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| Friday, 9 April 2004 |
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Homoeopathy cures migraine headaches by Dr. G.E. Leonard "Can you really cure migraine? I have been told it is quite incurable" - What constitutes cure and who dares condemn a fellow man to interminable suffering? So often one is asked this question by a surprised and doubting patient, and it is only with many reassurances and much encouragement that they can be persuaded to take Homoeopathic treatment. One knows that there are some conditions which will not yield to treatment orthodox or homoeopathic, but there are many which should never be classed as "incurable" and migraine is one of them. If, instead of using the word "cure" we substitute "heal", we approach more closely the Homoeopathic result. To "heal" is to make whole, to draw together the scattered forces of the individual, so that the pattern of life may once more present a complete and integrated picture. The homoeopathic remedies, by the nature of their preparation, called potentization, are capable of acting as a magnetic centre, drawing the vital life force into its appropriate channel, so that harmony is restored. It is not sufficient to dispose of disease symptoms only; we know everyone desires to be rid of pain, of sickness, of diarrhoea or skin eruptions, but unless the cause of the trouble is dealt with, who can say that further illness and disease will not make its appearance either in the same or different form at a later date. Surely it is more worthwhile to seek the beginning of trouble and eradicate it, than merely deal with the end result. This is the Homoeopathic method, to harmonize the whole being of the patient so that health or wholeness is established, thereby making it impossible for disease to manifest. Hahnemann the wise physician, who founded Homoeopathy in 1876 said "There are no diseases but only sick people" a fact that must ever be borne in mind by physicians and practitioners. If there are only sick people it will be realized that much of that which is dubbed "incurable" or incapable of achieving wholeness, must lie within the nature or make-up of the patient and while Homoeopathy is no wise depends on "faith" for its cures, it is not a medicine that can override the will or determination of the mind and spirit of the patient. Thus when remedies are given if a patient sets his will against cure, no remedy will overcome it. Let me give you an example or two. Quercus is an excellent remedy for the cure of alcoholic craving. Some years ago it was ordered for a brilliant actor who was ruining himself and his career by his love of brandy. He took a few doses of Quercus and then declared he would have no more because it spoiled his liking for his brandy. He died a year or two later. A lady came to me for migraine headaches. I found she lived on strong coffee and cigarettes and many sleeping tablets. I suggested she should abandon strong black coffee and cut down her smoking as both would spoil the effects of the remedies; she preferred to suffer her migraine rather than break herself of the stupid habits she had developed through the years. But there are those who sincerely desire to be freed from the distressing pains, the flashing zig-zag lights and the sickness of migraine that can establish itself with such a regular periodicity that life becomes a nightmare. It is in no way due to the disorder of the stomach, but it is in every way a constitutional disorder and as such needs constitutional treatment by a physician or experienced practitioner, and it is probably because orthodox medical science cannot deal with constitutional deficiencies and derangements that the state of migraine has been called incurable. In Homoeopathy, there are remedies that will harmonize the individual constitution of the sufferer and thereby bring relief. We can therefore, with confidence, recommend Homoeopathic treatment for migraine sufferers knowing that with correct prescribing their misery will be dispersed. A lady consulted me some two months ago who had suffered for twenty-five years from severe migraine headaches. There had been monthly visitations but during the last two years had increased in violence and frequency so that she now had a migraine every ten days. There was a history also of catarrh, many inoculations, injections and constant medical treatment. Nothing seemed to do any good. She was a gentle, artistic type, fond of music and open air. She likes simple foods but could not digest fats in any form, and butter and cream only in moderation. She often felt that eggs brought on a headache. She was a woman who lived a fairly active social life and was accustomed to taking responsibility. From her conversation I judged she could be very irritable and probably surprisingly obstinate. The catarrh she had after the occasional cold was thick and yellow-green in colour. Her migraine came on over the right temple and spread over the right side of her face. I found that although she had always had a tendency to headaches they had become increasingly severe since her husband's death, due to the fact that she had more responsibility and work to attend to. She was given a unit dose of Ignatia in the 200th potency and Pulsatilla 6 night and morning. I heard nothing from her until February this year, when I was asked to send more pills. The migraines had returned slightly after a period of complete freedom for more than two months. Another case was of a lady who had suffered for many years with the devastating pain through the right eye and temple that made it impossible for her to walk about and yet she dreaded going to bed. Her face became red and congested with a sense of great fullness in her head. The eyes felt and looked heavy and the sight was blurred, nothing remained clear cut or distinct - a great drawback as she was frequently on the road driving. Bryonia and Glonoine were both tried but no relief was obtained. It became necessary to go carefully over all the details, when it was admitted that she had always feared people, it was with difficulty she pulled herself together instead of following her first desire, which was to run away and hide. I also found that she had suffered for some time from epistaxis (nose bleeding), an unpleasant procedure, but one that sometimes relieved the migraine and steadied her sight. She also complained of a feeling of weight on her chest which made breathing difficult and caused her to cough. Melilotus in the 30th potency brought about a remarkable change in this patient. The heat and