Acne or pimples appears on skin as a single lesion or multiple lesions like small boils which may be of different types. Some may be small tiny ones without any fluid within, or some may be filled with fluid of pus within. Acne poses a severe problem when it is in large number and coming very frequently. This type of acne often leaves marks on your face. Acne may be caused due to over use of cosmetics. Chronic dandruff problems also can cause acne. Acne is also very common at the time of puberty or adolescent age when the pores in the skin are opening which were earlier close. There are many other medical problems and skin condition in which acne is present. To prevent acne avoid washing your face repeatedly. Try to avoid harsh scrubbing of face. Please avoid using toner with high concentration of isopropyl alcohol it will damage your skin. Do not squeeze or pick your acne as your hand and nails will introduce bacteria in it. Exercise generates heat in your skin which is an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Remember that you take shower or wash your self after exercise.

Role of Homeopathy:
homeopathy has a specific role to play in chronic and recurrent problems of acne. We have treated many cases of acne where patients have tried various over the counter products for acne but their problem is bad to worse. Homeopathy treats the tendency of recurrent problems with constitutional medicine.

Alopecia Areata is a recurrent and non scarring type of hair loss in single or multiple patches that can affect any hair-bearing area. Alopecia Areata can present with many different patterns from person to person. Alopecia Areata is a benign condition and most patients are asymptomatic; however, it can cause emotional and psychosocial stress in affected individuals. Self-consciousness concerning personal appearance can become important. These issues are to be discussed openly with the doctor which can help significantly in coping with the problem. Positive family history is the only known responsible factor as a cause. The exact role of stressful events is not clear but they are likely to trigger a condition which is already present in susceptible individuals. The natural history of Alopecia Areata is unpredictable. Most patients have only a few focal areas of alopecia, and spontaneous regrowth usually occurs within 1 year. Probably, less than 15% of patients experience extensive alopecia, and less than 3% have Alopecia Universalis. Patients with extensive long-standing conditions are less likely to experience significant long-lasting regrowth. Adverse prognosis factors include nail deformities, allergic conditions, onset at a young age, and severe forms of Alopecia Areata. No treatment is effective in preventing or halting progression of the condition. No trigger can be found to explain disease exacerbation in most patients.

Role of Homeopathy in Alopecia Areata:
Constitutional treatment with Homeopathic medicine has proved effective in cases of Alopecia Areata. Role of specific Homeopathic oils and mother tinctures in the treatment of Alopecia Areata is also found effective.

Important Homeopathic Medicines for Alopecia Areata:
Alumina, Fluoric acid, Graphites, Hepar Sulph, Lycopodium, Natrum Mur, Phosphorus.

Alzheimer Disease is the most common cause of dementia (loss of memory), which is an acquired (not present since birth) intellectual and behavioral impairment of sever intensity to significantly interfere with social and occupational functioning of an individual. The cause of Alzheimer disease is unknown. The existing research on the illness suggests that most cases of Alzheimer disease are caused by converging risk factors that include advancing age, head injury, and lipoprotein E-epsilon 4 genotype among other risk factors that appear to trigger the illness. Treatment of Alzheimer disease is based on developing theories of its cause and on the need to alleviate its cognitive (intellectual) and behavioral manifestations. To date, no interventions have been shown to convincingly prevent Alzheimer disease or slow its progression. Medical treatments for Alzheimer disease include psychotropic medications and behavioral interventions, cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) and the avoidance of centrally acting anticholinergic medications, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists, and other and new therapeutic interventions.

Role of Homeopathy in Alzheimer disease:
Homeopathy has a very special advantage over conventional approach in the treatment of this illness. Homeopathy can help restrict the progress of the disease if the treatment is started in the early phase. Nevertheless homeopathy can benefit the person suffering from this illness in reducing the symptom severity. In other sense if not cure homeopathy can definitely give relief in the symptoms without any side effects of the medicine which is usually the case with conventional medicines. Along with homeopathic medicine behavioral therapy may enhance the outcome of the treatment of people suffering from Alzheimer disease.

Important Homeopathic Medicines for Alzheimer Disease:
Aurum Met / Bar carb / Fluoric Acid / Iodum / phosphorous / Plumbum Met / Zinc Met

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a form of chronic inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac (SI) joints. The SI joints are located in the low back at the junction of spine and hip. Chronic inflammation in these areas causes pain and stiffness in and around the spine. Over the period of time, chronic spinal inflammation (spondylitis) can lead to a complete cementing together (fusion) of the vertebrae, a process referred to as ankylosis. Ankylosis leads to loss of mobility of the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis is also a systemic rheumatic disease, meaning it can affect other tissues throughout the body. Accordingly, it can cause inflammation in or injury to other joints away from the spine, as well as other organs, such as the eyes, heart, lungs, and kidneys. Ankylosing spondylitis shares many features with several other arthritis conditions, such as Psoriatic Arthritis, Reactive Arthritis, and arthritis associated With Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Each of these arthritic conditions can cause disease and inflammation in the spine, other joints, eyes, skin, mouth, and various organs. In view of their similarities and tendency to cause inflammation of the spine, these conditions are collectively referred to as "Spondyloarthropathies." The tendency to develop ankylosing spondylitis is believed to be genetically inherited, and the majority (nearly 90%) of patients with ankylosing spondylitis is born with the HLA-B27 gene. Blood tests help to detect the HLA-B27 gene marker. The characteristics of the gene marker HLA-B27 are being further understood. There are now seven different subtypes of HLA-B27 known to be present.

Role of Homeopathy in Ankylosing Spondylitis:
Homeopathy offers various treatment options depending upon the stage of disease. At an early stage where there is no major damage to the joints Homeopathy can achieve control over the progress of the disease and can actually prevent the expected future damage to the joints. In advance case where there is already lot of damage done to the joints Homeopathy has a better remedies to offer good pain control as well as prevent further damage. Homeopathy is safe and without any side effects. This factor is very vital in deciding the treatment options especially when a person has to take the medications for longer duration. The course of treatment period depends upon the stage of disease.

Important Homeopathic remedies for Ankylosing Spondylitis:
Colchicum, Aconite, Bryonia, Merc. Sol., Rhus. Tox, Cimic, Mag. Phos.

Aplastic Anemia occurs due to failure of the bone marrow to produce blood cells, including red and white blood cells as well as platelets. Aplastic anemia frequently occurs without a known cause. Known causes include exposure to chemicals (benzene, toluene in glues, insecticides, solvents), drugs (chemotherapy, gold, seizure medications, antibiotics, and others), viruses (HIV, Epstein-Barr), radiation, immune conditions (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis), pregnancy, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, and inherited disorders (Fanconi's anemia). Symptoms of aplastic anemia include fatigue, bruising, bleeding, shortness of breath, fever, chills, and less frequently, bone pain. The diagnosis is based on the presence of low red and white blood cell and platelet counts and a decrease in the normal cells of the bone marrow. Treatment depends on the suspected cause of the condition. All medications which might suppress the bone marrow are discontinued. Male hormone (androgens) may be given to stimulate the suppressed bone marrow to become more active. Bone marrow stimulating factors may be given intravenously. Blood transfusions are often required. Precautions to avoid infections are taken when the white blood cell counts are severely lowered. Bone marrow transplantation may be considered. Suppression of the immune system may be indicated. Immunosuppression therapy can include antithymocyte globulin, cortisone medications, and cyclosporine. Treatment with antithymocyte globulin has been successful for some patients and permitted them to make sufficient blood cells to stay transfusion-free for 5 years or more.

Role of Homeopathy in Aplastic Anemia:
Homeopathy can prevent patients from becoming susceptible to recurrent infection due to disturbed immunity. Homeopathy can prevent bleeding tendency and prevent recurrent episodes of fever and fatigue. Constitutional homeopathic treatment is best effective for the treatment of Aplastic Anemia. Constitutional Homeopathic medicine may stimulate the active part of bone marrow which can produce required red blood cells and white blood cells for the normal functioning of the body.

Important Homeopathic remedies for Aplastic Anemia :
Ars / Bell / Calc / Calc P / Carb S / Cocc / Ferr Met / Ferr Ar / Ferr M / Graph / Lyc / Mang / Med / Nat Mur / Nit Ac / Phos / Plat / Puls / Senec / Sep / Sulph

Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes (wind pipes) that causes swelling and narrowing of the airways. The result of this is difficulty in breathing. The bronchial narrowing is usually either totally or at least partially reversible with treatments. Bronchial tubes that are chronically inflamed may become overly sensitive to allergens or irritants. The airways may become narrow and remain in a state of increased sensitivity. This is called "airway hyperreactivity” It is likely that there is a range of airway hyperreactivity in all individuals. However, it is clear that asthmatics and allergic individuals have a greater degree of airway hyperreactivity than nonasthmatic and nonallergic people. In sensitive individuals, the bronchial tubes are more likely to swell and constrict when exposed to triggers such as allergens, tobacco smoke, or exercise. Asthma affects people differently. Each individual is unique in their degree of reactivity to environmental triggers. This naturally influences the type and dose of medication prescribed, which may vary from one individual to another. Asthmas are either episodic for new and recent cases or persistent for old and long standing cases. The onset is sudden lasting for few hours to few days. The attack usually reverts to normal with the help of proper medication.

Severe attack of Asthma:
There is shortness of breath, breathlessness. There will be wheezing sound in the chest and prolong expiration. Person experiences tightness in the chest. The heart rate increases which is experienced as fast heart beats. There is dry cough in the initial stage followed by wet cough. During very severe attacks, the person can become blue due to inadequate oxygen supply. This condition is known as cyanosis, and can experience chest pain or even loss of consciousness. Before such attack there is numbness in hands and legs and they start sweating. There is feeling that the body is becoming cold. Such signs of attack are warning signs that the attack is really very severe and the person needs immediate hospitalization.

Prognosis of Asthma:
Asthma can be prevented by identifying the triggering factor and by avoiding it. Care of asthma should be taken as prompt treatment as well as avoiding exposure to allergens and irritants. Asthma has a range of out come after treatment. In some cases asthma can be completely cured where as in some cases good control over asthma attacks and ability to perform day to day activity with ease can be a significant achievement.

Role of Homeopathy in Asthma:
Homeopathy offers great promise in treatment of asthma. Homeopathic treatment can reduce person’s sensitivity to various allergens and irritants. Thus homeopathic treatment can reduce frequency and intensity of attacks. Homeopathy can help reduce the need for antiasthamatic drugs and steroids.

Important Homeopathic remedies for Asthma:
Aconite / Ars Alb. / Ipecac / Kali Carb / Lachesis / Lobella / Nux Vom / Pulsatilla Sambuscus / Silica / Spongia / Stannum

Atopic Dermatitis is a disease that causes itchy, inflamed skin. It typically affects the insides of the elbows, backs of the knees, and the face, but can cover most of the body. It falls into a category of diseases called atopic (allergic), a term originally used to describe the allergic conditions like asthma and hay fever. Atopic Dermatitis was included in the atopic (allergic) category because it often affects people who either suffer from asthma and / or hay fever or have family members who do. Physicians often refer to these three conditions as the "atopic triad." Atopic Dermatitis is not contagious. Research indicates that atopic diseases like Atopic Dermatitis are genetically determined, inherited from one’s parents. A child with one parent who has an atopic condition has a one-in-four chance of having some form of atopic disease. If both parents are atopic, the child has a greater than one-in-two chance of being atopic. Atopic Dermatitis almost always begins in childhood, usually during infancy. Its symptoms are dry, itchy, scaly skin, cracks behind the ears, and rashes on the cheeks, arms, and legs. It alternately improves and worsens. During "flare-ups," open weeping or crusted sores may develop from the scratching or from infections. Often the problem fades during childhood, though people with Atopic Dermatitis have a lifelong tendency to have:

Dry skin-easily irritated
Occupational skin disease-hand dermatitis
Skin infections-Staph and herpes ("cold sores")
Eye problems-eyelid dermatitis, cataracts
Family and social relationships disrupted
Work loss

Role of Homeopathy in Atopic Dermatitis:
Homeopathy has proved successful in reducing the atopic tendency of the person. Constitutional homeopathic treatment approach is best suitable for the treatment of Atopic Dermatitis. The intensity and frequency of skin lesions becomes reduced significantly. While the person is under treatment they may experience an acute flair up which needs acute homeopathic medicine to control the flair up. The out come of the treatment is usually 100% success. The duration of the treatment depends upon the sensitivity and genetic load of the patient. In either case the result is most satisfying. Patient is saved from need of taking drowsiness producing anti allergic medication. This is an added advantage of homeopathic treatment. There is no side effect, no drug resistance and it is not habit forming.

Important Homeopathic Remedies for Atopic Dermatitis:
Alumina, Ars Alb, Bell, Bovinum, Carb. Veg., Clem. Dulcamara Graphites Hep. Sul. Lycopodium Merc Sol Mezerium Petroleum Phosphorus Psorinum Rhus. Tox. Sulphur

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a problem with inattentiveness, over-activity, impulsivity, or a combination. For these problems to be diagnosed as ADHD, they must be out of the normal range for the child's age and development. ADHD affects school performance and interpersonal relationships. Parents of children with ADHD are often exhausted and frustrated. Neuroimaging studies suggest that the brains of children with ADHD are different from those of other children. These children handle neurotransmitters (including dopamine, serotonin, and adrenalin) differently from their peers. ADHD is often genetic. Whatever the specific cause may be, it seems to be set in motion early in life as the brain is developing. Depression, sleep deprivation, learning disabilities, tic disorders, and behavior problems may be confused with, or appear along with, ADHD. Every child suspected of having ADHD deserves a careful evaluation to sort out exactly what is contributing to the behaviors causing concern. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder of childhood, affecting an estimated 3 - 5% of school aged children. It is diagnosed much more often in boys than in girls. Most children with ADHD also have at least one other developmental or behavioral problem.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has guidelines for treating ADHD:

• Set specific, appropriate target goals to guide therapy.
• Medication and behavior therapy should be started.
• When treatment has not met the target goals, evaluate the original diagnosis, the possible presence of other conditions, and how well the treatment plan has been implemented.
• Systematic follow-up is important to regularly reassess target goals, results, and any side effects of medications. Information should be gathered from parents, teachers, and the child.

Prognosis of ADHD:
ADHD is a long-term, chronic condition. About half of the children with ADHD will continue to have troublesome symptoms of inattention or impulsivity as adults. However, adults are often more capable of controlling behavior and masking difficulties. Statistics show that there is an increased incidence in juvenile delinquency and adult encounters with the law among individuals who had ADHD as a child. Every effort should be made to manage symptoms and direct the child's energy to constructive and educational paths.

Role of Homeopathy in ADHD:
Homeopathy acts deeper in to the person’s life. Effects of homeopathic medicine are more on the life giving energy, the vital force than on the body and its parts. Homeopathy acts on that energy in our body which acts on genes and DNA. Right time of understanding the problem in person’s life and starting the treatment has far greater out come with homeopathy. ADHD child may have genetic cause and there may be functional and structural alteration in the brain of the child to suffer from ADHD, but strength of Homeopathy lies in influencing such illness by virtue of its actions on those channels in our body which directly or indirectly governs the function and structure of our body which is much beyond the level of not only cell but even the genes and DNA and RNA. Because these genes are also powered by the basic life energy. This life giving energy is dynamic and so are the Homeopathic medicines. We can’t see the power but we can experience its presence when we examine a living cell and dead cell. In cases of ADHD significant improvement is observed in the behavioral and intellectual performance of the child. Constitutional homeopathic treatment is the best possible approach which gives satisfactory results in cases of ADHD.

Along with Homeopathic management following care should also be taken

• Limit distractions in the child's environment.
• Provide one-on-one instruction with teacher.
• Make sure the child gets enough sleep.
• Make sure the child gets a healthy, varied diet, with plenty of fiber and basic nutrients.

Important Homeopathic medicines for ADHD
Ars Alb / Calc Carb / Cimicifuga / Crocus / Cuprum / Ignatia / Pulsatilla / Iodinum / Merc Sol / Phosphorus / Tarentula

Autism is a developmental disorder of brain. Autism impairs social interaction and communication skills of the child, and makes the child to do restricted and repetitive behavior like repetitive speech, repetitive hand movements etc. All these starts before three years of age. These signs distinguish autism from milder autism spectrum disorders (ASD) such as Asperger syndrome. Autism has a strong genetic basis. In rare cases, autism is strongly associated with agents that cause birth defects. Other proposed causes, such as childhood vaccines, are controversial and the vaccine hypothesis does not provide enough evidence. Most recent reviews estimate a prevalence of one to two cases per 1,000 people for autism, and about six per 1,000 for ASD, with ASD averaging a 4.3:1 male-to-female ratio. Autism affects many parts of the brain; how this occurs is not very clear. Parents usually report the signs in the first two years of the child's life. Early behavioral or cognitive intervention can help children gain self-care, social, and communication skills. There is no cure. Few children with autism live independently after reaching adulthood, but some become successful.

Treatment objectives in Autism:
The main goals of treatment are to lessen associated deficits and family distress, and to increase quality of life and functional independence. No single treatment is best suitable for the child. The treatment should be typically planned to suit needs of the child. Educational programs which can be sustained by the child should be planned. In addition to the educational program other treatments like behavior therapy can help if started at an early age. The goals of behavioral therapy should be to achieve child’s ability to learn to do self-care, to learn and perform social, and job skills. Behavioral therapy may show improvement in over all functioning of the child. It may also decrease the symptom severity and maladaptive behaviors. Other therapeutic approaches include applied behavior analysis, developmental models, structured teaching, speech and language therapy, social skills therapy, and occupational therapy. Educational interventions also may have some benefits. Applied Behavior analysis treatment has demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing global functioning in preschool children and is well-established for improving intellectual performance of young children.

Role of Homeopathy in Autism:
Homeopathy helps in improving behavioral and cognitive difficulties of the child. Social sense and interpersonal skills also show improvement. Active management as suitable to the individual needs of the child with homeopathic constitutional treatment is likely to give better out come.

Important Homeopathic medicine for Autism:
Carcinocin / Cannabis Indica / Nat Mur / Opium / Thuja

Bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the air passages within the lungs. It occurs when the trachea (windpipe) and the large and small bronchi (airways) within the lungs become inflamed because of infection or other causes. The thin mucous lining of these airways can become irritated and swollen. The cells that make up this lining may leak fluids in response to the inflammation. Coughing is a reflex that works to clear secretions from the lungs. Often the discomfort of a severe cough leads you to seek medical treatment. Both adults and children can get bronchitis. Symptoms are similar for both. Infants usually get bronchiolitis, which involves the smaller airways and causes symptoms similar to asthma. Bronchitis occurs most often during the cold and flu season, usually coupled with an upper respiratory infection. Several viruses cause bronchitis, including influenza A and B, commonly referred to as "the flu." A number of bacteria are also known to cause bronchitis, such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which causes so-called walking pneumonia. Bronchitis also can occur when you inhale irritating fumes or dusts. Chemical solvents and smoke, including tobacco smoke, have been linked to acute bronchitis. People at increased risk both of getting bronchitis and of having more severe symptoms include the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, smokers, and anyone with repeated exposure to lung irritants. Acute bronchitis most commonly occurs after an upper respiratory infection such as the common cold or a sinus infection. You may see symptoms such as fever with chills, muscle aches, nasal congestion, and sore throat. Cough is a common symptom of bronchitis. The cough may be dry or may produce phlegm. Significant phlegm production suggests that the lower respiratory tract and the lung itself may be infected, and you may have pneumonia. The cough may last for more than two weeks. Continued forceful coughing may make your chest and abdominal muscles sore. Coughing can be severe enough at times to injure the chest wall or even cause you to pass out. Wheezing may occur because of the inflammation of the airways. This may leave you short of breath.

Prevention of Bronchitis:
Bronchitis can be prevented by stopping smoking, by avoiding exposure to irritants. Proper protection in the workplace is important in preventing exposure. The danger of passive smoking is very common. Children should never be exposed to passive smoking or smoke inside the home. Avoiding long exposure to air pollution from heavy traffic may also help in prevent bronchitis.

Role of Homeopathy in Bronchitis:
Homeopathy can offer some very important and time tested remedies in the management of bronchitis. The most important aspect of homeopathy in the management of bronchitis is that the medicine works very fast and does not leave you weak and drained at the end of the infection which is usually seen with a course of antibiotics. In the management of acute attack of bronchitis the prescribed homeopathic medicines may have to be taken at shorter intervals may be after every few hours.

Important Homeopathic remedies for Bronchitis:
Aesculus / Antim Tart / Ars Alb / Bar Mur / Bryonia / Droserra / Ferr Phos / Hep Sul / Ipecac / Lycopodium / Nat Sul / Phosphorus / Pulsatilla / Sanguinaria / Senega / Silica / Spongia / Stannum / Tuberculinum

Cancer is the general name for a group of more than 100 diseases in which cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control. Although there are many kinds of cancer, they all start because abnormal cells grow out of control. Untreated cancers can cause serious illness and even death. Normal body cells grow, divide, and die in an orderly fashion. During the early years of a person's life, normal cells divide more quickly until the person becomes an adult. After that, cells in most parts of the body divide only to replace worn-out or dying cells and to repair injuries. Cancer cells develop because of damage to DNA. This substance is in every cell and directs all of the cell's activities. Most of the time when DNA becomes damaged, either the cell dies or is able to repair the DNA. In cancer cells, the damaged DNA is not repaired. People can inherit damaged DNA, which accounts for inherited cancers. Many times though, a person’s DNA gets damaged by things in the environment, like, chemicals, viruses, tobacco smoke or too much sunlight. Cancers can begin in many different parts of the body. But, different types of cancer can act very differently. For example, lung cancer and breast cancer are very different diseases. They grow at different rates and respond to different treatments. That's why people with cancer need treatment that is aimed at their particular kind of cancer. Because cancer cells keep growing and dividing, they are different from normal cells. Instead of dying, they outlive normal cells and continue to grow and make new abnormal cells. Cancer usually forms as a tumor (a lump or mass.) Some cancers, like leukemia, do not form tumors. Instead, these cancer cells involve the blood and blood-forming organs, and circulate through other tissues where they grow. Cancer cells often travel through the bloodstream or through the lymph system to other parts of the body where they begin to grow and replace normal tissue. This spreading process is called metastasis. Even when cancer has spread to a different part of the body it is still named for the place in the body where it started. For example, breast cancer that has spread to the liver is metastatic breast cancer, not liver cancer. Prostate cancer that has spread to the bone is called metastatic prostate cancer, not bone cancer. Remember that not all tumors are cancerous. Benign (non-cancerous) tumors do not spread to other parts of the body (metastasize) and are very rarely life-threatening. Today, millions of people are living with cancer or have had cancer. The risk of developing most types of cancer can be reduced by changes in a person's lifestyle, for example, by quitting smoking, limiting time in the sun, being physically active, and eating a better diet. The sooner a cancer is found and treated, the better the chances are for living for many years. Over one million people get cancer each year. Anyone can get cancer at any age; however, about 77% of all cancers are diagnosed in people age of 55 and older. Today, millions of people are living with cancer or have been cured of the disease. The sooner a cancer is found and the sooner treatment begins, the better a patient's chances are of a cure. That's why early detection of cancer is such an important weapon in the fight against cancer.

Risk factors for Cancer:
A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of getting a disease. Some risk factors can be changed, and others cannot. Risk factors for cancer can include a person's age, sex, and family medical history. Others are linked to cancer-causing factors in the environment. Still others are related to lifestyle choices such as tobacco and alcohol use, diet, and sun exposure. Having a risk factor for cancer means that a person is likely to develop the disease at some point in their lives. However, having one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean that a person will get cancer. Some people with one or more risk factors never develop the disease, while other people who do develop cancer have no apparent risk factors. Even when a person who has a risk factor is diagnosed with cancer, there is no way to prove that the risk factor actually caused the cancer. Different kinds of cancer have different risk factors. Some of the major risk factors include the following:

• Cancers of the lung, mouth, larynx, bladder, kidney, cervix esophagus, and pancreas are related to tobacco use, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff. Smoking alone causes one-third of all cancer deaths.
• Skin cancer is related to unprotected exposure to strong sunlight.
• Breast cancer risk factors include several factors: age; changes in hormone levels throughout life, such as age at first menstruation, number of pregnancies, and age at menopause; obesity; and physical activity. Some studies have also shown a connection between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of breast cancer. Also, women with a mother or sister who have had breast cancer are more likely to develop the disease themselves.
• While all men are at risk for prostate cancer, several factors can increase the chances of developing the disease, such as age, race, and diet. The chance of getting prostate cancer goes up with age. A high-fat diet may play a part in causing prostate cancer. Also, men with a father or brother who have had prostate cancer are more likely to get prostate cancer themselves.

Overall, environmental factors, defined broadly to include tobacco use, diet, and infectious diseases, as well as chemicals and radiation cause an estimated 75% of all cancer cases. Among these factors, tobacco use, unhealthy diet, and physical activity are more likely to affect personal cancer risk. Research shows that about one-third of all cancer deaths are related to dietary factors and lack of physical activity in adulthood.

How to prevent Cancer:
Smoking and drinking alcohol cause some people to get certain types of cancer. These cancers might be prevented by avoiding tobacco and alcohol. The best idea is to never use tobacco at all. Cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco cause cancer and should not be used. People who already smoke should try to quit. Former smokers have less risk of cancer than do people who continue to smoke. The chances of getting skin cancer can be lowered by staying in the shade as much as you can, wearing a hat and shirt when you are in the sun, and using sunscreen. We know that our diet, (what we eat) is linked to some types of cancer, although the exact reasons are not yet clear. The best advice is to eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains like pasta and bread, and to cut down on high fat foods. There are tests, called screening examinations that adults should have in order to find cancer early. If cancer is found early it can often be cured.
Role of Homeopathy in Cancer:
Homeopathy is a scientific and holistic system of medicine. It has its ability to improve your health dynamically by acting on our body’s life giving energy the vital force. This vital force gives life to a cell which then divides further and develops itself in to a complex human body. The role of vital force or life energy never ends after the development of first cell. In fact a single cell or entire human body or any living thing on this earth, be it an insect or a plant or a giant animal or a complex human body, it starts disintegrating once the life energy stops flowing in them. A healthy state of the body is not as a result of healthy cells and healthy tissue but it is as a result of healthy and balanced life energy or vital force which is maintaining the body in a healthy state. In a diseased body all what we see in a microscope is a diseased cell. But actually the cell is made diseased by virtue of disturbed life energy or vital force which is no more in a balance and harmonious state. There by the result of this disturbance is first seen as a disturbed functioning of the body. When this disturbance is carried further we see disturbance at a cellular level. This disturbance at a cellular level can be broadly understood as under growth (Dwarfism), over growth (Goiter), abnormal growth (Cancer) and destruction (ulcer). This is one of the most important reason why we are not able to explain the cause of cancer as definite prediction or for that matter in any illness we are able to see that same causes of illness do not affect every one few gets affected and few remains unaffected.

Homeopathy has a potential to act on this life giving energy dynamically and change the disturbed energy to state of balance and harmony. Once this is done then the now balanced and harmonious life energy cures body which is diseased.

This mode of homeopathic cure is safe and without side effect. Homeopathy can benefit in cancer at an early age when the growth is in a state of reversible state. Homeopathy can cure cancer when vital organs in body like liver, kidney, heart, bone marrow are unaffected. Homeopathy is successful when metastasis has not occurred. At a primary stage homeopathy has a good role to play. In advance cases of cancer where there is no hope of person’s life, homeopathy still offers good palliation in pain control and general state of health where person finds improvement in his appetite, sleep, general strength and pain. This is achieved with less harmful and less invasive and cost effective way without subjecting patients to dangerous side effects. Homeopathy can not increase person’s life in this advanced stage of cancer but homeopathy can improve the quality of the remaining life of a person suffering from advance stage of cancer.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Cancer:
Ars / Bromium / Cadmium Sulph / Carbo Animalis / Carcinocin / Conium / Hydrastis / Lycopodium / Nitric Acid / Phosphorus / Phytolaca / Silica / Trifolium Pratense

Cervical Spondylosis is the most common disorder of the cervical spine. It is caused by degenerative changes in the vertebrae and intervertebral discs that occur as a result of ageing or due to injury or rheumatoid disease. In addition to age and possibly sex. Several risk factors have been proposed for cervical spondylosis. Theses are repeated occupational trauma (e.g., carrying axial loads, professional dancing, and gymnastics). Familial cases have been reported. A genetic cause is also possible. Smoking also may be a risk factor. Conditions that contribute to segmental instability and excessive segmental motion (e.g., congenitally fused spine, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome) may be risk factors for spondylotic disease. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) may be responsible for functional declines in patients with athletic cerebral palsy. In advanced disease this may lead to cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) which results from compression of the spinal cord. CSM is probably the most common spinal cord disorder in people over 55 years of age in the world. As the number of elderly people increases, the incidence of CSM will probably also increase. Cervical spondylosis appears to be primarily a disease of ageing. Characteristic changes on spinal x-rays are present in the majority of people aged over 70 years. A number of factors are responsible for the development of the signs and symptoms of cervical spondylosis. Osteophytes (bony growths) , A narrowed spinal canal present since birth , Degeneration of the intervertebral discs , Changes in the spinal cord and nerves due to insufficient blood supply are some of the common causes. MRI is recommended to assess the extent of the spondylosis and to help exclude other possible causes for the symptoms. A CT scan may also be useful as it gives better visualization of the bony structures. There is no universally accepted treatment for the management of cervical spondylosis. Studies show that up to 20% of patients with CSM will improve spontaneously, 40% will stabilize and up to 40% will deteriorate without treatment. In patients with mild symptoms, a variety of nonsurgical strategies may be used. The most common of these is cervical immobilization. Anti-inflammatory medications help relieve pain and swelling. Postural training and workplace modifications to reduce neck strain may be helpful. Other treatments commonly tried include massage, heat, and cold fomentation. If symptoms are severe, such as uncontrollable pain, or progressive worsening of symptoms, surgical intervention is usually recommended. Spondylotic changes are often observed in the ageing population. However, only a small percentage of patients with radiographic evidence of cervical spondylosis are symptomatic. Treatment is usually conservative in nature; the most commonly used treatments are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical modalities, and lifestyle modifications. Many of the treatment modalities for cervical spondylosis have not been subjected to rigorous, controlled trials. Surgery is advocated for cervical radiculopathy in patients who have intractable pain, progressive symptoms, or weakness that fails to improve with conservative therapy. Surgical indications for CSM remain somewhat controversial, but most clinicians recommend operative therapy over conservative therapy for moderate-to-severe myelopathy.

Role of Homeopathy in Cervical Spondylosis:
Homeopathic treatment is best suitable for the management of cervical spondylosis. Homeopathic remedies give prompt relief in pain and improve movement. Even though the remedies can not bring improvement in degenerative changes in cervical vertebrae and joints which show degeneration or nerve compression but patient experiences significant relief in pain and flexibility of movement. The x – rays may continue to show nerve root compression and degenerative changes but patient experiences far better relief in pain and he is able to have very comfortable movements. Besides long term use of NSAIDS causes other side effects in the body which are not seen with homeopathy. In the management of cervical spondylosis use of constitutional homeopathic approach with use of acute homeopathic remedies whenever found necessary and yoga is the best combination which has proved effective clinically in hundreds of cases.

