Homeopathy in Geriatrics

Agnes W. Thomas Says-

“About a person who grows in gold, There has been a lot of chatter, but if a person doesn’t mind, age doesn’t really matter.”

INTRODUCTION-

The first question that very naturally arises is – when does old age  begin.

Some gerontologists divide into early old age from 65 to 74 years & Advanced old age at 75 years and above.

The exact cause of aging has been a matter of speculation. Natural ageing may be due to occurrence of gene Mutations.

Homoeopathy not only covers all ages but – can cover extra forty weeks from the movement of beginning of life with impregnation of the ovum.

They way it can help in the treatment of the chronic miasm and greatly improve remove inherited tendencies.

According to the Indian Survey following disorders (Complaints) found in old people.

1. Hypertension
2. Low-end Cardiac Insufficiency
3. Cardiac infarction.
4. Vascular occlusion.
5. Varicus, thrombosis.
6. Pulmonary emphysema.
7. Bronchitis.
8. Cholelithiasis.
9. Cirrhosis of liver.
10. Nephrolithiasis.
11. Cystitis.
12. Prostate-hypertrophy
13. Prostate carcinoma
14. Diabetes
15. Gout
16. Osteoarthritis, etc.

A critical crisis occurring at a period of life when vital forces begin to decline.

Disorders of the later years are-

• Anemia
• Obesity
• Many type of cancer
• Pneumonia
• Tuberculosis
• Nutritional Disease
• Accidents
• Arteriosclerosis
• Heart disease
• Cerebral haemorrhage
• Peak incidence of depression in women is at stage of menopause (Age-46 to 52)
• Aging male complain about reducing vitality and eventually Impotence
• Insomnia- is one of the most common complaints of the old, especially in the later part of night. The physician investigates carefully and uncover any underlying cause such as dyspnoea, pain, bladder or rectal discomfort, nocturia and anxiety & depression.

Along with medical problems, old people suffer from social & economical problems. Due to the crumbling of the Joint-family system, the prestige & power of the older people is declining.

Today’s young generation have self-problems like economic struggle & overwhelming consideration for self. Such changes have resulted in the development of disease status in older generations.
Homoeopathy is one system of treatment that gives its prime importance to the state of mind. Stress from drastic changes of situation like sudden loss of income, loss of prestige & position in family and society, isolation, death of spouse etc. can all result in emotional, behavioural & physical disorders.

Old Age Remedies –

Homoeopathy is based on individualization. No two remedies are alike. Every person has some individuality and character. In my practice I see different individualized characters in different people. 

For example, one male patient aged 52 years during case taking gave a long list of symptoms and told that his abdominal pain is ameliorated by sexual intercourse. This symptom individualized the patient from others.

But certain troubles are common in the old and I have tried to consider the more usual remedies for them.

Conium Mac – Covers problems like loss of memory, enlarged prostate. Conium plays an important role in cancer of various regions and chronic diarrhoea in old patients.

Fluoric Acid – Loss of memory, depression, Vertigo on rising from lying or when walking.

Baryta-Carb – Dimness of Vision, and degenerative changes growing by age. Best remedy for insomnia in old age.

Alumina – Weak memory, chronic constipation, chronic cough, skin rashes and relieves itchiness, Senile Tremors.

Antim Crud – Constipation alternate with diarrhoea and many of the nutritional & diagnostic symptoms of the old especially those patients would have thickly coated white coating on tongue.

Lycopodium – For increased sexual desire in old men. Lycopodium is of great value in slowness of comprehension , forgetfulness of words.

Coffea Cruda – Play an important role in producing calm sleep especially when used in low potency.

Syphilinum – Sleeplessness of aged as well as in depression and rectal difficulties, haemorrhoids, fissures and obstinate constipation.

Arnica – At the time of the stroke arnica is an extremely useful

remedy.

Petrolium – Ringing & cracking in ears and noise unbearable especially when several people are talking together.

Senega – This is for asthenic bronchitis of old people with difficult raising mucus, profuse mucus & rattling in the chest.

Agaricus & Ambra G – For Senile tremors, even handwriting. also gets shaky.

Symphytum – Osteoporosis & brittleness of the bones with frequent fractures & slow union.

Nux Vomica – Gastrointestinal symptoms after deep psychological trauma e.g. death of loved one in any accident, It also covers other symptoms of old people like constipation. Flatulence, dyspepsia, development of Hernia due to much strain during passing stool.

Lachesis – Hering Says – Lachesis is a good remedy for those women they had never been well since the menopause. Hot flushes, discomfort & nervousness and palpitation, anxiety, and jealousy.

Sulphur –  Amazing remedy for aging swollen ankles, varicose veins, spotted dryness and un-tidy hair, laziness. Itchy skin eruption, fibrositic pains, Frequent walking at night, sleeplessness after 4 Am.Calcaria Carb. – Sometimes mentally very tired & feel unable to think. He feels he must be going insane. He talks to himself.

Anacardium – For greedy, suspicious, exhausted people. All the physical & mental symptoms ameliorated by eating.

Case example: I remember one incident, when my department arranged a free camp at an Old-age home. Coincidentally that day it was my father’s Punyatithi, so we arranged some refreshments for people in old-age home. During the food distribution we observed a person-

NAME-ABC Age 72 Years he took a lot of Jalebi(Indian sweet). During his case, he had given me several symptoms including palpitation, weakness, loss of appetite, disturbed sleep, abdominal pain, flatulence & dyspepsia.

After half an hour he finished his refreshment and told us that he felt better. No palpitation, No abdominal, no dyspepsia.

The Medicine given to him was-

Rx

ANACARDIUM

Potency- 200

Dose – Every 3^rd day Single dose x 10days

After 10-12 days of followup, that person thanked me saying he felt relieved of his maximum complaints. It was the result of proper case taking which individualized a person as well as Medicine.

Along with Homoeopathic Medicine old people need social support, economical support, some attention, love, care and respect.

Because it is said that-“Old Age is The Second Childhood”

REFERENCES–

1. Hering Guiding Symptoms (1879)
2. Kent Repertory
3. Practical Geriatrics- Karger Basel (Switzerland)
4. R.R. Singh – Understanding the Aged Ind. Jour. of Gerontology VOL 1 (Jan – 1969)
5. Textbook of Materia Medica
6. CCRIM & H- Newsletter Nov-78
7. Homoeopathy in Geriatrics-(Dr.DIWAN HARISH CHAND-1991)