throbbing was relieved in ten minutes after the first dose, and a second dose an hour later brought complete relief. She was given a unit doses of Sulphur 30 as a constitutional remedy and to her delight migraine headaches became only a memory. If she suspected the onset of one through overwork, or the approach of a storm, one dose of Melilotus in the 30th potency put matters right within ten minutes, and when I last saw her, she had been entirely free for over two years. It is difficult to suggest remedies that will cure, as the constitution of the sufferer from migraine needs sound homoeopathic treatment, but those given below may help to relieve the discomfort while contact is made with a physician or experienced practitioner. These medicines can be taken frequently during the attack and if relief is obtained they can be taken three times a day for three of four days afterward. In this way further attacks may be delayed. Courtesy: Health and Homoeopathy Sri Lanka Diabetically burdensome western life-style According to publication of Diabetes Australia Victoria, sent to us by Lionel L. Leanage from Ambalangoda. Type 2 Diabetes "Type 2 Diabetes is more common in some ethnic groups, particularly those who have changed to a western life-style, or have moved from rural areas to the city." This could well be applied to Sri Lanka too. Hence we carry this publication, in the hope it will be of preventive diabetic value for us too. What is Diabetes? Diabetes is caused by too much glucose in the blood, because the system that controls it doesn't work properly. Everyone has glucose in their blood - it comes from the food we eat (mainly carbohydrates), and provides the body with energy to do all the things it needs to do. For glucose to be used effectively by the body, it needs help from a hormone called insulin. Diabetes results when the body either does not produce insulin, or the insulin produced isn't effective. What types are there? Type 2 diabetes This is most common, accounting for around 90 per cent of people with diabetes. It occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin and/or can't use the insulin properly. It usually develops in middle aged or older people, and management includes healthy eating and regular physical activity. The risk of developing Type 2 diabetes can be minimised by living a healthy lifestyle. Type 1 diabetes This type accounts for 10-15 per cent of people with diabetes. It occurs when the body doesn't produce any insulin at all. Commonly, Type 1 diabetes develops in young people and symptoms appear very quickly. Management includes regular insulin injections and a healthy lifestyle. What are the risk factors for type 2 diabetes? Being overweight The more weight you carry around your abdominal area, the greater your risk. Physical inactivity A sedentary lifestyle significantly increases your risk. High Blood Pressure If you have high blood pressure, you are at greater risk. A higher-than-normal blood glucose level If you have a higher-than-normal blood glucose level (but not high enough to be diabetes), you increase your risk. This is often referred to as Impaired Glucose Tolerance or IGT. Age Your risk increases with age, particularly if you have other risk factors present. Family history Diabetes tends to run in families. If your mum, dad, brother, sister (or any other blood relative) has Type 2 diabetes, your risk is significantly higher. Ethnicity Type 2 diabetes is more common in some ethnic groups, particularly those who have changed to a western lifestyle, or have moved from rural areas to the city. Women have additional things to consider: gestational diabetes If you have given birth to a large baby (weighing over 4kg/9lb), or have had Gestational diabetes during pregnancy, you are at increased risk. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) If you have PCOS, you have an increased risk, often developing diabetes at a younger age than those who do not have this syndrome. The key to diabetes is early detection. Be aware of the risk factors and consult your doctor or health professional. Common symptoms The following are common symptoms of diabetes - if you experience any of these, you may be at risk. * Extreme tiredness * Constant thirst * Excessive urination * Unexplained weight-loss * Skin infections and itching * Blurred vision University of Dundee awards Masters degree in Medical Education to Professor Jiffry Professor M. T. M. Jiffry, Senior Professor of Physiology and Head of the Department of Medical Education and Health Sciences of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of University of Sri Jayawardenapura has been awarded the Masters degree in Medical Education by the Internationally reputed center of Medical Education of the University of Dundee of UK. Prof. Jiffry, the Founder Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences was elected to the post uncontested for two consecutive occasions from 1996 to 2002. In the year 2002, he was elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka and in 2003 appointed to the Finance Commission of Sri Lanka on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council. Prof. Jiffry, who has 30 years of uninterrupted service to the University system in Sri Lanka from 1974, had served Universities of Peradeniya, Colombo and Jayawardenapura as an Assistant lecturer, lecturer, Senior lecturer, Associate Professor, Professor and appointed to the highest academic post as Senior Professor in 2001. In addition he has also served as a member of the University Grants Commission for five years as well as its Vice Chairman for over one year. Prof. Jiffry has been involved in the field of Medical Education from the year 1976 while he was attached to the University of Peradeniya and published several papers in Medical Education in international journals and also served as a temporary advisor to WHO on medical education on several occasions. He has also been invited as a resource person for many international workshops on medical education and health sciences in India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. In 1988, he was also awarded a Post Graduate Certificate in Medical Education by the School of Medical Education of University of New South Wales, Australia, and Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Education by the University of Dundee in 2003. Presently, he serves as a member of the Academic Affairs Board of the National Institute of Education, Sri Lanka Medical Council and President of the Health Informatics Society of Sri Lanka. |
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