Important Homeopathic medicine for Cervical Spondylosis:
Bell / Bryonia / Calc / Calc Fluor / Calc Phos / Fluoric Acid / Hecla / Hep Sul / Kali Carb / Mag Phos / Merc Sol / Plumbum / Rhus Tox / Ruta / Silica / Symphytum.

Chalazion is a lump in the eyelid that is caused by inflammation of a gland within the skin. Typically, this lump grows over days to weeks and is occasionally red, warm, or painful. The gland involved in the formation of a chalazion is a modified sweat gland that lies within the eyelid. This gland produces oil. When this gland becomes blocked, it can rupture and the inflammation process begins. Inflammation is a process in which the body reacts to a condition and produces a biologic reaction. This reaction can cause swelling, redness, pain, or warmth. A chalazion is not a sty. A sty can resemble a chalazion in the sense that it is also a lump in the eyelid. However, a sty involves glands and eyelash hair follicles that are closer to the skin surface of the eyelid. In addition, a sty is usually more painful and looks infected. A chalazion is caused by the oil in the gland becoming too thick to flow out of the gland. This oil that is too thick blocks up the gland, but the gland still produces more oil. Without anywhere to go, the oil builds up inside the gland and forms a lump in the eyelid. Eventually, the gland ruptures (breaks open) and releases the oil into the tissue of the eyelid, causing inflammation Swelling of the upper eyelid may occur gradually over weeks. The condition rarely involves the lower eyelid. A chalazion appears as a localized hard lump that may grow as large as an eighth of an inch. Occasionally, you may feel pain and your eyelid may be red. Ophthalmologist may recommend surgery to remove the chalazion. Warm compresses may be helpful. Hold a warm, wet towel on the eyelid for 10-15 minutes, 2-4 times a day, to reduce swelling. Lightly massage the area several times a day. Do not "pop" or scratch the chalazion.

Care of the Chalazion:
Application of warm compresses for about 15 minutes, 2-4 times a day, may help to reduce swelling. Typically, a chalazion goes away within a couple of weeks. If so, no long-term consequences occur. If the chalazion lasts for weeks or comes back, then it needs to be treated. The lump is rarely associated with an infection or a form of skin cancer. Most chalazions are treated with warm compresses to the eyelid to promote healing and circulation of blood to the inflamed area.

Role of Homeopathy in Chalazion:
Chalazion can be treated in homeopathy without any antibiotics. Homeopathy may help you to avoid surgery. If the state of Chalazion is acute we have acute remedies for the treatment of chalazion. If the chalazion has become chronic it should be treated with constitutional Homeopathic treatment. We can avoid pain of going through surgery with the help of homeopathy.

Important Homeopathic remedies for Chalazion:
Colchicum / Conium / Digitalis / Euphrasia / Hep Sul / Iodinum / Phosphorus / Staphysagria

Chyluria is the term used for the clinical condition where the patient passes milky white urine. The patient is known to pass substance called chyle which is made up of lymph with other serous material. Chyluria is a condition arising as a result of chronic filariasis (elephantiasis) which occurs due to parasitic organism called Wuchereria bancrofti, which is a thready nematode which is present in lymph channels and obstructs the lymph flow. Another cause is pregnancy or childbirth. From the many lymph channels which are blocked, some of them may open due to back pressure in to the kidney or ureter or sometimes into the bladder. This results in the flow of chyle in to urine and change of color in to milky one from the normal light yellow color. The problem can be a self limiting problem which resolves on its own. Sometimes the problem becomes complicated and may need surgical intervention. If the condition remains untreated and becomes chronic then the secondary complications of chyluria are also seen. The secondary complications of chyluria are malnutrition and vitamin deficiency. Allopathic doctors use the drug known as Diethylcarbamazine (DEC), for this condition.

Role of Homeopathy in Chyluria:
Homeopathy can be helpful in the treatment of chyluria, where the condition can be resolved effectively and progress of the illness be prevented. Along with treatment of chyluria homeopathic treatment can also benefit if there is associated Filariasis. The troublesome and increasing swelling of filariasis can be kept in control with homeopathic medicines. Constitutional homeopathic treatment approach is best suitable for such chronic and progressive illness.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Chyluria:
Agaricus / Alumina / Apis / Aurum Met / Aurum Mur / Calc / Dulcamara / Ferrum Met / Ferrum Iod / Hep Sul / Lycopodium / Muriatic Acid / Nitric Acid / Phosphorous / Phosphoric Acid / Sepia / Sulphur

Crohn's Disease is a disease in which there is chronic inflammation of the intestines. Primarily there are ulcerations of both types of intestines that is the small and large intestines, but the illness can affect any part of the entire digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. Crohn's disease is very similar in its manifestation to another illness of similar type which affects similar body organs in similar way, which is known as Ulcerative Colitis. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease have no medical cure. Once the diseases begin, they tend to fluctuate between periods of inactivity (remission) and activity (relapse). Crohn’s disease commonly begins during adolescence and early adulthood, but it also can begin during childhood and later in life. Crohn's disease tends to be more common in relatives of patients with Crohn's disease. It also is more common among relatives of patients with ulcerative colitis. The cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. Crohn's disease is not contagious. Diet may affect the symptoms in patients with Crohn's disease. Activation of the immune system in the intestines is most likely to be important in Crohn's disease. Normally, the immune system defends the body against harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other foreign invaders. Activation of the immune system causes inflammation within the tissues where the activation occurs. Normally, the immune system is activated only when the body is exposed to harmful invaders. In patients with Crohn's disease the immune system is activated in the absence of any external invader. The continued abnormal activation of the immune system results in chronic inflammation and ulceration. The susceptibility to abnormal activation of the immune system is genetically inherited. Thus, first degree relatives (brothers, sisters, children, and parents) of patients with Crohn's disease are more likely to develop these diseases. In the early stages, Crohn's disease causes small, scattered, shallow, crater-like areas (erosions) on the inner surface of the bowel. These erosions are called aphthous ulcers. With time, the erosions become deeper and larger, ultimately becoming true ulcers (which are deeper than erosions) and causing scarring and stiffness of the bowel. As the disease progresses, the bowel becomes increasingly narrowed, and ultimately can become obstructed. Deep ulcers can puncture holes in the wall of the bowel, and bacteria from within the bowel can spread to infect adjacent organs and the surrounding abdominal cavity. The different subtypes of Crohn's disease and their symptoms are:

1. Crohn's colitis
2. Crohn's enteritis
3. Crohn's terminal ileitis
4. Crohn's entero-colitis and ileo-colitis

Crohn's terminal ileitis and ileo-colitis are the most common types of Crohn's disease.
Up to one third of patients with Crohn's disease may have one or more of the following conditions involving the anal area:

1. Swelling of the tissue of the anal sphincter, the muscle at the end of the colon that controls defecation.
2. Development of ulcers and fissures (long ulcers) within the anal sphincter. These ulcers and fissures can cause bleeding and pain with defecation.
3. Development of anal fistulae (abnormal tunnels) between the anus or rectum and the skin surrounding the anus). Mucous and pus may drain from the openings of the fistulae on the skin.
4. Development of peri-rectal abscesses (collections of pus in the anal and rectal area). Peri-rectal abscesses can cause fever, pain and tenderness around the anus.

Crohn's disease doesn't just affect you physically only but it takes an emotional toll as well. If signs and symptoms are severe, your life may revolve around a constant need to run to the toilet. In some cases, you may barely be able to leave the house. When you do, you might worry about an accident, and this anxiety only makes your symptoms worse.

Even if your symptoms are mild, gas and abdominal pain can make it difficult to be out in public. You may also feel hampered by dietary restrictions or embarrassed by the nature of your disease. All of these factors — isolation, embarrassment and anxiety — can severely alter your life. Sometimes they may lead to depression.

You may also find it reassuring to be among people who understand what you're going through.
Some people find it helpful to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist who's familiar with inflammatory bowel disease and the emotional difficulties it can cause. Although living with Crohn's disease can be discouraging, the outlook is brighter than it was even just a few years ago.
Lifestyle and other remedial measures:
Sometimes you may feel helpless when facing Crohn's disease. But changes in your diet and lifestyle may help control your symptoms and lengthen the time between flare-ups.

Diet:
There's no firm evidence that what you eat actually causes inflammatory bowel disease. But certain foods and beverages can aggravate your signs and symptoms, especially during a flare-up in your condition. It's a good idea to try eliminating from your diet anything that seems to make your signs and symptoms worse. Here are some suggestions that may help:

• Limit dairy products. Like many people with inflammatory bowel disease, you may find that problems, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain and gas, improve when you limit or eliminate dairy products. You may be lactose intolerant — that is, your body can't digest the milk sugar (lactose) in dairy foods. If so, try substituting yogurt or low-lactose cheeses, such as Swiss and cheddar, for milk. Or use an enzyme product, such as Lactaid, to help break down lactose. In some cases, though, you may need to eliminate dairy foods completely. If you need help, a registered dietitian can help you design a healthy diet that's low in lactose. Keep in mind that with limiting your dairy intake, you'll need to find other sources of calcium, such as supplements.
• Try low-fat foods. If you have Crohn's disease of the small intestine, you may not be able to digest or absorb fat normally. Instead, fat passes through your intestine, making your diarrhea worse. Foods that may be especially troublesome include butter, margarine, peanut butter, nuts, mayonnaise, avocados, cream, ice cream, fried foods, chocolate and red meat.
• Experiment with fiber. For most people, high-fiber foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, are the foundation of a healthy diet. But if you have inflammatory bowel disease, fiber may make diarrhea, pain and gas worse. If raw fruits and vegetables bother you, try steaming, baking or stewing them. You may also find that you can tolerate some fruits and vegetables, but not others. In general, you may have more problems with foods in the cabbage family, such as broccoli and cauliflower, and with very crunchy foods such as raw apples and carrots.
• Avoid problem foods. Eliminate any other foods that seem to make your signs and symptoms worse. These may include "gassy" foods such as beans, cabbage and broccoli, raw fruit juices and fruits — especially citrus fruits — spicy food, popcorn, alcohol, caffeine, and foods and drinks that contain caffeine, such as chocolate and soda.

Eat small meals. You may find you feel better eating five or six small meals rather than two or three larger ones.
Drink plenty of liquids. Try to drink plenty of fluids daily. Water is best. Alcohol and beverages that contain caffeine stimulate your intestines and can make diarrhea worse, while carbonated drinks frequently produce gas.
Consider multivitamins. Because Crohn's disease can interfere with your ability to absorb nutrients and because your diet may be limited, multivitamin and mineral supplements are often helpful.
Talk to a dietitian. If you begin to lose weight or your diet has become very limited, talk to a registered dietitian.
Stress:
Although stress doesn't cause Crohn's disease, it can make your signs and symptoms much worse and may trigger flare-ups. Stressful events can range from minor annoyances to a major event such as job loss or the death of a loved one.

When you're stressed, your normal digestive process changes. Your stomach empties more slowly and secretes more acids. Stress can also speed or slow the passage of intestinal contents. It may also cause changes in intestinal tissue itself.

Although it's not always possible to avoid stress, you can learn ways to help manage it. Some of these include:

• Exercise: Even mild exercise can help reduce stress, relieve depression and normalize bowel function. Talk to your doctor about an exercise plan that's right for you.
• Biofeedback: This stress-reduction technique helps you reduce muscle tension and slow your heart rate with the help of a feedback machine. You're then taught how to produce these changes yourself. The goal is to help you enter a relaxed state so that you can cope more easily with stress. Biofeedback is usually taught in hospitals and medical centers.
• Regular relaxation and breathing exercises: An effective way to cope with stress from Crohn's disease is to regularly relax and exercise. You can take classes in yoga and meditation or practice at home using books or tapes.
• You can also practice progressive relaxation exercises: These help relax the muscles in your body, one by one. Start by tightening the muscles in your feet, then concentrate on slowly letting all the tension go. Next, tighten and relax your calves. Continue until muscles in your body, including those in your eyes and scalp, are completely relaxed.
• Deep breathing also can help you relax: Most adults breathe from their chests. But you become calmer when you breathe from your diaphragm — the muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen. When you inhale, allow your belly to expand with air; when you exhale, your abdomen naturally contracts. Deep breathing can also help relax your abdominal muscles, which may lead to more normal bowel activity.
• Hypnosis: Hypnosis may reduce abdominal pain and bloating. A trained professional teaches you how to enter a relaxed state and then guides you as you imagine your intestinal muscles becoming smooth and calm.
• Other techniques: Set aside at least 20 minutes a day for any activity you find relaxing — listening to music, reading, playing computer games or just soaking in a warm bath.

Role of Homeopathy in Crohn’s Disease:
The illness has more close association with emotional disturbance of a person, though not in triggering the illness but definitely in triggering the flair ups and also as one of the major maintaining factor of the illness. Homeopathy as a system of alternative medicine focuses more on achieving emotional balance of a person through homeopathic remedies and through personalized care given by Homeopathic physician in the form of counseling as well as indulging in to one to one interaction with his patients. This is a holistic approach towards cause of chronic and longstanding illness which is not getting better with conventional medicine. Homeopathic constitutional medicine has proved to be effective in decreasing symptom severity, decreasing the duration, frequency and intensity of the flair ups of the disease. Homeopathic treatment also effectively takes care of the emotional disturbance the patient undergoes due to lifestyle changes and social difficulty. Homeopathic physician is well trained in handling these issues in patient’s life as he has studied the patient not only from diagnosing the disease point of view but from understanding the person, the soul behind the illness. Apart from the illness he knows what his patient feels and thinks and how he behaves in a particular situation in his life so he is in a better position to handle him not as a patient of Crohn’s Disease but as a human being who is undergoing a stressful illness which is worsening day by day. Constitutional Homeopathic treatment is the best approach to the treatment of Crohn’s disease. The flair ups may be controlled by acute remedies or organ remedies or phase remedies or intercurrent remedies.

Important Homeopathic remedies for Crohn’s Disease:
Aloe / Ars / China / Merc Cor / Nitric Acid

Diabetes Type 1, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert sugar (glucose) into energy. Although type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, it usually appears during childhood or adolescence. Basic difference between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes is that the type 2 diabetes a similar but more common illness then type 1 diabetes, and in type 2 diabetes the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or the body produces insulin but in less quantity than the quantity required for maintaining a normal blood sugar level.

Various factors are responsible for type 1 diabetes, out of which genetic factor and exposure to certain viruses are more prominent causes. Despite active research, type 1 diabetes has no cure. But advances in blood sugar monitoring and insulin delivery have made the management of type 1 diabetes easier. With proper treatment, people who have type 1 diabetes can expect to live long, healthy lives.
The common symptoms of type 1 diabetes are as follows:

• Increased thirst and frequent urination.
• Extreme hunger.
• Weight loss.
• Fatigue.
• Blurred vision.

Mechanism of type 1 diabetes:
Glucose is a main source of energy for the cells that make up our muscles and other tissues. There are two major sources of glucose. The food we eat and our liver. During digestion, sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream. Normally, sugar then enters cells with the help of insulin. The hormone insulin comes from the pancreas, a gland located just behind the stomach. When we eat, our pancreas secretes insulin into our bloodstream. As insulin circulates, it acts like a key which opens doors for sugar which is circulating in bloodstream to enter cells of the body. Insulin lowers the amount of sugar in the bloodstream. As the blood sugar level drops, so does the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Our liver acts as glucose storage and produces glucose. When our insulin levels are low and when we haven't eaten for a while, the liver releases the stored glucose to keep our glucose level within a normal range. This is the reason why we can stay without food for few hours.

In type 1 diabetes, our immune system which normally fights harmful bacteria or viruses — attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This leaves us with little or no insulin. Instead of being transported into our cells, sugar builds up in the bloodstream.

Prevention of type I diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes can't be prevented. Researchers are studying various options for prevention, however. For example, although oral insulin can't be used to lower blood sugar, researchers are testing whether an insulin capsule taken by mouth once a day can prevent or delay type 1 diabetes in people who have antibodies to insulin in their blood. In other studies, researchers are testing ways to slow the development of type 1 diabetes and preserve insulin production in people recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Tips for the management of type 1 diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes is a serious disease. Following the diabetes treatment plan takes round-the-clock commitment. But in the end the efforts taken are worthwhile. Careful management of type 1 diabetes can reduce the risk of serious and even life-threatening complications.

• Make a commitment to managing your diabetes: Learn all you can about type 1 diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine. Establish a relationship with a diabetes educator, and ask your diabetes treatment team for help when you need it.
• Identify yourself: Wear a tag or bracelet that says you have diabetes. Keep a glucagon kit nearby in case of a low blood sugar emergency — and make sure your friends and loved ones know how to use it.
• Schedule yearly physical and regular eye exams: Your regular diabetes checkups aren't meant to replace yearly physicals or routine eye exams. During the physical examination, your doctor will look for any diabetes-related complications, as well as screen for other medical problems. Your eye care specialist will check for signs of retinal damage, cataracts and glaucoma.
• Keep your immunizations up-to-date: High blood sugar can weaken your immune system. Get a flu shot every year, and get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years. Your doctor may recommend the pneumonia vaccine or other immunizations as well.
• Take care of your teeth: Diabetes may leave you prone to gum infections. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss your teeth once a day, and schedule dental exams at least twice a year. Consult your dentist right away if your gums bleed or look red or swollen.
• Pay attention to your feet: Wash your feet daily in lukewarm water. Dry them gently, especially between the toes, and moisturize with lotion. Check your feet every day for blisters, cuts, sores, redness or swelling. Consult your doctor if you have a sore or other foot problem that doesn't start to heal within a few days.
• Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control: Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly can go a long way toward controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol. Medication may be needed, too.
• If you smoke or use other types of tobacco, ask your doctor to help you quit: Smoking increases your risk of various diabetes complications, including heart attack, stroke, nerve damage and kidney disease. In fact, smokers who have diabetes are three times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than are nonsmokers who have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Talk to your doctor about ways to stop smoking or to stop using other types of tobacco.
• If you drink alcohol, do so responsibly: Alcohol can cause either high or low blood sugar, depending on how much you drink and if you eat at the same time. If you choose to drink, do so only in moderation and always with a meal. Remember to include the calories from any alcohol you drink in your daily calorie count.
• Take stress seriously: If you're stressed, it's easy to abandon your usual diabetes management routine. The hormones your body may produce in response to prolonged stress may prevent insulin from working properly, which only makes matters worse. To take control, set limits. Prioritize your tasks. Learn relaxation techniques. Get plenty of sleep.

Above all, stay positive. The good habits you adopt today can help you enjoy an active, healthy life with type 1 diabetes.
Role of Homeopathy in Type 1 diabetes:
Role of Homeopathy in the management of type 1 diabetes is more preventive than curative. Homeopathy can elevate body’s defense mechanism which can reduce person’s susceptibility to opportunistic illnesses and infections which usually is the case with people whose blood sugar levels are always above normal. Constitutional homeopathic treatment can enhance the diabetes control when used with conventional diabetes treatment of insulin injection and other oral hypoglycemic drugs. Homeopathy thus may help in reducing the required dose of insulin or oral hypoglycemic drugs. Homeopathy helps in improving general condition and achieving better emotional balance in patients suffering from type 1 diabetes. Homeopathy therefore helps in better adaptation to the illness as well as improves quality of life. Type 1 diabetes is not a curable illness but achieving a good control over the levels of blood sugar, ability to restrict the secondary complication to minimum and achieving good emotional balance can be considered as significant achievement in itself. Homeopathy has a very vital role to play in achieving these goals when it is used as complementary treatment along with conventional treatment for type 1 diabetes. Need for diabetic diet and regular exercise can not be ruled out at any point of time for each and every case of type 1 diabetes with whatever treatment modality used.

Important homeopathic remedies for type 1 diabetes:
Bovinum / Carcinocin / Helonias Dioica / Lycopodium / Phosphoric Acid / Phosphorous / Plumbum / Tarentula / Terebinthiniae Oleum / Uranium Nitricum

Type 2 diabetes, once known as adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition that affects the way our body digests sugar (glucose), which is our body's main source of fuel. Type 2 diabetes is often preventable, but the condition is on the rise — fueled largely by the current obesity epidemic.

When we have type 2 diabetes, our body is resistant to the effects of insulin — a hormone that regulates the absorption of sugar into our cells or our body produces some, but not enough, insulin to maintain a normal glucose level. If left uncontrolled, the consequences of type 2 diabetes can be life-threatening. Type 1 diabetes is a similar, although much less common, condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin.

There's no cure for type 2 diabetes, but there's plenty we can do to manage — or prevent — the condition. Start by eating healthy foods, including physical activity in our daily routine and maintaining a healthy weight. If diet and exercise aren't enough, we may need diabetes medications or insulin therapy to manage the blood sugar.

The common symptoms of type 2 diabetes are as follows:
Type 2 diabetes symptoms may seem harmless at first. In fact, you can have type 2 diabetes for years and not even know it. Look for:

• Increased thirst and frequent urination.
• Extreme hunger.
• Weight loss.
• Fatigue. If your cells are deprived of sugar, you may become tired and irritable.
• Blurred vision.
• Slow-healing sores or frequent infections.
• Some people who have type 2 diabetes have patches of dark, velvety skin in the folds and creases of their bodies — usually in the armpits and neck. This condition, called acanthosis nigricans, is a sign of insulin resistance.

Mechanism of type 2 diabetes:
Glucose is a main source of energy for the cells that make up our muscles and other tissues. There are two major sources of glucose. The food we eat and our liver. During digestion, sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream. Normally, sugar then enters cells with the help of insulin. The hormone insulin comes from the pancreas, a gland located just behind the stomach. When we eat, our pancreas secretes insulin into our bloodstream. As insulin circulates, it acts like a key which opens doors for sugar which is circulating in bloodstream to enter cells of the body. Insulin lowers the amount of sugar in the bloodstream. As the blood sugar level drops, so does the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Our liver acts as glucose storage and produces glucose. When our insulin levels are low and when we haven't eaten for a while, the liver releases the stored glucose to keep our glucose level within a normal range. This is the reason why we can stay without food for few hours.

In type 2 diabetes, this process works improperly. Instead of moving into your cells, sugar builds up in your bloodstream. This occurs when your pancreas doesn't make enough insulin or your cells become resistant to the action of insulin. Exactly why this happens is uncertain, although excess fat — especially abdominal fat — and inactivity seem to be important factors.

Prevention of type 2 diabetes:
Healthy lifestyle choices can help us prevent type 2 diabetes. Even if diabetes runs in our family, diet and exercise can help us prevent the disease. And if we are already been diagnosed with diabetes, the same healthy lifestyle choices can help us prevent potentially serious complications.

• Eat healthy foods: Choose foods low in fat and calories. Focus on vegetables and whole grains. Strive for variety to prevent boredom.
• Get more physical activity: Aim for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day. Take a brisk daily walk. Swim laps. If you can't fit in a long workout, break it up into smaller sessions spread throughout the day.
• Loose excess pounds: If you're overweight, losing even 10 pounds can reduce the risk of diabetes. To keep your weight in a healthy range, focus on permanent changes to your eating and exercise habits. Motivate yourself by remembering the benefits of losing weight, such as a healthier heart, more energy and improved self-esteem.

Sometimes medication is an option as well. Oral diabetes drugs such as metformin (Glucophage) and rosiglitazone (Avandia) may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes — but healthy lifestyle choices remain essential.

Tips for the management of type 2 diabetes:
Type 2 diabetes is a serious disease. Following the diabetes treatment plan takes round-the-clock commitment. But in the end the efforts taken are worthwhile. Careful management of type 2 diabetes can reduce the risk of serious and even life-threatening complications.

• Make a commitment to managing your diabetes: Learn all you can about type 1 diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine. Establish a relationship with a diabetes educator, and ask your diabetes treatment team for help when you need it.
• Identify yourself: Wear a tag or bracelet that says you have diabetes. Keep a glucagon kit nearby in case of a low blood sugar emergency — and make sure your friends and loved ones know how to use it.
• Schedule yearly physical and regular eye exams: Your regular diabetes checkups aren't meant to replace yearly physicals or routine eye exams. During the physical examination, your doctor will look for any diabetes-related complications, as well as screen for other medical problems. Your eye care specialist will check for signs of retinal damage, cataracts and glaucoma.
• Keep your immunizations up-to-date: High blood sugar can weaken your immune system. Get a flu shot every year, and get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years. Your doctor may recommend the pneumonia vaccine or other immunizations as well.
• Take care of your teeth: Diabetes may leave you prone to gum infections. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss your teeth once a day, and schedule dental exams at least twice a year. Consult your dentist right away if your gums bleed or look red or swollen.
• Pay attention to your feet: Wash your feet daily in lukewarm water. Dry them gently, especially between the toes, and moisturize with lotion. Check your feet every day for blisters, cuts, sores, redness or swelling. Consult your doctor if you have a sore or other foot problem that doesn't start to heal within a few days.
• Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control: Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly can go a long way toward controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol. Medication may be needed, too.
• If you smoke or use other types of tobacco, ask your doctor to help you quit: Smoking increases your risk of various diabetes complications, including heart attack, stroke, nerve damage and kidney disease. In fact, smokers who have diabetes are three times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than are nonsmokers who have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Talk to your doctor about ways to stop smoking or to stop using other types of tobacco.
• If you drink alcohol, do so responsibly: Alcohol can cause either high or low blood sugar, depending on how much you drink and if you eat at the same time. If you choose to drink, do so only in moderation and always with a meal. Remember to include the calories from any alcohol you drink in your daily calorie count.
• Take stress seriously: If you're stressed, it's easy to abandon your usual diabetes management routine. The hormones your body may produce in response to prolonged stress may prevent insulin from working properly, which only makes matters worse. To take control, set limits. Prioritize your tasks. Learn relaxation techniques. Get plenty of sleep.

Above all, stay positive. The good habits you adopt today can help you enjoy an active, healthy life with type 2 diabetes.
Role of Homeopathy in Type 2 diabetes:
Role of Homeopathy in the management of type 2 diabetes is more preventive than curative. Homeopathy can elevate body’s defense mechanism which can reduce person’s susceptibility to opportunistic illnesses and infections which usually is the case with people whose blood sugar levels are always above normal. Constitutional homeopathic treatment can enhance the diabetes control when used with conventional diabetic treatment of insulin injection and other oral hypoglycemic drugs. Homeopathy thus helps in reducing the required dose of insulin or oral hypoglycemic drugs. Homeopathy helps in improving general condition and achieving better emotional balance in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. Homeopathy therefore helps in better adaptation to the illness as well as improves quality of life. Type 2 diabetes is not a curable illness but achieving a good control over the levels of blood sugar, ability to restrict the secondary complication to minimum and achieving good emotional balance can be considered as significant achievement in it self. Homeopathy has a very vital role to play in achieving these goals when it is used as complementary treatment along with conventional treatment for type 2 diabetes. Need for diabetic diet and regular exercise can not be ruled out at any point of time for each and every case of type 2 diabetes with whatever treatment modality used.

Important homeopathic remedies for type 2 diabetes:
Bovinum / Carcinocin / Helonias Dioica / Lycopodium / Phosphoric Acid / Phosphorous / Plumbum / Tarentula / Terebinthiniae Oleum / Uranium Nitricum

Dyslexia is impairment in the brain's ability to translate written images received from eyes into meaningful language. Dyslexia is also known as specific reading disability. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability in children, affecting 5 percent or more of all elementary-age children. Dyslexia may occur in children with normal vision and normal intelligence. Children with dyslexia usually have normal speech, but often have difficulty interpreting spoken language and writing. Treatment for dyslexia may involve a multisensory education program. Emotional support to the child plays an important role. Dyslexia can be difficult to recognize before the child enters school, but some early clues may indicate a problem. If the child begins talking late, learns to use new words slowly and has difficulty in rhyming the words, the child may be at a risk of dyslexia. Once the child is in school, dyslexia symptoms may become more apparent, which may include child’s inability to recognize words and letters on a printed page and / or reading ability level well below the expected level for the age of the child. Children with dyslexia commonly have problems processing and understanding what they hear. They may have difficulty understanding rapid instructions, following more than one command at a time or remembering the sequence of things. Some mistakes in writing like reversals of letters (b for d) and a reversal of words (saw for was) are typical among children who have dyslexia. Reversals are also common for children under age 6 who don't have dyslexia. But with dyslexia, the reversals persist. Children with dyslexia may fail to see (and occasionally to hear) similarities and differences in letters and words. They may not recognize the spacing that organizes letters into separate words, and may be unable to sound out the pronunciation of an unfamiliar word. A learning disability is a condition that produces a gap between someone's ability and his or her performance. Most people with dyslexia are of average or above-average intelligence, but they read at levels significantly lower than expected. Other types of learning disabilities include attention difficulties, an inability to perform well at writing skills and an inability to perform well at math skills. The cause of dyslexia seems to be a malfunction in certain areas of the brain concerned with language. The condition frequently runs in families.

Support for child with dyslexia:
Emotional support and opportunities for achievement in activities that don't involve reading are important for children with dyslexia.
If the child has dyslexia:

• Be supportive: Having difficulty learning to read may affect your child's self-esteem. Be sure to provide love and to support his or her talents and strengths.
• Talk to the child: Explain the child what dyslexia is and that it's not a failure on his or her part. The better the child understands this, the more likely he or she will cope with and compensate for this learning disability.
• Take steps at home to make it easier for the child to study: Provide a clean, quiet, organized place for the child to study, and designate a study time. Also, make sure that the child gets enough rest, good nutrition and family support through outings and activities to provide a better environment in which he or she can learn.
• Parent – teacher relations: Stay in close touch with the child's teachers so that they're fully aware of the child's situation and so that you as parents and they as teachers can reinforce one another's actions. If available, tutoring sessions with a reading-disorders specialist can be very helpful for many children with dyslexia.
• Support group: Consideration of joining a support group to stay in contact with parents who face similar learning disabilities in their children is an important aspect. Belonging to a support group can provide you with both good information and emotional support.

Role of Homeopathy in Dyslexia:
Homeopathy helps in improving child’s ability to learn. Child will be helped in improving his reading and writing skills. Homeopathy is recommended as supportive treatment along with other supportive measures like special school, special activity classes for dyslexia patients. Parental counseling and understanding the emotional needs and assessment of intellectual capacity of the child is extremely beneficial to the treatment of dyslexia when combined with homeopathy.

Important Homeopathic remedies for Dyslexia:
Alumina / Ambra Grisea / Argentum Nitricum / Cannabis Indica / Causticum Hahnemanni / Coca / Cocculus Indicus / Colchicum Autumnale / Cornus Circinata / Carbolicum Acidicum / Hyoscyamus Niger / Hydrogen / Kali Brom / Lachesis / Lycopodium / Mag Carb / Merc Sol / Medorrhinum / Nux Moschata / Ptelea Trifoliata / Silica / Stramonium.

