homeopathic treatment for Nasal Polyps

In the list of all major homeopathic medicines for nasal polyps, Lemna Minor occupies the top rank. In my clinical practice, I have found Lemna Minor very effective in curing nasal polyps. Lemna Minor is indicated when nasal blockage is very intense from nasal polyps. Loss of smell (anosmia) may also be present . The nasal turbinate may also show marked swelling. Person may complain of thick, profuse, yellow white nasal discharge. Foul smell from nose may also accompany. Polyps that typically worsen in wet weather, indicate the use of Lemna Minor.

Kali Bichrome – Wonderful Homeopathic Medicine for Nasal Polyps Associated with Chronic Nasal Catarrh

By putting Kali Bichrome at number two, it does not mean that Kali Bi is less effective than Lemna Minor. It is equally effective as Lemna Minor and capable of curing nasal polyps when the symptoms peculiar to this medicine are found in patient. I usually prefer Kali Bichrome for treating nasal polyps in person with chronic nasal catarrh and when the nasal discharges are of thick, yellowish green, tough, viscid character. For patients requiring Kali bichrome following symptoms are most indicative of its use – The nose feels stuffed up with fullness and pain at the root of nose.There is inability to breathe through mouth. . The post nasal discharges are mostly thick, ropy and viscid nature. I have also seen excellent results with Kali Bichrome in nasal polyps associated with chronic sinusitis.

Calcarea Carb – One of the Best Homeopathic Medicines for Nasal Polyps that are left sided

Calcarea Carb is yet another excellent homeopathic medicine for nasal polyps. It is mostly indicated for left sided nasal polyps. The left sided nostril feels blocked. This may be attended with fetid yellow discharge from nose. Soreness and ulcerated sensation in nose is also felt. Offensive odor in nose is also marked. There is much swelling at the root of nose. I mainly select Calcarea Carb to treat nasal polyps in persons who tend to take cold very easily. Every change of weather worsens nasal complaints.

Sanguinaria Can – Homeopathic Medicine for Right Sided Nasal Polyps

Sanguinaria Can is next best homeopathic medicine of great help in treating nasal polyps. It shows great affinity to treat nasal polyps on right side. Chronic profuse nasal discharge and sneezing is present in along with nasal polyps. Nasal membranes are swollen and congested. Right sided headache may also appear along with nasal complaints. I use it for Right sided Nasal Polyps.

Teucrium – Homeopathic Medicine for Post Nasal Polyps

Teucrium is well indicated homeopathic medicine for post nasal polyps. I usually prescribe this medicine when nasal polyps leads to obstruction of nose on the side lain .Other symptoms that indicate its use are – There is much sneezing and stoppage of nostrils. Crawling sensation in nose may also be felt. Sense of smell is lost. Large offensive crusts may pass from nose. Person may also complain of bad taste in throat. Hawking of mucus from throat also appears along with.

Phosphorus –One of the Homeopathic Medicines for Nasal Polyps that Bleed easily

Phosphorus is one of the best homeopathic medicines for nasal polyps that bleed easily. I use Phosphorus in bleeding nasal polyps. It has always given remarkable results in polyps that are prone to bleeding. For Phosphorus to be used as a homeopathic medicine for polyps following symptoms may also be present -There is also marked coryza. There is alternation between dry and watery coryza. Sneezing, nasal blockage and loss of smell are usually present along with polyps .

Homeopathic Remedies for Stuffy and Blocked Nose

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 736 Comments

Breathing is a continuous second-by-second process and it’s no wonder then that a blocked nose is as irritating as a medical condition can get. A blocked nose can be attributed to various reasons such as nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, sinusitis, common cold, adenoid hypertrophy, nasal allergies, hypertrophic turbinates, and exostosis. The nose can be partially or completely blocked and it can be blocked in one side or both the sides. The nose can also be blocked in isolation or in conjunction or alteration with nasal discharges. The instant reaction when a person has a blocked nose is to pop in over-the-counter pills or take a tonic or nasal spray, but the relief if any is just temporary. There can be a relapse even after you think you are out of the blocked nose phase. However, the natural Homeopathic remedies for blocked nose not only ensures relief from symptoms but also roots out the cause of the blocked nose.

