আজকাল মানুষের রোগাক্রান্ত হওয়ার প্রবনতা বেড়ে গেছে বহুগুন। যারা একটু স্বাস্থ্য সচেতন তারা তাদের সুস্থতা নিয়ে খুবই চিন্তিত। যথাযথ চিকিৎসার জন্য রোগীরা ডাক্তারদের দ্বারে দ্বারে কড়া নেড়ে বেড়াচ্ছে। সৌভাগ্যক্রমে, তাদের মধ্যে কেউ কেউ যথাযথ চিকিৎসা পেয়ে সুস্থ হয়ে উঠছে এবং তাদের অধিকাংশই অর্থ ও সময় নষ্ট করে যন্ত্রনায় ভুগতে ভুগতে মৃত্যুর প্রহর গুনছে। সুস্বাস্থের জন্য তারা প্রচলিত চিকিৎসার পদ্ধতির পার্শ্ব-প্রতিক্রিয়া এড়ানোর জন্যে বিকল্প উপায় খুজচ্ছেন।
Sunday, June 6, 2021
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
HOMEOPATHY FOR DRUG ADDICTION
HOMEOPATHY FOR
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER OR DRUG ADDICTION
A drug is
defined by WHO, as any substance that, when taken in to the living organism,
may modify one or more of its functions. This definition conceptualizes ‘drug’
in a very broad way, including not only the medications but also the other
pharmacologically active substances.
The words
‘drug addiction’ and ‘drug addict’ were dropped from scientific use due to
their derogatory connotation. Instead ‘drug abuse’, ‘drug dependence’ ,
‘harmful use’, ‘misuse’, and ‘psychoactive substance use disorders’ are the
terms used in the current nomenclature. A psychoactive drug is one that is capable
of altering the mental functioning.
There are
four important patterns of substance use disorders, which may overlap with each
other.
· Acute
intoxication
· Withdrawal
state
· Dependence
syndrome
· Harmful
use
Acute
intoxication
According to
the ICD-10, acute intoxication is a transient condition following the
administration of alcohol or other psychoactive substance, resulting in
disturbances in level of consciousness, cognition, perception, affect or
behavior, or other psychophysiological functions and responses. This is usually
associated with high blood levels of the drug.
However, in
certain cases where the threshold is low, due to a serious medical illness such
as chronic renal failure or idiosyncratic sensitivity, even a low dose may lead
to intoxication. The intensity of intoxication lessens with time, and effects
eventually disappear in the absence of further use of the substance. The
recovery is therefore complete, except where tissue damage or another
complication has arisen.
The following
codes may be used to indicate whether the acute intoxication was associated
with any complications.
· Uncomplicated
(symptoms of varying severity, usually dose-dependent, particularly at high
dose levels.
· With
trauma or other bodily injury
· With
other medical complications, such as hematemesis, inhalation of vomitus
· With
delirium
· With
perceptual distortions
· With
coma
· With
convulsions
· Pathological
intoxication, only for alcohol
Withdrawal
state
A withdrawal
state is characterized by a cluster of symptoms, often specific to the drug
used, which develop on total or partial withdrawal of a drug, usually after
repeated and/or high-dose use. This, too, is a short-lasting syndrome with
usual duration of few hours to few days.
Typically,
the patient reports that the withdrawal symptoms are relieved by further
substance use.
The
withdrawal state is further classified as:
· Uncomplicated
· With
complications
· With
delirium
Dependence
syndrome
According to
the ICD-10, the dependence syndrome is a cluster of physiological, behavioral,
and cognitive phenomena in which the use of a substance or a class of
substances takes on a much higher priority for a given individual than other
behaviors that once had greater value.
A central
descriptive characteristic of the dependence syndrome is the desire (often
strong and sometimes overpowering) to take psychoactive substances (which may
or may not have been medically prescribed), alcohol, or tobacco. There may be
evidence that return to substance use after a period of abstinence leads to a
more rapid appearance of other features of the syndrome than occurs with
non-dependent individuals.
A definite
diagnosis of dependence should usually be made only if at least three of the
following have been experienced or exhibited at sometime during the previous
year.
· A
strong desire or sense of compulsion to
take the substance.
· Difficulties in controlling the substance-taking
behavior in terms of its onset, termination or levels of use.