Dysmenorrhea is a medical term for the pains and cramps experienced in severe form by a woman, during the menstrual cycle. This pain is experienced every month for few days when we get the menstrual cycle. Menstrual cramps are dull or throbbing pains in the lower abdomen. We experience menstrual cramps just before and during the menstrual periods. For some women, the discomfort is merely annoying. For others, it can be severe enough to interfere with everyday activities for a few days every month. The dysmenorrhea is classified as primary dysmenorrhea or secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea involves no physical abnormality and usually begins six months to a year after we begin menstruating. Secondary dysmenorrhea involves an underlying physical cause, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids. If we have primary dysmenorrhea, there are some measures we can take to ease the discomfort. We can also be rest assured that cramps tend to decrease in intensity as we get older and often disappear after pregnancy. For secondary dysmenorrhea, managing the cramps involves treating the underlying cause. Most women experience menstrual cramps at some time in their lives. Whether it's primary or secondary, dysmenorrhea can be severe enough to disrupt our day-to-day routine. If we have primary dysmenorrhea, it most likely develops within a year after we start menstruating. We may continue to have cramps through our 20s or until we have a baby. Then, for unknown reasons, they're likely to become less intense. With secondary dysmenorrhea, cramps may start or return later in life, but can begin anytime after we begin menstruating. The signs and symptoms of dysmenorrhea may include dull or throbbing pain in lower abdomen and pain that radiates to lower back and thighs. Other signs and symptoms that can occur along with menstrual cramps are nausea, vomiting, loose stools, sweating and dizziness. During menstrual periods, the uterus contracts to help expel its lining. Prostaglandins, hormone-like substances involved in pain and inflammation, trigger the uterine muscle contractions. No one knows for sure, but many experts believe that prostaglandins are the direct cause of primary dysmenorrhea. Increased leukotriene level, a substance involved in inflammation also may be a contributing factor.

The factors that are responsible for secondary dysmenorrhea are as follows:

• Endometriosis.
• Adenomyosis.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
• Use of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD).
• Uterine fibroids and uterine polyps.

Certain factors like age younger than 20, early onset of puberty (age 11 or younger) , heavy bleeding during periods, depression or anxiety, attempts to lose weight (in women age 14 to 20) , never having delivered a baby and smoking are known to be responsible for someone to suffer from dysmenorrhea. We can try a number of self-care strategies to reduce the discomfort of primary dysmenorrhea. Once the pain begins, soaking in a hot bath or using a heating pad on the abdomen may ease our pain. We can also make some lifestyle changes to improve the overall health and possibly decrease the severity of cramps. Exercising regularly will help in increasing release of endorphins, which are body's natural painkillers. In addition we should get adequate rest. Our body may be less vulnerable to pain when we're well rested. Some women may find relief through massage, yoga or meditation, all stress-relieving activities that may help to lessen pain and aren't likely to harm us.

Role of Homeopathy in Dysmenorrhea:
Homeopathic medicines are harmless, mild and free from side effects. Homeopathic medicine for menstrual pain can give pain control without any side effects. Constitutional homeopathic treatment helps to overcome the recurrent problems of dysmenorrhea. Homeopathic medicines also give relief in associated discomfort at general levels like fatigue, weakness, sleep disturbance and emotional disturbance.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Dysmenorrhea:
Ammonium Carb / Belladonna / Cactus Grandiflorus / Calc Phos / Chamomilla Romana / Cimicifuga Recemosa / Cocculus Indicus / Erigeron Canadensis / Kali Carb / Mag Phos / Millefolium / Psorinum / Pulsatilla / Sulphur / Ustiligo Maydis / Veratrum Viride / Viburnum Opulus / Xanthopholium Fraxineum

Eczema is a general term that describes an inflammation of the skin which is also known as dermatitis. There are different types of eczema like seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis etc. Though the disorder can have many causes and occur in many forms, it usually involves swollen, reddened and itchy skin. Eczema is a common condition that isn't life-threatening or contagious. But, it can make us feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. A combination of self-care steps and medications can help treat dermatitis. There are several types of eczema such as: Each has distinct signs and symptoms. Common signs and symptoms of eczema include redness, swelling, itching and skin lesions. A number of health conditions, allergies, genetic factors, physical and mental stressors, and irritants can cause eczema.

• Contact dermatitis results from direct contact with one of many irritants or allergens. Common irritants include laundry soap, skin soaps or detergents, and cleaning products. Possible allergens include rubber; metals, such as nickel; jewelry; perfume; cosmetics; weeds, such as poison ivy; and neomycin, a common ingredient in topical antibiotic creams. It takes a greater amount of contact with an irritant over a longer time to cause dermatitis than it takes for an allergen. If you're sensitized to an allergen, just brief exposure to a small amount of it can cause dermatitis. Once you develop sensitivity to an allergen, you typically have it for life.
• Neurodermatitis typically develops when something has created an itchy sensation in a specific area of our skin. This irritation may lead to rub or scratch skin repeatedly in that area. Common locations include ankles, wrist, outer forearm or arm, and the back of the neck. Neurodermatitis may also be associated with other skin conditions, such as dry skin, eczema or psoriasis. Contact dermatitis caused by allergens doesn't seem to be a factor, though.
• Seborrheic dermatitis causes a red rash with yellowish and somewhat "oily" scales, usually on the scalp. It's common in people with oily skin or hair, and it may come and go depending on the season of the year. It may occur during times of physical stress, travel or in people who have neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease. In infants, this disorder is known as cradle cap.
• Stasis dermatitis can occur when fluid accumulates in the tissues just beneath your skin, and typically involves the lower leg. The extra fluid interferes with our blood's ability to nourish the skin and places extra pressure against skin from underneath. Varicose veins and other chronic conditions that affect circulation in legs often cause this fluid buildup.
• Atopic dermatitis often occurs with allergies and frequently runs in families in which members have asthma or hay fever. It usually begins in infancy and may vary in severity during childhood and adolescence. It tends to become less of a problem in adulthood, unless we are exposed to allergens or irritants in the workplace. The exact cause of this disorder is unknown, but is likely due to a combination of dry, irritable skin together with a malfunction in the body's immune system. Stress can exacerbate atopic dermatitis, but it doesn't cause it.
• Perioral dermatitis may be a form of the skin disorder rosacea, adult acne or seborrheic dermatitis, involving the skin around the mouth or nose. The exact cause is unknown, but makeup, moisturizers, topical corticosteroids or some dental products containing fluoride may play a role.

Preventing contact dermatitis means avoiding coming into contact with those substances, such as poison ivy or harsh soaps that may cause it. Try to identify and avoid triggers that worsen the inflammation. Rapid changes of temperature, sweating and stress can worsen some forms of dermatitis. Avoid direct contact with wool products, such as rugs, bedding and clothes, as well as harsh soaps and detergents. Avoiding dry skin may be one factor in helping you prevent future bouts of dermatitis.

These tips can help you minimize the drying effects of bathing on your skin:

• Bathe less frequently. Most people who are prone to dermatitis don't need to bathe daily. Try going a day or two without a shower or bath. When you do bathe, limit yourself to 15 to 20 minutes, and use warm, rather than hot, water.
• Use only mild soaps. Choose soaps, such as Basis, Dove or Olay, that clean without excessively removing natural oils. Deodorant and antibacterial soaps may be more drying to your skin. Use soap only on your face, underarms, genital areas, hands and feet. Use clear water elsewhere.
• Dry yourself carefully. Brush your skin rapidly with the palms of your hands, or gently pat your skin dry with a towel after bathing.
• Moisturize your skin. Seal in moisture, while your skin is still damp, with oil or cream. Pay special attention to your legs, arms, back and the sides of your body. If your skin is already dry, consider using a lubricating cream made for dry skin.

These steps can help you manage dermatitis:

• Apply an anti-itch cream or calamine lotion to the affected area.
• Apply cool, wet compresses.
• Take a comfortably cool bath.
• Avoid scratching whenever possible.
• Wear smooth-textured cotton clothing.
• Use a mild, unscented laundry detergent when washing clothes, towels and bedding.

Role of Homeopathy in Eczema:
Homeopathy can help in eczema by decreasing the susceptibility to various allergens and irritants. The extent of results depends upon the type of eczema, type of lifestyle improvement the patient is able to make. Strong family history of atopy, asthma or allergy may become a hurdle in the response to the treatment of eczema in the initial phase of the illness but these influences can be reduced with homeopathic medicines over a period of time. Constitutional homeopathic treatment approach is the best way to treat eczema permanently. Homeopathy has been found useful in all types of eczema.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Eczema:
Ars / Ars Iod / Bar Mur / Calc / Calc Sulph / Cicuta Virosa / Croton Tiglinum / Dulcamara / Graphites / Hep Sul / Juglans Cinerea / Juglans Regia / Lappa Arcitum Major / Mezerium / Oleander / Petroleum / Psorinum / Rhus Tox / Sulph / Sulph I.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points or places on the body where slight pressure causes pain. If someone feels hurt all over, and frequently feels exhausted. Even after numerous tests, the doctor can't find anything specifically wrong with the reports. If this sounds familiar, he or she may have Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men. Previously, fibromyalgia was known by other names such as fibrositis, chronic muscle pain syndrome, psychogenic rheumatism and tension myalgias. Although the intensity of the symptoms may vary, they'll probably never disappear completely. It may be reassuring to know, however, that fibromyalgia isn't progressive or life-threatening. Treatments and self-care steps can improve fibromyalgia symptoms and our general health. Signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary, depending on the weather, stress, physical activity or even the time of day.

Common signs and symptoms include:

• Widespread pain. Fibromyalgia is characterized by pain in specific areas of the body when pressure is applied, including the back of the head, upper back and neck, upper chest, elbows, hips and knees. The pain generally persists for months at a time and is often accompanied by stiffness.
• Fatigue and sleep disturbances. People with fibromyalgia often wake up tired and unrefreshed even though they seem to get plenty of sleep. Some studies suggest that this sleep problem is the result of a sleep disorder called alpha wave interrupted sleep pattern, a condition in which deep sleep is frequently interrupted by bursts of brain activity similar to wakefulness. So people with fibromyalgia miss the deep restorative stage of sleep. Nighttime muscle spasms in legs and restless legs syndrome also may be associated with fibromyalgia.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating associated with IBS are common in people with fibromyalgia.
• Headaches and facial pain. Many people who have fibromyalgia also have headaches and facial pain that may be related to tenderness or stiffness in their neck and shoulders. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, which affects the jaw joints and surrounding muscles, also is common in people with fibromyalgia.
• Heightened sensitivity. It's common for people with fibromyalgia to report being sensitive to odors, noises, bright lights and touch.

Other common signs and symptoms include:

• Depression
• Numbness or tingling sensations in the hands and feet (paresthesia)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mood changes
• Chest pain
• Dry eyes, skin and mouth
• Painful menstrual periods
• Dizziness
• Anxiety

Doctors don't know what causes fibromyalgia. Current thinking centers around a theory called "central sensitization." This theory states that people with fibromyalgia have a lower threshold for pain because of increased sensitivity in the brain to pain signals. Researchers believe repeated nerve stimulation causes the brains of people with fibromyalgia to change. This change involves an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain (neurotransmitters). In addition, the brain's pain receptors (neurons) — which receive signals from the neurotransmitters — seem to develop a sort of memory of the pain and become more sensitive, meaning they can overreact to pain signals. In this way, pressure on a spot on the body that wouldn't hurt someone without fibromyalgia can be very painful to someone who has the condition. But what initiates this process of central sensitization isn't known. It's likely that a number of factors contribute to the development of fibromyalgia.

Other theories as to the cause of fibromyalgia include:

• Sleep disturbances.
• Injury.
• Infection.
• Abnormalities of the autonomic (sympathetic) nervous system.
• Changes in muscle metabolism.

Psychological stress and hormonal changes also may be possible causes of fibromyalgia.
Self-care is critical in the management of fibromyalgia:

• Reduce stress.
• Get enough sleep.
• Exercise regularly.
• Pace yourself.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Besides dealing with the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia, one may also have to deal with the frustration of having a condition that's often misunderstood. In addition to educating self about fibromyalgia, one may find it helpful to provide the family, friends and co-workers with information. It's also helpful to know that you are not alone. Complementary and alternative therapies for pain and stress management aren't new. Some, such as meditation and yoga, have been practiced for thousands of years. But their use has become more popular in recent years, especially with people who have chronic illnesses, such as fibromyalgia.

Role of Homeopathy in Fibromyalgia:
Homeopathy has very promising results in cases of fibromyalgia. Homeopathy also helps in overcoming associated stress and feeling of frustration due to recurrent pains and aches. Homeopathy helps in improving lifestyle for those suffering from the illness since long time and the illness is now interfering their day to day functioning of life. Homeopathy is safe in fibromyalgia because it reduces the need to take painkillers and saves you from the side effects.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Fibromyalgia:
Arnica Montana / Belladonna / Bryonia / Calc / Hamamelis / Hepar Sul / Kali Iod / Merc Sol / Mezerium / Rhus Tox / Ruta

Anal Fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anal canal. Common in infants ages 6 to 24 months, anal fissures are less likely to develop in older children. Adults may develop anal fissures as a result of passing hard or large stools during bowel movements. Anal fissures may cause pain and bleeding. More than 90 percent heal on their own, and one can use topical creams or suppositories to provide relief as they heal. Anal fissures that fail to heal may become chronic and cause considerable discomfort. If we develop an anal fissure that fails to heal, surgery may relieve the discomfort. The main signs and symptoms of an anal fissure include pain or burning during bowel movements that eases until the next bowel movement, bright red blood on the outside of the stool or on toilet paper or wipes after a bowel movement and itching or irritation around the anus. The most common cause of anal fissures is large or hard stool passing through the anal canal during bowel movements. Other causes include constipation and straining during bowel movements, inflammation of the anorectal area, such as is caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and anal sex (rarely). We may be able to prevent an anal fissure by taking measures to prevent constipation. Eat high-fiber foods, drink fluids and exercise regularly to keep from having to strain during bowel movements. We may be able to prevent an anal fissure by taking measures to prevent constipation. Eat high-fiber foods, drink fluids and exercise regularly to keep from having to strain during bowel movements.

The following lifestyle changes may help relieve discomfort and promote healing of an anal fissure, as well as prevent recurrences:

• Add fiber to the diet.
• Drink adequate fluids.
• Exercise regularly.
• Take a sitz bath.
• Avoid straining during bowel movements.

Role of Homeopathy in Anal Fissures:
Homeopathy can help in healing of chronic fissures and control pain and bleeding. Homeopathy can prevent recurrent complains of anal fissures. Homeopathy can prevent the need for surgery by reliving complains of anal fissures effectively. The improvement in anal fissures is mainly brought by regularizing the bowel movements and improving the digestion. Constitutional homeopathic treatment helps in improving digestion and relives constipation. This helps directly in the improvement of recurrent anal fissures.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Anal Fissures:
Chamomilla / Graphites / Nitric Acid / Retania / Sepia / Silica / Thuja

Gallstones are stones that form in the fluid called gall (bile) which is present in the sac below liver called gall bladder. Bile is a watery liquid made by the cells of the liver that is important for digesting food in the intestine, particularly fat. Liver cells secrete the bile they make into small canals in the liver. The bile flows through these canals and in bigger ducts in the liver known as the intrahepatic bile ducts. From the intrahepatic bile ducts bile then flows out of the liver to the extrahepatic bile ducts. Initially the bile flows from the hepatic bile ducts, then to the common hepatic duct, and lastly in the common bile duct. From here the bile takes two directions of its flow. The first is to common bile duct to the intestine where the bile mixes with food and promotes digestion of food. The second is to the cystic duct, and from there to the gallbladder. Water portion of bile is absorbed in gallbladder and the bile is concentrated. During a meal the wall of the gallbladder contracts and pushes the concentrated bile from the gallbladder back into the intestine through the cystic duct and common duct. (Concentrated bile is far better for digestion than the un-concentrated bile that goes from the liver straight into the intestine. Gallstones usually form in the gallbladder; however, they also may form anywhere there is bile; in the intrahepatic, hepatic, common bile, and cystic ducts. Gallstones are made up of cholesterol or calcium salts that form in the gallbladder or other bile ducts. Some people with gallstones have a gallbladder attack that can cause symptoms, such as nausea and an intense, steady ache in their upper abdomen usually on middle or upper right side of abdomen. The gallstone pain can be mild or severe and intermittent. Complications from gallstones can be serious, and even fatal, if left untreated.

Gallstone symptoms include:

• Chronic indigestion
• Upper abdominal pain – variable in intensity and duration.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Fever.

Symptoms of bile duct obstruction:

• Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
• Clay-colored stools
• Fever

Gallstones can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball and may be smooth and round or irregular with a number of edges. You can have just one stone or hundreds of them.

There are two types of gallstones:
Cholesterol gallstones: These are yellow in color, are made up of undissolved cholesterol. They may have other components, such as calcium and bilirubin.

Pigment gallstones:
These are dark brown or black stones formed mainly out of excessive bilirubin in the bile.

What favors gallstone formation?

• Too much cholesterol
• Incomplete or infrequent gallbladder emptying

Who are prone to get gallstone:
Positive family history for gallstone

• Sex: Women are more prone to have gallstone then
• Body weight: obese people are more likely to suffer from gallstone
• Diet: people adopting vigorous weight loss diet which is Low-calorie, are more prone to
• Age: Gallstone is more common in older higher age group.

Complications of gallstones may include:

• Blockage of the common bile duct.
• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Gallbladder cancer.

Role of Homeopathy in Gallstone:
Gallstone as we have seen may present as a non harmful silent entity in the abdomen without causing much of discomfort and hardly needs any treatment. But when the gallstone is impacted or obstructed or there is an infection the situation can be a serious surgical emergency. In milder forms of pain and other symptoms of indigestion which are related to gallstone are very much relieved with homeopathy. We have not experienced yet of removal of gallstone with homeopathic treatment. Although we have read experiences of many homeopaths of older and recent times that they have been successful in removing gallstone with homeopathy. Those gallstones which do not need urgent surgical removal are very well managed by homeopathy. Proper homeopathic treatment for your problems related to digestion can prevent forming gallstones. Besides there are several other c9onditionns giving rise to formation of gallstone like high cholesterol levels, anemia, faulty diet plans. Proper treatment of all these causes with homeopathic medicine and right kind of advise on your diet can help you keep your self away from getting gallstones and if you already have gallstone you may be able to avoid surgery with homeopathic treatment when your gallstone is not in a state of an acute surgical condition.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Gallstone:
Arsenicum Album / Baptisia Tinctoria / Berberis Vulgaris / Bryonia Alba / Calcarea Carbonicum / Cardus Marianus / Chamomilla Romana / Chellidonium Majus / Chin Officinalis / Chionanthus Virginica / Chloroformium / Chloralum Hydratum / Colocynthis / Dioscorea Villosa / Hepar Sulphuris Calcareous / Hydrastis Canadensis / Ipecacuanha / Iris Versicolor / Kali Bichromicum / Kali Carbonicum / Lachesis Muta / Leptandra Virginica / Lycopodium Clavatum / Morgan Bacillus / Natrum Sulphuricum / Nux Vomica / Phosphorus / Sepia Succus / Terebinthiniae Oleum / Veratrum Album

Ganglion is a cyst formed from synovium, which is a tissue lining a joint or tendon. The main function of synovium is to produce lubricating fluid for joint. A ganglion is filled with a thick jelly-like fluid. Local trauma to the tendon or joint can result into ganglia. But many a times they are formed for reasons not clearly understood. Ganglia may be an early signs of arthritis. Ganglia are most frequently found in the wrist and ankles. They are painless and clearly visible as localized swellings. A ganglion can spontaneously rupture and go away. People with a persisting or recurring ganglion should be evaluated for signs of systemic forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Ganglion cysts are noncancerous in nature. A ganglion cyst may develop suddenly or gradually over time.

Ganglion cysts generally are:

• Raised lumps near your wrist or finger joints
• Round, firm and smooth
• Fixed in one place but may "give" a little when you push against them
• A little more than an inch (3 centimeters) in diameter
• Variable in size depending on your activity level, becoming larger when you use the affected joint and growing smaller when you're at rest
• Painless, although in some cases the cysts may put pressure on the nerves near the joint, which can cause pain, weakness or numbness in your hand

The following factors may be considered as risk factors for Ganglion:

• Regular, repetitive movement that stresses your wrist or hand.
• Having osteoarthritis,
• Injury to the joints or tendons of your hands or feet.

Role of Homeopathy in Ganglion:
In some cases but not all obviously visible ganglion have disappeared with homeopathic treatment of few weeks. If your ganglion cyst is going to respond to homeopathic treatment it doesn’t take too long to disappear. Homeopathy is a better option for treatment of ganglion cyst before you decide on to remove it with surgery. There are many cases where after months of treatment Ganglion cyst has not responded to homeopathic treatment. There may be many reason for it. One of the main reasons could be wrong selection of remedy. Sometimes wrong potency and improper repetition of remedy may also delay the results.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Ganglion:
Calcarea Carbonicum / Calcarea Fluorica / Carbo Vegetabilis / Causticum / Phosphoric Acid / Phosphorus / Plumbum Metallicum / Rhus Toxicodendron / Ruta / Silicea Terra / Sulphur / Zincum Metallicum

Gastritis is an inflammation of the inner linings of stomach. Gastritis results from many causes. The causes can be medicine or food or some other illness. Gastritis is of two types. It can be acute and chronic gastritis. In acute gastritis the symptoms are experienced with history of short duration with some or the other triggering factor like use of NSAID, consumption of excessive alcohol. Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach. Infection with these bacteria may lead to chronic gastritis. Gastritis is associated with various medications, medical and surgical conditions, physical stresses, social habits, chemicals, and infections. In spite of the many conditions associated with gastritis, the signs and symptoms of the disease are very similar. A burning pain in upper abdomen and, occasionally, bloating, belching, nausea or vomiting. The pain is usually in the upper central portion of the abdomen (the "pit" of the stomach). Gastritis pain occurs in the left upper portion of the abdomen and in the back. The pain seems to "go right straight through" a person as it travels from the belly to the back. People often use the terms burning, aching, gnawing, or sore to describe the pain. Usually, a vague sense of discomfort is present, but the pain may be sharp, stabbing, or cutting. In some cases, gastritis can lead to ulcers and an increased risk of stomach cancer. For most people, however, gastritis isn't serious and improves quickly with treatment.

Some of the more common causes of gastritis:

• Aspirin
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Steroids
• Potassium supplements
• Iron tablets
• Cancer chemotherapy medications
• Corrosives (acid or lye)
• Alcohols of various types
• Physical stress in people who are critically ill or injured like severe burn injury
• After radiation treatment for cancer
• Autoimmune diseases
• Pernicious anemia
• Chronic vomiting
• Tuberculosis
• Syphilis
• Bacterial infections
• Viral infections
• Fungal (yeast) infections
• Parasites and worms

Symptoms severity can not be used as yard stick to assess the extent of inflammation and damage to inner linings of stomach. Sometimes with severe symptoms of gastritis there are very few changes in the stomach when viewed through an endoscope. Same is true when endoscopy is done with milder intensity of symptoms. Endoscopy may reveal severe inflammatory changes in the inner linings of stomach. This is more common in elderly people. Gastritis in elderly age group is usually painless.

Range of symptoms present in gastritis depends upon the severity of the illness. Following symptoms may be present:

• Belching
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bloating
• Feeling of fullness or burning in the upper part of the belly
• Pallor, sweating, and rapid (or "racing") heart beat.
• Feeling faint or short of breath
• Chest pain or severe stomach pain
• Vomiting large amounts of blood
• Bloody bowel movements or dark, sticky, very foul-smelling bowel movements
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss

Left untreated, gastritis may lead to stomach ulcers and stomach bleeding. Some forms of chronic gastritis may increase your risk of stomach cancer, especially if you have extensive thinning of the stomach lining and changes in the lining cells. The mainstay of gastritis prevention is to avoid those things that irritate or inflame your stomach's lining.

• Adjust your meals: eat smaller, more frequent meals to help ease the effects of stomach acid. Avoid foods that are irritating, especially those that are spicy, acidic, fried or fatty.
• Reduce or stop alcohol: Excessive use of alcohol can damage inner linings of stomach.
• Stop smoking: Smoking damages inner linings of stomach leading to frequent episodes of gastritis.
• Avoid NSAIDs: Avoid taking NSAIDs like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. These over-the-counter medications can cause stomach inflammation or make existing irritation worse.

Role of Homeopathy in Gastritis:
Homeopathy can give absolute freedom from recurrent attacks of dyspepsia and flair ups of gastritis. One of the biggest advantages of starting with homeopathic treatment for gastritis is that the medicine is safe and gives no side effects. It is recommended that if your gastritis is as a result of recurrent use of NSAIDs which you have to take to get relief in your recurrent and chronic joint pains or headaches or backache, then you must start treatment for such joint pains along with treatment for gastritis. Homeopathy can give you pain free life with its most effective medicines on your chronic and recurrent joint pains. Necessary life style changes are must along with homeopathic treatment to get maximum benefits out of homeopathic treatment for gastritis.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Gastritis:
Aethusa Cynapium / Antimony Crudum / Antimony Tartaricum / Apis Mellifica / Argentum Nitricum / Arsenic Album / Baryta Muriatica / Belladonna / Bismuthum Subnitricum / Bryonia Alba / Cactus Grandiflorus / Camphora / Cantharis Vesicatoria / Cocculus Indicus / Digitalis Purpurea / Euphorbium Officinarum / Graphites Naturalis / Hydrastis Canadensis / Hyoscyamus Niger / Ipecacuanha / Lac Vaccinum Defloratum / Lycopodium Clavatum / Nux Vomica / Phosphorus / Plumbum Metallicum / Sanguinaria Canadensis / Secale Cornutum / Terebinthiniae Oleum / Veratram Album / Veratrum Viride

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the esophagus becomes irritated or inflamed due to reverse flow of acid from the stomach. The esophagus is the tube starting from throat and extending up to the stomach. The food carried through esophagus to the stomach. The stomach secretes hydrochloric acid after a meal to help in the digestion of food. The inner lining of the stomach protects corrosion by this acid with the help of protective mucus secretion. This protective function is absent in esophagus. As a result acid coming in to contact with esophagus can damage it. As the esophagus lies just behind the heart, sometimes the sensation of acid burning in the esophagus is also know as heartburn. Normally, the reflux or reverse flow of acid to esophagus is prevented by a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter. This sphincter relaxes during swallowing to allow food to pass. It then closes or contracts to prevent flow in the opposite direction. In case of GERD, this sphincter relaxes while the food is being swallowed, which allows stomach contents and corrosive acid to revert back to esophagus and cause damage to the lining of the esophagus. GERD can affect any age group from infants and children to adults. No one knows the exact cause of gastroesophageal reflux. The following are several contributing factors that weaken or relax the lower esophageal sphincter, making reflux worse:

• Lifestyle: alcohol, cigarettes, obesity, constant lying posture
• Medications - Calcium channel blockers, theophylline, nitrates, antihistamines
• Diet - Fatty and fried foods, chocolate, garlic and onions, drinks with caffeine, acid foods such as citrus fruits and tomatoes, spicy foods, mint flavorings
• Eating habits - Eating large meals, eating soon before bedtime
• Other medical conditions - Hiatal hernia, pregnancy, diabetes, rapid weight gain

GERD - gastroesophageal reflux disease - is more than just chronic heartburn. The irritation of esophagus caused by stomach acid can lead to complications such as narrowing of the esophagus, ulcers and even a slightly increased risk of esophageal cancer. Most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn with lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter medications.

Common signs and symptoms of GERD include:

• Heartburn
• Chest pain, especially at night while lying down
• Difficulty swallowing
• Coughing, wheezing, asthma, hoarseness or sore throat
• Regurgitation of food or sour liquid

When you swallow, the lower esophageal sphincter - a circular band of muscle around the bottom part of your esophagus - relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into your stomach. Then it closes again. However, if this valve relaxes abnormally or weakens, stomach acid can flow back up into your esophagus, causing frequent heartburn and disrupting your daily life. The acid backup is worse when you bend over or lie down. This constant backwash of acid can irritate the lining of your esophagus, causing it to become inflamed. Over time, the inflammation can erode the esophagus, producing bleeding, or narrow the esophagus, causing difficulty swallowing or even breathing problems. When there's evidence of esophageal irritation or inflammation, you have GERD. However, many people with GERD will have a normal-appearing esophagus despite symptoms. GERD may be related to other conditions such as hiatal hernia. In this condition, also called diaphragmatic hernia, part of your stomach protrudes into your lower chest. If the protrusion is large, a hiatal hernia can worsen heartburn by further weakening the lower esophageal sphincter muscle.

Some factors that can make GERD worse include:

• Certain foods, such as fatty foods, spicy foods, chocolate, caffeine, onions, tomato sauce, carbonated beverages and mint
• Alcohol
• Large meals
• Lying down soon after eating
• Certain medications, including sedatives, tranquilizers and calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure
• Cigarette smoking

Conditions that cause difficulty with digestion can increase the risk of GERD. These include:

• Obesity
• Hiatal hernia
• Pregnancy
• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Peptic ulcer
• Delayed stomach emptying
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

In addition to irritation and inflammation of the esophagus, chronic reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus can lead to one or more of the following conditions if left untreated:

• Esophageal narrowing (stricture)
• Esophageal ulcer
• Barrett's esophagus

You may eliminate or reduce the frequency of heartburn by making the following lifestyle changes:

• Control your weight
• Eat smaller meals
• Loosen your belt
• Eliminate heartburn triggers
• Avoid stooping or bending
• Don't lie down after a meal
• Raise the head of your bed
• Don't smoke

Role of Homeopathy in GERD:
Homeopathy helps in reducing inflammation of esophagus caused by irritation by stomach acid. Patient there by gets relief in pain and other symptoms of GERD. The homeopathic medicines are fast acting and give prompt relief in recurrent episodes of heartburn. The steady control over GERD helps in preventing long term complications of GERD like ulcer, narrowing and strictures of esophagus. Homeopathic treatment and long term and permanent relief in recurrent complains of GERD changes quality of life to a great extent where the patients are freed from recurrent problems of digestions and they can enjoy their ebver4yday food without getting heartburn and nausea and vomiting.

Important Homeopathic medicines for GERD:
Aesculus Hippocastanum / Alumina / Ambra Grisea / Ammonium Carbonicum / Anacardium Orientale / Apis Mellifica / Arsenicum Album / Arsenicum Iodatum / Berberis Vulgaris / Bryonia Alba / Calcarea Carbonica / Calcarea Sulphurica / Cantharis / Capsicum / Carbo Animalis / Carbo Vegetabilis / Causticum Hahnemanni / Chellidonium Majus / China Officinalis / Chininum Sulphuricum / Cicuta Virosa / Conium Maculatum / Crocus Sativus / Ferrum Phosphoricum / Fluoricum Acidum / Graphites Naturalis / Hepar Sulphuris Calcareum / Iodium Purum / Iris Versicolor / Kali Carbonicum / Kali Iodatum / Lachesis Muta / Lobelia Inflata / Lycopodium Clavatum / Magnesia Carbonica / Mercurius / Natrum Carbonicum / Natrum Muriaticum / Natrum Phosphoricum / Natrum Sulphuricum / Nux Vomica / Phosphorus / Podophillum Peltatum / Pulsatilla Nigricans / Robinia Pseudacacia / Sabadilla Officinalis / Sabina / Sepia Succus / Silicea Terra / Sinapis Nigra / Sulphur Lotum / Sulphuricum Acidum / Syphilinum / Valeriana Officinalis / Veratrum Viride / Zincum Metallicum

Gout is a condition that results from depositions of crystals of uric acid in tissues of the body and appears as recurring attacks of joint inflammation (arthritis). Gout is one of the most frequently recorded medical illnesses. It occurs as a result of an inherited abnormality in the body's ability to process uric acid. Uric acid is a breakdown product of purines that are part of many foods in daily life. Some patients may only develop elevated blood uric-acid levels without having arthritis or kidney problems. The term "gout" commonly is used to refer to the painful arthritis attacks. Gouty arthritis is usually an extremely painful attack with a rapid onset of joint inflammation. The joint inflammation is precipitated by deposits of uric-acid crystals in the synovial fluid of the joint and joint lining. Intense joint inflammation occurs as white blood cells which are part of defense mechanism of our body attack this uric acid crystal and release chemicals of inflammation, which produces pain, heat, and redness of the joint tissues. While an elevated blood level of uric acid may indicate an increased risk of gout, the relationship between hyperuricemia and gout is unclear. Many patients with hyperuricemia do not develop gout, while some patients with repeated gout attacks have normal or low blood uric-acid levels. Gout is a complex disorder that can affect anyone. Fortunately, gout is treatable, and there are ways to reduce the risk that gout will recur. The signs and symptoms of gout are almost always acute, occurring suddenly often at night and without warning.