Top Homeopathic Remedies For Blocked Nose

The Homeopathy treatment for a blocked nose is very effective in removing the nasal blockage. The Homeopathy medicines, which are made of natural substances and are completely safe with no side effects, are very capable and competent in the treatment of a blocked nose. The medicines are decidedly more effective than nasal sprays and decongestants. The most suitable Homeopathy remedies are chosen after looking at and analyzing the symptoms in each individual. The symptoms that are taken note of are the side of nose blockage, the time at which the blockage is at its peak, peculiar worsening and relieving factors, any alteration of blockage with nasal discharges, the character of nasal discharge and sneezing. Associated symptoms taken into consideration before deciding on the best Homeopathy remedy are a headache or any effect on ears of a patient with a blocked nose. Lemna Minor, Nux Vomica, Sambucus, Arsenic Album, Gelsemium and Sinapis Nigra are the top remedies.

1. Lemna Minor: For Blocked Nose due to Polyp

Lemna Minor is the top natural remedy for removal of nasal blockage due to polyps. The symptoms guiding its use are nasal stuffiness and loss of smell with difficulty in breathing. Posterior nasal dripping also accompanies nasal blockage. A few persons experience nasal discharges, while in others, the nasal cavity remains dry. Another symptom is an offensive odour in the blocked nose. Lemna Minor is also the most effective remedy for the polyp that worsens in wet weather. In polyp cases, Lemna Minor reduces the nasal blockage, providing relief from respiration trouble, and the smelling power is regained.

2. Nux Vomica: For Nasal Blockage at Night

Nux Vomica is a natural remedy of great help in providing relief when the nasal obstruction is at its peak in night hours. Nux Vomica is very beneficial in providing comfort to the patients with an extremely stuffy nose in night hours. The patients needing this remedy have acute nasal stuffiness at night time. The person may also describe that during the day time, the nose is discharging while at night, it is blocked. Others may complain of nasal obstruction on one side and free discharge on the other. Going in the open air also worsens the nasal blockage.

3. Sambucus: For Nasal Blockage with Excessive Dryness of Nasal Cavity

Sambucus is the best natural medicine for nose blockage with extremely dry nasal cavities. There is utmost difficulty in breathing due to blockage and it forces the person to sit up. Mostly at night, the person has to sit up from sleep due to suffocation and difficulty in breathing. Sambucus is also very beneficial when given to infants for nasal blockage. The blockage leads to suffocation and mouth breathing and the infant faces the worst situation while taking the mother’s feed. In such cases, Sambucus gives promising results in reducing nasal blockage in infants.

4. For Blocked Nose due to Nasal Allergies

In nasal allergies, nasal blockage does not occur in isolation; rather, it forms a part of symptom picture that includes sneezing, nasal discharges and watering from eyes. The best natural remedies are Arsenic Album, Gelsemium and Sinapis Nigra. Arsenic Album is mainly prescribed when burning watery nasal discharges are present along with nose blockage. Gelsemium is the ideal remedy for a dull headache along with stopped feeling in nose, and a fluent nose discharge. Sinapis Nigra is a natural medicine that can help when alternate nostrils are blocked due to an allergic reaction. There is also discharge from nose and eyes.

5. For Blocked Nose due to Polyp

Nasal polyp is a growth in the nose arising out of its mucous lining. The foremost result of polyp is nasal blockage along with other symptoms like post-nasal discharge or discharge from nose and sneezing. Lemna Minor is the top natural medicine for treating nose blockage due to the polyp. The other useful remedies are Calcarea Carb, Sanguinaria Nitricum and Teucrium. Calcarea Carb proves to be most useful when nose blockage due to polyp is accompanied by a yellowish thick discharge from the nose. Sanguinaria Nitricum, on the other hand, is an efficient medicine when the nose is blocked along with watery nasal discharges. The discharges are extremely burning in nature and the person experiences sneezing as well. Teucrium is ideal when offensive crusty discharges are expelled from the nose during nose blockage. The mouth may also emit a bad odour. Watering from eyes and sneezing also accompany the blocked nose.

6. For Blocked Nose in Sinusitis

Kali Bichrome, Kali Lod, Pulsatilla and Silicea are top natural remedies for blocked nose due to sinus inflammation. Kali Bichrome is selected when the main symptoms are nose blockage with posterior nasal discharges. Difficulty in breathing and loss of smell are also present. Extreme nose stuffiness is felt at the root of the nose. Kali Lod is a medicine of great help when the nose is blocked with free discharge of a burning character. For using remedy Pulsatilla, a specific greenish nose discharge with a blocked nose is the main indication. Silicea, meanwhile, is the best remedy when the nose is blocked with dry, hard crusts in the nose. There is bleeding on trying to remove the crusts.

