Showing posts with label RHEUMATOLOGY. Show all posts
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | Cause, Symptoms & Homeopathy
The carpal
tunnel is a narrow, tunnel-like structure in the wrist. The median nerve passes
through this tunnel from forearm to hand. The median nerve controls feeling in
the palm side of the thumb, index finger, and long fingers. When this carpel
tunnel gets squeezed you may feel numbness, weakness, burning and tingling in
the hand and fingers. That is called as carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS.
Females are effected mire commonly
than males. In the UK, about three in 100 men and five in 100 women experience
CTS is their lifetime.
What
cause CTS?
·
When
the median nerve gets presses in the carpal tunnel the symptoms start
appearing. In many cases exact cause is unknown.
·
Those
who have family history of CTS are more prone to carpal tunnel syndrome.
·
Injury
to the wrist can cause CTS
·
Disease
conditions like Diabetes mellitus, Rheumatoid arthritis, Thyroid disorders can
cause this.
·
Work
stress; repeated use of vibrating hand tools can be seen in some cases.
·
Fluid
retention during pregnancy or menopause can also cause CTS
Symptoms
of CTS
·
The
symptoms start gradually and progress gradually.
·
Numbness,
tingling and pain in the hands.
·
Burning
and itching in the palms.
·
Some
patient feels weakness in the hands and tendency to drop things from hands.
·
An
electric shock like pain from hand to shoulder.
In most of the cases symptoms are
worse at night. In chronic untreated cases symptoms may be seen during day time
too.
How
to diagnose Carpal tunnel syndrome?
A physician can make out CTS by
examining your hand.
Routine blood test like CBC and FBS
should be done to rule out other medical conditions.
Electrophysiological tests.
Electrical testing of median nerve function is often done to help confirm the
diagnosis and clarify the best treatment option in your case.
X-rays. If you have limited wrist
motion, your doctor may order x-rays of your wrist.
Homeopathy
for CTS
Homeopathy can cure and prevent
carpal tunnel syndrome. You need to consult a qualified homeopath to get your
remedy for your CTS. Homeopathic medicines changes according to your symptoms.
Commonly used medicines are
Ruta 30 : It is used very frequently
for CTS. Stiffness of wrist joint aggravated by cold wet weather. Bruised pain
in the wrist and fingers.
Rhus tox: Inflammation in the wrist
joint. General morning aggravation. Rheumatic joint diseases.
Causticum: Paralyzed feeling in the
hands. Used in diseases of tendons. Contraction and indurations of tendons
Calc phos: Stiffness in the morning.
Pain in cervical region.
Hypericum : A good remedy for CTS.
Neuralgic pain in the hands.
Arnica: CTS after injury. Inflamed
tendons at wrist.
Exercise
to prevent carpel tunnel syndrome
Gout | cause, signs & symptoms treatment & Homeopathy
Gout is a disorder of purine
metabolism, occurring especially in men, characterized by a raised but variable
blood uric acid level and severe recurrent acute arthritis of sudden onset
resulting from deposition of crystals of sodium urate in connective tissues and
articular cartilage.
It is a painful condition of small joints as uric acid
crystals get deposited like a needle in the joints.
Uric acid is usually harmless, and is
made in the body. Most is passed out with the urine, and some from the gut with
the faeces (stools). In people with gout the amount of uric acid in the blood
builds up. From time to time the level may become too high and tiny grit-like
crystals of uric acid may form.
Deposited uric acid crystals may form a lump in the joints
which is called as tophi.
Some people have a high level of uric acid but do not
form crystals or have gout. Also, rarely, some people with a normal level of
uric acid have gout attacks. However, as a rule, the higher the level of uric
acid, the greater the chance of developing gout.
Scientists estimate that 6 million adults age 20 and older report having had gout at some time in their lives
What cause Gout?
A number of risk actors are associated with high uric acid
level and gout attack.
·
Genetic: - In
many patients with gout has family history of the same. Estimates range from 20 to 80
percent.
·
Gender and age.
It is more common in men than in women and more common in adults than in
children.
·
Alcohol conception: - Too much alcoholic drinks especially beer can cause hyperuricemia(High
uric acid level in blood)
·
Diet: - Foods
which are high in purines can cause or aggravates gout. Those who suffer from
gout should limit the foods which are high in purines like meet, Beer, anchovy,
spinach Etc
·
Some health conditions: - Renal insufficiency is one of the most common cause of gout
where kidney fails to eliminate uricacid from the body.