They include:

• Intense joint pain.
• Inflammation and redness.

Gout occurs when urate crystals accumulate around your joint, causing the inflammation and intense pain of a gout attack. Urate crystals can form when you have high levels of uric acid in your blood. Your body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines, substances that are found naturally in your body, as well as in certain foods, such as organ meats, anchovies, herring, asparagus and mushrooms. Normally, uric acid dissolves in your blood and passes through your kidneys into your urine. But sometimes your body either produces too much uric acid or your kidneys excrete too little uric acid. When this happens, uric acid can build up, forming sharp, needle-like urate crystals in a joint or surrounding tissue that cause pain, inflammation and swelling.

Factors that increase the uric acid level in your body include:

• Lifestyle factors.
• Medical conditions.
  
  • Untreated high blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • High levels of fat and cholesterol in the blood
  • Arteriosclerosis.
• Certain medications
  
  • Thiazide diuretics
  • Low-dose aspirin
  • Anti-rejection drugs prescribed for people who have undergone an organ transplant.
• Positive family history of gout.
• Sex: More common in men.

People with gout can develop more-severe conditions, such as:

• Recurrent attacks of joint pains
• Deposition of urate crystals to form under the skin in nodules called tophi (TOE-fi). Tophi which are not painful, but they can become swollen and tender during gout attacks.
• Kidney stones.

Gout diet:

• Cut back on the amount of red meat and seafood you eat.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages.
• Eat more low-fat dairy products.
• Eat more complex carbohydrates, such as whole-grain breads.
• Reduce the amount of animal protein you eat.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Drink plenty of liquids.

Role of Homeopathy in Gout:
Homeopathy helps in achieving long term relief and control over frequency of gout attacks. Homeopathic medicines give prompt relief in pain and inflammation in gout. Your need for NSAIDs is reduced to a great extent. Regular gout diet and healthy life style is strongly recommended with homeopathic medicines for good control and long term benefits in complains of gout. Gout is a chronic illness which needs constitutional homeopathic approach. Achieving control of an acute attack as well as strategy for long term management are therapeutic targets of homeopathic management of gout.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Gout:
Antimony Crudum / Antimony Tartaricum / Apis Mellifica / Arnica Montana / Baptisia / Belladonna / Benzoic Acid / Bryonia Alba / Bofo Rana / Calcarea Carbonica / Carboneum Sulphuricum / Causticum Hahnemanni / Colchicum / Colocynth / Form / Guaiacum Officanale / Hepar Sulphuris Calcareum / Iodium Purum / Kali Carbonicum / Kali Iodatum / Kali Muriaticum / Lycopodium Clavatum / Magnesia Carbonicum / Manganum / Natrum Sulphuricum / Nux Vomica / Pulsatilla / Rhododendron Chrysanthum / Sabina / Sarsaparilla Officinalis / Silicea Terra / Sulphur Lotum

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Most genital herpes infections are caused by HSV-2. HSV-1 is the usual cause of what most people call "fever blisters" in and around the mouth and can be transmitted from person to person through kissing. Less often, HSV-1 can cause genital herpes infections through oral sexual contact. The genital sores caused by either virus look the same. Genital herpes is spread by direct contact with an infected person. Sexual intercourse and oral sex are the most common methods of spreading genital herpes. Any type of skin-to-skin contact, however, is capable of spreading herpes. It is transmitted from one person to another during unsafe sexual activity. Genital herpes causes blisters or groups of small ulcers on and around the genitals in both men and women. People with herpes may spread the disease even if they do not realize they have an infection. Furthermore, there is strong evidence that people with herpes can transmit infection even while their disease appears to be inactive and no sores can be seen. Many people remember having an episode of genital herpes when it occurs. But as many as 90% of those infected fail to recognize the symptoms or have no symptoms at all. It is not clear whether these people never had an initial herpes outbreak or whether they never noticed a mild infection. They are contagious and may have additional outbreaks, nonetheless. The highest rates of infection are seen among the poor, those with less education, those using cocaine, and those with many sexual partners. Genital herpes is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease. Features of genital herpes include pain, itching and sores in your genital area. Having genital herpes is no reason to avoid sex or give up on relationships though. If you or your partner is infected, you can manage the spread of HSV by taking steps to protect yourself and your partner. The majority of people who've been infected with HSV never know they have the disease because they have no signs or symptoms. The signs and symptoms of HSV can be so mild they go unnoticed. The first outbreak is generally the worst, and some people never experience a second outbreak. Other people, however, can experience outbreaks as long as 40 years after the initial outbreak.

Genital herpes symptoms include:

• Small, red bumps, blisters (vesicles) or open sores (ulcers) in the genital, anal and nearby areas
• Pain or itching around your genital area, buttocks or inner thighs

The initial symptom of genital herpes usually is pain or itching, beginning within a few weeks after exposure to an infected sexual partner. After several days, small, red bumps may appear. They then rupture, becoming ulcers that ooze or bleed. Eventually, scabs form and the ulcers heal. In women, sores can erupt in the vaginal area, external genitals, buttocks, anus or cervix. In men, sores can appear on the penis, scrotum, buttocks, anus or thighs or inside the urethra, the channel between the bladder and the penis. While you have ulcers, it may be painful to urinate. You may also experience pain and tenderness in your genital area until the infection clears. During an initial outbreak, you may have flu-like signs and symptoms, such as headache, muscle aches and fever, as well as swollen lymph nodes in your groin. Recurrences Genital herpes is different for each person. The signs and symptoms may recur for years. Some people experience numerous episodes each year. In many people, the attacks are less frequent with progress of time.

Various factors may trigger attacks:

• Stress
• Menstruation and friction, such as that caused by vigorous sexual intercourse
• Immune system suppression, from medications such as steroids or chemotherapy, or due to infections, such as HIV/AIDS
• Illness
• Surgery
• Fatigue

These other complications may occur:

• Contraction of other STDs like AIDS
• Spread of infection to newborn by mother

Prevention of genital herpes is possible by following care:

• Use, of latex condom during each sexual contact.
• Limit the number of sex partners.
• Avoid intercourse if either partner has an outbreak of herpes in the genital area or anywhere else.

If you're pregnant, be sure to tell your doctor that you have HSV or, if you're unsure, ask to be tested for HSV. Watch for signs and symptoms of HSV during pregnancy. Your doctor may recommend that you start taking herpes antiviral medications late in pregnancy to try to prevent an outbreak from occurring around the time of delivery. If you're having an outbreak when you go into labor, your doctor will probably suggest a Caesarean section to reduce the risk of passing the virus to your baby.

If you have an active infection:

• Avoid having sex.
• Avoid touching the sores, and wash your hands after contact with sores.
• Keep the sores clean and dry.

Role of Homeopathy in Genital Herpes:
Homeopathy can give long term relief in recurrent attacks of the illness. The resistant viral infection which doesn’t respond to conventional medicines can by cured permanently with constitutional homeopathic approach. Homeopathy is a system of medicine which uses body’s own healing power to make the body free from effects of all types of chronic illness. Homeopathic medicines do not attack virus or bacteria directly hence there is no incidence that virus or bacteria become resistant to homeopathic medicine. Necessary precaution of hygiene and safe sex are important factors along with homeopathic treatment of genital herpes for better out come of the illness.

Important Homeopathic Medicine for Genital Herpes:
Alumina / Anantherum Muricatum / Apis Mellifica / Arsenicum album / Arsenicum Iodum / Baryta Carbonicum / Baryta Muriaticum / Bovista Lycoperdon / Bryonia Alba / Calcarea Carbonicum / Calcarea Sulphuricum / Cantharis Vesicatoria / Carbolicum Acidum / Carbo Animalis / Carboneum Sulphuricum / Carbo Vegetabilis / Causticum Hahnemanni / Cicuta Virosa / Cistus Canadensis / / Clematis Erecta / Conium Maculatum / Croton Tiglium / Dulcamara / Graphites Naturalis / Hepar Sulphuris Calcareum / kali Arsenicosum / Kali Iodatum / Kali Sulphuricum / Kreosotum / Lac Caninum / Lachesis Muta / Ledum Palustre / Lycopodium Clavatum / Magnesia Muriatica / Medorrhinum / Mercurius / Natrum Arsenicosum / Natrum Muriaticum / Natrum Sulphuricum / Oleander / Petroleum / Phosphorus / Psorinum / Ranunculus Bulbosus / Rhus Toxicodendron / Sarsaparilla Officinalis / Sepia Succus / Silicea Terra / Staphysagria / Sulphur Lotum / Tellurium Metallicum / Thuja Occidentalis

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The first symptoms of this disorder include varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations in the legs. In many instances the weakness and abnormal sensations spread to the arms and upper body. These symptoms can increase in intensity until the muscles cannot be used at all and the patient is almost totally paralyzed. In these cases the disorder is life threatening and makes breathing difficult. This state of illness also affects blood pressure or heart rate and is a medical emergency. The patient needs hospitalization in intensive care unit. The condition is reversible, with variable degree of weakness remaining as a sequel or end result of illness which takes considerable time to recover.

Guillain-Barre syndrome can affect anybody. It can strike at any age and both sexes are equally prone to the disorder. The disorder can develop over the course of hours or days, or it may take up to 3 to 4 weeks. Most people reach the stage of maximum weakness within the first 2 weeks after symptoms appear, and by the third week of the illness almost all patients experience maximum weakness.

Other signs and symptoms may include difficulty with eye movement, facial movement, speaking, chewing or swallowing, severe pain in the lower back, difficulty with bladder control or intestinal functions, very slow heart rate or low blood pressure, difficulty breathing.

In Guillain-Barre the body's immune system begins to attack the body itself, causing what is known as an autoimmune disease. Usually the cells of the immune system attack only foreign material and invading organisms. In Guillain-Barre syndrome, however, the immune system starts to destroy the myelin sheath that surrounds the axons of many peripheral nerves, or even the axons themselves. The myelin sheath surrounding the axon speeds up the transmission of nerve signals and allows the transmission of signals over long distances.

This results in the muscles to lose their ability to respond to the brain's commands, commands that must be carried through the nerve network. The brain also receives fewer sensory signals from the rest of the body, resulting in loss of sensation on skin. Alternately, the brain may receive inappropriate signals that result in tingling, "crawling-skin," or painful sensations.

Usually Guillain-Barre occurs a few days or weeks after the patient has had symptoms of a respiratory or gastrointestinal viral infection. Occasionally surgery or vaccinations will trigger the syndrome.The most common triggering factor for Guillain-Barre syndrome appears to be infection with campylobacter, a type of bacteria commonly found in undercooked food, especially poultry. Guillain-Barre may also be triggered by surgery and, in very rare cases, influenza immunizations.

Other triggers include:

• Hodgkin's disease
• Mononucleosis
• HIV, the virus that causes AIDS

A potentially deadly complication of Guillain-Barre syndrome is that the weakness or paralysis can spread to the muscles that control our breathing. About 30 percent of the people who have the disorder will require temporary help from a machine to breathe. About 5 percent will die, despite intensive care. But 80 percent of the people with Guillain-Barre syndrome recover completely or have only minor, residual weakness or abnormal sensations, such as numbness or tingling. Five percent to 10 percent experience more serious, permanent problems with sensation and coordination, including some cases of severe disability. And about one in 10 of those affected is at risk of experiencing a relapse.

Role of Homeopathy in Guillain-Barre syndrome:
Guillain-Barre syndrome starts as an acute illness and many a times becomes life threatening. But usually people recover from the illness almost completely. It is observed that those who have suffered from Guillain-Barre syndrome are left with residual weakness, paralytic effects or tingling and crawling sensation for months to follow after an acute attack of the illness. These residual effects really make life uncomfortable. Homeopathy has a great response in overcoming these residual effects of Guillain-Barre syndrome. We strongly recommend that homeopathic treatment should be started with conventional treatment as a complementary treatment for residual weakness and paralytic effects in Guillain-Barre syndrome

Important Homeopathic medicines for Guillain-Barre syndrome:
Carcinocin / conium Maculatum / Lathyrus Sativus Aut Cicera / Thuja Occidentalis

Hair loss is so common that most of the time it is considered a normal variation and not a disease. There are different types of hair loss. Androgenic Alopecia is most common type of hair loss, which is also called male pattern baldness. Traumatic Alopecia is a hair loss resulting from hair being torn out. Drug-Induced Alopecia is a hair loss caused by many medications as aside effect. Alopecia Areata is a patchy, mostly reversible, hair loss. Hair loss varies widely with race and ethnic origin. Women develop hair loss as frequently as men do, but because of hormonal differences loss of hair volume is less in women. In woman hair loss gets noticed by thinning of her ponytail. Hair loss is caused due to several serious conditions. Psychological effects may also be associated with hair loss. People with hair loss may sometimes have a negative image. There are 3 cycles of hair growth namely “growing”, “resting”, and “shedding”. The course of each cycle varies by individual. But in general, the growth phase of scalp hair, known as anagen, typically lasts two to three years. During this time, our hair grows about 1 centimeter a month. The resting phase is called telogen. This phase typically lasts three to four months. At the end of the resting phase, the hair strand falls out and a new one begins to grow in its place. Once a hair is shed, the growth stage begins again. Most people normally shed 50 to 100 hairs a day. But with about 100,000 hairs in the scalp, this amount of hair loss shouldn't cause noticeable thinning of the scalp hair. In humans each hair has its own pattern of growing, resting, and shedding. Each person sheds hair and regrows hair every day. When this balance is disturbed and more hairs are shed than are regrown, alopecia or hair loss results. The most common causes of hair loss are male pattern baldness, trauma, chemicals, medications such as allopurinol and warfarin, poor nutrition, stress, for example, during a major illness. The less common causes of alopecia are poor blood flow, infections such as syphilis, skin diseases such as lupus, cancers, hormone problems, kidney failure, liver failure. Aside from the thinning hair itself, most people do not have other problems associated with hair loss. Our hair loss may have started with a few extra hairs in the sink or in our comb. But now you can't look in the mirror without seeing more of scalp. Anyone men, women and children can experience hair loss. Some people prefer to let their baldness run its course untreated and unhidden. Others may cover it up with hairstyles, makeup, hats or scarves. And still others choose one of the medications and surgical procedures that are available to treat hair loss. Before pursuing any of these treatment options, one must take advice of a doctor about the cause of and best possible treatments for the hair loss. Hair loss can also be classified as follows:

Permanent hair loss

• Male-pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).
• Female-pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).
• Cicatricial (scarring) alopecia.

Temporary hair loss

• Alopecia areata.
• Telogen effluvium.
• Traction alopecia.

Gradual thinning is a normal part of aging. However, hair loss may lead to baldness when the rate of shedding exceeds the rate of regrowth, when new hair is thinner than the hair shed or when hair comes out in patches.

Causes of specific types of hair loss

• Pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). In male- and female-pattern baldness, the time of growth shortens, and the hairs are not as thick or sturdy. With each growth cycle, the hairs become rooted more superficially and more easily fall out. Heredity likely plays a key role. A history of androgenetic alopecia on either side of your family increases your risk of balding. Heredity also affects the age at which you begin to lose hair and the developmental speed, pattern and extent of your baldness.
• Cicatricial (scarring) alopecia. This type of permanent hair loss occurs when inflammation damages and scars the hair follicle. This prevents new hair from growing. This condition can be seen in several skin conditions, including lupus erythematosus or lichen planus. It's not known what triggers or causes this inflammation.
• Alopecia Areata. This is classified as an autoimmune disease, but the cause is unknown. People who develop alopecia areata are generally in good health. A few people may have other autoimmune disorders including thyroid disease. Some scientists believe that some people are genetically predisposed to develop alopecia areata and that a trigger, such as a virus or something else in the environment, sets off the condition. A family history of alopecia areata makes you more likely to develop it. With alopecia areata, your hair generally grows back, but you may lose and regrow your hair a number of times.
• Telogen effluvium. This type of hair loss is usually due to a change in your normal hair cycle. It may occur when some type of shock to your system — emotional or physical — causes hair roots to be pushed prematurely into the resting state. The affected growing hairs from these hair roots fall out. In a month or two, the hair follicles become active again and new hair starts to grow. Telogen effluvium may follow emotional distress, such as a death in the family, or after a physiological stress, such as a high fever, sudden or excessive weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, surgery, or metabolic disturbances. Hair typically grows back once the condition that caused it corrects itself, but it usually take months.
• Traction alopecia. Excessive hairstyling or hairstyles that pull your hair too tightly cause traction alopecia. If the pulling is stopped before there's scarring of your scalp and permanent damage to the root, hair usually grows back normally.

The following care can help keep hair healthy and may reduce the hair loss:

• Eat a nutritionally balanced diet.
• Handle your hair gently. Whenever possible, allow your hair to air-dry naturally.
• Avoid tight hairstyles, such as braids, buns or ponytails.
• Avoid compulsively twisting, rubbing or pulling your hair.
• Check with hair care experts about hairpieces or styling techniques that help minimize the effects of balding.

Role of Homeopathy in Hair Loss:
Homeopathy can help in curing temporary hair loss. The hair loss occurring as a result of some medications or some other illness requires treatment of respective cause. Removal of the underlying cause is the best approach in achieving lasting results in complains of hair loss. The duration of treatment is variable depending upon the cause of hair loss and type of hair loss. Male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness are the type of irreversible and permanent type of hair loss which can not be cured. The pace of hair loss in such conditions may be slowed down in some people with homeopathic treatment.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Hair Loss:
Alumina / Ambra Gresia / Ammonium Muriaticum / Antimony Crudum / Arsenicum Album / Arundo Muriaticum / Aurum Metallicum / Aurum Muriaticum / Baryta Carbonica / Calcarea Carbonica / Calcarea Phosphoricum / Cantharis Vesicatoria / Carbo Animalis / Carbo Vegetabilis / Chellidonium Majus / Conium Maculatum / Elaps Corallinus / Ferrum Metallicum / Fluoricum Acidicum / Form / Graphites Naturalis / Hepar Sulphuris Calcareum / Kali Bichromicum / Kali Carbonicum / Kali Sulphuricum / Lachesis Muta / Lycopodium Clavatum / Magnesia Carbonica / Mercurius / Mercurius Corrosivus / Mezerium / Natrum Muriaticum / Nitri Acidicum / Petroleum / Phosphoricum Acidum / Phosphorus / Selenium / Sepia Succus / Silicea Terra / Skookum Chuck Aqua / Staphysagria / Sulphur Lotum / Syphilinum / Thallium Metallicum Aut Aceticum / Thuja Occidentalis / Zincum Metallicum

Hepatitis is a means inflammation of the liver. The inflammation can be as a result of

• Infection from bacteria or virus
• Disturbance of immune system
• Excessive use of alcohol
• Many medications
• Toxins

Hepatitis B is caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The hepatitis occurs in two stages -- acute and chronic. Acute hepatitis B occurs shortly after exposure to the virus. A small number of people develop a very severe, life-threatening form of acute hepatitis called fulminant hepatitis. Chronic (ongoing, long-term) hepatitis B is an infection with HBV that lasts longer than 6 months. Once the infection becomes chronic, it may be irreversible. HBV infection is one of the most important causes of infectious hepatitis. People with chronic HBV infection are called chronic carriers. About two-thirds of these people do not themselves get sick or die of the virus, but they can transmit it to other people. The remaining one third develops chronic hepatitis B. liver’s most important functions are filtering many drugs and toxins out of the blood, storing glucose for later use, helping with the absorption of certain nutrients from food, and producing substances that fight infections and control bleeding. Liver damage in chronic hepatitis B, if not stopped, continues until the liver becomes hardened. This is called cirrhosis, a condition traditionally associated with alcoholism. When this happens, the liver can no longer carry out its normal functions, a condition called liver failure. The only treatment for liver failure is liver transplant. Chronic hepatitis B also can lead to a type of liver cancer known as hepatocellular carcinoma. The infection with HBV is almost always preventable. You can protect yourself and your loved ones from hepatitis B. The hepatitis B virus is transmitted from one person to another via blood, semen and saliva. The virus can be transmitted whenever any of these bodily fluids come in contact with the broken skin or a mucous membrane in the mouth, genital organs, or rectum of an uninfected person.

Risk factor for Hepatitis B:

• Men or women having multiple sex partners
• Having sex with a person infected with HBV
• Having People with other sexually transmitted diseases
• Injecting drugs with shared needles
• Receiving blood transfusions or blood products
• Dialysis for kidney disease
• Health care workers who are stuck with needles or other sharp instruments contaminated with infected blood
• Infants born to infected mothers

Half of all people infected with the hepatitis B virus have no symptoms. Symptoms develop within 1 to 3 months of exposure to the virus. The symptoms are often compared to flu. Most people think they have flu and never think about having HBV infection.

The common symptoms of hepatitis B are:

• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Itching all over the body
• Pain over the liver
• Jaundice
• Dark color Urine becomes
• Pale color Stools

The symptoms in severe form of acute hepatitis are:

• Mental confusion
• Lethargy
• Extreme sleepiness
• Hallucinations
• Sudden collapse with fatigue
• Jaundice
• Swelling of the abdomen

Prolonged nausea and vomiting can cause dehydration. If you have been vomiting repeatedly, you may notice these symptoms:

• Feeling tired or weak
• Feeling confused or having difficulty concentrating
• Headache
• Not urinating
• Irritability

If the disease is acute, our immune system is usually able to clear the virus from the body, and the person should recover completely within a few months. When our immune system can't fight off the virus, HBV infection may become lifelong, possibly leading to serious illnesses such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Most people who acquire hepatitis B as adults have an acute infection. But the outlook isn't nearly as hopeful for infants and children. Most infants infected with HBV at birth and many children infected between 1 and 5 years of age become chronically infected. Chronic infection may go undetected for decades until a person becomes seriously ill from liver disease. Hepatitis B is one of six currently identified strains of viral hepatitis — the others are A, C, D, E and G. Each strain is unique, differing from the others in severity and in the way it spreads.

Having a chronic HBV infection eventually may lead to serious liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Having had HBV infection as an infant or child gives you a greater chance of developing these illnesses as an adult. In addition, hepatitis B puts you at risk of acute liver failure — a condition in which all the vital functions of the liver shut down. When that occurs, a liver transplant is necessary to sustain life. Anyone chronically infected with HBV is also susceptible to infection with another strain of viral hepatitis — hepatitis D formerly known as delta virus, the hepatitis D virus needs the outside coat of HBV in order to infect cells. You can't become infected with hepatitis D unless you're already infected with HBV.

Injection drug users with hepatitis B are most at risk, but you can also contract hepatitis D if you have unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner or live with someone infected with hepatitis D. Having both hepatitis B and hepatitis D makes it more likely you'll develop cirrhosis or liver cancer. A number of hepatitis B vaccines are available. They have typically been given in a series of three immunizations at zero, one and six months, but some can also be given in an accelerated four-dose schedule. Another is given in two doses in adolescents ages 11 to 15. These vaccines provide more than 90 percent protection for both adults and children, and they generally protect against HBV for at least 23 years. You can't get hepatitis B from the vaccine.

Almost anyone can receive the vaccine, including infants, older adults and those with compromised immune systems. Infants often receive the vaccine in the first year of life — typically at 2, 4 and 9 months of age. Side effects tend to be mild and may include weakness, fatigue, headache, nausea, and soreness or swelling at the injection site. Although concerns have been raised that the HBV vaccine may increase the risk of autoimmune disease, studies have found no connection. Although vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from hepatitis B, the measures listed below also can help guard against HBV infection or help manage HBV if you have it.

The following measures can prevent getting hepatitis B infection:

• Educate yourself and others.
• Know the HBV status of any sexual partner.
• Use a new latex or polyurethane condom every time you have sex. Use a sterile needle.
• Talk to your doctor if you're traveling internationally.
• Be cautious about blood products in certain countries.
• If you're pregnant, get tested.

Role of Homeopathy in Hepatitis B:
Homeopathy has a vital role in strengthening your immune system and protecting your body from opportunistic infections. Homeopathic medicine may be used as acute medicines for acute attack of hepatitis B. Constitutional treatment approach is best approach for chronic Hepatitis B infection. When the case is not in advanced liver damage stage homeopathic treatment can halt the progress of the disease and prevent further damage to the liver. Lifestyle changes play an important role in restricting progress of the disease and preventing further damage to the liver. By strengthening your immunity homeopathy protects you from other illnesses which occur as a result of your poor immunity when you are suffering from chronic hepatitis B.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Hepatitis B: Aconite Napellus / Arsenicum Album / Belladonna / Bryonia Alba / Calcarea Carbonicum / Camphora / Chamomilla / Carcinosinum / Cardus Marianus / Chellidonium Majus / China Officinalis / Hepar Sulphuris Calcareum / Hippozaeninum / Hydrastis Canadensis / Kali Carbonicum / Lachesis Muta / Lycopodium Clavatum / Magnesia / Muriatica / Mercurius / Natrum Muriaticum / Natrum Sulphuricum / Nitri Acidicum / Nux Vomica / Phosphorus / Podophillum / Psorinum / Ptelea Trifoliata

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the cause of Hepatitis C. When the inflammation is not treated, it becomes chronic and can cause chronic liver disease, which can be serious or even fatal. If the disease progresses to the point at which the liver begins to fail, the only treatment is liver transplantation. HCV is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease. HCV is contagious. Sharing of contaminated needles among drug users is the most common mode of transmission, less commonly, from contaminated needles used in tattooing and body piercing. Transfusion with infected blood or blood products, hemodialysis, or transplantation of organs from infected donors was once a common mode of transmission. In 1992, a test became available for checking blood for HCV. Blood and blood products are now tested to ensure that they are not contaminated. As a result, cases of hepatitis C related to transfusion, hemodialysis, or transplantation have dropped to almost zero since then. Transfusion of blood or blood products before 1992 is a risk factor for hepatitis C. A small number of babies born to mothers with hepatitis C acquire the infection during childbirth. Mother-to-infant transmission rates are higher among women infected with both hepatitis C and HIV.

Less common causes of HCV transmission include the following:

• From mother to infant at the time of childbirth
• Through sexual intercourse with an infected person
• Having multiple sex partners
• Needle sticks with HCV-contaminated blood
• Sharing a razor, nail clippers, or other such items with an infected person.

Hepatitis C is a virus that often silently attacks our liver. Most people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have no symptoms at all. In fact, most people don't know they have the disease until liver damage shows up, decades later, during routine medical tests. Hepatitis C is one of six identified hepatitis viruses. The others are A, B, D, E and G. All cause the liver to become inflamed, which interferes with its ability to function.

Hepatitis C is generally considered to be among the most serious of these viruses. Over time, if you have a hepatitis C infection, it can lead to liver cancer, liver failure or cirrhosis which is an irreversible and potentially fatal scarring of the liver. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Researchers hope to find a medication that will slow or stop the growth of the virus and prevent long-term complications, such as cirrhosis and cancer, from developing.

Early-stage signs and symptoms:

• Slight fatigue
• Nausea or poor appetite
• Muscle and joint pains
• Tenderness in the area of your liver

Later stage signs and symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Lack of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Persistent or recurring yellowing of your skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Low-grade fever

Hepatitis C can cause damage to our liver, even if we don't have symptoms. We are also able to pass the virus to others without having any symptoms our self. That's why it's important to be tested if we think we have been exposed to hepatitis C or if you engage in behavior that puts you at risk.

A small number of people infected with hepatitis C fight off the virus on their own without any permanent damage. For the rest, the disease settles in and slowly attacks the liver, although even then, the course of the disease can vary greatly from person to person. Most people infected with HCV develop chronic hepatitis. Some people infected with hepatitis C develop cirrhosis, usually within 20 to 30 years after infection. This risk is higher and the progression is faster if you also have HIV infection. Of those who develop cirrhosis, the risk of developing liver failure is about 4 percent a year. In addition, between 1 percent and 5 percent of people with HCV eventually develop liver cancer. HCV also may increase the risk of developing several types of lymphatic system cancers (lymphomas). The risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, for example, may increase by 20 percent to 30 percent. The hepatitis C virus is linked to an increased risk of porphyria cutanea tarda, a condition that may cause a blistering rash, to cryoglobulinemia, which can cause a purplish rash (purpura) on your lower extremities, and may cause kidney damage.

Because no effective vaccine for hepatitis C exists, the only way to protect is to avoid becoming infected by taking following care:

• Avoid illegal drug use.
• Avoid body piercing and tattooing.
• Avoid risky sexual behavior.

Following measures will help keep you healthy longer and protect the health of others as well:

• Eliminate alcohol consumption.
• Avoid medications that may cause liver damage.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• Help prevent others from coming in contact with your blood.

Role of Homeopathy in Hepatitis C:
In cases of hepatitis C the treatment objectives are much focused. If the patient has some symptoms like fatigues and ague after starting the treatment patients finds relief in such symptoms. Apart from this the main target is to slow down the process of liver damage by means of avoiding life style which increases liver damage. Second step is to strengthen immunity by constitutional homeopathic treatment approach.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Hepatitis C:
Arnica Montana / Belladonna / Carcinosinum / Cardus Marianus / Cornus Circinata / Lachesis Muta / Lycopodium Clavatum / Magnesia Muriatica / Mercurius / Natrum Sulphuricum / Nitri Acidicum / Nux Vomica / Phosphorus / Psorinum / Sulphur Lotum

High blood pressure (HBP) or Hypertension means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Arteries are vessels that carry blood from the pumping heart to all the tissues and organs of the body. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80; blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called "pre-hypertension", and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered high. The top number, the systolic blood pressure, corresponds to the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and pumps blood forward into the arteries. The bottom number, the diastolic pressure, represents the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes after the contraction. An elevation of the systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure increases the risk of developing heart disease, kidney (renal) disease, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis), eye damage, and stroke (brain damage). These complications of hypertension are often referred to as end-organ damage because damage to these organs is the end result of chronic high blood pressure. For that reason, the diagnosis of high blood pressure is important It was previously thought that rises in diastolic blood pressure were a more important risk factor than systolic elevations, but it is now known that in people 50 years or older systolic hypertension represents a greater risk.

