HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR UNDERWEIGHT
A person having weight below
the range that is considered normal as per his/her height and age is believed
to be underweight. Anyone who is 15 to 20% below the
normal weight for age and height is classified as underweight, according to
Krause (2000).
In
real terms, this means that if you are an average woman between the ages of 25
and 50, and you are about 1.63 metres tall, your weight should be approximately
59 kg if you are not underweight.
As soon as your body weight falls to 50 kg (-9
kg or -15%), or even 47 kg (-12 kg or -20%), you are underweight. Expressed in
terms of body mass index, our
standard woman weighing 59 kg would have a BMI of 22. As her weight drops, her
BMI would reduce to 18,8 (-15% of body weight), which is just still within the
normal range, or 17,7 (-20% of body weight), which is below the normal range.
For
a man aged 25 to 50 years, with an average height of 1,76 metres, a normal body
weight with a healthy BMI of 23 would be 71 kg. Reductions of -15% and -20% of
body weight would reduce our standard man's weight to 60 kg and 57 kg, with
BMIs of 19,4 and 18,4 respectively.
Causes --Underweight
can be caused by a variety of factors, some of which are psychological, while
others are physical.
a.
Physical causes of underweight
Many illnesses can cause temporary weight loss. If you have had a bad dose of flu, accompanied by a high temperature, you may lose a few kilos, but you will probably gain back those kilos once you are well again.
Many illnesses can cause temporary weight loss. If you have had a bad dose of flu, accompanied by a high temperature, you may lose a few kilos, but you will probably gain back those kilos once you are well again.
There
are five major medical reasons for pronounced weight loss and underweight:
1.Hyperthyroidism
The thyroid gland, which produces the hormone thyroxine, is often regarded as the 'conductor' of the 'orchestra of the body'. If your thyroid hormone production is normal, all will be well with your health, metabolism and weight.
The thyroid gland, which produces the hormone thyroxine, is often regarded as the 'conductor' of the 'orchestra of the body'. If your thyroid hormone production is normal, all will be well with your health, metabolism and weight.
If,
however, the function of your thyroid gland is disturbed so that it produces
too much thyroid hormone, your metabolism and many body functions such a
heartbeat, body temperature, etc., will be deranged and you will experience
pronounced weight loss.
This
condition, which is called hyperthyroidism,
thyrotoxicosis, or overactive thyroid, is associated with symptoms such as:
enlarged thyroid gland causing a 'goitre' or bulging at the base of the neck,
nervousness, tiredness, loss of weight despite adequate intakes of food,
increased body temperature with excessive sweating, increased heart rate, and
in some patients, exophthalmos (bulging eyeballs).
If you experience
sudden weight loss accompanied by any of the above-mentioned symptoms such as
goitre, excessive sweating and tiredness, you need to have a medical
examination and thyroid function tests.
2.Cancer
Malignancy or cancer can also be associated with rapid weight loss, tiredness, lack of appetite, nausea, and inability to gain weight.
Malignancy or cancer can also be associated with rapid weight loss, tiredness, lack of appetite, nausea, and inability to gain weight.
Because
malignancies are so serious, it is important to have your doctor give you a
thorough examination and have blood and other tests done to determine if you
could be suffering from conditions such as leukemia, or other types of cancer.
3.Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, or TB, is very common in South Africa. This is a wasting disease that is accompanied by rapid weight loss, coughing, night sweats, tiredness and malaise.
Tuberculosis, or TB, is very common in South Africa. This is a wasting disease that is accompanied by rapid weight loss, coughing, night sweats, tiredness and malaise.
Once
again, you urgently need to find out if the weight loss you experience is due
to TB, so that you can receive the appropriate treatment.
4.Diabetes
Although many patients with insulin resistance and diabetes tend to suffer from overweight, excessive weight loss, tiredness, excessive thirst and urination, are also symptoms of diabetes.
Although many patients with insulin resistance and diabetes tend to suffer from overweight, excessive weight loss, tiredness, excessive thirst and urination, are also symptoms of diabetes.
Patients
displaying these symptoms need to have their blood glucose and insulin levels
tested to see if they suffer from diabetes. This is particularly significant in
families with a hereditary tendency to diabetes.