· A
physiological withdrawal state when the
substance use has ceased or reduced, as evidenced by the characteristic
withdrawal syndrome for the substance; or use of the same (or a closely
related) substance with the intention of relieving or avoiding withdrawal
symptoms.
· Evidence
of tolerance, such that increased doses of the
psychoactive substance are required in order to achieve effects originally
produced by lower doses (clear examples of this are found in the alcohol and
opiate-dependent individuals who may take daily doses that are sufficient to
incapacitate or kill non-tolerant users).
· Progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests
because of psychoactive substance use, increased amount of time necessary to
obtain or take the substance or to recover from its effects.
· Persisting with substance use despite clear
evidence of overtly harmful consequences, such as harm to the liver through
excessive drinking, depressive mood states consequent to periods of heavy
substance use, or drug-related impairment of cognitive functioning; efforts
should be made to determine that the user was actually, or could be expected to
be, aware of the nature and extent of the harm.
A narrowing
of personal repertoire of patterns of psychoactive substance use has also been
described as a characteristic feature of the dependence syndrome (e.g., a
tendency to drink in the same way on weekdays and weekends, regardless of the
social constraints that determine appropriate drinking behavior)
The
dependence syndrome can be further coded as (ICD-10):
· Currently
abstinent.
· Currently
abstinent, but in a protected environment (e.g., in hospital, in a therapeutic
community, in prison etc.).
· Currently
on a clinically supervised maintenance or replacement regime (controlled
dependence, e.g., with methadone, nicotine gum or nicotine patch).
· Currently
abstinent, but receiving treatment with aversive or blocking drugs (e.g.,
naltrexone or disulfiram).
· Currently
using the substance (active dependence).
· Continuous
use.
· Episodic
use (dispsomania).
The
dependence can be either psychic, or physical, or both.
Harmful
use
Harmful use
is characterized by:
· Continued
drug use, despite the awareness of harmful medical and/or social effect of the
drug being used, and/or
· A
pattern of physically hazardous use of drug (e.g., driving during
intoxication).
The diagnosis
requires that the actual damage should have been caused to the mental or
physical health of the user. Harmful use is not diagnosed, if a dependence
syndrome is present.DSM-1V-TR uses the term substance abuse instead, with minor
variations in description.
The other
syndromes associated with the psychoactive substance use in ICD-10 include
psychotic disorder, amnesic syndrome, and residual and late-onset (delayed
onset) psychotic disorder.
Psychoactive
substances
The major
dependence producing drugs are:
· Alcohol
· Opioids,
e.g., opium, heroin.
· Cannabinoids,
e.g., cannabis
· Cocaine
· Amphetamine
and other sympathomimetics
· Hallucinogens,
e.g., LSD, phencyclidine (PCP)
· Sedatives
and hypnotics, e.g., barbiturates
· Inhalants,
e.g., volatile solvents
· Nicotine
· Other
stimulants, e.g., caffeine
Causes
Aetiological
factors in Substance use disorders:
A.
Biological
· Genetic
vulnerability (family history of substance use disorder, e.g., in type 11
alcoholism)
· Co-morbid
psychiatric disorder or personality disorder
· Co-morbid
medical disorders
· Reinforcing
effects of drugs (explains continuation of drug use)
· Withdrawal
effects and craving (explains continuation of drug use)
· Biochemical
factors (e.g., role of dopamine and norepinephrine in cocaine, ethanol, and
opioid dependence
B.
Psychological factors
· Curiosity;
need for novelty seeking
· General
rebelliousness and social non-conformity
· Early
initiation of alcohol and tobacco
· Poor
impulse control
· Sensation-seeking
(high)
· Low
self-esteem
· Concerns
regarding personal autonomy
· Poor
stress management skills
· Childhood
trauma or loss
· Relief
from fatigue and/or boredom
· Escape
from reality
· Lack
of interest in conventional goals
· Psychological
distress
C.
Social factors
· Peer
pressure (often more important than parental factors)
· Modelling
(imitating behavior of important others)
· Ease
of availability of alcohol and drugs
· Strictness
of drug law enforcement
· Intrafamilial
conflicts
· Religious
reasons
· Poor
social/familial support
· ‘Perceived
distance’ within the family
· Permissive
social attitudes
· Rapid
urbanization
HOMOEOPATHIC
REMEDIES
Homoeopathy
today is a growing system and is being practiced all over the world. Its
strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach
towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental,
emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When substance use disorder is
concerned there are many effective medicines are available in Homoeopathy, but
the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient, considering the
mental and physical symptoms.