The blood pressure usually is measured with a small, portable instrument called a blood pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer). The instrument measures the blood pressure in units called millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

Blood pressure can be affected by several factors, so it is important to standardize the environment when blood pressure is measured. For at least one hour before blood pressure is taken, avoid eating, strenuous exercise, smoking, and caffeine intake. Other stresses may alter the blood pressure and need to be considered when blood pressure is measured.

For some people, blood pressure readings lower than 140/90 may be a more appropriate normal cut-off level. For example, in certain situations, such as in patients with long duration kidney diseases that lose protein into the urine (proteinuria), the blood pressure is ideally kept at 130/80, or even lower. The purpose of reducing the blood pressure to this level in these patients is to slow the progression of kidney damage. Patients with diabetes may also benefit from blood pressure that is maintained at a level lower than 130/80 In line with the thinking that the risk of end-organ damage from high blood pressure represents a continuum, statistical analysis reveals that beginning at a blood pressure of 115/75 the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increase in blood pressure of 20/10. This type of analysis has led to an ongoing "rethinking" in regard to who should be treated for hypertension, and what the goals of treatment should be.

Isolated systolic hypertension, however, is defined as a systolic pressure that is above 140 mm Hg with a diastolic pressure that still is below 90. This disorder primarily affects older people and is characterized by an increased pulse pressure. The pulse pressure is the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. An elevation of the systolic pressure without an elevation of the diastolic pressure, as in isolated systolic hypertension, therefore, increases the pulse pressure. Stiffening of the arteries contributes to this increase of the pulse pressure.

Once considered to be harmless, a high pulse pressure is now considered an important precursor or indicator of health problems and potential end-organ damage. Isolated systolic hypertension is associated with a two to four times increased future risk of an enlarged heart, a heart attack, a stroke, and death from heart disease or a stroke. Clinical studies in patients with isolated systolic hypertension have indicated that a reduction in systolic blood pressure by at least 20 mm to a level below 160 mm Hg reduces these increased risks.

A single elevated blood pressure reading in the doctor's office can be misleading because the elevation may be only temporary. It may be caused by a patient's anxiety related to the stress of the examination and fear that something will be wrong with his or her health. The initial visit to the physician's office is often the cause of an artificially high blood pressure that may disappear with repeated testing after rest and with follow-up visits and blood pressure checks. One out of four people that are thought to have mild hypertension actually may have normal blood pressure when they are outside the physician's office

However, caution is warranted in assessing a single elevated blood pressure reading white. An elevated blood pressure brought on by the stress and anxiety of a visit to the doctor may not necessarily always be a harmless finding since other stresses in a patient's life may also cause elevations in the blood pressure that are not ordinarily being measured. Monitoring blood pressure at home by blood pressure cuff or continuous monitoring equipment can help estimate the frequency and consistency of higher blood pressure readings. Additionally, conducting appropriate tests to search for any complications of hypertension can help evaluate the significance of variable blood pressure readings.

Borderline high blood pressure:
Borderline hypertension is defined as mildly elevated blood pressure higher than 140/90 mm Hg at some times, and lowers than that at other times. As in the case of single elevated blood pressure reading, patients with borderline hypertension need to have their blood pressure taken on several occasions and their end-organ damage assessed in order to establish whether their hypertension is significant.

People with borderline hypertension may have a tendency as they get older to develop more sustained or higher elevations of blood pressure. They have a modestly increased risk of developing heart-related disease. Therefore, even if the hypertension does not appear to be significant initially, people with borderline hypertension should have continuing follow-up of their blood pressure and monitoring for the complications of hypertension.

If, during the follow-up of a patient with borderline hypertension, the blood pressure becomes persistently higher than 140/ 90 mm Hg, an anti-hypertensive medication is usually started. Even if the diastolic pressure remains at a borderline level (usually under 90 mm Hg, yet persistently above 85).

Two forms of high blood pressure have been described: essential (or primary) hypertension and secondary hypertension. Essential hypertension is a far more common condition and accounts for 95% of hypertension. The cause of essential hypertension is multifactorial, that is, there are several factors whose combined effects produce hypertension. In secondary hypertension, which accounts for 5% of hypertension, the high blood pressure is secondary to a specific abnormality in one of the organs or systems of the body. Certain associations have been recognized in people with essential hypertension. For example, essential hypertension develops only in groups or societies that have a fairly high intake of salt, exceeding 5.8 grams daily. Salt intake may be a particularly important factor in relation to essential hypertension in several situations, and excess salt may be involved in the hypertension that is associated with advancing age, obesity, hereditary susceptibility, and kidney failure.

Genetic factors are thought to play a prominent role in the development of essential hypertension. However, the genes for hypertension have not yet been identified. The current research in this area is focused on the genetic factors that affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. This system helps to regulate blood pressure by controlling salt balance and the tone (state of elasticity) of the arteries.

Approximately 30% of cases of essential hypertension are attributable to genetic factors. Also, in individuals who have one or two parents with hypertension, high blood pressure is twice as common as in the general population. Rarely, certain unusual genetic disorders affecting the hormones of the adrenal glands may lead to hypertension.

The vast majority of patients with essential hypertension have in common a particular abnormality of the arteries: an increased resistance (stiffness or lack of elasticity) in the tiny arteries that are most distant from the heart. This increased peripheral arteriolar stiffness is present in those individuals whose essential hypertension is associated with genetic factors, obesity, lack of exercise, overuse of salt, and aging. Inflammation also may play a role in hypertension since a predictor of the development of hypertension is the presence of an elevated C reactive protein level (a blood test marker of inflammation) in some individuals.

Certain chronic conditions also may increase your risk of high blood pressure, including high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney disease and sleep apnea. Sometimes pregnancy contributes to high blood pressure. This hypertension is secondary hypertension. This form of hypertension occurs as a result of other systemic causes which directly or indirectly influence control blood pressure.

Types of secondary hypertension:

• Renal hypertension
• Adrenal gland tumors
• Coarctation of the aorta
• The metabolic syndrome and obesity
• Pregnancy

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to:

• Damage to your arteries.
• Heart failure.
• A blocked or ruptured blood vessel in your brain.
• Weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys.
• Thickened, narrowed or torn blood vessels in the eyes.
• Metabolic syndrome.

To control and prevent high blood here's what we you can do:

• Eat healthy foods.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Increase physical activity.
• Limit alcohol.
• Don't smoke.
• Manage stress.
• Practice slow, deep breathing.

To keep blood pressure under control:

• Measure your blood pressure at home.
• Take your medications properly.
• Schedule regular doctor visits.
• Adopt healthy habits.
• Manage stress.

Role of Homeopathy in Hypertension:
There are many instances especially in chronic cases of essential hypertension and many cases of secondary hypertension where the success in blood pressure control is partial and patient is always at a risk of further complications due to uncontrolled hypertension. Homeopathy plays a complementary role in achieving better control in hypertension when introduced with conventional treatment for hypertension. Use of homeopathic medicine is helpful in such cases.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Hypertension:
Adrenalinum / Baryta Carbonicum / Calcarea Carbonicum / Crataegus Oxycantha Et Monogyna / Glonoinum / Gratiola Officinalis / Lachesis Muta / Natrum Muriaticum / Nux Vomica / Rauwolfia Serpentina / Strontium Carbonicum / Sulphur Lotum / Sambucus Nigra / Veratrum Album

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which thyroid gland is producing an increased amount of thyroid hormones. Thyrotoxicosis is a toxic condition that is as result of excessive thyroid hormones from any cause. Thyrotoxicosis can be caused by an excessive intake of thyroid hormone or by overproduction of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones are produced by the thyroid gland. This gland is located in the lower part of the neck in the front side. The gland wraps around the windpipe and has a shape of a butterfly, formed by two lobes and attached by a middle part isthmus. The thyroid gland utilizes iodine present in our regular food and iodized salt that is used in food to produce thyroid hormones. The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) – 99% and triiodothyronine (T3) – 1%. Biologically most activity is T3. Once released from the thyroid gland into the blood, a large amount of T4 is converted into T3. The thyroid is regulated by another gland located in the brain, called the pituitary. The pituitary is regulated in part by the thyroid through "feedback" mechanism of thyroid hormone on the pituitary gland and by another gland in the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus releases a hormone called thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), which sends a signal to the pituitary to release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). In turn, TSH sends a signal to the thyroid to release thyroid hormones. If a disruption occurs at any of these levels, a disturbance in thyroid hormone production may result in a deficiency of thyroid hormone which results in hypothyroidism. The rate of thyroid hormone production is controlled by the pituitary gland. If there is an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone circulating in the body to support normal functioning, the release of TSH is increased by the pituitary gland to stimulate more thyroid hormone production. In contrast, when there is an excessive amount of circulating thyroid hormone, TSH levels goes down as the pituitary attempts to decrease the production of thyroid hormone.

Some common causes of hyperthyroidism include:

• Graves' Disease
• Functioning adenoma and Toxic Multinodular Goiter
• Excessive intake of thyroid hormones
• Decreased amount of TSH
• Thyroiditis
• Excessive iodine intake

Hyperthyroidism is suggested by several signs and symptoms; however, patients with mild disease usually experience no symptoms. In patients older than 70 years, the typical signs and symptoms also may be absent. In general, the symptoms become more obvious as the degree of hyperthyroidism increases. The symptoms usually are related to an increase in the metabolic rate of the body.

Common symptoms include:

• Excessive sweating
• Heat intolerance
• Increased bowel movements
• Tremor (usually fine shaking)
• Nervousness, irritability
• Palpitation
• Fatigue
• Decreased concentration
• Irregular and scanty menstrual flow

In older patients, irregular heart rhythms and heart failure can occur. In its most severe form, untreated hyperthyroidism may result in "thyroid storm," a condition involving high blood pressure, fever, and heart failure. Mental changes, such as confusion and delirium, also may occur.

Hyperthyroidism can be suspected in patients with:

• Tremors
• Excessive sweating
• Smooth velvety skin
• Fine hair
• Palpitation
• An enlarged thyroid gland

There may be puffiness around the eyes and a characteristic stare due to the elevation of the upper eyelids. Advanced symptoms are easily detected, but early symptoms, especially in the elderly, may be quite inconspicuous. In all cases, a blood test is needed to confirm the diagnosis. The blood levels of thyroid hormones can be measured directly and usually are elevated with hyperthyroidism. However, the main tool for detection of hyperthyroidism is measurement of the blood TSH level. As mentioned earlier, TSH is secreted by the pituitary gland. If an excess amount of thyroid hormone is present, TSH level falls in an attempt to reduce production of thyroid hormone. Thus, the measurement of TSH should result in low or undetectable levels in cases of hyperthyroidism. However, there is one exception. If the excessive amount of thyroid hormone is due to a TSH-secreting pituitary tumor, then the levels of TSH will be abnormally high. This uncommon disease is known as "secondary hyperthyroidism." Although the blood tests mentioned previously can confirm the presence of excessive thyroid hormone, they do not point to a specific cause. If there is obvious involvement of the eyes, a diagnosis of Graves' disease is almost certain. A combination of antibody screening (for Graves' disease) and a thyroid scan using radioactively-labelled iodine (which concentrates in the thyroid gland) can help diagnose the underlying thyroid disease. These investigations are chosen on a case-by-case basis.

Hyperthyroidism can lead to a number of complications:

• Heart problems.
• Brittle bones.
• Eye problems.
• Red, swollen skin.
• Thyrotoxic crisis.

Role of Homeopathy in Hyperthyroidism:
Homeopathy helps in giving improvement in symptoms as well as decrease levels of TSH. A course of at least 8 to 12 months is recommended for optimum results. Continuation of treatment and total duration of treatment is case to case different. Achieving good control over hyperthyroidism means preventing your self from complications and living a symptom free life. Homeopathy plays a complementary role along with conventional treatment. Good response with homeopathic treatment helps in reducing need for conventional medicine’s use for longer time. This indirectly helps in preventing side effects of long term use of conventional medicines.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Hyperthyroidism:
Belladonna / Cactus Grandiflorus / Calcarea Carbonicum / Ferrum Iodatum / Fluoricum Acidicum / Glonoinum / Iodium Purum / Kali Iodatum / Natrum Muriaticum / Phosphorus / Pilocarpinum Hydrochloricum Aut Nitricum Aut Purum / Spongia Tosta / Thyroidinm

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which there is low thyroid hormone production. Because thyroid hormone affects growth, development, and many cellular processes, low thyroid hormone has many consequences on the body. Thyroid hormones are produced by the thyroid gland. This gland is located in the lower part of the neck in the front side. The gland wraps around the windpipe and has a shape of a butterfly, formed by two lobes and attached by a middle part isthmus. The thyroid gland utilizes iodine present in our regular food and iodized salt that is used in food to produce thyroid hormones. The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) – 99% and triiodothyronine (T3) – 1%. Biologically most activity is T3. Once released from the thyroid gland into the blood, a large amount of T4 is converted into T3. The thyroid is regulated by another gland located in the brain, called the pituitary. The pituitary is regulated in part by the thyroid through "feedback" mechanism of thyroid hormone on the pituitary gland and by another gland in the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus releases a hormone called thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), which sends a signal to the pituitary to release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). In turn, TSH sends a signal to the thyroid to release thyroid hormones. If a disruption occurs at any of these levels, a disturbance in thyroid hormone production may result in a deficiency of thyroid hormone which results in hypothyroidism. The rate of thyroid hormone production is controlled by the pituitary gland. If there is an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone circulating in the body to support normal functioning, the release of TSH is increased by the pituitary gland to stimulate more thyroid hormone production. In contrast, when there is an excessive amount of circulating thyroid hormone, TSH levels goes down as the pituitary attempts to decrease the production of thyroid hormone.

In persons with hypothyroidism, there is a persistent low level of circulating thyroid hormones. The symptoms of hypothyroidism are often gross, which means they can mimic the symptoms of many other conditions. The symptoms generally become more obvious as the condition worsens and the majority of these complaints are related to a metabolic slowing of the body.

Common symptoms of hypothyroidism:

• Tiredness
• Irritability and Depression
• Weight gain despite of controlled food intake
• Heightened sensitivity to Cold
• Sleepiness and laziness
• Dry, hair and skin
• Constipation
• Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness Pain
• Heavy menstrual periods
• Brittle fingernails and hair
• Increased cholesterol levels
• Decreased concentration
• Edema of the legs

As the disease becomes more severe, there may be puffiness around the eyes, a slowing of the heart rate, a drop in body temperature, and heart failure. In its most advanced stage , severe hypothyroidism may lead to a life-threatening coma, which is known as myxedema - coma. In a severely hypothyroid individual, a myxedema coma tends to be triggered by severe illness, surgery, stress, or traumatic injury. This condition requires hospitalization and immediate treatment with thyroid hormones given through parenteral route. Properly diagnosed, hypothyroidism can be easily and completely treated with thyroid hormone replacement. On the other hand, untreated hypothyroidism can lead to an enlarged heart, worsening heart failure, and an accumulation of fluid around the lungs. A diagnosis of hypothyroidism can be suspected in patients with fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation, and dry, flaky skin. A blood test is needed to confirm the diagnosis. When hypothyroidism is present, the blood levels of thyroid hormones can be measured directly and are usually decreased. However, in early hypothyroidism, the level of thyroid hormones may be normal. Therefore, the main tool for the detection of hyperthyroidism is the measurement of the TSH. As mentioned earlier, TSH is secreted by the pituitary gland. If a decrease of thyroid hormone occurs, the pituitary gland reacts by producing more TSH and the blood TSH level increases in an attempt to encourage thyroid hormone production. This increase in TSH can actually precede the fall in thyroid hormones by months or years Thus, the measurement of TSH should be elevated in cases of hypothyroidism. However, there is one exception. If the decrease in thyroid hormone is actually due to a defect of the pituitary or hypothalamus, then the levels of TSH are abnormally low. This kind of thyroid disease is known as "secondary" or "tertiary" hypothyroidism. A special test, known as the TRH test, can help distinguish if the disease is caused by a defect in the pituitary or the hypothalamus. This test requires an injection of the TRH hormone and is performed by an endocrinologist (hormone specialist). The blood work confirms the diagnosis of hypothyroidism, but does not point to an underlying cause. A combination of the patient's clinical history, antibody screening, and a thyroid scan can help diagnose the precise underlying thyroid problem more clearly. If a pituitary or hypothalamic cause is suspected, an MRI of the brain and other studies may be warranted.

Hypothyroidism may be due to a number of different factors such as:

• Autoimmune disease (Hashimoto thyroiditis).
• Treatment for hyperthyroidism.
• Radiation therapy.
• Thyroid surgery.
• Medications like lithium, used for psychiatric illness.

Less often, hypothyroidism may result from one of the following:

• Congenital disease.
• Pituitary disorder
• Pregnancy.
• Iodine deficiency.

Untreated hypothyroidism can lead to a number of health problems:

• Goiter
• Heart problems
• Mental health issues.
• Myxedema
• Infertility
• Birth defects.

Role of Homeopathy in Hypothyroidism:
Homeopathy has a vital role beyond any doubt in the treatment of hypothyroidism. The symptoms of fatigue, depression, irritability and weight gain respond dramatically with homeopathic treatment. There has been experience in many cases of hypothyroidism where the TSH levels fail to come to normal level despite of regular treatment with conventional approach. There are cases where despite of TSH levels being near normal patients suffer from symptoms of hypothyroidism. Homeopathy as a complementary medicine plays vital role in such situations.

Important Homeopathic medicines for hypothyroidism:
Brom / Calcarea Carbonicum / Calcarea Iodatum / Graphites Naturalis / Kali Iodatum / Lachesis Muta / Lycopodium Clavatum / Natrum Muriaticum / Sepia Succus / Spongia Tosta / Thyroidinm

Iron Deficiency anemia is due to insufficient iron. Our body needs iron to make hemoglobin, a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen. Iron deficiency anemia is common, especially in women. One in five women and half of all pregnant women are suffering from iron deficiency anemia. Lack of iron in the diet is one of the causes of iron deficiency anemia, but there are other causes as well. Iron deficiency anemia can be usually corrected with iron supplementation. Sometimes, additional treatments are necessary, especially if there is internal bleeding. In general, anemia causes extreme fatigue, pale skin, weakness, shortness of breath, headache, lightheadedness, and often cold hands and feet. Other symptoms present may be inflammation or soreness of your tongue, brittle nails, unusual cravings for substances, like ice, dirt or pure starch, low appetite, especially in infants and children with iron deficiency anemia. Some may have restless legs syndrome in which there is an uncomfortable tingling or crawling feeling in the legs that's generally relieved by movement. The blood mainly consists a liquid part called the plasma and three types of blood cells:

White blood cells (RBC)
They fight against infection, they are also called army of our body. Its light yellow in color.

Platelets
They are mainly responsible for mechanism of bleeding and clotting of blood in our body.

Red blood cells (WBC) (Erythrocytes)
They carry oxygen from the lungs, to brain and the other organs and tissues of the body. The body needs a supply of oxygenated blood to function. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, an iron-rich substance that gives blood its red color. Hemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body. Red blood cells are manufactured in your bone marrow, which is a red, spongy material located within the cavities of long bones of the body, such as humerus. The bone marrow needs iron, along with vitamins, adequate calories and protein, to produce hemoglobin and red blood cells. Your body gets these from the foods you eat, plus your body also recycles iron from old red blood cells. One can be mildly deficient in iron and not develop anemia. Iron deficiency leads to anemia when the body lacks significant amount of iron to make adequate hemoglobin. Without enough hemoglobin, the red blood cells are smaller and paler than normal, and they can't carry adequate oxygen to your tissues.

Common causes for Iron deficiency anemia are:

• Blood loss
• A lack of iron in your diet
• An inability to absorb iron
• Pregnancy

These groups of people may be at higher risk:

• Women
• Infants and children
• Vegetarians

In healthy men and postmenopausal women, iron deficiency usually points to bleeding somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract.

Donating blood — a source of blood loss — usually isn't a common risk factor for iron deficiency anemia. However, some people first learn their hemoglobin is low, which indicates anemia, when they go to donate blood. Low hemoglobin may be a temporary problem remedied by eating more iron-rich foods. It may also be a warning sign of blood loss in your body. If you're told that you can't donate blood because of low hemoglobin, ask your doctor whether you should be concerned.

Complications of Iron Deficiency Anemia:
Mild iron deficiency anemia usually doesn't cause complications. However, left untreated, iron deficiency anemia can become severe and lead to health problems, including the following:

• Heart problems. Iron deficiency anemia may lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat.
• Problems during pregnancy. In pregnant women, severe iron deficiency anemia has been linked to premature births and low birth weight babies.
• Growth problems. In infants and children, severe iron deficiency can lead to anemia as well as delayed growth. Untreated iron deficiency anemia can cause physical and mental delays in infants and children in areas such as walking and talking, greater incidence of lead poisoning and an increased susceptibility to infections.

We can help prevent iron deficiency anemia by eating foods rich in iron, as part of a balanced diet. Eating plenty of iron-containing foods is particularly important for people who have higher iron requirements, such as children and menstruating or pregnant women. Foods rich in iron include red meat, seafood, poultry and eggs. Meat sources of iron are easily absorbed by your body. Plant-based foods also are good sources of iron, although they're less easily absorbed. Among the best are iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas. Beans and peas, dark green leafy vegetables — such as spinach — and raisins, nuts, and seeds also contain iron. We can enhance the body's absorption of iron by drinking citrus juice when we eat an iron-containing food. Vitamin C in citrus juices, like orange juice, enhances our body’s ability to absorb dietary iron from animals and plants.

Role of Homeopathy in Iron Deficiency Anemia:
Homeopathy plays a vital role in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia. With homeopathic remedies we can treat the underlying cause of iron deficiency anemia like poor absorption, hemorrhagic conditions leading to iron deficiency anemia. Good nutritional support with homeopathic medicines gives good results. Apart from curing anemia, other condition prevalent along with anemia is also treated with homeopathic constitutional approach. Hence patient achieves total health by a complete approach.

Important Homeopathic Medicines for Iron Deficiency Anemia:
Arsenicum Album / Belladonna / Calcarea Carbonica / Calcarea Phosphorica / Carboneum Sulphuratum / Cocc / Ferrum Metallicum / Ferrum Arsenicosum / Ferr Muriaticum / Graphites Naturalis / Lycopodium Clavatum / Manganum Aceticum Aut Carbonicum / Medorrhinum / Natrum Muriaticum / Nitri Acidum / Phosphorus / Platinum Metallicum / Pulsatilla Nigricans / Senecio Aureus / Sepia Succus / Sulphur Lotum

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder of gastrointestinal tract due to unknown cause. Irritable bowel syndrome has been called functional bowel disease, and mucous colitis. However, IBS is not a true “colitis.” The term colitis refers to a separate condition known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Irritable bowel syndrome is not contagious, inherited, or cancerous. However, IBS often disrupts daily living activities. The cause of irritable bowel syndrome is currently unknown. IBS is thought to result from interplay of abnormal gastrointestinal (GI) tract movements, increased awareness of normal bodily functions, and a change in the nervous system communication between the brain and the GI tract. Abnormal movements of the colon, whether too fast or too slow, are seen in some, but not all, people who have IBS. Irritable bowel syndrome has also developed after episodes of gastroenteritis. It has been suggested that IBS is caused by dietary allergies or food sensitivities, but this is not proved. Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome may worsen during periods of stress or menses, but these factors are unlikely to be the cause that leads to development of IBS. Irritable bowel syndrome affects each person differently. The hallmark of IBS is abdominal discomfort and pain. No one knows exactly what causes irritable bowel syndrome. The walls of the intestines are lined with layers of muscle that contract and relax as they move food from your stomach through your intestinal tract to your rectum. Normally, these muscles contract and relax in a coordinated rhythm. But if you have irritable bowel syndrome, the contractions may be stronger and last longer than normal. Food is forced through your intestines more quickly, causing gas, bloating and diarrhea. In some cases, however, the opposite occurs. Food passage slows, and stools become hard and dry. Some researchers believe IBS is caused by changes in the nerves that control sensation or muscle contractions in the bowel. People with IBS may have a heightened sensitivity to stretching of the bowel with gas leading to pain or bloating. Others believe the central nervous system may affect the colon. And because women are twice as likely to have IBS, researchers believe that hormonal changes also play a role. Also, many women find that signs and symptoms are worse during or around their menstrual periods.

The following symptoms are common in Irritable Bowel Syndrome:

• Abdominal pain which is better after bowel movements
• diarrhea alternating with constipation
• Increased frequency of stool or
• Alteration in consistency of stool
• flatulence
• mucus during or after passing stool
• Abdominal distension

Many people have already modified their diets before seeing a doctor. Temporarily avoiding dairy products may help assess whether symptoms of lactose intolerance are mimicking those of irritable bowel syndrome. Certain foods, such as cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts) and legumes (beans) may worsen bloating and flatulence

• Maintaining good physical fitness improves bowel function and helps reduce stress.
• Stop smoking
• Avoid coffee and spicy foods
• Reduce alcohol consumption

Because irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disease, symptoms usually return from time to time. This may be influenced by factors such as stress, diet, or other environmental causes. Multiple factors may play a role in aggravating IBS, so it may be difficult to predict which may make IBS worse for a particular person. Establishing a good relationship with a doctor may help alleviate concerns over symptoms and allow rapid recognition of changing or worsening symptoms.

Most people with IBS find signs and symptoms improve as they learn to control the condition. Only a small percentage of people with irritable bowel syndrome have severe signs and symptoms.

Fortunately, unlike more serious intestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome doesn't cause inflammation or changes in bowel tissue or increase risk of cancer. In many cases, we can control irritable bowel syndrome by managing diet, lifestyle and stress.

Many people may have mild signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. But sometimes these problems can be disabling, however. In some cases, the signs and symptoms may become severe. Because symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can be present with other diseases, it's best to discuss these symptoms with the doctor. For most people, IBS is a chronic condition, although there will likely be times when the signs and symptoms are worse and times when they improve or even disappear completely.

For reasons that still aren't clear, someone with IBS may react strongly to stimuli that don't bother other people. Exciting factors for IBS can range from gas or pressure on intestines to certain foods, medications or emotions. For example:

• Foods: chocolate, milk, alcohol, carbonated beverages, farinaceous food, some fruits and vegetables
• Stress: signs and symptoms are worse or more frequent during stressful events, such as a change in daily routine or family arguments
• Other illnesses: Sometimes another illness, such as an acute episode of infectious diarrhea (gastroenteritis), can trigger IBS.

Many people have occasional signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, but are more likely to have IBS if they are young and female. IBS usually begins before the age of 35 in most of the cases. Heredity also may play a role.

Anyone can experience digestive upset from worry or anxiety. But in irritable bowel syndrome, stress-related problems such as abdominal pain and diarrhea tend to occur with greater frequency and intensity. Finding ways to deal with stress may be helpful in preventing or aggravation of symptoms: Following are other ways of getting relief in complains of irritable bowel syndrome:

• Counseling
• Biofeedback
• Regular stress relieving exercises
• PRANAYAM
• Hypnosis
• Meditation
• YOGA

In many cases, simple changes in diet and lifestyle can provide relief from irritable bowel syndrome. Although body may not respond immediately to these changes, the goal is to find long-term, not temporary, solutions:

• Increase fiber diet
• Avoid foods that cause the symptoms to worsen
• Maintain regular time of eating
• Avoid prolong fasting
• Avoid dairy products if they are known to cause symptoms of indigestion
• Drink enough water
• Do exercise regularly

Role of Homeopathy in Irritable Bowel Syndrome:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is most of the times found associated with stress and intolerance of selective food items. These food items may very from person to person. Homeopathy has greater success in managing cases of Irritable Bowel Syndrome for many reasons. Homeopathic approach to a chronic case has lot of psychological exploration of the patients in order to arrive at a right remedy for the person. These methods of investigation help in select6ing most suitable remedy for the person. Besides the action of right remedy which is selected very carefully, patient’s experience of talking out their inner feeling states with the homeopathic physician also plays an important role in the successful treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Other sense homeopathic physician plays a role of councilor during treatment of such chronic illness which is certainly made worse on account of stress. Besides this homeopathic medicines are safe and effective. It works without producing any side effects. Patients can avoid side effects arising from the long term use of conventional treatment.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Irritable Bowel Syndrome:
Aloe Socotrina / Ant Crud / Argentum Nitricum / Arsenicum Album / Calcarea Phosphorica / Chamomilla / Chellidonium Majus / Colocynthis / Gelsemium / Nitri Acidicum / Nux Moschata / Nux Vomica / Opium / Podophillum / Phosphoric Acidicum / Staphysagria

Kidney stone is formed due to, the urine chemicals that crystallize in kidney. Kidney stones are small, hard deposits of mineral and acid salts on the inner surfaces of the kidneys. Normally, the substances that make up kidney stones are diluted in the urine. When urine is concentrated, though, minerals may crystallize, stick together and solidify. The result is a kidney stone. Most kidney stones contain calcium. These stones are very tiny when they form, smaller than a grain of sand, but gradually they can grow to a quarter inch or larger. The size of the stone doesn't matter as much as where it is located. Kidney stones form when the components of urine — fluid and various minerals and acids — are out of balance. When this happens, the urine contains more crystal-forming substances, such as calcium and uric acid, than the available fluid can dilute. At the same time, the urine may be short of substances that keep crystals from sticking together and becoming stones. Kidney stones are also prone to develop in highly acidic or highly alkaline urine. Problems in the way the system absorbs and eliminates calcium and other substances create the conditions for kidney stones to form.

Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of our fist. They're located in back of our abdomen on each side of the spine, and their main function is to remove excess fluid, unneeded electrolytes and wastes from the blood in the form of urine. The ureters carry urine from kidneys to bladder, where it's stored until we eliminate it from the body. The kidney acts as a filter for blood, removing waste products from the body and helping regulate the levels of chemicals important for body function. The urine drains from the kidney into the bladder through a narrow tube called the ureter. When the bladder fills and there is an urge to urinate, the bladder empties through the urethra, a much wider tube than the urethra.

When the stone sits in the kidney, it rarely causes problems, but should it fall into the ureter, it gives lot of pain. The kidney continues to function and make urine, which accumulates behind the stone, stretching the kidney. This pressure build up, causes the pain of a kidney stone, but it also helps push the stone along the course of the ureter. When the stone enters the bladder, the obstruction in the ureter is relieved and the symptoms of a kidney stone are resolved. When a tubular structure is blocked in the body, pain is generated in waves as the body tries to unblock the obstruction. These waves of pain are called colic. Renal colic or kidney stone pain has a classic typical when a kidney stone is being passed. The pain is intense and suddenly. Passing kidney stones can be excruciating. The pain they cause typically starts in the side or back, just below the ribs, and radiates to lower abdomen and groin. Painful as they are, kidney stones usually cause no permanent damage. Those affected cannot find a comfortable position, and many writhe in pain. Sweating, nausea and vomiting are common. Blood may be visible in the urine because the stone has irritated the ureter. Blood in the urine, however, does not always mean a person has a kidney stone. Urinalysis with a microscope may detect blood even if it is not visible by the naked eye.

There is little a person can do with debilitating pain and vomiting other than approaching hospital for emergency treatment. If there is fever associated with the symptoms of a kidney stone, this becomes a more urgent problem, and medical care should be accessed immediately.

For those who have a history of stones, then home therapy may be appropriate. Most kidney stones, given time, will pass on their own, and treatment is directed towards symptom control.