7. For Blocked Nose in Common Cold

The best remedies to relieve nose blockage in common cold are Arsenic Album and Nux Vomica. Arsenic Album is best suited when free watery nasal discharges are present along with nose blockage. Sneezing also occurs. Nux Vomica is the ideal medicine when nose obstruction has been acquired from an exposure to cold. The characteristic symptom for using Nux Vomica is nose discharges in the day and nasal blockage at night time.

8. For Nasal Blockage due to Adenoids

The best natural medicines for nose obstruction due to adenoids’ enlargement are Agraphis Nutans, Baryta Lod and Calcarea Lod. These medicines are not selected and prescribed as per only one symptom of nose blockage, but rather a complete case is needed to be taken to select the medicine to eradicate the condition.

9. For Blocked Nose due to Exostosis of Nasal Bones

The enlargement of nasal bones (exostosis is bone enlargement) is a rare cause of nose blockage, but it can be corrected with natural remedies Phosphorus, Merc Sol and Aurum Met. A thorough case inquiry of the patient is made to choose the most suitable remedy out of these three.

Treating Adenoids With Homeopathy

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 147 Comments

Enlarged Adenoids and Homeopathy

Is your child having difficulty in breathing from nose during sleep? Have you noticed him snoring too often? Is he having recurrent sore throats and middle ear infections? Is your child a mouth breather? If most of your answers are yes then there is a great possibility that he could be having Enlarged adenoids. This enlargement of adenoids can affect your child’s health in many ways. ; Ranging from recurrent upper respiratory infections to hearing deficits. Homeopathy has a lot to offer for the treatment of enlarged adenoids. A well-focused homeopathic treatment can save your child’s adenoids from a surgeon’s knife.

What Are Adenoids

Adenoids are small structures made of lymphoid tissue (this is the same tissue off which the throat tonsils are made up of) present at the nasopharynx (where the back of the nasal passage and the throat meet). Their primary function is to produce lymphocytes. These lymphocytes are a part of our body’s natural defense system and destroy the microorganisms that enter our system. Thus adenoids are a part of our immune system.

Why Do adenoids get Enlarged

Adenoids tend to get enlarged whenever there is an infection in upper respiratory area. Once the infection is over, adenoids get back to their normal size.If the infections are recurrent ,the adenoids go into a chronic state of enlargement. Although tonsils can be easily viewed in an open mouth, adenoids are not directly viewable. Enlarged adenoids can only be detected by an x-ray or by the symptoms shown by the child. Symptoms of enlarged adenoids are easily recognizable .The most common symptom is that of difficulty in breathing through the nose .This is most predominant at night when the child is sleeping. Disturbed nasal breathing in kids with enlarged adenoids shows up in two ways-Snoring and breathing through the mouth . If during the day time the child is showing the signs of mouth breathing ,the enlargement of adenoids is usually severe. The most worry some symptom is that of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea refers to a condition where the child has breathing pauses during sleep .This sleep disturbance manifests itself in the day time by paroxysmal drowsiness and difficulty in concentration in the kids .Other symptoms of enlarged adenoids may include bad breath and dry mouth. Increase in the size of adenoids leads to pressure changes on the Eustachian tube causing hearing difficulties and recurrent middle ear infections. Another complication that usually arises out of enlarged adenoids is recurrent infections in the sinuses – often called as sinusitis.

Homeopathic medicines for Adenoids

Whether it be the tonsils or the adenoids, homeopathic philosophy has always believed in preserving these helpful body tissues. Homeopathy offers an excellent treatment for enlarged adenoids and complications arising from it. Homeopathic medicines Agraphis Nutans , Calcarea carb , Sambuccus Niagra and Calcarea flour lead the Homeopathic table in treating Enlarged adenoids. Agraphis is very handy when along with enlargement; the hearing of the child is also affected. While treating for adenoids the overall immunity of the child needs to be carefully looked at, as recurrent infections can lead the child into vicious cycle of enlarged adenoids and upper respiratory Infections. Frequent Infections issues can be dealt effectively by homeopathy by prescribing Constitutional homeopathic medicine.

