Obesity And Its Homoeopathic Management - homeopathy360

Obesity And Its Homoeopathic Management

Authors:
Dr Yogeshwari Gupta1

Dr Kumari Rakesh2

1 Prof. MD (Hom), Principal, Swasthya Kalyan Homoeopathic Medical College and  Research Centre, Sitapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
2M.D­­. (PGR), Materia Medica, Swasthya  Kalyan Homoeopathic Medical College and Research Centre, Sitapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

Corresponding Author: Dr. Yogeshwari Gupta, Prof. MD (Hom), Principal, Swasthya Kalyan Homoeopathic Medical College & Research Centre, Sitapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

ABSTRACT:

Obesity is defined as an accumulation of  body fat more than 22% of the total body weight for man and more than 30% of total body weight for women. Obesity also acts like, precursor of many dangerous illnesses, so thus knowing its cause and treatment is of prime importance. Homoeopathy is a holistic and safe way to overcome obesity without side-effects. Homoeopathic medicines also correct the underlying problems such as overeating, stree, and endocrinal problems.This article emphasis on incidence, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features and management of obesity with homoeopathic medicines.

KEYWORDS: Obesity, Body Mass Index, Homoeopathic Treatment, Adiposity, Weight Reduction.

INTRODUCTION:-

The word ‘Obesity’ came from Latin; which originally means ‘eaten away’ or ‘wasted’. Obesity is defined as a condition of abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in adipose tissue to the extent that health may be impaired. [1]

Recent studies have reported that globally, more than 1.9 billion adults are overweight and 650 million are obese. Approximately 2.8 million deaths are reported as a results of being obese. In India, more than 135 million individual were affected by obesity.

the prevalence of Obesity in India varies due to age, gender, geographical environment, socioeconomic status etc.

According to ICMR-INDIAB study 2015, prevalence rate of obesity and central obesity are varies from 11.8% to 31.3% and 16.9% – 36.3 respectively. In India, abdominal obesity is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease.[2]

TYPES OF OBESITY:

  • Generalized obesity (pear shaped)
  • Abdominal obesity (apple shaped)[3]

Teenage obesity:  Obesity is a growing problem in teenagers mainly due to their inactivity & diet. Teenage obesity cannot only create medical problems but may also lead to psychological problems.[4]

AETIOLOGY: Some of the major causes are:

  • Sedentary lifestyles.
  • Overeating.
  • Slow metabolism- women have a slower metabolism than men.
  • Culture- food habits depends upon the culture of society.
  • Psychological factors- people feel that they cannot control how much they eat (depression).
  • During and after pregnancy.
  • Certain medication.
  • Endocrinal cause – Hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, Insulin resistance, PCOS, Diabetes etc.
  • Genetic factors-
  • Genes affects the hormones involved in fat regulation (leptin), metabolic rate, blood glucose , metabolism, fat storage etc.
  • Obesity develops in praderwilli syndrome, Laurence-moon-biedl syndrome etc[5].

CLINICAL FEATURES:

  • Body weight progressively increasing.
  • Alteration in the contour & configuration of body.
  • Uniformly deposition of fat throughout the body.
  • Adiposity is marked in the legs & extends upto the waist.
  • Slightest exertion may give rise to Dyspnea.
  • Menstrual disturbances.
  • Difficulty in sitting in squatting position, getting up or sitting in a chair or a vehicle.
  • Clothes feeling tight & needing a lager size.[5]

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR OBESITY:

  • Body weight >20% above the ideal body weight.
  • Ponderal index <12
  • Waist circumference- women >35 inch & men >40 inch are considered as obese.
  • A fat fold thickness >2.5cm at the tip of scapula in males or mid triceps in females

BMI = m/h2    (m = mass, h= height)[5].

Normal values:

BMI Nutritional status
Below 18.5 Underweight
18.5-24.9 Normal weight
25.0-29.9 Pre-obesity
30.0-34.9 Obesity class I
35.0-39.9 Obesity class II
Above 40 Obesity class III [5]

INVESTIGATIONS:

Some baseline investigations for obesity to exclude possible underlying causes of obesity.

