HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE , MND

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a progressive disease that attacks  the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting.

Motor neuron diseases are characterized by selective degeneration of motor neurons, both upper and lower, namely of the pyramidal fibers in cerebral cortex, of ventral horn cells and of cranial motor nerve nuclei. In different cases relative incidence of degeneration varies. In some the change is maximal in the ventral horn cells, in others in the cranial nerve nuclei, in others pyramidal fiber sclerosis is severe and adds the appropriate clinical picture.

MND can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. However, not all symptoms necessarily happen to everyone and it is unlikely they will all develop  at the same time, or in any specific order.

RISK FACTORS

·         Hereditary- There is a genetic link involved in developing this condition

·         Age-Usually after the age of 40, risk of developing MND increases

·         Sex- MND is more common in males than females

·     Certain professions- People who are working in army, navy or air force have shown higher risk of developing MND. Professional foot ball players are also found to have much higher risk of developing MND

CAUSES--About 5 % of cases are familial, showing autosomal dominant inheritance. In many such families genetic defects lies on chromosome 21, the enzyme involved being a superoxide dismutase (SOD1).

For the remaining 95 percent probable causes includes

·         Chronic Aluminum toxicity

·         Slow virus infection

·         Auto immunity

·         Trauma

·         Electrical shock

Another suggestive hypothesis is that glutamate which is a primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, accumulates at synapses and causes the neurons to die, probably through a calcium dependent mechanism. Prevalence of this disease is about 5/100000.

CLASSIFICATION-

MND can be divided into four main groups

·         Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS )

·         Progressive bulbar palsy (PBP )

·         Progressive muscular atrophy (PMA)

·         Primary lateral sclerosis ( PLS )

Out of these four, the ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is the most common form of MND. Its prevalence is more than 65%. It is also known as Lou Gehriga's disease. This name is given after the famous footballer Lou Gehrig, who also suffered from this disease.

SYMPTOMS

Limbs muscle weakness, cramps, occasionally fasciculation.
Disturbance of speech and swallowing (dysarthria and dysphagia )

SIGNS
Wasting and fasciculation of muscles
Weakness of muscles of limbs and tongue, face and palate.
Pyramidal tract involvement causes spasticity, exaggerated tendon reflexes and extensor plantar responses.
External occular muscles and sphincters usually remain intact.
No objective sensory deficit.
No intellectual impairment in most cases.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

PLUMBUM METALLICUM 200-Plumbum metallicum is one of the top remedies for MND.  Paralysis with atrophy. Muscular atrophy from sclerosis of spinal system. Excessive and rapid emaciation. General or partial paralysis with great weakness and anaemia. Clonic or tonic spasm from cerebral sclerosis or tumor. Paralysis of plumbum is prominently of spinal origin. Paralysis of upper extremities is more marked. Ptosis. Heavy tongue. Difficulty in articulation. Tremor of nasolabial muscles. Twitching of the side of the face. Paralysis of gullet and inability to swallow. Paralysis of lower extremities with paralysis of single muscle. Paralysis from over exertion.

CAUSTICUM 200-Causticum is an effective remedy MND. Paralysis of single parts- vocal organs, tongue, eyelids, face, bladder, extremities, generally of rt sided. Paralysis from exposure to cold wind or draft. Paralysis after typhoid, typhus or diphtheria;appearing. Drooping of eye lids,cannot keep them open. It is used in paralysis which is remote from apoplexy, the paralysis remaining after patient has recovered from apoplexy with inability to select proper words. Laryngeal muscles refuse their services, cannot speak a loud word. Aphonia. Sudden aphonia after taking cold. Paralysis of face or tongue or hemiplegia with giddiness, weakness of sight, weeping mood, hopelessnessand fear of death.

GUACO 30-Guaco is another effective remedy for MND. Acts on nervous system. Bulbar paralysis. Deafness. Tongue heavy and difficult to move. Spinal irritation.Spinal symptoms are most marked. Beer drinkers threatened with apoplexy. Larynx and trachea are constricted. Difficult deglutition. Paralysis of lower extremities.

MANGANUM OXYDATUM 200-Manganum oxydatum is also effective for MND. Low monotonous voice. Economical speech. Mask like facies. Muscular twitching. Cramps in calves Stiff leg muscles. Occasional uncontrollable laughter. Peculiar slapping gait. Workers of manganum binoxide are frequently affected with bulbar paralysis. Pseudo sclerosis. Progressive lenticular degeneration. Similar symptoms to paralysis agitance.

