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Clinical hypnotic study finds : Drugless cure for migraine

A study done in Sri Lanka from Jan. 1998 to March 2000 has revealed that a number of diseases and medical conditions including migraine intractable pain could be completely cured through hypnotism without using any drugs.

Another significant discovery that has been made in the course of this study which has been done by Dr. H. B. Jayasinghe MBBS (Cey) MCGP (SL) MDCA (Lond) and a Member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnotists (UK) is the linking of stammering in some cases to an incident in the person's previous life concerned: high response rate has been observed in the treatment of viral warts, alcohol addiction, stammering, writers' cramp and pseudo - epileptic seizures. Hypnosis was observed to be quite effective in treating several other conditions as well, but in these cases, the affectivity of hypnotherapy could not be ascertained since the sample was small.

A study on the use of hypnosis in treating 119 patients, already diagnosed as Migraine, unresponsive to conventional methods of treatment, conducted from January 1998 to March 2000.

Migraine-Nature of pain

Character of pain   Number of patients

Episodic                     119

Unilateral                     86

Bitemporal                   33

Aching                        42

Throbbing                   77

Frequency of Episodes.

Large majority of them suffered from 2 to 5 episodes per month.

The commonest accompanying symptoms were observed to be nausea and vomiting.

Number of patients included in the study - 119.

Number of patients totally recovered - 119.

Number relapsed in 6 month - 11

Number of relapses at the end of one year - Nil

Eleven relapsed owing to lack of co-operation

A study of 164 patients to determine the value of hypnosis in treating intractable pain, unresponsive to conventional methods of treatment conducted from March 1999 to April 2000.

All of them have been suffering from intractable pain owing to various conditions for a considerable period of time. They have been diagnosed and treated by the relevant specialists, and finally referred for hypnotherapy owing to the unresponsiveness to the conventional methods of medical treatment. Their pain, suffering and discomfort were either minimized or totally eradicated with hypnotherapeutic techniques 

Condition

Migraine                          119

Arthritis                            18

Post herpetic neuralgia        17

Cancer Pain                        6

Dysmenorrhoea                   2

Trigeminal neuralgia.            1

Phantom limb pain               1

Hypnosis in intractable pain

Number of patients screened 164

Number recovered               136

Number not responded          28

Number relapsed in 6 months 27

Number relapsed in one year 12

A patient being hypnotized (Library picture - not connected to the study)

In resistant cases, regression therapy was employed quite successfully to relieve pain. Sequential regression was used as the method of choice, where the patient is suggested to go backward in life in a sequential manner.

When the patient is allowed to relive, re feel and re enact, the past traumatic event, suffering tends to disappear.

A study of 107 patients to evaluate the efficacy of hypnotherapeutic techniques in the treatment of stammering, conducted from January 1998 to March 2000.

Sex distribution.

Sex           Number of cases

Male           107

Female          0

It is most remarkable, and quite surprising to note in this study, that no females were affected with stammering.

According to this study, teenagers constituted the highest number of patients who sought treatment for stammering. On regression to early childhood, infancy, intrauterine state, interlife, immediate past life and previous lives, 37 cases re-lived and re-enacted a significant traumatic event that precipitated the stammering, whereas in the remaining 72 cases no such traumatic episodes could be elicited.

Sequential regression was the technique employed to elicit past traumatic events.

Response to treatment

At the end of 22 weeks (11 sessions) out of 107 patients 69 became totally symptom free with no relapses. 31 patients dropped out at different stages and 7 responded only marginally. One year follow-up of 69 totally recovered patients - No relapses.

A study of 627 cases to determine the efficacy of hypnosis in the treatment of viral warts, resistant to conventional methods of therapy, conducted from September 1979 to April 2000.

Referrals

Source                        Number of patients

Referred by Dermatologists         387

Referred by General Practitioners 216

Direct                                       24

Treatment already given either by the General Practitioner or the Dermatologist, prior to referral...

Hypnotherapeutic response - Viral warts.

Number of patients screened        627

Number totally recovered            614

Number dropped out                    09

Number not responded                 04

Follow up of totally recovered patients at the end of six months - No relapses.

Follow up at the end of one year - No relapses.

Meige syndrome, is an uncommon condition, characterized by blepharospasm and oromandibular dystonia, with no response to conventional methods of treatment. Out of the three patients, referred by the Neurologists to the author for hypnotherapy, two recovered completely.