Some conditions like Hypertension,
hyperthyroidism, Psoriasis, Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome or Lesch-Nyhan syndrome,
Hemolytic anemia, Lead poisoning Etc
·
Some medication can cause gout: - Diuretics, which are taken to eliminate excess fluid from
the body in conditions like hypertension, edema, and heart disease, and which
decrease the amount of uric acid passed in the urine
§ Salicylate-containing drugs, such as
aspirin
§ Niacin, a vitamin also known as
nicotinic acid
§ Cyclosporine, a medication that
suppresses the body’s immune system (the system that protects the body from
infection and disease). This medication is used in the treatment of some
autoimmune diseases, and to prevent the body’s rejection of transplanted
organs.
§ Levodopa, a medicine used to support
communication along nerve pathways in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
Sign and symptoms
·
Intense
and sudden onset of pain in effected joints usually at night
·
Redness
with shiny skin over effected joints
·
Swelling
or lump caused by tophi due to deposition of uricacid crystals which are tender
to touch
·
There
can have high uric acid in blood
·
Uric
acid crystals can be seen in joint fluid
How is gout diagnosed?
It is not so easy to diagnose gout as it mimics many other
joint diseases.
High uric acid level is seen in most of the patient with gout
but normal uric acid level does not rule out this condition.
X ray of effected join can help to diagnose it
Synovial fluid aspiration to detect the uric acid crystals in
it
How is gout treated?
A short course of anti-inflammatory pain killers (NSAIDs) are
used to stop the pain and inflammation.
Long term use of NSIDs (Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs)
is not healthy as it may damage kidneys.
On Acute attacks apply icepacks to reduce the pain.
Homeopathy for Gouty
arthritis
Homeopathic remedies can help you to
reduce the pain caused by gout and put the uric acid level in blood to normal.
Homeopathic remedies are selected by proper analysis of your
mental physical and emotional symptoms.
A constitutional remedy prescribed by an experienced
homeopath may help to reduce the likelihood of further episodes.
We are listing out some of the most common homeopathic
medicines below.
Aconitum napellus –
The person is anxious,
with a good imagination that can picture many terrible things. The joints are
swollen and painful. The pain is worse at night and with warmth, but better
with fresh air and rest.
Arnica
Arnica can also be
very helpful for discomfort that comes with gout. Pain is sore and bruise-like,
and it hurts to walk. The person may be afraid to be approached or touched,
because of pain.
Belladonna: Useful for symptoms such as sudden onset,
swelling, throbbing, heat, and. The joints look red, inflamed, and shiny - with
sharp or violent pains that are worse from touch and jarring. The person may
feel restless, flushed, and hot. Take
Benzinum acidum: 3X every four hours in gouty subjects with high- smelling
urine.
Berberis vulgaris:
Twinges of pain in
gouty joints, or stitching pains that are aggravated by changing position or
walking, may indicate a need for Berberis vulgaris. Berberis is often indicated
for people who ache all over; some have nagging back pain or a tendency toward
kidney stones.
Bryonia: Bryonia is helpful when tearing pain is worse from the slightest
movement.
Calcarea fluorica:
When the finger joints
become enlarged because of gout, and the knees and toes may be involved, it may
be time for this remedy. Stabbing pain is experienced, and the joints may make
a cracking sound on movement. Discomfort is worse during weather changes, and
warmth may bring relief.
Colchicine: 3X,
every two to four hours for great weariness, nausea,
shoutings and tearings in muscles and joints worse with movement, better at
night. Tearings in legs, feet, and toes with swelling.
Colchicum:
Colchicum is useful
for gout in the big toe or heel-so painful the person finds both motion and
touch unbearable. The joints are swollen, red and hot. Pain is often worse in
the evening and at night. Flare-ups may occur in the springtime or with weather
changes. Individuals who need this remedy often have a feeling of internal
coldness and are very tired.
Guaiacum 3X, every four hours in gout.
Ledum palustre:
Ledum palustre is indicated when the foot and big toe are
swollen. Shooting pains are felt all through the foot and ankle, moving upward
to the knee. Cold applications relieve both the swelling and the pain.
Pulsatilla nigricans: 3, every two hours when gout flies about from joint to
joint.
Rhododendron:
When you experience
gouty swelling of the big toe joint that flares up before a storm, this remedy
may be indicated. Other joints may ache and swell, especially on the right side
of the body. Pain usually is worse toward early morning and after staying still
too long. The person may feel better from warmth and after eating.