The signs and symptoms of kidney stone:

• Fluctuations in pain in severity and duration
• Pain waves radiating from the side and back to the lower abdomen and groin
• Bloody, cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Painful urination
• Nausea and vomiting
• Frequent desire to pass urine
• Fever and chills if there is an infection

These factors may increase your risk of developing kidney stones:

• Lack of fluids
• Family or personal history
• Age and sex
• Diet. A high-protein, high-sodium and low-calcium diet may increase your risk of some types of kidney stones.
• Limited activity
• Geographical location
• Obesity
• Medications like excess calcium-containing antacids, Indinavir used in HIV can form indinavir stones, Topiramate which is an anti-seizure drug
• Diseases like Gout, inflammatory bowel disease, High blood pressure, Gastric bypass surgery, chronic diarrhea

If a stone stays inside one of the kidneys, it usually doesn't cause a problem unless it becomes so large it blocks the flow of urine. This can cause pressure and pain, along with the risk of kidney damage, bleeding and infection. Smaller stones may partially block the thin tubes that connect each kidney to your bladder or the outlet from the bladder itself. These stones may cause ongoing urinary tract infections or kidney damage if left untreated.

Prevention is always the preferable way to treat kidney stones. Remaining well hydrated and keeping the urine dilute will help prevent kidney stones from forming. The patient should consume enough oral fluids. While kidney stones and renal colic probably cannot be prevented, the risk of forming a stone can be minimized by avoiding dehydration. Keeping the urine dilute will not allow the chemical crystals to come out of solution and form the nidus of a stone. Making it certain that the urine remains clear and not concentrated will help minimize stone formation.

For people with a history of kidney stones, doctors usually recommend passing at least 2 - 3 liters of urine a day. To do this, you'll need to drink about 14 cups (3.3 liters) of fluids every day or even more if you live in a hot, dry climate.

What should you drink? Water is best. Include a glass of lemonade every day, too. Make your own with real lemons, or use a liquid or frozen concentrate, but avoid powdered lemonade mixes. Lemonade increases the levels of citrate in your urine, and citrate helps prevent stone formation.

In addition, if you tend to form calcium oxalate stones, you may recommend restricting foods rich in oxalates. These include rhubarb, star fruit, beets, beet greens, collards, okra, refried beans, spinach, Swiss chard, sweet potatoes, sesame seeds, almonds and soy products. What's more, studies show that an overall diet low in salt and very low in animal protein can greatly reduce your chance of developing kidney stones.

As a general rule, restricting intake of calcium doesn't seem to lower the risk. In fact, researchers have found that women with a high calcium intake are less likely to develop kidney stones than are women who consume less calcium. Because dietary calcium binds with oxalates in the gastrointestinal tract so that oxalates can't be absorbed from the intestine and excreted by the kidney to form stones.

An exception to this rule occurs when an individual absorbs too much dietary calcium from the intestine. In such a circumstance, restricting calcium intake is useful.

Calcium supplements seem to have the same protective effect as dietary calcium, but only if they're taken with meals.

Role of Homeopathy in kidney stones:
Homeopathy can not help you from problems of kidney stone when it has reached a size where surgical intervention becomes necessary. But homeopathy has significant role to play when stone is smaller in size and it is not causing any enlargement of kidney (hydronephrosis). In such cases where the stone size is small, patients do experience episodes of pain every now and then. Repeatedly they have to resort to pain reliving pills and even antibiotics. Homeopathy can help in such situation. Homeopathic medicines also help in getting rid of minor size stones purely by a regular course of few months. It is the most harmless way of treatment and we are able to save patient from undergoing surgery. Besides this homeopathy also helps in improving the clearing process of the kidney.

Important homeopathic medicines for kidney stones:
Belladonna / Benzoicum Acidum / Berberis Vulgaris / Calcarea Carbonicum / Calculus Renalis / Cantharis Vesicatoria / Chloroformium / Colocynthis / Lithium Benzoicum / Lycopodium Clavatum / Pereira Brava / Phosphorus / Sarsaparilla Officinalis / Sepia Succus / Silicea Terra / Tabacum / Urtica Urens

Lichen planus is a recurrent rash due to inflammation of the skin. The rash is characterized by small, flat-topped, many-sided, polygonal bumps that can grow together into rough, scaly patches on the skin. There may also be a rash in the mucous membranes of the mouth or vagina. Lichen planus is a skin condition, in which the effects are localized to the areas of involvement. (Lichen refers to a tree moss while planus is Latin for flat = like a flat tree moss.)

The major point of distinction of lichen planus from eczema, psoriasis, and other common rashes is its color -- lilac or violet. The textbooks call it "violaceous." Lichen planus itches with an intensity that varies in different people from mild to severe. The onset of lichen planus can be sudden or gradual. The first attack may last for weeks or months, and recurrences may happen for years. Children are not often affected by lichen planus. The bumps at first are 2 to 4 mm in diameter, with angular borders, and a violaceous color. At the onset of the disease, new bumps may appear at sites of minor skin injury, such as a superficial scratch. Hyperpigmentation may develop in the affected skin as the lesions persist. Rarely, a patchy scarring balding (loss of hair) of the scalp occurs. The appearance of lichen planus depends on whether the skin or the mucous membranes inside the mouth or vagina is affected: The usual skin involvement with lichen planus consists of flat-topped lilac or violet spots a few millimeters in diameter on the skin. These spots tend to be located on the inner wrists, forearms, the lower legs just above the ankles, and the lower part of the back. A variant of this disease is called hypertrophic lichen planus. This condition appears as thick, reddish-brown lesions that are covered with scales. These spots tend to be on the shins, but they can occur anywhere on the body. This is an especially itchy and chronic variety of lichen planus. Lichen planus of the mucous membranes is common. About half of the people affected with lichen planus have the rash inside of their mouths. The oral rash often occurs prior to any skin involvement. More troublesome, although rare, is erosive lichen planus, which can be quite sore and uncomfortable. This erosive form typically causes the patient to complain of the shallow and often quite painful, recurrent ulcers in the mouth. Lichen planus can affect the female genitals, including the vagina. This condition can be confused with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), although lichen planus is neither sexually transmitted nor contagious. Sometimes, lichen planus produces pits and grooves in the nails as well.

Usually, lichen planus is relatively easy to diagnose. Physicians can make the diagnosis in typical cases simply by looking at the rash. If necessary, a skin biopsy may be done to confirm the diagnosis. Under the microscope, lichen planus is distinctive in appearance. This tell-tale appearance under the microscope can be valuable in ensuring that the rash or spots are lichen planus. Persistent oral or vaginal lichen planus, with spots that thicken and grow together, can sometimes be difficult to distinguish clinically from whitish precancerous plaques called leukoplakia. A biopsy can be helpful in this situation. Widespread lichen planus with erosions in the mouth can also be confusing. A biopsy may be required to distinguish this from other conditions such as candidiasis, cancer, and ulcers in the mouth.

In most cases, the cause of lichen planus is unknown. Some drugs, such as those containing arsenic, bismuth, or gold can cause a reaction that is indistinguishable from the rash of lichen planus. Exposure to certain chemicals used in the development of color photographs can also produce a similar rash. The long-term use of the drugs quinacrine or quinidine used for malaria, may produce hypertrophic lichen planus of the lower legs and other skin and systemic disturbances. Other unusual causes of lichen planus include liver disease and what is called graft-versus-host disease in people who have received a transplant.

The average duration of the condition is 4 years. Even after going away, lichen planus may recur. The disease is thus paradoxical in that it tends to be self-limiting but may recur after years. It is usually not associated with any systemic diseases or problems.

Lichen planus of the skin is generally noncancerous (benign). It may clear up with treatment but can persist for months to years. People with long-term lesions of the mucous membranes are at greater risk of squamous cell carcinoma — a form of skin cancer. In these cases, a doctor may advise regular examinations to monitor any changes in the skin. It's also important to stop any tobacco use because tobacco raises your risk of squamous cell carcinoma.

If you have lichen planus of the mucous membranes, treatment is often challenging and may take years. Measures that may help reduce the itching and inflammation caused by lichen planus are:

• Tub soaks with colloidal oatmeal
• Cool compresses

Role of Homeopathy in Lichen Planus:
Homeopathy has proved its efficacy in cases of lichen planus in more then 90% of cases. Homeopathy works very deep in removing the illness from the root. The necessary immunological corrections required for controlling the inflammation of skin is achieved in homeopathy with safe and effective homeopathic medicines. Homeopathic treatment of lichen planus ensures that you are saved from side effects of long term use of local and oral steroids prescribed routinely in this illness to get relief in itching and pain. You don’t have to take steroids and force your self face side effects. This way you increase your suffering rather then getting relief. We have strong experiences of treating lichen planus with success rate of 90%. Homeopathy gives long term relief in extensive cases of lichen planus which are very chronic and of long duration. The treatment course depends on the duration of illness; other treatment that is used so far in the illness, main concern is the period for which steroids are used by the patient. The use of steroids in past reduces the curability of patients with homeopathic remedies.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Lichen Planus:
Anantherum Muricatum / Belladonna / Antimony Crudum / Arsenicum Album / Arsenicum Iodum / Caladium Sanguinum / Juglans Cinerea / Kali Bichromicum / Kreosotum / Ledum Palustre / Lycopodium Clavatum / Phytolacca Decandra / Plantago Major / Rumex Crispus / Sulphur Iodatum / Sulphur Lotum

Lipoma is a slow-growing, fatty tumor situated between skin and the underlying muscle layer. Most of the time lipoma is easy to identify because it moves readily with slight finger pressure. It's doughy to touch and not tender on most occasions. Lipoma could be multiple in number that and be there for many for years. Lipomas can come at any age, but they're most often detected in middle age. A lipoma is not malignant or cancerous and is harmless. Treatment generally isn't necessary, but if the lipoma is in a bothersome location, is painful or is growing, you should seek to have it removed. Lipoma symptoms include a flattened lump located just under the skin. The usual site is in the neck, shoulders, back, arms and thighs. On touch it is a soft, doughy and moves easily with slight finger pressure. Most lipomas are small, less than 1 to 2 inches in diameter, but they can become bigger, up to 5 or 6 inches in diameter. There may be pain, if they grow and press on nearby nerves, or if they contain many blood vessels. The growth is slow, and one may have a lipoma for years. The exact cause of lipomas is not understood clearly.

Role of Homeopathy in Lipoma:
Homeopathic system of medicines purely works on selection of remedy based on the characteristic symptoms of illness as well as characteristic dispositional features at mind and body level the person suffering from the illness. As an illness lipoma is a silent illness without producing any symptoms other then a soft swelling which is not painful in most cases. If in a given case we are able to have sufficient prescribing characteristics of the person suffering from lipoma based on the study of his mental and physical constitution, we may be able to select a remedy which may help in few cases. Over all results with homeopathic treatment for lipoma are not very encouraging. We may work on experimental basis only if we have sufficient prescribing information as mentioned earlier. As the disease being silent it is advised to live with it rather then going for a surgical removal unless it is bothering due to cosmetic reasons or it is growing in size.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Lipoma:
Ammonium Muriaticum / Baryta Carbonicum / Belladonna / Calcarea Carbonicum / Kali Bromatum / Lapis Alba / Phytolacca Decandra / Thuja Occidentalis

Lumbar Spondylosis describes bony overgrowths also known as osteophytes, in medical term. These are predominantly at the anterior (front side of the body), lateral sides of the body), and, less commonly, posterior aspects (back side) of the superior and inferior margins of vertebral bodies. This dynamic process increases with, and is an unavoidable effect of the growing age.

Lumbar spondylosis usually produces no symptoms. When back or sciatic pains are complaints, lumbar spondylosis usually is an unrelated finding. Given the frequency and size of lumbar osteophytes they have long been thought to cause back pain. This has led to many studies of the distribution of vertebral osteophytes, not all of which are pertinent. There is no greater frequency of signs or symptoms among individuals with osteophytes than among those without osteophytes. Lumbar spondylosis usually is asymptomatic, with no diagnostic or prognostic significance. Internationally, lumbar spondylosis can begin in persons as young as 20 years. Approximately 80% of men and 70% of women have vertebral osteophytes, most frequently at T10-11 and L5 levels. Approximately 40% of men and 35% of women aged 50-60 years have lumbar osteophytes. Gender ratio reports are equal.

Lumbar spondylosis occurs in animals with upright posture (e.g. chimpanzees) and, possibly, in some domestic animals. Lumbar spondylosis appears to be a nonspecific aging phenomenon. Most studies suggest no relationship to lifestyle, height, weight, body mass, physical activity, cigarette and alcohol consumption, or reproductive history. The effects of heavy physical activity are controversial, as is a purported relationship to disk degeneration. Spondylosis occurs as a result of new bone formation in areas where the annular ligament is stressed. When back or sciatic pains are complaints, lumbar spondylosis usually is an unrelated finding. There usually are no findings unless a complication ensues.

The low back, or lumbar area, serves a number of important functions for the human body. These functions include structural support, movement, and protection of certain body tissues. When we stand, the lower back is functioning to hold most of the weight of the body. When we bend, extend or rotate at the waist, the lower back is involved in the movement. Therefore, injury to the structures important for weight bearing, such as the bony spine, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, often can be detected when the body is standing erect or used in various movements. Protecting the soft tissues of the nervous system and spinal cord as well as nearby organs of the pelvis and abdomen is a critical function the lumbar spine and its adjacent muscles.

Common causes of low back pain:

1. Lumbar strain -- acute or chronic:
   A lumbar strain is a stretching injury to the ligaments, tendons, and muscles of the low back. The stretching incident results in microscopic tears of varying degrees in these tissues. Lumbar strain is considered one of the most common causes of low back pain. The injury can occur because of overuse, improper use, or trauma. Soft-tissue injury is commonly termed as acute if it has been present for days to weeks. If the strain lasts longer than three months, it is called as chronic.
   
   Lumbar strain can happen at any age. The condition is characterized by localized pain in the low back area after mechanical stress on the lumbar tissues. The severity of the injury ranges from mild to severe, depending on the degree of strain and resulting spasm of the muscles of the low back. The diagnosis of lumbar strain is based on the history of injury, the location of the pain, and exclusion of nervous system injury. Usually, x-ray testing is only helpful to exclude bone abnormalities.
   
   The treatment of lumbar strain consists of resting the back, medications to relieve pain and muscle spasm, local heat applications, massage, and eventual reconditioning exercises to strengthen the low back and abdominal muscles. Spinal manipulation for periods of up to one month has been found helpful in some patients that do not have signs of nerve irritation.
2. Nerve irritation:
   The nerves of the lumbar spine can be irritated by mechanical impingement or disease any where along their paths from their roots at the spinal cord to the skin surface. These conditions include lumbar disc disease (radiculopathy), bony encroachment, and inflammation of the nerves caused by a viral infection like shingles.
3. Lumbar radiculopathy
   Lumbar radiculopathy is nerve irritation that is caused by damage to the discs between the vertebrae. Damage to the disc occurs because of degeneration also known as wear and tear of the outer ring of the disc, traumatic injury, or both. As a result, the central softer portion of the disc can rupture and herniate through the outer ring of the disc and abut the spinal cord or its nerves as they exit the bony spinal column. This rupture is what causes the commonly recognized sciatica pain that shoots down the leg. Sciatica can be preceded by a history of localized low-back pain or it can be accompanied by numbness and tingling. The pain commonly increases with movements at the waist and can increase with coughing or sneezing. In more severe instances, sciatica can be accompanied by decreased control over urine and stool. Lumbar radiculopathy is suspected based on the above symptoms. Increased radiating pain when the lower extremity is lifted supports the diagnosis. Other tests include Electromyogram and Nerve Conduction Velocity of the lower extremities can be help to detect nerve irritation. The actual disc herniation can be detected with radiology testing, such as CT or MRI scanning

Treatment of lumbar radiculopathy ranges from medical management to surgery. Medical management includes patient education, medications to relieve pain and muscles spasm, cortisone injection around the spinal cord (epidural injection), physical therapy (heat, massage, ultrasound, electrical stimulation), and rest (not strict bed rest, but avoiding re-injury).

With unrelenting pain, severe impairment of function, or incontinence (which can indicate spinal cord irritation), surgery may be necessary.

Surgery is indicated for complications only (e.g., for impingement-documented sciatica that is unresponsive to 2 days of absolute bed rest). The margins of vertebral bodies normally are smooth. Growth of new bone projecting horizontally at these margins identifies osteophytes. Most osteophytes are anterior or lateral in projection. Posterior vertebral osteophytes are less common and only rarely impinge upon the spinal cord or nerve roots. Surgery is not indicated if there is no complication. Tests like radiographs, CT scans, MRIs Electromyography and nerve conduction velocity are used only in the event of complications.

Role of Homeopathy in Lumbar Spondylosis, acute and chronic Low back pain:
Homeopathic medicines have no powers to revert structurally irreversible changes occurring in any tissue of the body. Homeopathic medicines are best for getting relief in symptoms of pain occurring in cases of acute and chronic low back pain. With homeopathic medicines we can not treat lumbar spondylosis or disc herniation occurring in lumbar spine. But in such situation pain control is achieved with greater safety from side effects and for a sustained period of time. Even after months of homeopathic treatment for low back pain which has resulted from disc herniation or some other mechanical cause the radiographs will continue to show the same structural alterations in spine but even in this situation the pain relief is experienced of far greater degree. Regular mobilizing and strengthening exercises are strongly recommended along with homeopathic medicines.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Lumbar Spondylosis, acute and chronic Low back pain:
Aesculus Hippocastanum / Argentum Metallicum / Baryta Carbonicum / Berberis Vulgaris / Bryonia Alba / Calcarea Carbonicum / Cantharis Vesicatoria / China Officinalis / Dulcamara / Eupatorium Percolatum / Graphites Naturalis / Ledum Palustre / Nux Moschata / Nux Vomica / Phosphorus / Pulsatilla Nigricans / Rhus Toxicodendron / Sepia Succus / Sulphur Lotum / Variolinum

Meniere's disease is also called idiopathic endolymphatic hydrops. It is a disease of the inner ear. Although the cause of Meniere’s disease is unknown, it probably results from an abnormality in the way fluid of the inner ear is balanced. Most of the time only one ear is involved, but in some cases both ears may be affected. Meniere’s disease usually starts between the ages of 18 and 45 years of age. Both genders are equally affected. The symptoms may range from minor discomfort to severe attacks of vertigo. The attacks usually come without warning.

The symptoms of Meniere’s disease:

• Episodic rotational vertigo: this are attacks of a spinning sensation along with by loss of equilibrium (an imbalance in posture), nausea, and at times vomiting. The duration of vertigo may be from 10 minutes to few hours to a couple of days. Patient may feel excessively sleepy with vertigo.
• Tinnitus: patient gets a roaring, buzzing, or ringing sound in the ear. It may be experienced just at the time of attack of vertigo or it may be constant. The tinnitus increases before the onset of the vertigo.
• Hearing loss: It may be intermittent early in the onset of the disease, but with progress of illness it may become a permanent hearing loss. It may most commonly occur in the lower frequencies. Loud sounds are uncomfortable and sound distorted in the affected ear.
• Ear fullness: Usually this full feeling occurs before an attack of vertigo.

The diagnosis of Meniere’s disease is primarily made on the history and physical examination. An audiogram is helpful to show a hearing loss, and to rule-out other abnormalities. Early in the onset of the disease, the audiogram is normal between the attacks during early phase of illness. In advance stage it may show a permanent hearing loss. If an audiogram is done during or immediately following an attack of vertigo, it will be more helpful. This may effectively demonstrate typical low frequency hearing loss.

Other tests for Meniere's disease:

• Auditory brain stem response (ABR)
• CT scan of brain
• MRI of brain

Diet and life style changes for Meniere's disease:

• A low salt
• Avoid caffeine
• Avoid smoking
• Avoid alcohol
• Regular sleep and
• Remaining physically active
• Avoid stress and
• Avoid excessive fatigue

Although there is no real cure for Meniere’s disease, the attacks of vertigo can be controlled in nearly all cases. If you have vertigo without warning, you should not drive, because failure to control the vehicle may be hazardous to yourself and to others. Safety may require you to forego ladders, scaffolds, and swimming. The unpredictable episodes of vertigo are usually the most debilitating problem of Meniere's disease. The episodes often force a person to lie down for several hours and lose time from work or leisure activities, and they can cause embarrassment. Vertigo can also increase your risk of fall, Accidents while driving a car or operating heavy machinery, Depression or anxiety in dealing with the disease.

Certain self-care measures:

• Sit or lie down immediately when you feel dizzy
• Rest during and after attacks.
• Be aware of the possibility of losing your balance
• Avoid driving a car or operating heavy machinery

Meniere's disease may affect your interaction with friends and family, your productivity at work, and the overall quality of your life. You may find encouragement and understanding in a support group. Group members can provide information, resources, support and coping strategies. Your doctor may be able to recommend a group in your area, or you may find information about local groups from the Vestibular Disorders Association.

Role of Homeopathy in Meniere's disease:
Homeopathy has been helpful in almost all cases of Meniere's disease. The control of symptoms like vertigo, dizziness is achieved in reasonable time duration. Recovery in long standing hearing loss in chronic cases of Meniere’s disease is not very encouraging with homeopathic medicines. Regular course of homeopathic treatment may benefit in reducing the intensity and frequency of attacks of vertigo to more than 90%. The duration of treatment depends on the duration of illness, stage at which the homeopathic treatment is started and extent of damage occurred in the inner part of ear.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Meniere’s disease:
Argentum Nitricum / Camphora / Causticum Hahnemanni / Chininum Sulphuricum / Cicuta Virosa / Cocculus Indicus / Digitalis Purpurea / Glonoinum / Natrum Salicylicum / Phosphorus / Salicylicum Acidum / Sanguinaria Canadensis / Theridion Curassavicum

Migraine headache is a type of vascular headache.

Migraine headache is caused by:

• Enlargement of blood vessels
• Action of certain chemicals on the blood vessels

Some researchers think migraines may be caused by functional changes in the trigeminal nerve system, a major pain pathway in nervous system, and by imbalances in brain chemicals, including serotonin, which plays a regulatory role for pain messages going through this pathway. During a headache, serotonin levels drop. Researchers believe this causes the trigeminal nerve to release substances called neuropeptides, which travel to your brain's outer covering (meninges). There they cause blood vessels to become dilated and inflamed. The result is headache pain. During an attack, an artery that lies on the outside of the skull just under the skin of the temple enlarges (Temporal artery). Enlargement of this artery stretches the nerves around the artery and causes the release of certain chemicals. These chemicals are then responsible for inflammatory changes and pain.

The sympathetic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that controls initial responses to stress and pain. Migraine attacks commonly activate the sympathetic nervous system in the body. The increased sympathetic nervous activity affects different body systems in different ways to bring about various symptoms in migraine attack.

• In intestine: Nausea, Vomiting, And Diarrhea
• In stomach: Delayed emptying of the stomach into the small intestine which reduces effectiveness of oral pain relieving drugs
• The circulatory system: Decreases circulation, results in pallor of the skin, cold hands and feet.
• Sensory nervous system: Heightened sensitivity to light and sound and blurred vision.

Most common symptoms of Migraine headache:

• Intense, throbbing pain
• The pain usually one sided, both sides, change side during every new attack,
• A migraine headache usually is aggravated by walking upstairs.
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, facial pallor, cold hands, cold feet, and sensitivity to light and sound common with migraine headaches
• Migraine sufferers usually prefer to lie in a quiet, dark room during an attack.
• The duration of attack may be from few hours to few days

Some migraine headaches are preceded by an aura. The most common auras are:

• Flashing, brightly colored lights in a zigzag pattern
• A hole in the visual field, also known as a blind spot
• Pins-and-needles sensations in the hand and the arm on one side or pins-and-needles sensations around the mouth and the nose on the same side
• Auditory hallucinations
• Abnormal tastes
• Abnormal smells

Some migraines are associated with neurological disturbances:

• Vertebrobasilar migraines are characterized by dysfunction of the brainstem
  
  • Fainting as an aura
  • Vertigo
  • Double vision
• Hemiplegic migraines:
  
  • Paralysis
  • Weakness of one side of the body
  • The duration may be few hours to few days
• Post migraine attack problems are:
  
  • Feeling of drained energy levels
  • Experience a low-grade headache along with sensitivity to light and sound
  • Recurrences of the headache during this period

Migraine headaches are usually diagnosed when the history. Migraine generally begins in childhood to early adulthood. A family history is usually present, which indicates genetic influence in migraine patients.

Migraine Triggers:

• Stress
• Sleep disturbances
• Fasting
• Hormones
• Bright or flickering lights
• Odors
• Cigarette smoke
• Alcohol
• Food: aged cheeses, chocolate, monosodium glutamate, nitrites, aspartame, and caffeine

Life-style modifications for migraine sufferers include:

• Go to sleep and waking up at the same time each day
• Exercise regular
• Do not skip meals, and avoiding prolonged fasting
• Limit stress through regular exercise and relaxation techniques
• Limit caffeine consumption to less than two caffeine-containing beverages a day
• Avoid bright or flashing lights and wearing sunglasses if sunlight is a trigger
• Identify and avoid foods that trigger headaches by keeping a headache and food diary.
• Review the diary with your doctor.
• It is impractical to adopt a diet that avoids all known migraine triggers, however, it is reasonable to avoid foods that consistently trigger migraine headaches

Role of Homeopathy in Migraine:
Homeopathy has proved its efficacy in various types of Migraine. Homeopathy successfully treats migraine in more than 80% of cases in all age groups. Constitutional homeopathic treatment approach is the best suitable approach to the treatment of migraine. You may not have to take pain reliving medicines during acute episode of pain as homeopathic medicines act promptly even during acute episode of pain when fast relief is desired by the patients. Patients will have to take regular course of medicines even when there is no pain so that subsequent attacks of migraine attacks are reduced in intensity and frequency. The duration of treatment is variable from patient to patient.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Migraine:
Agaricus Muscarius / Antimony Crudum / Argentum Metallicum / Asafetida / Bryonia Alba / Cactus Grandiflorus / Calcarea Carbonicum / Calcarea Phosphoricum / Chamomilla / China Officinalis / Coffea Cruda / Eupatorium Percolatum / Gelsemium Sempervirens / Ignatia Amara / Ipecacuanha / Iris Versicolor / Kali Phosphoricum / Natrum Muriaticum / Natrum Sulphuricum / Nux Vomica / Phosphorus / Pulsatilla Nigricans / Sanguinaria /Sepia Succus / Silicea Terra / Stramonium / Sulphur Lotum / Tabacum / Theridion Curassavicum / Thuja Occidentalis / Valeriana Officinalis / Zincum Metallicum

Multiple Myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell present in bone marrow. In multiple myeloma, a group of abnormal plasma cells (myeloma cells) multiplies, raising the number of plasma cells to a more than normal level. The result can be erosion of bones. The disease also interferes with the function of bone marrow and immune system, which can lead to anemia and infection. Multiple myeloma may also cause kidney problems. The disease is called multiple myeloma because myeloma cells can occur in multiple bone marrow sites in body. Multiple myeloma may not cause symptoms early in the disease, but they are experienced in later stage of the illness. Signs and symptoms of the disease can vary from person to person. Common multiple myeloma symptoms may be a severe bone pain, presence of abnormal proteins which are produced by myeloma cells in blood or urine. These proteins are antibodies called monoclonal, or M, proteins. These are often discovered during a routine exam, monoclonal proteins may indicate multiple myeloma, but also can indicate other conditions. High level of calcium in blood is also observed. This can occur when calcium from affected bones dissolves into blood. If there is a high calcium level in blood, there may be signs and symptoms like excessive thirst and urination, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, and confusion. Anemia can occur as myeloma cells replace oxygen-carrying red blood cells in bone marrow, which may lead to another common symptom tiredness and fatigue. Other problems experienced in multiple myeloma are bone pain, particularly in back or ribs, bone fractures without obvious trauma, recurrent infections like pneumonia, urinary tract infection, upper respiratory tract infection, loss of weight, weakness and tingling numbness in hands and legs.

The exact cause is unknown, it is understood that multiple myeloma begins with one abnormal plasma cell in bone marrow which is a soft, blood-producing tissue that fills in the center of most of bones in the body. This abnormal cell then starts to multiply. The abnormal cells don't mature and die as normal cells do; they aggregate, and over a period of time decrease the production of healthy cells. Healthy bone marrow consists of a small number of plasma cells, less than 5 percent. But in people with multiple myeloma, the number of plasma cells often increases to more than 15 percent. As myeloma cells may circulate in low numbers in blood, they can migrate to multiple bone marrow sites in body. Excessive plasma cell growth may damage bones and surrounding tissue. It can also decrease immune system's capacity to fight against infections by reducing production of normal antibodies. An important discovery common to most myeloma cells is that they are missing some part of a chromosome no 13. This single finding explains why this illness is so difficult to treat.

Some factors that may increase your risk of multiple myeloma include:

• Age: people older than 50, are more prone
• Sex: Men are more prone to the illness than women.
• Race: Blacks are prone than whites
• History of a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance MGUS: 2% people with MGUS develop multiple myeloma
• Obesity: Obese people are at higher risk
• Exposure to radiation and working in close contacts with petroleum products

Multiple myeloma can result in several complications:

• Impaired immunity
• Bone weakening and fractures
• Impaired kidney function
• Anemia

Role of Homeopathy in Multiple Myeloma:
Homeopathy can only play a role of supportive treatment to improve immunity and decrease recurrent infections resulting due to decreased immunity. Homeopathy has no established proofs to control or cure Multiple Myeloma. Homeopathy has good ability to improve susceptibility and immunity against opportunistic illness occurring in any chronic and incurable illness as a result of over all debilitated state of health.

Important Homeopathic medicine for Multiple Myeloma:
Aranea Diadema / Arsenicum Album / Arsenicum Iodum / Calcarea Carbonicum / Calcarea Phosphoricum / Carboneum Sulphuricum / Carcinocin / Ceanothus Americanus / China Officinalis / Ferrum Picricum / Kali Phosphoricum / Natrum Aceticum / Natrum Muriaticum / Natrum Phosphoricum / Natrum Sulphuricum / Picric Acidum / X – Ray

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, disease that involves central nervous system, which is made up of brain and spinal cord. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease. It is an unpredictable and its severity is different from person to person. In some people, multiple sclerosis is a mild illness, but it can lead to permanent disability for some patients. Treatments can modify the course of the disease and relieve symptoms.

Central nervous system is made up of millions of nerve cells (axons) that send electrical signals to and from brain along its network of nerve fibers. Myelin is the fatty substance that coats and protects these fibers. In people with multiple sclerosis, the immune system mistakenly destroys the cells that produce the myelin sheath by wrongly sending antibodies and white blood cells against proteins in the myelin sheath, which is a fatty substance that insulates nerve fibers in brain and spinal cord. As a result, myelin becomes inflamed and swollen and detaches from the nerve fibers. The detached myelin may eventually be destroyed. Firm or hardened or sclerosed patches of scar tissue form over the fibers. When nerve impulses reach a damaged area, some impulses are blocked or delayed from traveling to or from your brain. Ultimately, this process leads to degeneration of the nerves themselves, which likely accounts for the permanent disabilities that may develop in MS.

Signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis (all or any of the following may be observed):

• Numbness or weakness in affected limbs, usually one sided or confined to lower extremities.
• Decreased or complete loss of vision, mostly in one eye with painful movement, double vision or blurring of vision
• Pain in affected parts
• Sudden shock like pain while moving head in certain directions
• Lack of coordination or unsteady gait
• Tiredness and weakness
• Vertigo
• Muscle rigidity and stiffness
• Slurred speech
• Difficulty in bladder, bowel and sexual function
• Forgetfulness
• Poor concentration

It is difficult to understand the cause this autoimmune reaction. Genetic factors may make certain people more susceptible to multiple sclerosis. A period of disease flair up may be triggered by a viral infection, such as a cold or flu, or by changes in the immune system during the first six months following a pregnancy.

There are four types of Multiple Sclerosis:

• Relapsing remitting: Phase of increased disease activity which is followed by phase of paucity of symptoms. The phase of increased activity may last from few weeks to few months. This is the most common type.
• Progressive Secondary: This type is a stage followed by relapsing remitting stage. 50% of relapsing remitting stage enters in to this stage where there is no more paucity of symptoms experienced. There is progressive decline. There can be sudden relapse in addition to continuous decline.
• Progressive Primary: This type of illness usually is seen in late 40. this type of clinical presentation is comparatively less common. In this type there is gradual decline without any phase of paucity.
• Relapsing Progressive: This is progressive primary type with the addition of sudden attacks of fresh symptoms or increase in existing ones.

These factors may increase your risk of developing multiple sclerosis:

• Heredity
• Environmental factors
• Geographical factors

These steps may help relieve some symptoms of multiple sclerosis:

• Get enough rest.
• Exercise.
• Be careful with heat.
• Cool down.
• Eat a well-balanced diet.

Role of Homeopathy in Multiple sclerosis:
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic progressive illness with varied presentation. Nothing seems to be really helping to stop the illness from progressing. Homeopathy also does not have evidences of restricting the progress of illness. Independent cases may have different experience. But by and large nothing can stop the progress of the illness. Homeopathy has a safe and effective mode of palliating the pain and other symptoms of multiple sclerosis. As a complementary and alternative mode of treatment homeopathy offers best possible help to relive the pain and discomfort of the patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. Homeopathic constitutional approach is the best suitable approach for cases of multiple sclerosis.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Multiple sclerosis:
Alumina / Argentum Nitricum / Atropinum Purum Aut Sulphuricum / / Causticum Hahnemanni / Conium Maculatum / Crotalus Horridus / Gelsemium Sempervirens / Lathyrus Sativus Aut Cicera / Lycopodium Clavatum / Natrum Muriaticum / Phosphorus / Phys / Picricum Acidum / Plumbum Metallicum / Strychninum Purum

Myasthenia Gravis is a chronic illness in which weakness and rapid fatigue of any of the muscles under your voluntary control is experienced. The cause of myasthenia gravis is a disturbance in transfer of signal between nerves and muscles. Under normal situation in the neuromuscular system, the chemical acetylcholine transmits nerve impulses to muscles, at neuromuscular junctions, which is a receptor sites in muscles to receive nerve impulses and give signal to muscles to contract, such as when we raise a hand to hold something.

In myasthenia gravis, there's a disturbance in interaction between nerves and muscles. The cause of this is body’s immune system. The illness causes immune system to produce antibodies that disturbs some of the receptor sites for acetylcholine in affected muscles. As there are decreased receptors sites in affected muscle the muscle receives less amount of impulse which results in to inappropriate functioning and weakness.

It's observed that a gland called thymus ( a part of body’s immune system) which is located in the chest beneath the breastbone, may be involved in production of these antibodies. The gland is usually large during infancy, but becomes small in adults. In some patients with myasthenia gravis, the thymus is found to be larger than normal. There may be even tumor in thymus gland.

In myasthenia gravis only the function of involved muscle is affected. The weakness that is experienced in the affected muscle improves on rest.

The common manifestations of Myasthenia gravis:

• Double vision
• Drooping eyelids
• Difficulties with speech
• Difficulty in chewing
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Difficulty in breathing,
• Weakness of extremities

Any age group is affected. The illness is more common in women than men. There's no cure for myasthenia gravis, but treatments are available to help control the signs and symptoms of the condition.

Some factors can make myasthenia gravis worse, including fatigue, illness, stress, extreme heat, and some medications, such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, quinine and some antibiotics.

Basic care to be taken in Myasthenia gravis:

• Adjust your eating routine
• Use safety precautions at home
• Use electric appliances and power tools
• Wear an eye patch

Role of Homeopathy in Myasthenia gravis:
Myasthenia gravis is a chronic illness which is progressive in nature. There is no cure for this illness in homeopathy. Homeopathic constitutional treatment approach may help in reducing the weakness and slow the progress of the illness as homeopathic medicines help in balancing the disturbed immune system in many illnesses which are triggered by abnormal immune response like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis. We recommend that homeopathic medicines should be used along with conventional treatment as a complementary treatment for myasthenia gravis to enhance the improvement.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Myasthenia gravis:
Alumina / conium Maculatum / Gelsemium Sempervirens

NASAL POLYP is a condition where the person experiences difficulty in breathing, occasional sneezing, the nose has constant discharge of watery fluid, and there is a reduced ability to smell than what it used to be earlier. These types of problems are common in allergies or a chronic sinus infection. But these signs and symptoms may be due to nasal polyps which is a soft, non cancerous (benign) growth that develops on the mucous membranes (inner lining of the nose or sinuses). When the nasal polyp is small in size it gives few problems, but when it’s larger in size it can affect the breathing and reduce the sense of smell. Sometimes it may produce headaches and / or snoring. Nasal polyps occur as a result of chronic and recurrent allergy of nose like frequent colds or recurrent inflammation of inner mucous membrane of the nose due to allergy of nose or recurrent sinus attacks. Nasal polyp is common in people older than 40 and in adults and children with illnesses like asthma, chronic sinus infections, and other allergies of respiratory tract. Conservative treatment is the best way to manage nasal polyp with help of medicines but in some cases where the size of the nasal polyp is very big or clinically the polyp is creating difficulty in breathing then surgery is and alternative option but if the basic problem of recurrent inflammation or tendency of recurrent allergy of nose is not taken care of than the polyps do return in few years. The symptoms of nasal polyp are that one may single or multiple nasal polyps in a group like a bunch of grapes The polyps are generally soft to touch, they have color of inner mucous membrane of nose when not inflamed, but when inflamed they look congested red and are often painful. The consistency is soft like jelly. The big sized multiple polyps may obstruct the airways in your nose, making it difficult to breathe. This may lead to mouth breathing, especially in children. The complains related to nose are

• A runny nose
• Persistent stuffiness
• Recurrent sinus infections
• Loss or reduced sense of smell
• Headaches

Apart from cosmetic importance the nose plays many important functions such as filtering the air that we inhale, making the inhaled air warm and moist. The nose is made up of bone (hard bone), cartilage (the soft bone) and mucous membrane the inner skin of the nose. . Each nasal cavity has three to four bony compartments know as turbinate which merges in to the septum which is a thin, cartilage-and-bone divider that separates the nose in to two hollow cavities. A mucous membrane envelops these structures in the inner part of nose. This mucus membrane acts as a filter for bacteria and other dist particles, which are removed out of the nose with the help of hairs present in the inner part of nose. When air that is inhaled is cold or dry, there is swelling of the mucus membrane in the inner part of the nose. This results in to the narrowing of the nasal air passages which slows down the flow of air so that it becomes warm and moist before it can reach to the lungs. The nose is also supplied by a nerve called olfactory nerves which is responsible for smelling with the help of its connection to the smell center in brain. Without the nose-brain connection, the nose can’t smell. Nasal polyps can develop in the mucous lining of the nose or in one or more of nasal sinuses. The nasal polyps are not the disease in themselves. They are actually the end product of recurrent allergy and inflammation of the nasal mucus membrane. Chronic inflammation makes the blood vessels in the lining of the nose and sinuses to become more permeable, which allows water to accumulate in the cells. Over the period of few months or years these water logged cells are pulled down as a result of gravity pulls on these waterlogged tissues, which may result into polyps. Polyp may some time lead to complications. A single, small nasal polyp rarely causes complications, but a large polyp or many smaller polyps (polyposis) may lead to the following complications.

• Acute or chronic sinus infections.
• Obstructive sleep apnea.
• Altered facial structure leading to double vision or unusually wide-set eyes.

Prevention of Nasal Polyp:
It is difficult to prevent a nasal polyp. But if you have asthma, nasal allergies or chronic sinus infections, managing the symptoms asthma or other nasal allergies may help in controlling the nasal congestion or breathing difficulties. Irrigating the sinuses with salt water may help relieve mild nasal congestion and eliminate mucus. It helps cleaning the sinuses and accumulated mucus gets cleared. This improves breathing difficulties. One should avoid over-the-counter saline sprays that contain additives, such as benzalkonium, which can actually inflame the mucous lining of the nose and exacerbate the symptoms. One can use preservative-free saline sprays. You can make your own saline solution, by mixing 1/4 teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Pour some of the solution into your cupped hand and sniff into your nostrils. You can also inject the solution using an ear bulb or syringe. Then gently clear your nose with a tissue.

Role of Homeopathy in Nasal Polyp:
Homeopathy has a very significant role to play in cases of nasal polyp. As we have seen in the discussion above that root cause of nasal polyp is recurrent allergies and inflammation of respiratory tract. This allergy could be in the form of recurrent attacks of running nose, sneezing or an attack of asthma. Homeopathy helps in preventing the nasal polyp from developing and the nasal polyps which are already there, homeopathic medicines help in preventing their growth. It is a simple logic that if we are able to control the allergy part we can control the nasal polyp. Homeopathy by its deep seated actions on human body brings significant improvement in tendency to have allergies of respiratory tract. This could be the case in asthma or frequent colds. Homeopathy improves your immunity and you are less susceptible to changing climatic conditions, food and other environmental allergies.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Nasal Polyp:
Calcarea Carbonica / Calcarea Phosphorica / Carboneum Sulphuratum / Causticum Hahnemanni / Conium Maculatum / Graphites Naturalis / Kali Bichromicum / Kali Nitricum / Kali Sulphuricum / Lemna Minor / Mercurius Iodatus Ruber / Phosphorus / Psorinum / Sanguinaria Canadensis / Sang Nitricum / Sepia Succus / Silicea Terra / Sulphur Lotum / Teucrium Marum Verum / Thuj Occidentalis

Nephrotic Syndrome is a disorder caused by damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste and excess water from the blood. When healthy, these small blood vessels keep blood protein from seeping into the urine and out of the body. When damaged, they don’t perform this function effectively, and protein can leak out of the blood and lead to swelling (edema). Signs and symptoms of nephrotic syndrome are as follows:

• Weight gain due to excess fluid retention
• Vomiting
• Swelling on face more around the eyes and in ankles and feet
• Foam in the toilet water, which may be caused by excess protein in the urine
• Loss of appetite

Nephrotic syndrome is caused by damage to the tiny blood vessels (glomeruli) of the kidneys. Kidneys are two bean-shaped, fist-sized organs situated at the small of the back, just below the rib cage, one on each side of the spine. Blood enters in the kidneys through arteries from the aorta, which is a large artery that carries blood from heart to other parts of body. Each kidney contains approximately 1 million glomeruli, each of which is attached to the opening of a small fluid-collecting tube (tubule). Each glomerulus (singular of glomeruli) and its tubule form a nephron, which is a functional unit of the kidneys. The glomeruli filters blood as it passes through kidneys. After being filtered by the glomeruli, blood travels through veins in the kidneys back to main bloodstream of the body which is directed towards heart. The filtered substances, after being modified by the tubules, and go through a tube from each kidney (ureter) to bladder ( a urine collection bag in the lower portion of abdomen) and pass out of the body by the process of urination. Every day about 2 liters of water, along with waste products and electrolytes, leave the body as urine. When your kidneys lose their filtering ability, dangerous levels of fluid and waste accumulate in your body, a condition known as kidney failure. Healthy glomeruli prevent protein of the body from leaking through the glomeruli. Protein plays and important role in maintaining fluid levels in the body. Protein also monitors the amount of water that is thrown out of the body through urine. When the glomeruli are damaged, it often loses this ability. Thus the result is loss of blood protein in urine leading to nephrotic syndrome. The nephrotic syndrome is characterized by:

• High levels of protein in your urine (Proteinurea)
• Low levels of the blood protein albumin (Hypoalbuminemia)
• Elevated blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (Hyperlipidimea)
• Swelling (edema)

The following medical conditions account for most cases of nephrotic syndrome:

• Minimal change disease
• Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
• Membranous nephropathy
• Diabetic kidney disease
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Amyloidosis

Factors that may increase your risk of nephrotic syndrome include:

• Sex
• Other medical conditions like Diabetes, Lupus, Amyloidosis, Minimal Change Disease and Other Kidney Disease.

Possible complications of nephrotic syndrome include:

• Blood clots in veins
• High blood cholesterol and elevated blood triglycerides.
• Poor nutrition.
• High blood pressure.
• Acute kidney failure.
• Chronic kidney failure.
• Infection.

Prompt treatment of medical conditions that can lead to nephrotic syndrome, such as diabetes, lupus, kidney disease and amyloidosis, may prevent some cases of nephrotic syndrome. Changes in diet are necessary. A dietitian may be of good help in planning a proper diet. In general one may have to limit salt intake to help reduce fluid retention, swelling and blood pressure. The diet should be modified to decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels from the blood. A supplement of vitamin D is advised. Living with nephrotic syndrome can be a difficult task all together for the patient as well as the family. One should make a team effort for the management of nephrotic syndrome. A team of specialist consultants in kidney diseases, dietitian may be of a good help. One may also benefit from joining a support group. Such a group can provide emotional support as well as latest developments in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome may be available if such groups are updated with latest information.

Role of Homeopathy in Nephrotic Syndrome:
Homeopathy is a system of medicine which is capable of acting on immune system and genetic system of our body by the virtue of its dynamic energy acting on dynamic life giving and life maintaining energy of our body. In homeopathy this energy is know as vital force. But it is a universal truth that our body is a cellular mass which is designed to deliver precise function. But the main power which turns it on is a cosmic energy of which our body’s dynamic power is a part. Without this life energy no living thing can exist. It immediately meets death the moment this cosmic energy leaves our body. Homeopathic medicines act on this energy and bring about improvement in disease conditions. In the treatment of Nephrotic syndrome homeopathy can help in correcting basic problem of loosing proteins from the kidney. This helps in maintaining protein levels in the body. Homeopathic medicines also improves immune system which strengthens the person in becoming less vulnerable to opportunistic infections, which is usually very common for patients suffering from nephrotic syndrome. The control over protein loss can be demonstrated in blood and urine samples. The improvement is evident by reduction in edema, control in hypertension and high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in blood. As the condition is chronic the amount of permanent damage to the kidney ultimately decides the out come of the treatment. Early the treatment is started better the results with homeopathic medicines. Apart from the damage to the kidney other factors also determine the out come of treatment. These factors are genetic load of any other serious illness in parents and siblings. Other associated illness like diabetes, severe hypertension, tuberculosis, HIV. Other than associated illnesses patient’s life style habits also play a major role. Use of corticosteroids by the patient of Nephrotic Syndrome.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Nephrotic Syndrome:
Apis Mellifica / Arsenicum Album /Atropinum Purum / Aurum Muriaticum / Cantharis Vesicatoria / Cedron /Colchicum / Conium Maculatum / Glonoinum / Helleborus Niger / Hepar Sulphuris Calcareum / Kali Chloricum / Lachesis Muta / Lycopodium Clavatum / Mercurius Corrosivus / Natrum Sulphuricum / Petroleum / Plumbum Metallicum / Phosphorus / Secale Cornutum / Stramonium / Terebinthiniae Oleum

Obesity, in simple terms, is having a high degree of body fat. Fat is important for storing energy and insulating the body, among other functions. The human body can handle carrying some extra fat, but beyond a certain point, body fat can begin to interfere with the health. For this reason, obesity is more than a cosmetic concern. Obesity puts us at greater risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and many other serious health problems. Even modest weight loss can reduce or prevent complications associated with obesity. Weight loss is usually possible through dietary changes, increased physical activity and behavior modification. For people who don't respond to these lifestyle changes, other more involved obesity treatments are available to enhance weight loss. These include medications and weight-loss surgery. Although there are genetic and hormonal influences on body weight, ultimately excess weight is a result of an imbalance of calories consumed versus calories burned through physical activity. If we consume more calories than we expend through exercise and daily activities, we gain weight. The body stores calories that we don't need for energy as fat.

The following factors mare usually working in combination and may be responsible for weight gain and obesity.

• Diet.
• Inactivity.
• Quitting smoking.
• Pregnancy.
• Certain medications like Corticosteroids and tricyclic antidepressants, antihypertensive drugs and antipsychotic medications
• Medical problems like hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, low metabolic rate, polycystic ovarian syndrome may cause obesity, arthritis

Factors that increase risk of obesity are include:

• Genetics.
• Family history.
• Age.
• Sex.

Other health problems common in people suffering from obesity are:

• High blood pressure.
• Diabetes.
• Hyperlipidimea (increased triglycerides and cholesterol in blood plasma)
• Coronary artery disease or Ischemic heart disease (IHD)
• Stroke (An attack of paralysis due to inadequate blood supply to the brain also know as Cerebro vascular accident -- CVA)
• Osteoarthritis.
• Sleep apnea.
• Cancer.
• Fatty liver disease.
• Gallbladder disease.
• Fertility and pregnancy problems.
• Physical discomfort.
• Social and emotional consequences.

Whether we are at risk of becoming obese, currently overweight or at a healthy weight, we can take steps to prevent obesity and the associated health problems. Basic discipline we need to follow for achieving control in increasing weight are daily exercise, a low carbohydrate, high protein diet and a long-term commitment. One of the most important things we can do to prevent weight gain is to exercise regularly. 30 to 40 minutes of moderate physical activity daily like fast walking and swimming helps to prevent weight gain. The diet should be low-calorie. The diet may include fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The saturated fat should be avoided. Intake of sweets and alcohol should be very limited. Range of foods should be selected for the whole day as one particular type of food doesn’t give all the required ingredients. We should be fully conscious about which are the times when we loose our control over eating and become lazy for following regular physical exercise. We should make a record of this and make a plan and conscious effort to overcome this. This will help you understand and stay in control of your eating behaviors. Regular monitoring of weight gives better results in weight control program. Long term success is achieved by sticking to our plan of diet and exercise during vacations and weekends. Emotional stress due to obesity is the very disturbing to an individual and to his family. Feelings of shame and depression are common in obese people. But obesity should be looked at as a chronic illness and should be treated accordingly. Sharing our problems with those who are going through similar difficulties or with those who can encourage someone to overcome this problem. A positive attitude is a must for loosing weight.

Role of Homeopathy in Obesity:
Homeopathy helps in cases of obesity in two ways. First it helps in treating underlying clinical condition which is directly or indirectly causing obesity. Constitutional homeopathic approach is the best approach for treating obesity. Homeopathy7 also helps in coping with emotional disturbance experienced by the person suffering from obesity. Regular exercise and well planned diet are two other essential factors that should go hand in hand with homeopathic medicines in the treatment of obesity. The biggest advantage of homeopathic treatment over conventional treatment for obesity is that the results are lasting and homeopathic medicines are not habit forming. Homeopathic medicines are free from side effects.

Important Homeopathic Medicines for Obesity:
Ammonium Bromatum / Ammonium Carbonicum / Ammonium Muriaticum / Angustura Vera / Antimonium Crudum / Arsenicum Album / Aurum Metallicum / Calcarea Carbonica / Capsicum Annum / Coccus Cacti / Ferrum Metallicum / Graphites / Hura Brasilliensis / Hyoscyamus Niger / Kali Bichromicum / Kali Carbonicum / Lycopodium Clavatum / Phosphorus / Phytolacca Decandra / Pulsatilla / Thyroidinum

Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis. It is the commonest type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage in the joints wears down over a period of time. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, though it most commonly affects joints in hands, hips, knees and spine. Osteoarthritis typically affects just one joint, though in some cases, such as with finger arthritis, several joints can be affected. Osteoarthritis gradually worsens with time, and no cure exists. But osteoarthritis treatments can relieve pain and help us remain active. Taking steps to actively manage osteoarthritis may help to get control over osteoarthritis pain. Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis includes pain in a joint during or after use, or after a period of inactivity, stiffness in a joint, that may be most noticeable when we wake up in the morning or after a period of inactivity, swelling in some cases, grating sensation when you use the joint, tenderness in the joint on light pressure, loss of flexibility may make it difficult to use the joint, bone spurs, which appear as hard lumps, may form around the affected joint. Osteoarthritis symptoms most commonly affect the hands, hips, knees and spine. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints deteriorates over time. The smooth surface of the cartilage becomes rough, causing irritation. Eventually, if the cartilage wears down completely, you may be left with bone rubbing on bone causing the ends of your bones to become damaged and your joints to become painful. It isn't clear what causes osteoarthritis in most cases. Researchers suspect that it's a combination of factors, including being overweight, the aging process, joint injury or stress, heredity, and muscle weakness. Factors that increase your risk of osteoarthritis include old age , sex -- women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, congenital bone deformities, joint injuries such as those that occur when playing sports or from an accident, may increase the risk of osteoarthritis, obesity is another factor where carrying more body weight places more stress on the weight-bearing joints, such as knee, bone and joint diseases that increase the risk of osteoarthritis include gout, rheumatoid arthritis, Paget's disease of bone and septic arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that worsens over time. As many as a third of people with osteoarthritis will eventually experience significant disability. Joint pain and stiffness may become severe enough to make getting through the day difficult, if not impossible. Some people are no longer able to work. When joint pain is this severe, doctors typically suggest joint replacement surgery. For those who aren't able to undergo surgery, pain medications and assistive devices can make daily tasks more manageable.

Role of Homeopathy in Osteoarthritis:
Homeopathy has a principle of reliving the symptoms on the basis of fixed principles. The action of homeopathic medicines takes place on the law of action which is equal and opposite. Whenever homeopathic medicines are administered to a patient he experiences relief in the symptoms only if the selected remedy is similar to the patient and the disease in many aspects. The similarity is essential at the level of temperament of the patient, similarity is necessary at the level of physical constitution of the patient. The similarity is also necessary at the level of stage of disease and the remedy should be able to produce effect at a deeper level in the constitution. When such remedy is selected which is exactly similar to the patient and his illness than the selected remedy is able to give maximum relief to the patient. The stage of osteoarthritis and extent of degenerative changes in the bones will decide the outcome and treatment strategy in a case of osteoarthritis. Some cases which have not advanced in to significant damage to the structures of the joint, and restriction of movement is not very severe favorable out come may be expected. The cases in which the degenerative changes are significant curative action is not possible with homeopathy. In such conditions homeopathy offers excellent remedies which gives considerable pain control. Patients are not required to take strong pain killers whose effects last for few hours. And one can’t avoid the side effects of these pain killers. Homeopathic medicines are absolutely safe for a long time use.

Important Homeopathic Medicines for Osteoarthritis:
Argentum Nitricum / Aurum Metallicum / Calcarea Carbonica / Calcaria Flourica / Calcaria Iodata / Fluoric Acid / Hekla Lava / Magnesia Carbonicum / Magnesia Phosphorica / Mercurius / Mercurius Corrosivus/ Phosphorus / Plumbum Metallicum / Rhus Toxicodendron / Ruta Graveolens / Silicea / Symphytum

Parkinson's disease develops gradually, and starts with mild tremor in one hand. Apart from tremor the illness causes slowing of movement.

People around start noticing that there is no expression on the face and the arms don’t swing when the affected person walks or talks. Speech often becomes soft and mumbling. The symptoms progress with the progress of the Parkinson's disease. There is no permanent cure for the illness but the symptoms can be controlled with medication. The most common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are

• Tremor
• Slowed motion (bradykinesia)
• Rigid muscles
• Impaired posture and balance
• Loss of automatic movements
• Speech changes
• Dementia

The symptoms of Parkinson's disease are as a result of decreased levels of dopamine, in the brain. This is because the dopamine producing brain cells either die or they are not functioning properly. No research has clearly demonstrated the exact mechanism responsible behind Parkinson's disease.

Risk factors for Parkinson's disease are:

• Middle or old age
• Heredity – positive family history
• Sex – more common in man
• Exposure to toxins -- exposure to herbicides and pesticides increases risk of Parkinson's.

Parkinson's disease is often accompanied by these additional problems:

• Depression.
• Sleep problems.
• Difficulty chewing and swallowing.
• Urinary problems.
• Constipation.
• Sexual dysfunction.

There are many side effects of medicines used for Parkinson's disease such as involuntary twitching or jerking movements of the arms or legs, hallucinations, sleepiness, and a drop in blood pressure when standing up. The person suffering from Parkinson's disease should be in regular touch with the doctor to get a treatment plan that gives significant relief from symptoms with minimum side effects. Certain lifestyle changes also may help to make living with Parkinson's disease easier.

Healthy eating:
Helps in maintaining good state of health and helps in overcoming indigestion.

Walking with care:
The illness disturbs normal gait hence chances of loosing balance are more. Try to walk slowly, avoid moving faster, and when one feels like loosing balance he should stop immediately and try to achieve balance.

Avoid falls:
Parkinson's disease affects the balance and coordination centers in the brain. To avoid fall don't pivot the body over your feet while turning, try to take a U turn. Avoid leaning too much or try to reach at something by leaning or bending there are chances that you may fall. Do not carry weight while walking.

Dressing:
This is a difficult act in daily routine for people having Parkinson’s disease. The loss of fine-motor control makes it difficult to button and zip clothes, and even to step into a pair of pants. One has to be adequately trained to take necessary care while dressing and undressing.

Parkinson's disease presents special problems because it can cause chemical changes in the brain that make one feel anxious or depressed. And Parkinson's disease can be really troubling in the daily routine as walking, talking and even eating become more difficult and time-consuming.

Role of Homeopathy in Parkinson’s disease:
Homeopathy offers constitutional homeopathic treatment for Parkinson’s disease. The symptoms of involuntary tremors can be relived with homeopathic medicines. Homeopathic remedies are safe and without side effects. Long term treatment can give better results with homeopathic remedies. Over all state of general well being and emotional disturbances like depressed feeling and irritability may be benefited with homeopathic medicines. Other treatment modalities like physiotherapy and occupational therapy, healthy diet and adequate care by family member plays vital role in the out come of Parkinson’s disease.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Parkinson’s disease:
Agaricus / Argentum Nitricum / Camphora Bromata / Conium Maculatum / Duboisia Myoporoides / Gelsemium Sempervirens / Heloderma Suspectrum / Hyoscyamus Niger / Hyoscyaminum Bromatum / Kali Bromatum / Loleum Temulentum / Magnesia Phosphorica / Mercurius / Phosphorus / Physostigma / Plumbum Metallicum / Pulsatilla / Rhus Toxicodendron / Tarentula / Thuja / Zinc Zincum Picricum

Polycystic ovary Disease (PCOD) is characterized by irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth and obesity. The exact cause of polycystic ovary disease is unknown, but the condition stems from a disturbance in the monthly reproductive cycle. The name polycystic ovary disease comes from the changes that take place in the ovaries of women suffering from the illness. There are multiple small cysts in the ovary hence the name polycystic ovary. PCOD is one of the leading causes of infertility in women. Early diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovary disease can help to reduce the risk of long-term complications, which include diabetes and heart disease. The commonly seen signs and symptoms associated with PCOD are:

• Irregular or no menstruation
• Signs of excess androgen
• Enlarged ovaries with multiple cysts
• Infertility
• Obesity
• Skin tags
• Diabetes Mellitus (Type – 2)
• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Elevated levels of C-reactive protein
• Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
• Sleep apnea
• Acanthosis nigricans

Woman's reproductive cycle is regulated by fluctuating levels of hormones produced by the pituitary gland in brain, including Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and the hormones secreted by ovaries. The ovaries secrete the female hormones Estrogen and Progesterone and also produce some amount of Androgens, which are also known as male hormones. Androgens include Testosterone, Androstenedione and Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).In polycystic ovary syndrome, the body produces an excess of androgens, and the ratio of LH to FSH is often abnormally high. The process of ovaries releasing eggs (ovulation) occurs less frequently than normal (oligo-ovulation), or the ovaries don't release eggs at all (anovulation). As a result of the absence of ovulation, the menstrual cycle is either irregular or absent. There is no clear understanding for the cause of polycystic ovary disease, but research suggests a link to increased amount of insulin, the hormone produced in the pancreas, which is responsible for transferring sugar in the form of glucose from blood in to the cell. In many ways increased amount of insulin is thought to enhance androgen production by the ovaries. Studies also indicate that genetic factors may play a role in PCOD. Polycystic ovary syndrome may lead to following complications:

• Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
• Type 2 diabetes
• Decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the so-called "good" cholesterol
• Increased triglycerides
• Cardiovascular disease
• Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of signs and symptoms that indicate a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease
• High blood pressure
• Cancer of the uterine lining (endometrial cancer)

Role of Homeopathy in PCOD:
Homeopathy helps in cases of PCOD by reducing the symptoms of irregular menstruation. Regular course of homeopathic medicines may prevent the future complications as a result of PCOD. Homeopathy plays a very important role in cases of infertility occurring as a result of irregular hormonal imbalance. Significant number of patients a have conceived after homeopathic treatment where conventional mode of treatment has not been useful. Constitutional homeopathic approach is able to bring various complications of PCOD like Diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, abnormal uterine bleeding. Homeopathy is safe and effective without any side effects.

Important Homeopathic Medicines for PCOD:
Apis Mellifica / Aurum Metallicum / Baryta Carbonica / Bromium / Calcarea Carbonica / Calcarea Sulphurica / Conium Maculatum / Graphites Naturalis / Hepar Sulphuris Calcareum / Iodium Purum / Kali Bromatum / Lycopodium Clavatum / Medorrhinum / Phosphorus / Sabina / Thuja Occidentalis

Peptic ulcers are small tiny wounds on the surface of the internal lining of the stomach, first part of small intestine or esophagus (food pipe). Peptic ulcer is caused as a result of a bacterial infection caused by the corkscrew-shaped bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Apart from these bacteria several other factors also play a contributory role in Peptic Ulcer. These factors are regular use of pain relievers (NSAIDs), smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and stress. Esophageal ulcers also may occur and are typically associated with the reflux (upward throwing of stomach acid) Burning pain is the most common peptic ulcer symptom. The pain is caused by the ulcer and is aggravated by stomach acid coming in contact with the ulcer. The characteristics of ulcer pain are very typical. it is felt in any part between navel to breastbone. The pain lasts from few minutes to many hours. The pain may have a flare at night during night time. The peptic ulcer pain increases when the stomach is empty and gets better temporarily by eating or taking antacids. Some of the worst signs of peptic ulcer are nausea or vomiting, severe weight loss, vomiting of blood and passing of dark or coffee ground blood in stool. Peptic ulcer is given different names on the basis of the site where it is present in the upper gastrointestinal tract. When it is in the stomach it is know as gastric ulcer, when it is in the first part of duodenum it is know as duodenal ulcer, when it is in the esophagus it is know as esophageal ulcer. If the peptic ulcer is not treated it may cause internal bleeding and can make a hole through the wall of stomach or small intestine, putting the patient at a risk of serious infection of abdominal cavity (peritonitis). After healing the peptic ulcer may leave a scar tissue which is a thick fibrous tissue. This leads to narrowing of the food passages. This gives feeling of fullness, nausea and causes vomiting.

