Observational Analysis of Acute Diarrhoea through Homoeopathic Management - homeopathy360

Observational Analysis of Acute Diarrhoea through Homoeopathic Management

diarrhoea, homeopathyAbstract: Acute Diarrhoea is a manifestation under “Gastrointestinal Disorders” and many other clinical conditions. A clinical, non- comparative, randomised study was undertaken to analyse the effect of the homoeopathic remedies in acute diarrhoeal conditions by using clinical bedside homoeopathic repertory “Bell’s Diarrhoea”, to reach the exact simillimum of the patient and with the help of auxiliary mode of treatment i.e. proper diet management. 97% of cases were cured which clearly indicates that homoeopathic remedies definitely has the power to cure the acute diarrhoeal condition. The study was carried out at Y.M.T Homoeopathic Medical College & P.G.Institute from 8th August 2009 to 7th February 2011. The main research work was carried out by Dr. Shrutika Sawant and was supported by my Co-research persons.

 

Introduction

 

Scientist Albert Szent-Gyorgyi called water the “Hub of Life.” Ground water contamination is a serious health hazard as it spread germs causing diarrhoea and its related disease, dysentery. Diarrhoea is a major public health problem in developing countries and among children under the age group of 5 years. The National Diarrhoeal Disease Control Programme has made a significant contribution in averting deaths among children and much attention has been given in its management over the last decade which is dominated by advance oral rehydration techniques.

 

Diarrhoea is defined as an increased frequency of passage of abnormal liquid or unformed stools. If diarrhoea last for less than 7-14 days it is considered as “acute diarrhoea” and if it lasts for more than 2-3 weeks it is considered as “chronic diarrhoea”. Diarrhoea can cause dehydration, which means the body lacks enough fluids to function properly. Dehydration is particularly dangerous in children and the elderly; it must be treated promptly to avoid serious health problems. [1]

 

Acute diarrhoea can be a symptom of injury, disease or food borne disease, water borne disease and is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, often with nausea, vomiting or fever. It occurs when insufficient fluid is absorbed by colon. The colon absorbs water leaving remaining material semi-solid. If the colon is damaged or inflamed, absorption is inhibited and watery stools results. Diarrhoea causes rapid depletion of water and sodium and if both are not replaced fast, the body starts to “dry up” or get “dehydrated”. If more than 10% of the body fluid is lost, death occurs.

 

WHO: Water borne diseases

 

Diarrhoea occurs worldwide and causes 4% of all deaths and 5% of health loss to disability. It is most commonly caused by “Gastrointestinal” infections which kill around 2.2 million people globally each year, mostly children in developing countries. [2]

 

Nature of diarrhoea associated with features may indicate its cause.

 

  1. Watery diarrhoea particularly with blood – usually indicates colonic inflammation or cancer.
  2. Mushy stools – often indicates a small intestine disorder.
  3. Pale, difficult to flush, greasy and particularly smelly stool – suggest “Steatorrhea”
  4. Associated eye, skin or joint pain – features of IBD, Whipples disease, Behchets disease.
  5. Short history of over a few days with sudden onset – indicates infections.
  6. Too much alcohol, caffeine may cause diarrhoea. [3]

 

Acute diseases are those which have a sudden onset, rapid progress and may end in death or recovery. Hence, these are the conditions which have to be attended immediately. . Homoeopathic treatment has a substantial benefit in such acute conditions and has a significant impact on disease related to morbidity and mortality.

 

Objectives:

 

The objective was to see the efficacy and to analyse the effect of the homoeopathic treatment in acute diarrhoeal conditions with the help of Repertory of Bell’s Diarrhoea and auxiliary mode of treatment by proper diet management.

 

Intervention:

 

Key measures to reduce the number of cases of diarrhoea:

  1. Homoeopathic Treatment.
  2. Access to safe drinking water.
  3. Improved sanitation
  4. Good personal hygiene and food hygiene
  5. Health education about how infection spread.

 
 

Study Design:

  1. Material and sources of Data:

The patients were randomised and screened from IPD, OPD and rural camps organized by the college. After Randomisation, number of patients selected was thirty. Duration of study was from 8th August 2009 to 7th February 2011.