Rhus toxicodendron:
This remedy can be helpful for joints that are hot, stiff,
painful, and swollen. Symptoms are worse in cold, damp weather and improved by
warmth and gentle motion.
Sabina –
The person is
depressed. There is gouty pain and nodules may develop at the afflicted joint.
Movement and heat make the pain worse; cool fresh air makes it better. Also
when connected with uterine disorder
Sulphur:
When you have painful
gouty joints that itch, along with a burning feeling in the feet, Sulphur may
be useful. The knees and other joints may be involved. Problems are aggravated
by heat in any form, and are often worse in damp weather and in springtime.
Source:
http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Gout/default.asp
http://reference.medscape.com
FIBROMYALGIA | Cause, symptoms, Diagnosis & treatment
Fibromyalgia
or Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a common and chronic disorder characterized
by widespread pain, diffuse tenderness, and a number of other symptoms. The
word “fibromyalgia” comes from the Latin term for fibrous tissue (fibro)
and the Greek ones for muscle (myo) and pain (algia) which means
a connective tissue pain. It affects the muscles, ligaments, other connective
tissues, tendons and gastro intestinal tract.
A Gastro-enterologist may
diagnose Fibromyalgia as Irritable bowel syndrome and rheumatologist as
rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
Patient presents FM as
persistent widespread pain, stiffness , disrupted and unrefreshing sleep,
fatigue, anxiety
and/or depression, and functional impairment of activities of daily
living, cognitive difficulties, often
accompanied by multiple other unexplained symptoms.
FIBROMYALGIA | Diagnosis, Home care & Homeopathy medicines
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Fibromyalgia
is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by
fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia
amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain
signals.
We
have discussed the cause sign and symptoms of fibromyalgia in this last post.
Now let’s discuss about the diagnosis management and homeopathic medicines
OSTEOARTHRITIS | Cause, Symptoms, Risk factors, Diagnosis & HOMEOPATHY
Osteoarthritis is one of the most
common joint diseases which is due to infection or degenerative changes. This
joint disease mostly affects middle-age to elderly people. It is commonly
referred to as OA or as "wear and tear" of the joints, but we now
know that OA is a disease of the entire joint, involving the cartilage, joint
lining, ligaments, and bone. Approximately 80-90% of individuals older than 65
years have evidence of primary osteoarthritis
BACK ACHE | Cause, singn & symptoms, Diagnosis, Prevention | HOMEOPATHY
Pain
in the back from cervical vertebrae to coccyx is called back pain. Lower Back
pain is called as Lumbago. Back pain which leads to thighs is called sciatica. The
spine is a complex interconnecting network of nerves, joints, muscles, tendons
and ligaments, and all are capable of producing pain
Back pain
may have a sudden onset or can be a chronic pain; it can be constant or intermittent,
stay in one place or radiate to other areas. It may be a dull ache, or a sharp
or piercing or burning sensation. Backache Is not a disease but a symptom of a
illness.
What cause back ache?
· Occupational
hazards:- Lifting
heavy objects, prolonged standing or sitting, sitting in front of the computer
for long hours at a stretch, are the most common cause of back ache.
·
Diseases
of vertebral column – like pott’s spine, tumor, and disk prolapse or herniated
intervertebral disk, degenerative disk disease, osteomalacia, osteoporosis,
spondylosis.
·
Spinal
cord infection can cause back pain.
·
Mechanical
causes:- abnormal
sitting postures, injury or trauma, extreme obesity, sleeping on very soft
mattresses.
·
Extra
spinal causes:-
Peripheral vascular diseases, Hip osteo arthritis, Peripheral nerve lesion like
neuropathy and herpes zoster.
·
Referred
pain – of renal calculi, renal tumors, renal tuberculosis, pancreas tumor,
diseases related to female genital organs.
·
Surgical
causes like Lumbar
puncture.
·
Prolaps
of inter vertebral disc ( IVDP)
·
Metastasis – cancer may spread to the bones
like breast cancer, lung cancer and causes back pain.
·
Psychological factors: Some factors like anxiety,
depression, lack of inner peace, death of a loved one, etc. contribute to back
pain.
·
Obesity:
Back pain increases in overweight and obese patients.
Read more: Rheumatoid arthritis | Homeopathy
Read more: Rheumatoid arthritis | Homeopathy
Sing and symptoms related to
back ache
·
Pain
that develops gradually and slowly gets worse and worse over days or weeks.