At present the College of General Practitioners Sri Lanka is conducting a course in clinical hypnotics for its members. Already 15 doctors have completed this course, and are practising it on patients.

On orthopaedics : "Economy class Syndrome" or "Travellers thrombosis"

by Dr. Sandeep s. dhillon

The risk of Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) due to long haul flights has recently been much publicised in the media. At least 200 cases of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (collectively known as venous thromboembolism, VTE) after travel have been reported in the last decade. Although there is a wealth of anecdotal evidence, further research is needed to establish whether there is a direct link between DVT and air travel, and I thought that it was the right time to highlight this problem and put to rest some misconceptions.

What is Deep Venous Thrombosis?

It is a condition in which a small blood clot or thrombus forms mainly in the deep veins of the legs. Such clots can present without signs or symptoms, but may give rise to swelling of the affected leg, sometimes accompanied by pain (particularly when the foot is moved hard upwards) and local tenderness. Such swelling is not to be confused with the commonly experienced swelling of both lower legs during and after a long flight or rail journey, which is due to inactivity and soon disappears.

DVT can lead to serious complications, when the blood clot breaks away from the wall of the vein and is carried along with the flow of blood. If it cannot pass through a blood vessel, it will block it. The blockage is called embolism and can occur in the lungs, leading to breathing difficulties and possibly death.

What causes DVT?

Prolonged immobility, cramped seating (passive compression of the lower leg muscles) and dehydration are known to be causative factors for DVT in susceptible individuals. It is a matter of fact that these conditions are readily experienced in the aircraft cabin. The Select Committee on Science and Technology, House of Lords in the United Kingdom, believes the term 'economy class syndrome' is seriously misleading and the term 'travellers' thrombosis' is more appropriate. Many of the published reports include cases of VTE which have occurred in business or first class, or in travellers using other forms of travel.

It is not clear whether there are factors in the environment peculiar to air travel, such as time zone changes, seasonal shifts, air quality and dehydration, which heighten the risk of travellers' thrombosis over other forms of travel. A study in healthy male volunteers showed that hypobaric hypoxia can activate coagulation.

Clearly the various long-distance travel modalities share some similar environmental factors such as immobility, the sitting position, and possibly alcohol intake and use of sedative medicines. Until more epidemiological evidence is available, travellers should be made aware of the risks of thrombosis associated with travel involving long periods of immobilisation.

It is also generally agreed that there are other risk factors, some of which are listed below.

If your age is above 40 years, if you are pregnant, have previous or current malignancy (Cancer), or are a patient of a blood disorder leading to increased clotting tendency, you should be aware that the risk for DVT is more than the general population. Other risk factors are inherited or acquired impairment of blood clotting mechanisms, some types of cardiovascular disease or insufficiency, personal or family history of DVT, recent major surgery or injury, especially to lower limbs or abdomen, concurrent use of oestrogen hormone therapy, including oral contraception, and if you have been immobilised for a day or more prior to your journey. In the tropical countries, relative dehydration is fairly common, and depletion of body fluids may cause DVT by causing increased blood viscosity

It has also been suggested that varicose veins, obesity and current tobacco smoking can also contribute to the development of DVT.

The writer is Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Apollo Hospital Colombo.

Dr. D.P. Atukorale (Consultant Cardiologist) replies on cardiac problems 

Left Bundle Branch Block 

Terrance Amarasekera from Ragama 

"Recently my wife was admitted to a private hospital in Colombo following dizziness which kept on coming whenever she tried to get off the bed that morning. The ECG taken at that time too showed the same reading. Stayed at DDNS for about 3 days. The relative reports are attached.

Diet-chart given to reduce weight from present 60k.

The ECG the doctor said relates to what is called Left bundle branch block. "She has been living with it so don't worry only bring the weight down" Please kindly explain to me what this LBBB means and whether it is life threatening, if not now, at a latter stage and what needs be done.

The chest xray report also mentions 'enlarged heart'. what does this mean? Please kindly let me know.

She is otherwise healthy and active. Presently dieting and on exercise. We are vegetarians.

Reply:-

Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB)

To understand my reply to your question one should have a good knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the conducting system of the heart. I will try my best to give you a simple explanation.