Things to be avoided for people suffering from peptic ulcers:

• Don't smoke
• Limit or avoid alcohol
• Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Control acid reflux

Role of Homeopathy in Peptic Ulcer:
Homeopathic medicines are very gentle and mild. Recurrent problems of acidity and heartburn experienced by the person suffering from peptic ulcer will find definite relief in his complains with homeopathic medicines. The biggest advantage of homeopathic medicines in such situation is that it will help in preventing peptic ulcer from progressing and will help in faster healing of ulcer. Those who need to regularly depend on pain reliving pills for their joint complains, of headaches or non specific body pains are at higher risk of developing peptic ulcer. Homeopathy offers to treat those conditions which require being dependant on such pain relievers on regular basis. This is how homeopathy can be useful in multiple ways. As safe treatment option for your recurrent pains as well as preventive treatment for future health problems.

Important Homeopathic medicine for Peptic Ulcer:
Argentum Nitricum / Arsenicum Album / Calcarea Carbonicum / Carbo Vegetabilis / Colocymthis / Hepar Sulphuris Calcareum / Kali Bichromicum / Nitri Acidicum / Phosphorus / Silicea Terra / Terebinthiniae Oleum

Piles are also known as hemorrhoids, which are swollen and inflamed veins in the anus and rectum. They are usually as a result of straining while passing stool or increased amount of pressure on these veins due to pregnancy or from any other cause. The hemorrhoids may be internal or external. The internal hemorrhoids are not felt externally by touch. These are usually painless and their presence is felt by evidence of small amount of blood in toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. The internal hemorrhoids are some times pushed out with straining at stool. As compared to internal hemorrhoids the external hemorrhoids are painful and more irritation. Sometimes when they are inflamed its appearance is bright red and they are more painful. The common causes of hemorrhoids are:

• Positive family history for hemorrhoids
• Chronic constipation
• Sitting or standing for a long time,
• Habit of straining at stool
• Obesity
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Inactive life style
• Smoking

Following care can help in preventing hemorrhoids:

• High-fiber foods
• Drinking plenty of liquids
• Exercise
• Avoid long periods of standing or sitting
• Avoid straining at stool
• Attend toilet whenever there is urge

Following care helps in getting relief in flair ups of hemorrhoids.

• Keep the anal area clean.
• Soak regularly in a warm bath
• Apply cold things like ice for pain
• Use a sitz bath with warm water
• Avoid using dry toilet paper

This care will help in giving relief in the symptoms, but they are not enough to cure hemorrhoid. See your doctor if you don't get relief in a few days, or sooner if you have severe pain or bleeding.

Role of Homeopathy in Piles:
Homeopathy is useful in cases of piles in many ways. Basically the piles occur as a result of pressure on the rectal veins. This pressure could be as a result of hard stool, and constipation which forces us to strain at stool. Homeopathy acts on the body far deeper to solve the cause of complains and not the effect. Once you start with homeopathic treatment of piles the improvement is expected in your indigestion and constipation. You are not required to strain at stool. This helps in reducing pressure on veins. This is how it shows improvement in piles. Besides homeopathic remedies acts in giving spontaneous relief in acute flair ups of piles with severe pain and bleeding.

Important Homeopathic Medicines for Piles:
Agaricus Muscarius / Aloe Socotrina /Arsenicum Album / Carbo Animalis / Carbo Vegetabilis / Causticum Hahnemanni / Colibacillinum / Graphites Naturalis / Hamamelis Virginiana / Kali Arsenicosum / Kali Carbonicum / Kali Sulphuricum / Lachesis Muta / Lycopodium Clavatum / Merc Iodatus Ruber / Muriaticum Acidum / Nitri Acidum / Nux Vomica / Paeonia Officinalis / Phosphorus / Pulsatilla Nigricans / Ratania Peruviana / Sepia Succus / Sulphur Lotum.

Prostate Cancer is cancer of the small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces seminal fluid. Seminal fluid is a liquid which is useful for nourishing and transport of sperms. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Today the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer has become much easy in recent years. Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and initially remains confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. Some forms of prostate cancer progress slowly and may need minimal or no treatment, other forms are aggressive and can spread quickly. If prostate cancer is detected early when it's still confined to the prostate gland we have a better chance of successful treatment. Prostate cancer usually doesn't produce any noticeable symptoms in its early stages and that is one of the reasons, prostate cancer isn’t detected until the cancer has spread beyond the prostate. For most men, prostate cancer is first detected during a routine screening such as a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test or a digital rectal examination for some other complains like piles or hemorrhoids. The signs and symptoms depend on how advanced the cancer is and how far the cancer has spread. Early signs and symptoms of prostate cancer can include urinary problems, caused when the prostate tumor presses on the bladder or on the tube that carries urine from the bladder (urethra). However, urinary symptoms are much more commonly caused by benign prostate problems, such as an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostate infections. Less than 3 percent of cases of prostate cancer have urinary problems as the initial symptom. When urinary signs and symptoms do occur, they can include trouble urinating, starting and stopping while urinating decreased force in the stream of urine. Cancer in the prostate or the area around the prostate can cause blood in the urine or blood in semen. Prostate cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes in pelvic region it may cause swelling in both legs, pain in the pelvic area. Advanced prostate cancer that has spread to the bones can cause bone pain that doesn't go away, bone fractures and compression of the spine.

Cancer is a group of abnormal cells that grow more rapidly than normal cells and that refuse to die. Cancer cells also have the ability to invade and destroy normal tissues, either by growing directly into surrounding structures or after traveling to another part of the body through bloodstream or lymph system (metastasize). Microscopic cancer cells develop into small clusters that continue to grow and become more densely packed and hard. What causes prostate cancer and why some types behave differently are unknown. Complications from prostate cancer are related to both the disease and its treatment. One of the biggest fears of many men who have prostate cancer is that treatment may leave them incontinent or unable to maintain an erection firm enough for sex (erectile dysfunction).the common complication seen in prostate cancer are:

• Spread of cancer
• Pain
• Difficulty urinating (urinary incontinence)
• Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence

Role of Homeopathy in Prostate Cancer:
Homeopathy is a scientific and holistic system of medicine. It has its ability to improve our health dynamically by acting on our body’s life giving energy the vital force. This vital force gives life to a cell which then divides further and develops itself in to a complex human body. The role of vital force or life energy never ends after the development of first cell. In fact a single cell or entire human body or any living thing on this earth, be it an insect or a plant or a giant animal or a complex human body, it starts disintegrating once the life energy stops flowing in them. A healthy state of the body is not as a result of healthy cells and healthy tissue but it is as a result of healthy and balanced life energy or vital force which is maintaining the body in a healthy state. In a diseased body all what we see in a microscope is a diseased cell. But actually the cell is made diseased by virtue of disturbed life energy or vital force which is no more in a balance and harmonious state. There by the result of this disturbance is first seen as a disturbed functioning of the body. When this disturbance is carried further we see disturbance at a cellular level. This disturbance at a cellular level can be broadly understood as under growth (Dwarfism), over growth (Goiter), abnormal growth (Cancer) and destruction (ulcer). This is one of the most important reason why we are not able to explain the cause of cancer as definite prediction or for that matter in any illness we are able to see that same causes of illness do not affect every one few gets affected and few remains unaffected.

Homeopathy has a potential to act on this life giving energy dynamically and change the disturbed energy to state of balance and harmony. Once this is done then the now balanced and harmonious life energy cures body which is diseased.

This mode of homeopathic cure is safe and without side effect. Homeopathy can benefit in Prostate cancer at an early age when the growth is in a state of reversible state. Homeopathy can cure Prostate cancer when vital organs in body like liver, kidney, heart, bone marrow are unaffected. The spread of prostate cancer has not occurred to any of such vital organs. Homeopathy is successful when metastasis has not occurred. At a primary stage homeopathy has a good role to play. In advance cases of prostate cancer where there is no hope of person’s life, homeopathy still offers good palliation in pain control and general state of health where person finds improvement in his appetite, sleep, general strength and pain. This is achieved with less harmful and less invasive and cost effective way without subjecting patients to dangerous side effects. Homeopathy can not increase person’s life in this advanced stage of cancer but homeopathy can improve the quality of the remaining life of a person suffering from advance stage of prostate cancer.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Prostate Cancer:
Conium Maculatum / Digitalis Purpurea / Ferrum Picricum / Hydrangea Arborescens / Iodium Purum / Kali Iodatum / Melastama Ackermanni / Pulsatilla Nigricans / Sabal Serrulatum / Selenium / Solidago Virgaurea / Staphysagria / Thuja Occidentalis

Prostate Enlargement The prostate gland is the male organ that produces semen, the milky-colored fluid that nourishes and transports sperm during ejaculation. It sits beneath the bladder and surrounds urethra, the tube that drains urine from the bladder. When it becomes enlarged, the prostate can put pressure on urethra and cause difficulty in passing urine. Most men have a period of prostate growth in their mid- to late 40s. At this time, cells in the central portion reproduce more rapidly, resulting in prostate gland enlargement. As tissues in the area enlarge, they often compress the urethra and partially block urine flow. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the medical term for prostate gland enlargement. Treatment of prostate gland enlargement depends on the signs and symptoms and may include medications, surgery or nonsurgical therapies. Prostate gland enlargement is not related to the development of prostate cancer. The commonly experienced symptoms of BPH as follows:

• Weak urine stream
• Stopping and starting while urinating
• Dribbling at the end of urination
• Frequent need to urinate
• Increased frequency of urination at night
• Urgent need to urinate
• Not being able to completely empty the bladder
• Blood in the urine
• Urinary tract infection

At the time of birth, the prostate gland is about the size of a pea. It grows slightly during childhood and then at puberty undergoes a rapid growth spurt. By age 25, the prostate is fully developed and is about the size of a walnut. Changes in the ratio of male hormone (testosterone) and female hormone (estrogen) levels in men may stimulate the prostate to grow. Another possibility is that with growing age the prostate gland becomes more sensitive or responsive to normal levels of male hormone and grows more rapidly. The main risk factors for prostate gland enlargement include aging, heredity and geographical origin. Prostate gland enlargement becomes a serious health threat only if it interferes with our ability to empty bladder. A bladder that's continuously full can interfere with our sleep, it can cause recurrent bladder infection or result in kidney damage. Men who have an enlarged prostate are at increased risk of:

• Acute urinary retention (AUR)
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Bladder stones
• Bladder damage
• Kidney damage

Any treatment for prostate gland enlargement is not a preventive treatment for prostate cancer. With your regular treatment for BPH you must go through the regular prostate gland examination screen for cancer. Making some changes in your living habits can give relief in the symptoms of BPH which are as follows:

• Avoid taking beverages in the evening.
• Reduce intake of caffeine or alcohol
• Reduce dose of diuretics
• Avoid taking decongestants or anti allergic drugs
• Attend your call for urination whenever there is urging

Role of Homeopathy in Prostate enlargement or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia:
Specific homeopathic remedies which are known to act on prostate gland are found helpful in reducing swelling and obstruction of urethra. This action of homeopathic medicine helps in reducing the symptoms of BPH. Patient experiences better flow and less strain at urine. Constitutional treatment with homeopathic medicine may help in restricting the progress of the complains. Homeopathic medicines are safe and do not warrant any side effects. Homeopathy can not revert the swelling of prostate of long standing cases. But initial stages have shown good hope in complains of prostate enlargement.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Prostate Enlargement:
Conium Maculatum / Digitalis Purpurea / Ferrum Picricum / Hydrangea Arborescens / Iodium Purum / Kali Iodatum / Melastama Ackermanni / Pulsatilla Nigricans / Sabal Serrulatum / Selenium / Solidago Virgaurea / Staphysagria / Thuja Occidentalis

Prostatitis is inflammation or infection of the prostate gland is an organ about the size and shape of a walnut, located just below the bladder in males. The prostate gland produces semen, the fluid that helps nourish and transport sperm. Prostatitis can cause a variety of symptoms, including a frequent and urgent need to urinate and pain or burning when urinating which is often accompanied by pelvic, groin or low back pain. There can be four types of Prostatitis as acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, nonbacterial prostatitis also known as prostatodynia or chronic pelvic pain syndrome and last is asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. The signs and symptoms vary depending on the various types of prostatitis.

Acute bacterial prostatitis:

• Fever and chills
• Pain in the prostate gland, lower back or groin
• Urinary problems, including increased urinary urgency, pain and frequency, and blood-tinged urine
• Painful ejaculation

Acute bacterial prostatitis is caused due to bacteria present in large intestine. Sometimes acute prostatitis starts in the prostate gland, and spreads from a bladder or urethral infection. Acute prostatitis requires prompt medical treatment.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis:
The symptoms are slow to develop and remain for longer period as compared to Acute Prostatitis.

• Increased frequency of urine
• Burning pain while passing urine (painful micturation)
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Increased urge for urination at night
• Pain in the lumbar area (lower back) and genital area
• Difficulty in passing urine at the start, or slow urine flow
• Sometimes blood in semen or in urine
• Painful ejaculation
• Low grade fever
• Frequent urinary tract infection

Chronic bacterial prostatitis is seen after acute prostatitis when bacteria remain in the prostate. Other causes include use of catheter tubes used to drain the urinary bladder, direct injury to the urinary system or genital organ which is common in accidents occurring during bike riding or horseback riding. Chronic bacterial prostatitis can also result because of some infections in other parts of the body which acts as a source of the bacteria.

Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (Prostatodynia):
The signs and symptoms of nonbacterial prostatitis are almost like chronic bacterial prostatitis, and the only difference could be absence of fever. We can differentiate on the basis of doing Urine test or Seminal fluid test for Culture and sensitivity. This test will determine weather there is any bacterial infection present or not.

There are no certain causes for chronic nonbacterial prostatitis. The probable causes are infectious agents which are hard to find under laboratory scan, a life style which involves lifting heavy weight, chronic cystitis, some physical activity like excessive bike riding, congenital urethral strictures. These are some of the hypotheses for the illness.

Prostatitis is not contagious and is not a sexually transmitted disease. Prostatitis is more common in younger age group as compared to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Prostate cancer which is more common in elderly age group. There’s no evidence that having acute or chronic prostatitis increases our risk of prostate cancer, but it may increase the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in our bloodstream. PSA is a chemical substance produced by prostate gland in definite proportion. Increased levels of PSA in blood may be considered as positive signs of prostate cancer when it is present with other signs of prostate cancer. Prostatitis may cause difficulty in fertility due to inadequate transport of sperms.

Role of Homeopathy in Prostatitis:
In acute and chronic inflammation of Prostate homeopathy plays a role of reducing the swelling and give relief in symptoms of prostatitis like pain and burning in urine, difficulty in passing urine. Although homeopathy doesn’t work as antibiotics work to kill the bacteria but homeopathy uses body’s own immune system to eliminate such bacteria. Homeopathy works directly on the body’s immune system. After homeopathic treatment our body’s immune system becomes stronger and gives protection against opportunistic illnesses. There by homeopathic treatment makes the body stronger and healthy for longer period of time.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Prostatitis:
Apis Mellifica / Aurum Metallicum / Belloadonna / Capsicum Annum / Causticum Hahnemanni / Chimaphila Umbellata / Conium Maculatum / Copaiva / Cubeba Officinalis / Digitalis Purpurea / Dulcamara / Fabiana Imbricata / Ferrum Picricum / Gelsemium Sempervirens / Hepar Sulphuris Calcarreum / Iodium Purum / Kali Bichromicum / Lycopodium Clavatum / Mercurius / Mercurius Corrosivus / Mercurius Dulcis / Nitri Acidicum / Nux Vomica / Petroleum / Phosphoricum Acidum / Pulsatilla Nigricans /Sabal Serrulatum / Selenium /Sepia Succus / Staphysagria / Thuja Occidentalis / Tribulus Terrestris / Veratrum Viride

Psoriasis is a skin disease in which life cycle of skin cells is altered. Under normal, circumstances new cells take about a month to rise from the lowest skin layer from where they originate, to the outermost layer where they die. This month long cycle is fastened in psoriasis. The entire life cycle takes only few days as compared to a month in normal circumstances. As a result, cells are developed rapidly, which forms thick silvery scales and itchy, dry, red patches on the skin which are sometimes painful. Psoriasis is a chronic disease. There may be periods when the psoriasis symptoms decrease or go into remission. This phase of improvement alternates with times when psoriasis becomes worse. Research indicates that the disease may result from a disorder in the immune system. The immune system makes white blood cells that protect the body from infection. In psoriasis, the T cells (a type of white blood cell) abnormally trigger inflammation in the skin. These T cells also cause skin cells to grow faster than normal and to pile up in raised patches on the outer surface of the skin. Those with a family history of psoriasis have an increased chance of having the disease. Some people carry genes that make them more likely to develop psoriasis. When both parents have psoriasis, the child may have a 50% chance of developing psoriasis. About one third of those with psoriasis have at least one family member with the disease.

Certain factors may trigger psoriasis.

• Injury to the skin
• Sunlight
• Streptococcal infections

Psoriasis symptoms can vary from person to person but may include one or more of the following:

• Red patches of skin covered with silvery scales
• Dry, cracked skin with bleeding spots
• Thickened, ridged nails
• Itching and burning
• Small scaling spots
• Swollen and stiff joints

Several types of psoriasis exist. These include:

• Plaque psoriasis
• Nail psoriasis
• Scalp psoriasis
• Guttate psoriasis
• Inverse psoriasis
• Pustular psoriasis
• Erythrodermic psoriasis
• Psoriatic arthritis

Perhaps the most significant risk factor for psoriasis is having a family history of the disease. About one in three people with psoriasis has a close relative who also has the condition. On the other hand, roughly the same proportion of people carries genes that have been linked to psoriasis yet never develop skin problems, indicating just how complex and perplexing psoriasis is.

Other psoriasis risk factors include:

• Positive family history
• Other medical conditions like HIV, History of recurrent infections in children
• Stress.
• Obesity.
• Smoking.

Self-help measures can give some relief in symptoms: These measures may benefit you:

• Take daily baths.
• Cover the affected areas overnight.
• Use moisturizer.
• Avoid drinking alcohol.
• Expose your skin to small amounts of sunlight.
• Avoid psoriasis triggers, if possible.

Coping with psoriasis can be a challenge, especially if the disease covers large areas of our body or is in places readily seen by other people, such as our face or hands.

How to cope with psoriasis?

• Get total information on your psoriasis
• Follow proper treatment suggested by your doctor.
• Try to cover your patches whenever

Role of Homeopathy in Psoriasis:
Homeopathy has proved its effectiveness in the treatment of psoriasis by giving positive results in millions of cases. We have experienced dramatic results in most resistant cases of psoriasis. Homeopathy helps in cases of psoriasis by correcting immune system and altering the mechanism of increased cell production. There is no need for applying any local skin lotions or steroid preparations for psoriasis while you are on homeopathic treatment. Homeopathic treatment effectively cures psoriasis and also prevents other complication of psoriasis like arthritis. As homeopathic treatment is safe without any side effects you can save your self from dangerous side effects of long term use of steroids and other immune suppressants used in the treatment of psoriasis.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Psoriasis:
Arsenicum Album / Arsenicum Iodatum / Borax Veneta / Calcarea Carbonicum / Calcarea Sulphuricum / Cantharis Vesicatoria / Carbolicum Acidum / China Officinalis / Chrysarobinum / Clematis Erecta / Graphites Naturalis / Iris Versicolor / Kali Arsenicosum / Kali Carbonicum / Kali Sulphuricum / Lobelia Inflata / Lycopodium Clkavatum / Manganum Aceticum / Mercurius / Mezereum / Natrum Muriaticum / Nitri Acidicum / Petroleum / Phosphorus / Phytolacca Decandra / Psorinum, / Pulsatilla Nigricans / Rhus Toxicodendron / Sarracenia Purpurea / Sarsaparilla Offi9cinalis / Sepia Succus / Silicea Terra / Staphysagria / Sulphur / Thyroidinum

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inflammatory type of arthritis which produces joint pain and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the inner lining of joints known as synovium membrane. This results in to swelling which gives pain, stiffness of joint, movement5 restriction of the joint, and deformity of the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women than in men. The disease can affect any age group.

There's no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. With proper treatment, a strategy for joint protection and changes in lifestyle, you can live a long, productive life with rheumatoid arthritis.

Signs and symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis:

• Joint pain, swelling, stiffness and movement restriction
• Nodular swelling under the skin over the joints known as rheumatoid nodule
• Tiredness
• Morning stiffness that lasts at least 30 minutes
• Fever
• Weight loss

Many joints are affected at a time. In the early stage of the illness smaller joints like wrists, hands, ankles and feet are affected. As the disease progresses, the bigger joints of the body like shoulders, elbows, knees, hips, jaw and neck can also become involved. Rheumatoid arthritis signs and symptoms range from mild to severe forms. Period of increased disease activity alternates with period of remission, during which relief in symptoms of fever, weakness and joint pain is experienced.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune illness, in which body’s white blood cells, whose main function is to protect body from bacteria and other infective organism entering the body from outside, start attacking synovial membrane of the joints. These blood cells cause swelling and inflammation of the synovial membrane. The inflammation causes the release of proteins that, progressively causes thickening and hardening of the synovium membrane. These proteins also damage other structures of the joint like cartilage, bone, tendons and ligaments of the joint. With progress of the illness and ongoing pathological process in the joints the involved joints loose shape, loose functional capacity, loose strength, and eventually get destroyed.

Following factors that may increase risk of Rheumatoid arthritis:

• Gender: Women are more affected than men.
• Family history: Positive family history of rheumatoid arthritis is observed in those who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Self care measures for Rheumatoid arthritis:

• Exercise regularly: mild muscle strengthening exercise under supervision helps to maintain strength and flexibility of the joint.
• Eat a healthy diet: Fruit, vegetables and whole grains can help to keep the weight in control. This will ensure less burden of weakening joints.
• Protect your joints: Reduce stress on joint by learning to do the daily routine in easier way. Your physiotherapist may help in learning these techniques.
• Use specially designed devices: you can use specially devised grips and other instruments which can help you in doing your daily work more comfortably without stressing your weakening joint.
• Apply heat and cold: this may help reduce pain and relax the affected joint.

Role of Homeopathy in Rheumatoid arthritis:
Homeopathy has proved very effective in controlling pain as well as progress of the illness. The patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis have to invariably depend on pain relieving medications which may involve steroids and other drugs. These drugs may have undesired side effects in some patients when used for longer duration. Homeopathic medicines are safe, and effective for longer use as well as it gives desired relief to the patients. Homeopathic medicines have no powers to change the structural alterations and damage of tissues like thickening of synovium membrane, damage of cartilage and bone. What we can expect prom homeopathic treatment is slowing of progress of the illness and better control of pain, and complete protection from the side effects.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Rheumatoid arthritis:
Aconitum Napellus / Apis Mellifica / Arsenicum Album / Bryonia Alba / Calcarea Carbonicum / Carbo Vegetabilis / Helleborus Niger / Iodium Purum / Kali Carbonicum / Ledum Palustre / Lycopodium Clavatum / Mercurius / Natrum Muriaticum / Phosphoricum Acidicum / Phosphorus / Psorinum / Pulsatilla Nigricans / Silicea Terra / Squilla Maritima / Stramonium / Sulphur Lotum / Terebinthiniae Oleum

Sinusitis is an inflammation of nasal sinuses. Sinuses are the air-filled hollow cavities around nose and nasal passages. When these passages become inflamed, fluid may accumulate and interfere with normal drainage of mucus in the sinuses.

The sinusitis is of two types:

• Acute Sinusitis
• Chronic Sinusitis

Acute Sinusitis develops when the mucous membranes of your upper respiratory tract — the nose, pharynx, sinuses and throat become inflamed. The swelling obstructs the sinus openings and prevents mucus from draining normally. This creates a moist environment conducive to infection. Most colds resolve with time, but few develop into acute sinusitis. The cause of sinusitis is most often viral, such as the common cold virus, but the cause can also be bacterial or fungal. When an upper respiratory tract infection persists longer than 14 days, it's more likely a bacterial cause than a viral cause. Untreated acute sinusitis can lead to more-serious infections or become a chronic condition. However, most cases are short-lived. When symptoms last less than four weeks, the sinusitis is considered acute.

Causes other than infection:

• Allergies: Inflammation that occurs with allergies may block your sinuses.
• Deviated nasal septum: A crooked septum, the wall between the nostrils, may restrict or block sinus passages.
• Nasal polyps: These tissue growths may restrict the nasal passages.
• Other medical conditions: The complications of cystic fibrosis, gastroesophageal reflux, or HIV and other immunodeficiency diseases may result in nasal blockage.

Signs and symptoms of acute sinusitis:

• Pain around nose, eyes, forehead and cheeks
• Fever and fatigue
• Redness of the skin over the sinus area around nose
• Congestion and stuffiness inside the nose
• Difficulty breathing through nose
• Reduced sense of smell or taste
• Dry cough or cough with yellow expectoration which drains from nose and come out of mouth (post nasal drip – PND)
• Nausea

Following complication may occur in Acute Sinusitis:

• Chronic sinusitis
• Acute Asthma
• Meningitis
• Vision problems
• Aneurysms or blood clots

Chronic sinusitis is different from acute sinusitis. In chronic sinusitis the duration of illness is longer (more than 8 weeks). The changes that are observed in the sinus cavity are those of chronic inflammation. The inflammation causes accumulation of fluid in the sinus cavity which over a period of time blocks the free flow of air and free clearance of mucus.

Symptoms of chronic sinusitis:

• Difficulty breathing through the nose,
• Frequent headaches
• Tenderness in the face or
• Pain behind the eyes.
• Yellow or greenish discharge from your nose or drainage down the back of your throat.

Chronic sinusitis can be caused by:

• Infections of the upper respiratory tract the nose, pharynx, sinuses and throat
• Allergies
• Anatomical problems like deviated nasal septum
• Mold or fungi in the sinuses.

Most cases of sinusitis are acute, meaning they resolve in less than two weeks. However, when the condition recurs or endures longer than 8 consecutive weeks, it is thought to be chronic sinusitis.

Role of Homeopathy in Sinusitis:
Homeopathy resolves cases of sinusitis very effectively at all stages. Homeopathy works best for acute as well as chronic cases of sinusitis. The control in pain, nasal discharges, difficult breathing, and frequency of attack is achieved with success rate of 90% the duration of treatment for acute cases of sinusitis is maximum 2 weeks. Treatment duration of chronic sinusitis depends upon the cause, stage of illness and other treatment tried by the patient. If patient has undergone corrective surgery for deviated nasal septum than the response to homeopathic treatment is comparatively slow and duration of treatment is also long. In cases where the cause of sinusitis is allergy and patient is put on steroid sprays or oral steroids to control allergy than the treatment duration is long and response to the treatment is slow. Nevertheless in all situations good improvement on intensity and frequency of attacks is assured. Long term to permanent freedom from sinusitis is the goal of homeopathic treatment.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Sinusitis:
Arsenicum Album / Calcarea Carbonicum / Cuprum / Hydrastis / Kali Bichromicum / Kali Chlorosum / Kali Iodum / Lycopodium Clavatum / Medorrhinum / Mercurius / Nux Vomica / Pulsatilla Nigricans / Sanguinaria / Silicea Terra / Sticta Pulmonaria / Thuja Occidentalis

Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. We may have sleep apnea if we snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night's sleep.

There are three types of Sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea: this type occurs when throat muscles relax
• Central sleep apnea: this type occurs when your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing
• Complex sleep apnea: in this type both the above mechanism play a role

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of throat relax. These muscles support the soft palate, the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate known as uvula, the tonsils and the tongue. The muscles relax, the airway narrows or closes as we breathe in, and breathing stops for some time. This may lower the level of oxygen in blood. Our brain senses this inability to breathe and briefly rouses us from sleep so that we can reopen airway. This awakening is usually so brief that we don't remember it. We can awaken with a transient shortness of breath that corrects itself quickly, within one or two deep breaths, although it is rare. We may make a snorting, choking or gasping sound. This pattern can repeat itself 10 to 40 times or more in an hour, during the whole night. These disturbances decrease the levels of necessary deep sleep, restful phases of sleep. Because of this there is sleepy feeling during day time. People may not be aware that their sleep is interrupted. In fact, many people with this type of sleep apnea think they sleep well during night. Central sleep apnea, which is far less common, occurs when the brain fails to transmit signals to breathing muscles. Person may awaken with shortness of breath or have a difficult time staying asleep. Like obstructive sleep apnea, snoring and daytime sleepiness can occur. The most common cause of central sleep apnea is heart disease, and stroke. People with central sleep apnea may be more likely to remember awakening than people with obstructive sleep apnea are.

People with complex sleep apnea have upper airway obstruction just like those with obstructive sleep apnea, but they also have a problem with the rhythm of breathing and occasional lapses of breathing effort.

The most common signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Loud snoring, which is usually more prominent in obstructive sleep apnea
• Observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep
• Abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath, which more likely indicates central sleep apnea
• Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
• Morning headache
• Difficulty staying asleep

Following are the leading signs to rule out sleep apnea:

• Snoring loud enough to disturb the sleep of others or yourself
• Shortness of breath that awakens you from sleep
• Intermittent pauses in your breathing during sleep
• Excessive daytime drowsiness, which may cause you to fall asleep while you're working, watching television or even driving

Following factors may be considered as risk factors for sleep apnea:

• Excess weight.
• Neck circumference: A neck circumference greater than 17.5 inches is associated with an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea.
• High blood pressure: people with hypertension may suffer from sleep apnea
• A narrowed airway: this may be a congenital defect
• Being male: Sleep apnea is more common in male than female.
• Being older: Sleep apnea is more common in elderly age group
• Family history: Positive family history is an additional risk factor
• Heart disorders and stroke or brain tumor: these are related to central sleep apnea

Complications may include:

• Cardiovascular problems: The more severe your sleep apnea, the greater the risk of high blood pressure. If there's underlying heart disease, these multiple episodes of low blood oxygen (hypoxia or hypoxemia) can lead to sudden death from a cardiac event. Obstructive sleep apnea also increases the risk of stroke, regardless of whether you have high blood pressure
• Daytime fatigue: severe daytime drowsiness, fatigue and irritability is experienced. Concentration difficulty. Falling asleep at work, while watching TV or even when driving. Irritability, moodiness and depression
• Sleep-deprivation of others: Loud snoring can disturb sleep of those around you or those who share same room or bed with you
• Mental state: sleep apnea may also complain of memory problems, mood swings or feelings of depression
• Urinary and sexual function: a need to get up for urination frequently at night, and impotence
• Gastrointestinal problems: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be more common in people with sleep apnea

Role of Homeopathy in Sleep Apnea:
Homeopathy reduces the symptom severity of sleep apnea in cases where the illness is not due to some structural obstructions of airway. Homeopathy also helps in reducing the complications of sleep apnea. Homeopathy is safe and effective without causing any side effects. Homeopathy also helps in treating the underlying cause of sleep apnea.

Important Homeopathic medicines for Sleep apnea:
Carbo Vegetabilis / Cancheris Contortrix / Grindelia Robusta Aut Squarrosa / Kali Carbonicum / Lac Caninum / Lachesis Muta / Opium / Sulphur Lotum