Top 4 Homeopathic Medicines for Headaches

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

Cold sensitivity & Homeopathy

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 2 Comments

Cold Weather Sensitivity and Homeopathy

With the advent of winters, most of us are happy to ‘see off’ those sweltering hot days of summer. But for some, cold weather brings in, its own set of woes and miseries. People who are sensitive to cold temperature are majorly affected by this season. Recurrent Cough, colds and sinusitis are the most common ailments for those who are sensitive. For some the sensitivity to cold weather is so high that even a whiff of cold air is enough to trigger an attack, which could last for weeks or months. If you are one of those who suffer from months of miseries with cough cold, and sinusitis every winter, Then Homeopathy offers a great hope for you. Homeopathy understands and cures this idiosyncratic combination of your cold sensitivity and body’s propensity to develop such stuffy colds.

This cold sensitivity can affect one in many ways. It can range from simply feeling colder than others to respiratory issues like stuffy colds, sinusitis, chronic cough, bronchitis and asthma. Just a mild exposure to cold can trigger a complete sequence of events. There are patients that even at the least exposure to cold air e.g. moving the hand out of the quilt at night or sleeping without a warm head cap at night can lead to weeks of incapacitation. Well, the extent to which one is affected varies a lot. It depends on their level of intolerance and other factors such as genetic tendencies, age, nature of jobs, etc.

Homeopathy has a great armory to deal with cold weather sensitivity. To start off ,Aconitum Napelus commonly known as Aconite is great homeopathic medicine to treat all affections that start with after an exposure to cold air .My advice for all those who suffer from this cold weather sensitivity would be to carry this medicine in your pocket. It is very useful in the first few hours of the exposure when the symptoms have just started e.g. runny nose, headaches shivering etc. Few doses of aconite would be sufficient enough to completely abort the attack of cold. Chronic stuffy colds and sinusitis are also very effectively treated with homeopathy. Silicea kali Bichrome and Pulsatilla are few of the medicines that are very useful in treating these forms. Barking type of cough that starts in kids suddenly after an exposure in kids is best treated with Hepar Sulp and Spongia. People who have their feet sensitive to cold and can never seem to get them warm , homeopathic medicines Calcarea Carb and Silicea can do wonders for them.

The best part of homeopathy is that it can cure ones constitutionally sensitivity to cold weather. In this form of treatment (which is often called as constitutional treatment ) prescription is based on the study of ones complete constitution which includes the physical and the mental makeup .This usually is a prolonged treatment and would require a season or two before any sustainable results are achieved. The most important homeopathic medicines that are used in this form of constitutional treatment are Tuberculinum, Silicea, Calcarea Carb and Psorinum. As Constitutional treatment requires a detailed study of the various aspects of the constitution and uses deep acting medicines it is advisable to take the help of a professional homeopath.

Cold sensitivity & Homeopathy

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 36 Comments

Cold Weather Sensitivity and Homeopathy

Pulsatilla for Women

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 425 Comments

Pulsatilla is a delicate, perennial plant that has been used since the 18th century for ulcers, cataracts, and depression. In homeopathic use, it is an important plant remedy used to treat a wide variety of conditions. More commonly used as a female remedy, it suits people with an adaptable, indecisive, peaceful temperament.

It is commonly known by the name windflower, pasque flower, and anemone pratensis. It belongs to the family Ranunculaceae. It commonly grows in Central and Northern Europe and some parts of South of England. Use of pasque flower has been made since ages mainly for eye complaints. In ancient times, ‘Dioscorides’ remarked it as a remedy for a headache and ophthalmia (eye inflammation). After its proving by Dr. Hahnemann in the year 1805, it has been employed to treat many ailments in homeopathy. It is a polychrest medicine, and in homeopathy, it is primarily used for treating diseases related to female organs, eyes, nose, ears, GIT, and sleep issues.

Preparation

Homeopathic medicine is prepared from the fresh windflower plant when in flower. This plant is collected and made it into a pulp which is then soaked in alcohol. It is then strained and diluted. Following this, it undergoes the process of succussion for making potencies for homeopathic use.

The ‘Pulsatilla’ Constitution

It is suited to women of a kind, affectionate, imaginative, extremely excitable, gentle, bashful personality with a yielding disposition. Sadness and weeping spells frequently appear among them. They are indecisive, slow, plethoric, nervous, have a changeable disposition. They are easily led and easily persuaded, easily moved to laughter or tears.