AVENA
SATIVA
Avena sativa
is one of the best remedies for drug addiction. It is effective for the bad
effects of morphine or heroin addiction. It is a good remedy for those addicted
to cocaine, marijuana, nerviness, tranquilizers or sedatives. Insomnia due to
drug s or alcohol. Sleeplessness with nervous exhaustion and weakness.
NUX
VOMICA
Nux vomica is
effective for the bad effects of alcohol, tobacco, opium, coffee, wine etc. The
patient is nervous and highly irritable. Headache and intoxicated feeling.
Dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, constipation are other leading symptoms.
MORPHINUM
Morphinum is
used for the bad effects of over use of drugs. Mentally the patient is
depressed and behaves in a dream-like state. Vertigo and dizziness on least
movement of head. Face is dusky red or pallid lividity of face, lips, tongue,
mouth, or throat. Violent throbbing in heart and carotids. Alternation of
tachycardia and bradycardia.
COFFEA
Severe
insomnia due to drug addiction. Hyperactivity of mind and body. Increases the
sensibility of nerves, making them over excitable and over sensitive. Special
senses become over acute, emotions especially joy and pleasurable surprise,
produces dangerous symptoms. Now joyous, now gloomy. Coffea removes the bad
effects of sleeping pills.
CANNABIS
INDICA
Exaltation of
spirits. Constant fear of becoming insane. Horror of darkness. Absent minded,
forgetful. Emotions and sensations are exaggerated.
BELLADONNA
Fear of
darkness and vision of ghosts as a result of drug addiction. Desire to
escape or hide himself. Acuteness of all senses. Changeable moods.
Hallucinations, sees monsters, hideous faces. Spit on faces of other persons.
Easily angered.
HYOSYAMUS
NIGER
Headache from
narcotic addiction. Hallucinations most marked. Talks with imaginary persons to
dead ones. Imagines things are animals. Inclined to laugh at everything. Does
foolish things, behaves like mad. Laughs, sings, talks, babbles and quarrels.
SULPHUR
Sulphur
antidotes the bad effects of Cannabis addiction. Sulphur patient express
sadness and melancholy. They imagine himself a great man. Strong impulsive
tendency to suicide by drowning or leaping from a window.
LACHESIS
Headache from
narcotics addiction. The patient is highly talkative. Sensation of tension in
various parts. Cannot bear anything tight anywhere. Sensation of constriction
in throat, abdomen and head.
PULSATILLA
NIGRICANS
Diarrhea from
heroin addiction. Changeable stools, no two stools alike.
PASSIFLORA
INCARNATA
Sleeplessness
due to drug addiction. Effective for morphine addiction. Give mother
tincture doses.
OPIUM
Drowsiness
and coma from drug addiction. The patient falls into a heavy deep sleep. Thinks
he is not at home. Sees frightful visions of mice, scorpions. Perversion of all
senses. Euphoric state, overexcitement and sleeplessness.
VIPERA
A remedy for
drug addictions by injections.
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
KNOWING HOMEOPATHY:
1. Is Homeopathy a proved science?
It
definitely is. Homeopathy is a science based on sound logic and vast
experimental data. It is the only medicinal science where data has been
collected by proving on healthy human beings and not on animals because human
beings can communicate their actual feelings during the testing while animals
cannot. The principles of Homeopathy have been derived and authenticated by
vast clinical experiments and data. The homeopathic pharmacopoeia lists more
than 3000 remedies, whose clinical efficiency has been proved in various
clinical trials conducted all over the world.
2.
Are
Homeopaths qualified doctors?
Yes.
There are more than 180 homeopathic medical colleges in India and about 1000
colleges all over the world recognized by their respective Governments. The
degree course is an extensive study encompassing the detailed and thorough
study of the human body, Homeopathic pharmacy, Medicine, Gynaecology, Materia
Medica, Philosophy, Total patient management etc. In India the full course
lasts for four and half years followed by internship for 1 year, which includes
practical training in hospitals. There are now also postgraduate courses
available in India. One must mandatorily register with the relevant Medical
Council to practice legally.
3.