COCCULUS 200-Paralysis of facial nerve especially of one side. Or tongue pharynx. Paraplegia and rheumatic lamness in weakened or nervous subjects, who are inclined fainting fits and palpitation of the heart. Paralytic affection originates in the small of the back after taking cold, with cold feeling of extremities and edema of the feet. Paralysis after apoplexy. Paralysis of lower limbs. Paralytic immobility. One sided paralysis of the face with cramp like pain in masseter < opening the mouth. Prosopalgia. Tremor of lower jaw and chattering of teeth when attempting to speak. Lines of face are deepened as if drawn. Paralysis of the tongue with difficult speech. Pains at the base of the tongue when protruded. Paralysis of muscles of deglutition with difficulty to swallow.

GELSEMIUM 200-Complete motor paralysis, rather functional than organic in nature. Paralysis of occular muscles. Ptosis. Paretic condition of the tongue causes difficulty to speak. Speak is thick. Paralysis from emotions. Post diphtheritic paralysis. Paralysis of larynx causes aphonia. Locomotor ataxia. Paraplegia.

LACHESIS 200-Especially left side. Awkward. Stumbling gait. Paralysis after apoplexy. Trifacial neuralgia. Spasm of glottis.

NUX VOMICA 200-- Incomplete paralysis of the face, arms, and legs with vertigo, weak memory, darkness before the eyes, ringing in ears, loss of appetite, burning in stomach, flatulence and vomiting after eating and drinking.Constipation especially in drunkards. Jaw contracted. Infra orbital neuralgia. Left angle of the mouth drops. Twitching and spasmodic distortion of face. Articulation and speech difficult. Paralysis of arms. Automatic motion of hand towards mouth

OPIUM 200-Paralysis and insensibility after apoplexy, in drunkards, in old people, associated with retention of stool and urine. Spasmodic facial twitching, especially of corners of mouth. Hanging down of lower jaw. Distorted face. Twitching of facial muscles. Face covered with profuse sweat. Paralysed tongue which dry and black. Difficult articulation and swallowing. Tongue protrudes to right side. Inability to swallow. On swallowing food goes the wrong way or returns through nose. Painless paralysis. Twitching of limbs. Numbness. Jerks as if flexors are overacting. Sensation as if lower limbs were severed and belongs to someone else. Shifting and trembling gait. One or other arm moves convulsively to and fro. Coldness of extremities.

STRAMONIUM 200- Paralysis after convulsion,. Paralysis of one or spasm of other side. Stammering speech. Cannot swallow on account of spasm.

GRAPHITES 200-Rheumatic, peripheric paralysis of face. Distortion of muscles of face and difficult speech. Sensation of cobweb over the face.

CURARE 200- It is a great remedy for paralysis of various kinds and of various parts of our body. General paralysis of motor system. Ptosis. Facial and buccal paralysis. Paralytic failure of power to swallow. Paralysis of deltoid muscles.

ARNICA MONTANA 200-Paralysis due to exudation within the brain or spine. Paralysis in consequence of apoplexy, of concussion, of weakening disease and of protracted intermittent fevers. Paralysis of face and lower lip hang down. Lower lip trembling while eating.

CONIUM MACULATUM 200- Paralysis from periphery upwards, of old women. Speech difficult from paralysis of tongue. Distortion of tongue and mouth. Food goes down the wrong way and stops while swallowing. Paralysis of lower limbs than of upper limbs. Staggering < turning the head or looking sideways.

PLUMBUM IODATUM 200-Plumbum iodatum  has  been used empirically in various forms of paralysis. Sclerotic degeneration, especially of spinal cord. Atrophies.

ARSENIC ALB. 200- Paralysis associated with great prostration and neuralgic pains. Spinal affection with gressus gallinaceus. Twitching of muscles of face. Paralysis and contraction of limbs.

BARYTA CARBONICUM 200- Causes paralysis by producing degeneration of the coats of the blood vessels. Facial paralysis. Paralysis of old people. Paralysis after apoplexy. Facial paralysis of young people where the tongue is implicated.

NATRUM MURIATICUM 200- Paralysis from cold. Numbness. Tingling of tongue and lips. Loss of taste. Tongue striped along the edge. Numbness and stiffness ofone side of the tongue. Tongue heavy and difficult speech. Tongue feels dry but actually not dry. Uvula hangs to one side. Food goes down the wrong way. Post diphtheritic paralysis. Fluids can be swallowed. Paralytic condition of lower limbs.

PHOSPHORUS 200- Paralysis from fatty degeneration of nerve cells. Progressive spinal paralysis. Ascending sensory and motor paralysis from ends of fingers and toes. Arms and hands become numb. Fingers feel like thumb.Can lie on right side. Post diphtheritic paralysis. Tottery gait Periodical contractions of fingers as from cramps