Psychosomatic Approach in a Case of Migraine Treated by Kalium Bromatum

Abstract

Migraine is a multifactorial neurological disorder with significant psychosomatic influences. Emotional stress, anxiety, and psychological disturbances play a crucial role in triggering and perpetuating migraine episodes. Homeopathy, particularly Kalium bromatum, has been explored as a potential remedy in cases where migraine is closely linked to emotional distress. This article presents a psychosomatic perspective on migraine and discusses a case successfully managed with Kalium bromatum, emphasizing its neuropsychological indications. Integrating a holistic approach that addresses both the mind and body may enhance treatment outcomes in migraine patients.

Keywords– Migraine, psychosomatic, kalium bromatum, 

Introduction

Migraine is a debilitating neurological condition characterized by episodic headaches, often accompanied by nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia. While conventional medicine attributes migraine to neurovascular dysfunction, growing evidence suggests a strong psychosomatic component, where psychological stressors act as triggers (Vetvik & MacGregor, 2017). The psychosomatic model of disease posits that unresolved emotional conflicts and chronic stress contribute to the manifestation and persistence of migraine symptoms (Peres et al., 2017).

Homeopathy considers both physical and mental symptoms in selecting an individualized remedy. Kalium bromatum is a well-known remedy in homeopathic practice, often indicated in individuals experiencing nervous excitability, emotional distress, and hypersensitivity, which are frequently observed in migraine sufferers with psychosomatic tendencies (Boericke, 1927). This article explores the psychosomatic approach in treating migraine with Kalium bromatum, supported by a clinical case.

Psychosomatic Aspects of Migraine

The interplay between psychological factors and migraine has been widely recognized. Patients with chronic migraine often exhibit high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, which can exacerbate the frequency and severity of attacks (Ashina et al., 2021). Stress-related activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, along with altered neurotransmitter dynamics, plays a significant role in migraine pathophysiology (Dmitrovic et al., 2013).

Role of Kalium Bromatum in Psychosomatic Migraine Cases

Kalium bromatum is commonly indicated in cases where mental agitation, nervousness, and suppressed emotions lead to physical ailments, including migraines (Boericke, 1927). The key indications for Kalium bromatum in migraine cases include:

• Migraines triggered by emotional turmoil, grief, or prolonged stress.
• Patients exhibiting restlessness, mood swings, and sleep disturbances.
• A sensation of heat in the head with periodic headache attacks.
• Depression with feelings of isolation and inner agitation.

Case Report

Patient Profile

A 24-year-old female patient presented with chronic migraine for five years. 

History of Present Illness

• The patient presented with chronic migraine for the last five years.
• Character of Headache: Starts from inner canthi with burning sensation in the eyes, spreads over the entire head, with bursting sensation, nausea, blurred vision, and feeling of heaviness in the head.
• Modalities: Amelioration by pulling hair. Amelioration by pressing head against the floor.
• Causation: Emotional trauma following the death of her brother in a road accident and grandfather’s death due to health issues.
• Aggravation: Emotional stress, thoughts of the deceased brother.
• Associated symptoms: Nausea, blurred vision.

Treatment History

• Previously treated with allopathic and homeopathic medications for migraine.
• Reported no significant long-term improvement.

Past Medical History

• PCOD (2017–2019) – Treated allopathically, improved.
• Renal calculi (2019–2020) – Treated allopathically, improved.
• Jaundice at the age of 12 – Recovered with supportive care.

Family History

• Grandfather: Deceased due to heart attack.
• Father: History of heart attack.

Physical Generals

Thermal Reaction	Chilly patient
Appetite	Normal, 3 meals per day
Thirst	Decreased, approx. 1 liter/day; drinks little at a time
Desires	Not specified (can ask: sweets, salty, spicy, etc.)
Aversions	Not specified
Urine	Normal; no abnormality detected; color: Pale yellow
Stool	Normal; constipation specifically during menstrual periods
Sleep	5–6 hours; Unrefreshing
Dreams	Dreams of death
Perspiration	Localized – more on face; no specific odour reported

Mental generals

The patient is very anxious about family, which makes her restless, fears that something wrong will happen to her family, excessive brooding over past things, overthinking about the death of brother and continuous weeping while narrating about the death of her brother. Dreams of death. Nervous breakdown due to mental exertion. Memory loss, forgetfulness, confusion and mental dullness. Fear alone. She thinks all these things happen in her family because of God’s vengeance, thoughts, only because all negative things happen in her family. 