Is it
true that Homeopathic medicines are only placebos (sugar pills)?
No.
The pills of Homeopathic medicines are made from sugar but they work only as
vehicles. Actual liquid medicine prepared from various natural medicinal
substances is poured over the pills and dispensed as medications. Homeopathic
medicines are also available in liquid form or tinctures, which can be
administered directly or by diluting them in water whenever required.
4.
Does
the Homeopath give the same white pills for all illnesses/patients?
What
seems so is not true. The white pills which are dispensed from a homeopath are
only neutral vehicles or carriers of actual medicines that is sprinkled on
them. When the actual drug is poured on these white pills they get coated with
the curative power of the drug. Different drugs are usually used in various
potencies as to best suit different patients. There are about 3000 medicines and
10 variable potencies (powers of medicines) of each medicine so a minimum
30,000 various permutation and combinations can be utilized.
5.
Does
one have to take the medicines for a long time?
The
duration of treatment depends upon the nature of the disease and the fighting
capacity of the patient's body. The treatment is required for a certain time
period so as to improve the resistance of the body to fight diseases. Taking
into consideration all these factors the treatment is continued for a specific
time frame for the benefit of the patient. Once the patient starts improving we
stop the medicines and the natural immunity of the body will take care of the
rest of the problems.
6.
Does
homeopathy take long time to act?
It
is a myth that homeopathic medicines act slowly. Their action is quick and the
effect lasts much longer, often forever. The disease is treated from its roots.
The
time taken for relief is proportionate to the chronicity of the ailment. In
fact if a patient seeks homoeopathic treatment at the onset of an ailment, he
stands great chances of a really quick recovery. Also in acute illnesses
homoeopathic medicines act fast and effectively. For e.g. if "X" is
suffering from bronchial asthma and he is suffering for the last 14 years and
has been to various systems of medicine. Now if you give him homeopathy and say
in 2 years time the patient is completely alright, would you say that
Homeopathy is slow to act?
7.
Why is
a detailed history required in Homeopathy?
Detailed
history is very essential as homeopathy believes in treating the individual and
not the disease. So the physician needs to know everything he can about the
individual. Also the chronic diseases are due to suppression of skin affections
or emotions; hence thorough history will reveal whether any past suppressed
ailments have lead to the present complaints.
There
are many incidents that influence our life. Knowing them gives an idea about
the patient as a person, his characteristics and helps the physician to
prescribe the accurate remedy.
8.
What
will the homeopath need to know about you?
The
homeopath needs to understand you, your nature, your complaints and your
disturbed mental and emotional state in order to reach to the core of your
case.
Any
peculiar habit that you have, your past medical history, childhood details,
anything and everything about you will help the physician to help you. If you
give an honest and correct history to the physician, he can assess your case
accurately. Anything that you confide in your physician will be strictly
confidential and helpful.
9.
Do
homeopathic medicines have steroids?
All
Homoeopathic medicines are prepared by using scientific predefined methods of
extracting the medicinal properties from source substances. There is no scope
or need to adulterate the derived medicines with any other substances, as this
would completely obliterate the curative properties of the same. The
prescription of homoeopathic medicines is based on the similarity of symptoms
of the patient with those produced by the drug (in its purest form) when tested
on healthy individuals. Additionally, steroids impart a bitter taste, and
homeopathic medicines are sweet.
If
the patient has any doubts he should check the medicines from a standard
laboratory before consuming them.
10.
Why do
homeopaths not tell the names of the medicines they prescribe?
The
name of the medicine is not disclosed for the benefit of the patient. If the
patient after knowing the name of the medicines starts taking it according to
his or her whims and fancies, it will distort the disease picture and in
future, treatment of the patient will be much more difficult. Also certain
medicines have to be changed and given as per the state of the disease and
recovery.
If
the patient wants, a copy of case record can be provided to the patient but at
the end of the treatment, when patient has completely recovered.
11. Does
Homeopathy believe in disease diagnosis and pathological investigations?
Yes.
It is very essential to diagnose a disease, but for the selection of the remedy
we require to know the characteristic symptoms of the patient and not the
disease symptoms. For e.g. A person is having an attack of asthma with wheezing
and congestion of the chest, and he gets relief only if he throws his head
backwards. Wheezing and congestion of chest are symptoms of the disease, but
for the selection of the remedy the important symptom is 'relief by throwing
head backwards'. Hence to differentiate the disease symptoms with the
individual characteristic symptoms, good knowledge of disease is important.