Heart has an electrical conducting system which contains the "wiring" and the parts necessary to initiate and maintain the rhythmic contractions of the heart. The system consists of (a) sino-atrial node (SA node) where the impulse originates, (b) internodal pathways, (c) atrio-ventricular (AV) node, (d) Bundle of His, (e) the right bundle branch and the left bundle branch and (f) perkinje fibres. Serious disease involving the left bundle branch such as coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease) can cause LBBB. Very rarely a short (less than 6 mm) coronary artery can cause LBBB. When we dont know the cause of LBBB we call such LBBB, idiopathic LBBB.

As your wife is having cardiomegaly (enlargement of the heart), I am suspecting some type of organic cardiac disease. As she has been leading an active life during the last 5 years (LBBB first discovered in 1998) and as her exercise ECG has been normal (negative) there is no cause for alarm. If a lipid profile has not been performed, it is advisable for you to arrange for this test with the help of your cardiologist as your cardiologist can treat any hyperlipidaemia (inherited) if present. As your wife is a vegetarian it is very unlikely that she may be having any type of acquired hyperlipidaemia. It is noteworthy that L.D.L. (bad) cholesterol level is usually normal in vegetarians.

I am of the opinion that a stress-Echocardiogram may be helpful in this case. If the stress-Echo is normal, there is no indication for invasive investigations such as coronary angiography.

It is advisable for your wife to have confidence in her cardiologist and continue dieting and take regular exercise and attend the cardiac clinic regularly.

Use of Viagra by heart patients

D.S.J. of Gotami Road, Borella (a heart patient) on the appropriateness of using viagra (sildenafil) for erectile dysfunction.

Reply:

as sildenafil which is prescribed by doctors for erectile dysfunction is contraindicated in case of patients with ischaemic heart disease and patients getting nitrates, it is not advisable for you to take sildenafil as you are a patient suffering from ischaemic heart disease getting nitrates (isosobide denitrate). Please consult your family physician for further advice.

Please send your questions direct to Dr. Atukorale - No. 14, Rajapakse Mawatha, Horton Place, Colombo 7.

Laser Treatment for Excess Fat

Dr. Mrs. Poornima Iyer (Plastic Surgeon) Colombo Replies to questions on Plastic Surgery

Ugly fat Folds

Q: Ms. Nishalie - Has a problem of ugly fat folds in armpits just above top rim of bra. Cannot wear sleeveless or swimsuit. Had it even as a small child. Diet and exercises in vain even though some decrease occurs with weight loss.

Reply The patients usually present with concerns about contour deformities of the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, and lumbar regions.

The factors contributing to soft tissue relaxation are, pregnancy, familial skin weakness, significant weight fluctuations and normal aging, Treatment involves two basic methods.

1. Liposuction - This deals with localized fat deposits and thick subcutaneous body layers.

2. Excisional body lifts are used to treat excess fat deposits and skin laxity.

3. A combination of the above may be needed in a given case. 

(A detailed account on plastic surgery by Dr. Poornima Iyer will follow)

Dr. Sham Fernando advises on balanced diet

A well balanced diet is very important in keeping good health. Dr. Sham Fernando, Senior lecturer in Medicine, Colombo Medical Faculty gives the following advice on this matter.

No single food provides you with all the nutrients you need to keep in good health. To achieve this you need to take a variety of food items in the right amount. Same of the food items you'll have to eat more than the others and some in small quantities and less often.

You can try this eating plan and see the result.

* Eat a variety of food items.

* Food items rich in starch, (carbohydrates) and fibre eat them plenty.

* Eat more vegetables and fruits.

* Cut down on very fatty foods.

* Take beans, fish, lean meat, and drink fat-free milk.

* Limit your sugar and sweets and your salt too.

* Eat the right amount to keep your body weight and your hight

Comments on the package to centenarians

Mrs. Enid George committee member of the YMCA Women's Auxiliary in a letter to the Health Page highly commends the Commerce Ministry assistance package to the centenarians and the centenarian study project.

She writes, "Minister Ravi Karunanayake has rightly grasped the long-term gain to society that could be derived from supporting this project, that of slowly generating respect and honour for human life by recognising the reaching of 100 years in life as an achievement to be honoured and respected by the living society and confer certain privileges and benefits to them.

I understand that at the request of the Prof. Colvin Gooneratna Centenarian Study Group, the minister has moved in this matter to get the state sector assistance for the project. We on our part have written to the study committee to see what role we could play in this worthy venture.

******

Prof. Nimal Senanayake's book on migraine

Several readers have inquired from us as to how they could obtain a copy of the book on migraine written by Prof. Nimal Senanayake. Please contact EEG section of the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital and make inquiries about it.

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