General examination-

Blood pressure- 120/80mmHg

Pulse rate – 85 bpm

Respiratory rate – 16/min

Tongue – Clean

Face- expressionless 

Totality of Symptoms

Mental Generals:

• Grief, long-lasting after loss of close family members (brother, grandfather).
• Anxiety about family health and safety.
• Fear of being alone.
• Excessive brooding over past events.
• Religious delusion: belief that family suffering is punishment from God.
• Continuous weeping while narrating emotional events.
• Dreams of death.
• Restlessness from anxiety.
• Memory weakness; forgetfulness.
• Mental dullness and confusion after mental exertion.
• Nervous breakdown due to mental strain.

Physical Generals:

• Thermal Reaction: Chilly patient.
• Thirst: Decreased, drinks little and infrequently.
• Appetite: Normal.
• Bowel: Constipation during periods.
• Urine: NAD.
• Sleep: Disturbed earlier, now improving (after remedy).
• Perspiration: Not specified (assumed not prominent).

Particulars (Local Symptoms):

Migraine headache: Starting from inner canthi. Burning sensation in eyes. Headache spreading over the whole head with bursting sensation. Associated nausea and blurred vision. Sensation of heaviness in the head. Modalities: Amelioration by pulling hair and pressing the head against the floor. Triggered by emotional stress and unresolved grief.

 

Repertorial Rubrics 

 

Symptom	Rubric
Grief, prolonged	Mind – Grief – ailments from
Anxiety about family	Mind – Anxiety – family, about
Fear of being alone	Mind – Fear – alone, of being
Brooding, past events	Mind – Brooding – past disagreeable occurrences
Weeping narrating past events	Mind – Weeping – narrating past events
Religious delusion – feels punished	Mind – Delusions – punished, he is
Dreams of death	Sleep – Dreams – death, of
Restlessness with anxiety	Mind – Restlessness – anxiety, during
Memory weak	Mind – Memory – weakness of
Confusion of mind	Mind – Confusion of mind
Migraine with nausea and visual symptoms	Head – Pain – migraine – nausea, with – vision affected
Headache ameliorated by pressure	Head – Pain – pressing ameliorates
Headache after grief	Head – Pain – grief, after
Burning eyes	Eye – Burning
Constipation during menses	Rectum – Constipation – menses, during
Thirst decreased	Generalities – Thirst – decreased
Chilly patient	Generalities – Coldness, sensation of

 

Prescription

First visit was 31 Jan 2024, Kalium bromatum 200 4 doses were prescribed followed by placebo for 7 days.

Outcome and Follow-Up

Within 2 days, the patient reported reduced migraine intensity and frequency. Emotional stability improved, and sleep disturbances diminished. Over a three-month period, migraine episodes became infrequent, with significant relief in stress-related symptoms.

Discussion

This case highlights the importance of considering psychosomatic factors in migraine management. Emotional distress can serve as a primary trigger, necessitating a treatment approach that targets both psychological and physical aspects. Kalium bromatum demonstrated effectiveness in this case by addressing the underlying emotional disturbances contributing to migraine. Holistic approaches, including homeopathy, psychotherapy, and lifestyle modifications, can provide comprehensive relief. While further research is required to validate homeopathic interventions scientifically, individualized treatment remains a cornerstone in managing psychosomatic migraine cases.

Conclusion

A psychosomatic approach in migraine treatment acknowledges the interconnectedness of mental and physical health. Kalium bromatum has shown promise in cases where emotional stress is a predominant factor, offering relief by addressing both neurological and psychological components. Integrating homeopathy with conventional therapies may enhance treatment outcomes for patients with stress-induced migraine.

References

1. Ashina, M., Katsarava, Z., Do, T. P., Buse, D. C., Pozo-Rosich, P., Özge, A., & Krymchantowski, A. V. (2021). Migraine: epidemiology and systems of care. The Lancet, 397(10283), 1485-1495.
2. Boericke, W. (1927). Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica and Repertory. Boericke & Runyon.
3. Dmitrovic, J., Knezevic-Pogancev, M., Jovanovic, U., & Lakic, A. (2013). Stress and migraine in children and adolescents. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 17(5), 1-8.
4. Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS). (2018). The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3). Cephalalgia, 38(1), 1–211.
5. Peres, M. F. P., Mercante, J. P. P., Tobo, P. R., Kamei, H., & Bigal, M. E. (2017). Anxiety and depression in patients with chronic migraine. Journal of Headache and Pain, 18(1), 1-9.

Vetvik, K. G., & MacGregor, E. A. (2017). Sex differences in the epidemiology, clinical features, and pathophysiology of migraine. The Lancet Neurology, 16(1), 76-87.

About the Author: Dr. Deepika Solanki BHMS, MD (Hom)

Under the guidance 

Dr. Shobhana Shukla, HOD and Ex- joint director of AYUSH Bhopal