  • Biochemic Profile
  • Complete Blood count
  • Fasting Blood sugar
  • Lipid Profile
  • Serum uric acid
  • Serum T3 and TSH.[6]

MANAGEMENT :

  • Diet and exercise.

TREATMENT:

Conventional treatment:

  • Medication.
  • Surgery- Bariatric surgery for severe obese (BMI>40)[7]

COMPLICATIONS:

  • Mechanical- Due to heavy weight of the body, weight bearing joints.
  • Infection-Due to exaggeration of skin creases cleanliness cannot be maintained.
  • Cardiovascular complications.
  • Metabolic- Diabetes Mellitus, Cholesterol, Calculus etc.
  • Psychic complications.[5]

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT:

Homoeopathic treatment is based on ”similia similibus curanter’’ Where constitutional medicines selected on the basis of totality of symptoms, so one can lose weight by improving digestion, elimination & metabolism. Some important medicines are[8]

ANILINUM

  • Marked giddiness and pain in head; face has a purple hue.
  • Pain in penis and scrotum with swelling.
  • Tumors of the urinary passages. Profound anæmia with discoloration of skin, blue lips, anorexia, gastric disturbances. Swelling of skin.

CALOTROPIS GIGANTEA

  • Primary anaemia of syphilis. Heat in stomach is a good guiding symptom.
  • Obesity, while flesh decreases, muscles become harder and firmer.

CARCINOSINUM

  • It is claimed the Carcinosin acts favorably and modifies all cases in which either a history of carcinoma can be elicited, or symptoms of the disease itself exist (J. H. Clarke, M. D).
  • Carcinoma of the mammary glands with great pain and induration of glands; of uterus, the offensive discharge, hæmorrhage and pain are greatly relieved.

KALI BICHROMICUM

  • It is specially indicated for fleshy, fat, light haired complexioned people with scrofulous or syphilitic history. Symptoms tend to increase in the morning and all pains migrate quickly with rheumatic and gastric symptoms alternating. Catarrhal stage of all mucus membranes.

THYROIDINUM

  • It produces anemia, emaciation, muscular weakness, and sweating, tingling and increased heart rate.
  • It exerts great influence over goiter and excessive obesity and acts best in females with paleness and uterine fibroids or mammary tumors.

Some other medicines are-

Antimonium Carbonicum, Antimonium Crudum, Baryta Carbonica, Calcaria Carbonica, Capsicum Annum, China Officinalis, Ferrum Phosphoricum, Fucus Versiculosis, Graphitis, Ignatia Amara, Kali Carbonicum,  Lycopodium Clavatum, Natrum Sulphuricum, Staphysagria, etc.

REFERENCES:

  1. Ghai O P, Piyush Gupta, V.K. Paul, Ghai Essential Pediatrics, New Delhi; Published by Publishers & Distributors, Reprint Edition, 2005,116PP,118PP.
  2. Ahirwar R, Mondal RP . Prevelence of obesity in India: A Systematic review. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2019; 13(1):318-321. Doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2018.08.032. Eupb 2018 Sep 21.
  3. Cook T. Obesity an overview. The Homoeopathic Heritage. 2007;3291):1.
  4. Kaur H, Obesity A. Weightly Issue for Teenage. The Homoeopathic Heritage,2007.
  5. Das PC, Das PK. Textbook of Medicine; 5th Edition; Current Book International, Kolkata, 509PP,510PP.
  6. Labib M. The Investigation & Management of Obesity.[Internet] Available from http;//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  7. Davidson,Edwards RW,Christother Ad Bowchier A.D.Davidson’s Principals & Practice of Medicine,22nd  Edition,301PP,302PP.
  8. Boericke W.New Manual of  Homoeopathic Materia Medica with Repertory.Third Revised & Augmented Edition Based on Ninth Edition 33th Impression. New Delhi: B.Jain Publishers (P) Ltd. 2014;129(253):414PP, 324PP ,362PP, 363PP, 96PP.

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