HOMOEOPATHY FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Multiple sclerosis or MS is an inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system. The central nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord and the optic nerves. Surrounding and insulating the nerve fibers of the CNS is a fatty tissue called myelin. Myelin protects nerve fibers and allows them to function normally. MS  causes myelin to be lost , and scar tissue, called sclerosis, forms in its place, causing plaques or lesions to form. Damaged nerve fibers disrupt the ability of the nerves to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain. The damaged areas , known as plaques or lesions produce various symptoms of MS.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).

In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body. Eventually, the disease can cause the nerves themselves to deteriorate or become permanently damaged.

Signs and symptoms of MS vary widely and depend on the amount of nerve damage and which nerves are affected. Some people with severe MS may lose the ability to walk independently or at all, while others may experience long periods of remission without any new symptoms

Different types of MS

While there is no way to predict with any certainty how a person’s MS will progress, four basic disease courses have been defined.

·         Clinically isolated syndrome—first episode of neurologic symptoms caused by inflammation and de myelination in the central nervous system.

·         Relasping –remitting MS—periods of relapses that subside, with full or partial recovery, and no disease progression between attacks.

·         Secondary progressive MS—a relapsing –remitting course that later evolves into a more consistently progressive course, with or without relapses.

·         Primary progressive MS is characterized by a gradual but steady progression of disability from the onset of symptoms, with few or no relapses or remissions.

Causes

 The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown. It's considered an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. In the case of MS, this immune system malfunction destroys myelin (the fatty substance that coats and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord).

Myelin can be compared to the insulation coating on electrical wires. When the protective myelin is damaged and nerve fiber is exposed, the messages that travel along that nerve may be slowed or blocked. The nerve may also become damaged itself.

Symptoms

 Multiple sclerosis signs and symptoms may differ greatly from person to person and over the course of the disease depending on the location of affected nerve fibers. They may include:

·       Numbness or weakness in one or more limbs that typically occurs on one side of your body at a time, or the legs and trunk

·       Partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye at a time, often with pain during eye movement

·       Prolonged double vision

·       Tingling or pain in parts of your body

·       Electric-shock sensations that occur with certain neck movements, especially bending the neck forward (Lhermitte sign)

·       Tremor, lack of coordination or unsteady gait

·       Slurred speech

·       Fatigue

·       Dizziness

·       Problems with bowel and bladder function

It isn't clear why MS develops in some people and not others. A combination of genetics and environmental factors appears to be responsible

Risk factors

These factors may increase your risk of developing multiple sclerosis:

·       Age. MS can occur at any age, but most commonly affects people between the ages of 15 and 60.

·       Sex. Women are about twice as likely as men are to develop MS.

·       Family history. If one of your parents or siblings has had MS, you are at higher risk of developing the disease.

·       Certain infections. A variety of viruses have been linked to MS, including Epstein-Barr, the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis.

·       Race. White people, particularly those of Northern European descent, are at highest risk of developing MS. People of Asian, African or Native American descent have the lowest risk.

·       Climate. MS is far more common in countries with temperate climates, including Canada, the northern United States, New Zealand, southeastern Australia and Europe.

·       Certain autoimmune diseases. You have a slightly higher risk of developing MS if you have thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.

·       Smoking. Smokers who experience an initial event of symptoms that may signal MS are more likely than nonsmokers to develop a second event that confirms relapsing-remitting MS.

Complications

People with multiple sclerosis also may develop:

·       Muscle stiffness or spasms

·       Paralysis, typically in the legs

·       Problems with bladder, bowel or sexual function

·       Mental changes, such as forgetfulness or mood swings

·       Depression

·       Epilepsy

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance  at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When multiple sclerosis  is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

ALUMINA 200—Alumina is one of the best remedies for multiple sclerosis with lack of muscular coordination. Locomotor ataxia. Staggers on walking. Spinal degeneration and paralysis of lower limbs. Inability to walk, expect when eyes are open or in day time. Totters if eyes were closed. Legs feel  numb. Constipation .

ARGENTUM NITRICUM 200—Argentum nitricum is effective for multiple sclerosis, where the person feels great weakness of lower limbs.With softening of spinal cord. Weakness, rigidity, or twisting in calf muscles. Walks and stands unsteadily. Legs feel as if made of wood or padded  Trembling and numbness of limbs.

CAUSTICUM 200—Causticum is considered  for multiple sclerosis, where it is associated with urinary incontinence. Weakness and progressive loss of muscular strength, causing paralysis of single organs or parts. Involuntary  passage of urine, on coughing , walking, blowing nose or sneezing. Urine dribbles or passes slowly. Unsteady walking and easily falling.

CONIUM MACULATUM 200—Conium maculatum is best for multiple sclerosis with muscular weakness, especially lower limbs. Sudden loss of strength while walking. Can walk straight and steadily with eyes closed, but staggers, becomes giddy is nauseated while walking with open eyes. Trembling of all the limbs.  Numbness of fingers and toes.

GELSEMIUM SEMPERVIRENS  200—Gelsemium is one of the top remedies for multiple sclerosis with double vision and lack of muscular coordination. Vision blurred or smoky. Optic neuritis. Blurring and discomfort in eyes even after accurately adjusted glasses. Orbital neuralgia with contraction and twitching of muscles. Dim sighted, pupils dilated and insensible to light. Muscular weakness. Loss of power of muscular control. Loss of balance while walking. Dizziness, dullness, drowsiness and trembling is well marked.

LATHYRUS SATIVUS  3C—Lathyrus sativus is prescribed in multiple sclerosis with spastic paralysis of lower limbs. Reflexes are increased. Tremulous tottering gait. Excessive rigidity of legs, spastic gait. Cramps in legs, worse from cold. Cannot extend or cross legs while sitting. Gluteal muscles and muscles of lower limbs are emaciated. Multiple sclerosis with softening of spinal cord.

OXALIC ACID 30—Oxalic acid is effective medicines for multiple sclerosis, where extremities are involved. Weak trembling hands and feet. Numbness and tingling in the limbs. Numbness extends from shoulders to finger tips.Pain starting from spine and extend through limbs. Drawing and sharp pains shooting down limbs.

PICRIC ACID 30— Picric acid is prescribed for multiple sclerosis, where the person feel pin ad needle sensation in limbs. Worn out persons, both mentally and physically. Great weakness, tired, heavy feeling all over the body , especially limbs. Worse from exertion. Burning sensation in many parts , especially along spine.

PHYSOSTIGMA 30—Physostigma is another best remedy for multiple sclerosis with trembling of vision. Pain over orbits, cannot bear to rise eyelids. Dim vision , and partial loss of vision. Spasm of ciliary muscles with irritability after using eyes.

PLUMBUM METALLICUM 200—Plumbum metallicum is an excellent remedy for multiple sclerosis with paralysis of lower limbs. Paralysis of single muscles. Pain in atrophied muscles with colic. Cramps in calves. Stinging and tearing pain in limbs, also twitching and tingling , numbness , pain, or tremor. Constipation.