Pathological investigations are also important to know disease diagnosis and
prognosis, and judge the improvement.
12.
Are
there any food restrictions during the treatment?
Yes
the patient is only advised to avoid eating or drinking 15 minutes before or
after taking homeopathic medication. One has to avoid coffee, raw onion and raw
garlic. Also avoid eating mint, camphor and menthol as these can hinder the
action of the homeopathic medicine or antidote the effects of the medicine.
13.
Can
patients suffering from Diabetes take Homeopathic medicines?
Yes
why not? As the daily dietary intake of sugar by a person would normally far
exceed the minuscule quantity consumed in the form of homeopathic pills
(Approximately the quantity of sugar consumed with 1 cup of tea is same as
being consumed by entire week of Homeopathic medication). The patient also has
an option of taking the medicines in liquid form, or by inhalation. Besides
this, homeopathic pills are composed of lactose that is not harmful even for
diabetes.
14.
Does
the patient have to stop other medicines which he/she has been taking?
No.
The patient should not stop the medicines which he has been taking. It should
be tapered gradually once the patient is improving but this should be done in
consultation with the treating physician. In some cases where the other
medicine cannot be discontinued, both the medicines have to be continued for
the benefit of the patient. The treatment should be planned and properly implemented.
15.
Do
homeopathic medicines bring about aggravation initially?
In
some cases there is an initial aggravation of the symptoms but it is a good
sign that shows the medicine is right and has started acting. But this happens
in a few cases and not all patients will have an aggravation; most of the
patients have simple long lasting amelioration.
16.
Is it
safe to take Homeopathic medicines during pregnancy?
Yes.
It is always better to take homeopathic medicines from a qualified homeopathic
doctor. If the treatment is planned in a proper way it will have lots of
benefits to the mother and the child. The child will be much healthier and the
medicines will help to fight the hereditary diseases which are carried from
generation to generation. In fact if homeopathy is given during pregnancy, the
delivery would be normal and easier. The child will be relatively healthier and
emotionally well balanced, intellectually sound and physically stronger.
17.
In
which disease condition homeopathic treatment is more effective?
There
is no condition that Homeopathy cannot treat. Conditions from a simple cold to
cancer can be treated with Homeopathy. It takes into account the individual
symptoms of the patient suffering from any disease and not the diagnosis of the
disease. By the virtue of this certain diseases that cannot be diagnosed
clinically or even unknown diseases can also be treated. Also in incurable
cases where even the modern line of treatment fails to help the patients,
homeopathy will prove to be a very good palliative and will improve the last
days of life and ease the death. This happens in advanced stages of cancer, we
can relieve pain very easily and effectively.
18.
Does
Homeopathy work in acute cases?
Yes.
Homeopathy has wonderful remedies that give prompt relief in acute cases like
fever, cough, cold, diarrhea, headaches etc. when the person opts for
homeopathy at the onset of the ailment.
19.
Does
Homeopathy believe in Surgery?
Yes,
it does. Surgery is a separate branch of medicine. It has to be resorted to in
conditions that are beyond the domain of medicine. But one can avoid surgery in
certain cases as homeopathy can effectively treat many so-called surgical
conditions like tonsillitis, piles, warts, kidney stones, etc.
20.
Should
one take homeopathic medicines only from a qualified doctor?
Yes,
he should. There have been instances of apparent “miracle cures” by lay people
practicing homeopathy, but it is always advisable to go to a homeopathic
physician, as he is qualified to judge the severity and depth of your illness
and thereby prevent undue complications later on, which could be overlooked by
a hobby practitioner due to his ignorance of scientific medical knowledge. Only
a qualified physician can guide you towards a complete mental, emotional,
spiritual, physical and pathological recovery.
21.
Are
there any side effects of homeopathic medicines?
No,
there are no side effects of homeopathic medicines. Sometimes you may get cold,
skin rash or little discharge after taking homeopathic medicines. This means
that the system is getting cleared. In the same way, your old symptoms like
constipation, warts or any skin rash may reappear. Do not take any medicine to
treat these reappearing old symptoms, as these old symptoms will go away in a
short while and you will be healed for a long-lasting period of time.