5.
HIV/Aids
Probably the main
cause of wasting or excessive weight loss in South African patients is HIV/Aids. This condition, also
initially called 'slim disease', causes pronounced weight loss and hampers
weight gain.
If
you suspect that you may be living with HIV/Aids and your weight keeps on
dropping even when you eat large quantities of food, you should have an HIV
test as soon as possible.
With
the correct medication and diet, you will be able to halt the progression of
this disease and improve your survival rate and quality of life.
b.Psychological
Besides anorexia and/or bulimia (which are not the subjects of our discussion today), one of the most important causes of underweight is depression
Besides anorexia and/or bulimia (which are not the subjects of our discussion today), one of the most important causes of underweight is depression
Patients
suffering from depression not only often have a reduced appetite, but they may
actively lose weight at an alarming rate. If you have any reason to believe
that you may be suffering from depression, it is essential to get help as fast
as possible from clinical psychologists or psychiatrists to stop your weight
loss.
Other
symptoms that may point towards depression are moodiness, tiredness, an
overpowering urge to sleep all day, inability to do simple daily tasks, a
feeling that 'life is not worth living' and ideas of suicide.
c.Other
There are also a number of other factors that could be causing weight loss or hampering weight gain, namely:
There are also a number of other factors that could be causing weight loss or hampering weight gain, namely:
· Medication – many medicines either
suppress appetite or actually cause weight loss. Check with your pharmacist if
you have recently started a new medication and now are losing weight without
wanting to.
·
Excessive exercise – you may well be
overdoing your exercise sessions to such an extent that your diet cannot keep
up with the increased demands.
· Excessive stress – individuals who
are very stressed may stop eating due to a lack of appetite, nausea or being
preoccupied with their worries.
·
Enzyme deficiencies – deficiencies of
digestive enzymes and/or stomach acid may also hamper digestion and absorption
of food thus causing weight loss.
· Other medical conditions such as
coeliac disease (gluten allergy), or cystic fibrosis are associated
with inability to gain weight.
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
ALFALFA
Q-
A specific remedy for gaining weight. It increases appetite. Give ten drops
three times daily before food.
IODUM 30--Iodum
is an excellent remedy for gaining weight. Iodum is most useful in
cases where a person continues to lose weight even while having a balanced
diet. Such persons have a good appetite and eat well, yet go on losing flesh.
They look thin and emaciated. Great debility, nervousness, heated sensation are
other complaints. Iodum is also considered for underweight persons who have an overactive
thyroid gland.
GENTIANA LUTEA Q-
Another excellent remedy for gaining weight. In increases appetite. It acts as
atonic . Give 5 drops before each meal.
NATRUM MUR 30-Natrum
Mur is another top medicine for gaining
weight in persons who lose weight and start to look emaciated due to grief or
depression. Persons who need Natrum Mur have severe depression. They constantly
dwell on the past and shut off from society. Weeping and lack of self care are
key symptoms. Such persons avoid meals and look extremely thin. Natrum Mur
helps overcome depression and restores good health in such cases.
CHINA 30-China
is one of the top medicines for gaining
weight in people with long standing diarrhoea. Such persons have low weight,
marked weakness and fainting spells. Excessive flatulence and bloated abdomen
are other complaints. China helps regain
the healthy state that has been ruined because of chronic diarrhoea
CALCAREA PHOS 30-Calcarea
Phos is another excellent medicines for
gaining weight in persons who suffer weak bones in addition to weight loss. The
bones are thin, brittle and prone to fractures. Calcarea Phos helps gain weight
and strengthen bones at the same time. Calcarea Phos is also helpful in persons
having a weak spine disposed to curvatures. It is also helps to
promote weight gain in underweight children who are emaciated, thin and show
weak and tardy development. This child also shows slow development of speech,
late dentition and is slow in learning how to walk.
FERRUM MET 30-Ferrum
Met is one of the most effective medicines for gaining weight in underweight persons
who are anemic. Such persons also complain of weakness, lack of stamina,
debility, pallor of face, blue circles around the eyes and palpitations on
exertion. Bleeding tendencies may also prevail
LECITHINUM 3X-Increases
appetite. Craving for wine and coffee.
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