 

  1. Methods of collection of Data:
  • The study was limited to treating acute diarrhoea, so detailed miasmatic inheritance in patient was not taken into consideration.
  • Patients were screened and only patient suffering from acute diarrhoea and its related disease that required medicinal treatment were selected. Patients suffering from diarrhoea due to indisposition were kept on placebo and such cases do not form part of the study.
  • Changes at mental level as well as physical generals in acute episodes of diarrhoea were recorded as concomitant.
  1. Inclusion Criteria:
  • Patient of all age groups.
  • Patient of both sexes.
  • Patient suffering from acute diarrhoea and its related disease.
  1. Exclusion Criteria:
  • Immune-compromised patients.
  • Patients having active treatment for other diseases.

 
 

Mode of administration of Remedy:

Remedy was administered in water and repeated after every stool or according to the urgency of the symptoms. Remedy was stopped as soon as decided improvement appeared.

This method of administration of remedy is mentioned in Repertory of Bell’s Diarrhoea.

 

Criteria of Assessment:

  • Number of loose stools
  • Pain in abdomen
  • Physical Generals of patients
  • Fever, if present
  • Activity of patient

 

Observational Analysis:

  1. Pie Chart showing the result of Homoeopathic treatment, it shows the percentage of patient Cured and percentage of patient Dropped Out.

 

Result:

Cured 29
Dropped out 01
  1. Pie Chart showing the efficacy of Homoeopathic Remedies, it shows the percentage of remedies used in treatment of Cases.
Remedies Percentage
Arsenic Album 60%
Podophyllum 20%
Croton Tig 10%
Colchicum 5%
Nux Vomica 5%
  1. Bar Diagram showing Disease distribution of the patient
Disease No. of Cases
Acute Diarrhoea 25
Acute Gastroenteritis 3
Food Poisoning 1
Dentition Diarrhoea 1

6

 

 

Discussion:

 

In the above research paper it has been observed that most of the cases, namely 25 cases were of acute Diarrhoea, 3 cases were of Acute Gastroenteritis, 1 case of Food Poisoning and 1 case of Dentitional Diarrhoea. It has also been observed that majority of cases were cured by Arsenic Album 60%, Podophyllum 20%, Croton Tig 10%, Colchicum 5% and Nux Vomica 5%. Along with this advice about good hygiene and precautions related to eating habits also proved to be very useful.

 

Conclusion:

 

The main cause of acute diarrhoea and its related disease are poor hygiene, lack of clean drinking water, trends towards bottle feeding, lack of sanitation. It is a major public health concern in developing countries and a cause of morbidity on a world-wide scale. It was observed that 97% of cases were cured which clearly indicates that homoeopathic remedies definitely has the power to cure the acute diarrhoeal condition by reaching exact simillimum with the help of bell’s repertory. The prescription was based on acute totality. This study shows that homoeopathy is a holistic and artistic science. After giving exact simillimum Homoeopathy gives gentle, permanent cure in acute condition with improvement in the immunity.

 

References

  1. Longo DL, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Jameson J, Loscalzo J.et al . Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 16th edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2005
  2. Axford J. Medicine, 2nd edition, Massachusetts, USA: Blackwell Publishers: 2004.
  3. Bell J.B. The Homoeopathic Therapeutics of Diarrhoea, Dysentry, cholera, cholera morbus, cholera infantum and all other loose evacuation of the bowels, 13th edition. New Delhi: Jain Publishers (P) Ltd: 2007.
  4. Gypzer K.H.Kents Minor Writing on Homoeopathy, B.Jain Publishers Pvt. Ltd: 1988.
  5. Clarke J.H. A Clinical Repertory to the Dictionary of Materia Medica, New Delhi: B.Jain Publishers (P) Ltd: 1993.

 

Authors

Dr Shrutika Sawant

Dr. Ardeshir Jagose

Dr Amruta Pawar

Dr Vidhya Sawant

 

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Team Homeopathy 360