Scope as a Homeopathic Medicine

1. For Female Disorders

This remedy has a marked action on the ovaries and uterus and effectively helps treat many female disorders.

It is a top grade remedy for menstrual irregularities and is indicated in cases where the periods do not arrive in a proper cycle. They may appear late or early with no fixed pattern, and there may be inter-menstrual bleeding. As a remedy, it helps regulate menses and is considered to be a prime remedy for treating menstrual irregularities in girls during puberty. It also helps women who are anemic and suffering from menstrual problems.

In cases of amenorrhea, where the menses are late or suppressed, it helps establish the menstrual flow. The key indication to use this medicine here is a feeling that the menses would appear, but they fail to do so. Along with suppressed periods, pain in the uterus, nausea, and vomiting may be present. Difficult or painful urination and periods that are short and where the flow is scanty (oligomenorrhea) are other indications.

2. Natural PCOS Treatment

In cases of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, it works to moderate the hormonal levels and help the body dissolve the cysts to correct menstrual irregularities.

3. Leucorrhoea (Vaginal Discharges)

Leucorrhoea or abnormal vaginal discharge is also treated well with this remedy. Its use is best indicated in cases where the vaginal discharge is creamy, thin, thick mucus or milky colored. The discharge may be acrid and cause itching and burning in the vagina. There may be associated back pain, weakness, and exhaustion.

4. PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)

It is frequently used in cases of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) TO manage symptoms like irritability, sadness, low mood, weeping spells, and mood swings.

5. Painful Periods (Dysmenorrhoea)

This remedy is used to treat the pain associated with periods in women. Symptoms like cramping, cutting, or spasms in the uterus, nausea, and vomiting can be treated with this medicine. The menstrual flow in such cases is usually black and coagulated. The woman may experience excessive restlessness, toss around in bed and have a pale face. Chilliness along with uterine colic, a sense of heaviness in the abdomen, thigh pain, and backache are other indicative symptoms. Some women may also have diarrhea and strain while passing stools.

6. Ailments During Pregnancy

It is indicated for ailments like morning sickness and varicose veins that some women experience during pregnancy. It may also be used in cases of abortion from fright, puerperal mania (a rare mood disorder), and uterine infection causing fever post childbirth.

7. Mental Complaints

It has proved to be an effective remedy for treating complaints related to the mind. It is frequently used to treat cases of depression in people who are very sensitive and emotional. A person in need of this remedy would typically be sad, have frequent spells of crying, be excessively irritable, and need constant consolation. When prescribed correctly it can also help a person overcome long-standing or silent grief. It is also a remedy used to treat mood swings where a person switches their mood from sadness to happiness and from laughter to weeping at the blink of an eye. It is also prominently indicated for claustrophobia (fear of closed, small, narrow spaces) and fright.

8. Gastrointestinal Problems

It is a well-indicated for treating many gastrointestinal ailments like indigestion caused by consumption of fatty, greasy food, milk, and cream. The main indication for using this remedy for digestive ailments is gas in the abdomen, pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and heartburn. It is also used to treat milk allergies and lactose intolerance.

9. Complaints of the Eye

It is highly effective for treating a number of eye complaints. It works well in cases of conjunctivitis where there is thick, yellow, profuse discharge from the eyes. Itching and burning in the eyes and sticking together of eyelids while sleeping are some associated symptoms. It also works well to treat styes on the upper eyelid, and keratoconus.

10. Complaints of the Ear

It is considered to be an excellent remedy for ear infections, and conditions like otitis externa, and otitis media. It is indicated in cases where there is a discharge of thick, yellow, yellowish – green, bland pus from the ears (which may be blood-stained in some cases). A deep itching in the ears, a sensation of the ears being locked and pain in the ears are other symptoms. It helps manage the different types of earaches, ranging from shooting, stitching, tearing or pulsating type. It is also an excellent remedy for tinnitus (noises in the ear) and associated noises like tinkling, ringing, roaring, sounds of wind, rushing water or humming nature.

11. Nasal Complaints

It has a marked action on the mucous membranes of the nose. It is well suited to treat cold, nasal catarrh, coryza. Thick yellow or yellowish greenish nasal discharge, nasal obstruction especially in the evening, sneezing and itching/tickling and soreness in the nostrils are some other symptoms that indicate the need for this remedy in cases of sinusitis. Its use is considered in treating frontal and maxillary sinusitis with symptoms like a thick discharge from the nose and a headache. It is also a well-indicated for loss of smell (anosmia).