·
Constant
back pain that is not eased by lying down or resting.
·
Pain
that travels to the chest, or is higher in the back behind the chest.
·
Extension
of the pain may occur to the other parts of the body especially to the
buttocks, back of thigh, calf muscles.
Inflammatory (Arthritic) Symptoms:-
·
Constitutional
symptoms like fever, redness and pain.
·
Pain
worse at night
Diagnosis
·
History
should be taken to know any triggering factors like fall and trauma.
·
Physical examination
should be done :- giant, Posture and extension of pain etc
·
Blood routine:-
CBC(complete blood count) to rule out the infection. Blood culture.
·
X-ray spine
To detect Disc prolapse
·
CT Scan and MRI
to find out nerve compression and other neuropathies.
·
SLR( Straight Leg Rise ) :-
To evaluate disc herniation. Positive SLR is defined as pain in the
posterior leg that radiates below the knee with the hip flexed 60⁰ or less and the patient lying
supine and is suggestive of disc herniation.
Management of backache
Making
small changes to your lifestyle can reduce your risk of back pain.
If you
smoke, stop. It puts you at increased risk for back problems since your blood
has trouble delivering oxygen to working tissues, making your back weaker.
Prevention & precautions
·
Always
stretch before exercise or other strenuous physical activity. Don’t slouch when standing or sitting. When
standing, keep your weight balanced on your feet. Your back supports weight
most easily when curvature is reduced.
·
At
home or work, make sure your work surface is at a comfortable height for you.
·
Sit
in a chair with good lumbar support and proper position and height for the
task. Keep your shoulders back. Switch sitting positions often and periodically
walk around the office or gently stretch muscles to relieve tension. A pillow
or rolled-up towel placed behind the small of your back can provide some lumbar
support. If you must sit for a long period of time, rest your feet on a low
stool or a stack of books.
·
Wear
comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
·
Sleep
on your side to reduce any curve in your spine. Always sleep on a firm surface.
·
Ask
for help when transferring an ill or injured family member from a reclining to
a sitting position or when moving the patient from a chair to a bed.
·
Don’t
try to lift objects too heavy for you. Lift with your knees, pull in your
stomach muscles, and keep your head down and in line with your straight back.
Keep the object close to your body. Do not twist when lifting.
·
Maintain
proper nutrition and diet to reduce and prevent excessive weight, especially
weight around the waistline that taxes lower back muscles. A diet with
sufficient daily intake of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D helps to promote
new bone growth.
·
If
you smoke, quit. Smoking reduces blood flow to the lower spine and causes the
spinal discs to degenerate
Bed rest versus exercise
Doctors used to recommend long periods
of rest for people with backache, but research has shown this is actually bad
for backs. Even crawling around on your hands and knees is better than no
movement at all.
Some kinds
of exercise, such as walking, don't put too much stress on your back. It's a
good idea to make a start on them even if your back is a bit sore, just to get
your joints moving and your heart and lungs working.
Use a firm
chair when sitting down, or sit on the floor rather than a sofa that’s too
soft. Similarly, make sure your bed is firm enough.
Homeopathy for Backache
Homeopathy gives better results in
Chronic as well as acute back aches. There are many homeopathic remedies for
back ache. Patient should consult a classical homeopath to start treatment.
Homeopathy considers the patient as whole just not the disease. To prescribe a
remedy a homeopath need the complete history of the disease and the patient as
well.
Most
commonly prescribed homeopathic medicines for back ache are
Bryonia, Rhus tox,
cimicifuga,
Arnica,
nux
vomica, calc carb,
lycopodium, Hypericum,
calc
phos, Kali carb,
Sulphur
, ruta & Sepia etc
Source:-
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/backpain/detail_backpain.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_pain
Frymoyer JD. Back
pain and sciatica. N Engl J Med. 1988;318:291–300.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS | Cause, Symptoms, Diet, Lab tests and | HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease
that causes inflammation of the joints and may cause inflammation of other
tissues in the body. The immune system
consists of the cells and proteins in our bodies that fight infections. An autoimmune disease occurs when our immune
system doesn’t recognize part of our body and attacks it as if it were an
invader such as a bacteria or virus. In
rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system targets synovial membrane and attacks
it. The synovial membrane is secretes
synovial fluid into the joint. Synovial
fluid is the joint fluid that lubricates and
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