12. Sleep Issues

Various sleep issues can be taken care of with this medicine. It offers help in cases of sleeplessness where a person has trouble falling asleep. The person may have many ideas and thoughts going through the head at bedtime that prevent sleep. It helps calm the mind and promotes sleep. It can also help with daytime drowsiness as a result of restless sleep.

13. Cough

It is majorly used in cases where a cough is loose with yellow or yellowish green expectoration. It also indicated in cases of short, dry, hacking cough with scraping, itching, scratching in the throat.

14. Urinary Complaints

It is used extensively to treat urinary incontinence that occurs while coughing, laughing, and sneezing, and for conditions like cystitis and urethral stricture.

15. Varicose Veins

It is widely used for the treatment of varicose veins where the veins appear bluish and are painful. The person needing this remedy may experience heaviness, cramping, and a tensed, drawing sensation in the legs.

16. For Males

In males, it is indicated for the treatment of orchitis, varicocele, hydrocele, and prostatitis. It helps to reduce symptoms like pain, soreness, swelling, and burning sensation in the testicles. It helps treat orchitis that follows a mumps infection. It also helps treat gonorrhea where there may be a thick, yellow or yellowish – green discharge from the urethra. In cases of prostatitis, it helps to treat the frequent, ineffectual urging to urinate, pain in bladder and pressure in the perineum.

Dosage

Use of this medicine is recommended in potencies varying from 30 C to 1M depending upon the case. Low potencies can be repeated frequently while in case of high potencies frequent repetition is avoided.

Relationship with Other Remedies

The complementary medicines are Silicea, Lycopodium and Kali Sulph.
Asafoetida, Chamomilla, Ignatia and Nux Vomica are antidotes.

An Account of the Remedy in Its Own Words

Homeopathy acknowledges certain groupings of body-mind symptom patterns that a person has and which correspond with the sensitivity of a particular medicine. It takes into account information about the person’s body type, temperament, disposition, and behavioral tendencies to determine the appropriate medicine. Remedies, as homeopaths realize, step forth as personalities. These become creatures of temperaments, have likes and dislikes, cravings and aversions and sensitiveness to human interaction. The medicines speak out their terror, real or imaginary – their strange obsessions, etc. Here is an account of the medicine (an important homeopathic medicine) describing its medicinal virtues and the characteristics of the patient. Of course, the words are of this writer.

Commonly called the windflower, I was ignored for millions of years in the pastures of Europe before my master Samuel Hahnemann brought out the best in me. I call him my master because it was only he who first realized my immense medicinal power.

If ever there was a medicine that would cater to the most sensitive lady around, I would be the one. I am most often a remedy for women who are submissive and clinging in nature and also whom their surroundings and people they happen to be with at that time very easily influence. There is nothing positive or assertive about her, and the last person who sees, or advises her, is the one whose opinion she accepts. Her moods are a big problem for her. She can be on the verge of ecstatic frenzy one moment and well in the doldrums the second moment. With lots of decision-making problems, she lives up to my plant name windflower, as it is changeable like the wind.

She can weep very easily. Laughter and tears are both very near the surface with my patient and are apt to succeed each other. She is very tenderhearted, and her feelings are very easily hurt, she is inclined to be fretful and too full of care. If she has no trouble of her own, she is ready to condole and weep with any of her friends who may be afflicted. But she craves and needs sympathy in her troubles from someone, even when she knows that the recital of her real or fancied wrongs and the receipt of the sympathy that she longs for, will make her cry. When she is blue, she will tell you that she feels as if a good cry would make her feel better. It will. She longs for fresh air. Closed and tight places suffocate her.

I am best suited for her gynecological disorders. She is very irritable and days and weeks before and after her periods arrive, at times there are hardly any days in a month when she is back to her normal self. And those acne, headaches and agonizing pains in her abdomen, legs and back during her period days are more than she can tolerate, like in PMS (premenstrual syndrome).

Key Indications

Amenorrhea, leucorrhoea, menses irregularities, ovarian inflammation, ovarian cyst, PCOS, Acne, catarrh, colds, conjunctivitis, cough, diarrhoea, painful periods, earache, otitis media, ear disorders, eye disorders, fears, feet painful, heel pain, freckles, heartburn, hydrocele, moles, mumps, pregnancy complaints, prostatitis, sinusitis, smell loss, styes, urinary incontinence, uterine prolapse, vaginitis, varicose veins.

Sinus problem & homeopathic treatment

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 524 Comments

COME winter and it is time for all the cold-related illnesses. Sinusitis happens to be one of them. Although its occurrence is not always related to cold and can happen any time of the year, for those who are sensitive to the least chill in the air, sinusitis may be just round the corner. Homeopathic treatment can be of great help to those who suffer from sinusitis often during winter.

Sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinuses (hollow spaces) in our skull. These hollow spaces are linked to the nose from inside. The anatomical presence of these cavities makes our skull light for our neck to bear it. Sinuses also provide the resonance to our tone when we speak. So, the presence of the sinuses is not a problem but it is their inflammation (sinusitis) that causes distress. Inflammation can be acute, recurrent or of chronic nature. [Read more…]

Cold sensitivity and Homeopathy

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 71 Comments

You dread winters! Because cold makes life hell for you – runny nose, sneezes, headache, stuffed-up feeling, and that cold damp feeling in the feet. Your defences are also too high, with a muffler wrapped around your head all day long, layers of woolens, more than a pair of warm socks, still nothing seems to keep you warm and if you thought that’s only the way to beat out your sensitivity, believe me you are totally wrong. Homeopathy may just be the right choice for you. A well-directed homeopathic treatment can actually help reduce and cure your sensitivity towards cold and disorders associated with it. In homeopathy we call it a “chilly constitution” and certain specific medicines are there for it.

Medically speaking, slow metabolism is one of the main causes for cold intolerance. Some people (often very slender women) do not tolerate cold environments simply because they have minimal body fat and are unable to keep warm. General poor health, faulty diet and medical conditions such as anorexia nervosa, hypothyroidism, AIDS and other chronic illness can also lead to intolerance.

Be it the lack of warmth in the body or symptoms that sensitive individuals develop, homeopathic medicines such as Silicea, Calcarea Carb offer a big promise in their treatments. Personally, I would rank Silicea ahead of other medicines in treating cold intolerance. Silicea is an invaluable constitutional remedy, and is indicated in the over-sensitive, imperfectly nourished (generally), not for want of food, but because of imperfect assimilation. There are very high levels of cold intolerance. Nothing makes the Silicea patient feel warm and take cold easily, especially from uncovering the head or the feet.

The main indication for Silicea is that no matter how hard the patient tries, feet don’t seem to get warm and also there is an increased cold intolerance on the head. Least exposure seems to bring on a severe headache, only to be relieved by warm applications. Chronic conditions – sinusitis, cold, asthma, bronchitis and cough caused in such oversensitive individuals – are effectively treated with Silicea. Calcarea Carb is very useful in constitutions where metabolism seems to slow down; it is indicated in cold intolerance associated with hypothyroidism and one of the main indications for the use of Calcarea Carb is constant sensation of cold damp feet.

Sinus Problems and Homeopathy

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 81 Comments

Sinusitis and Homeopathy … Dr. Vikas Sharma

THAT a cold is just a simple disease and would pass away without causing any harm is a misconception. Many a times this simple cold gets converted into a chronic disorder. Sinusitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the nasal sinuses-hollow cavities within the cheekbones found around the eyes and behind the nose.

The primary functions of these sinuses are to warm, moisten and filter the air in the nasal cavity. They also play a role in our ability to vocalise certain sounds.

Sinusitis, which is common in winter, may last for months or years if inadequately treated. It can affect the nose, eyes or middle ear, and may be indicated by profuse, thick, coloured nasal drainage, bad-tasting post-nasal drip, cough, head congestion and an accompanying headache. Symptoms may also include a plugged-up nose, a feeling of facial swelling, toothache, constant tiredness, and occasionally fever.

There are two types of sinusitis. Acute sinusitis, is often caused by a bacterial infection and usually develops as a complication five to 10 days after the first symptoms of a respiratory infection such as the common cold.

Then there is chronic sinusitis, which may also be caused by bacterial infection. Although colds are the most common cause for acute sinusitis, those with allergies may also be predisposed to develop this problem.

As always, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. To avoid developing sinusitis during a cold or allergy attack, keep your sinuses clear by: