HOMOEOPATHY FOR LYMPHOMA

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. It develops in  lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. These cells help fight disease in the body and play an essential  role in the body’s immune defenses.

The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes ( lymph glands ), spleen, thymus gland and bone marrow. Lymphoma can affect all those areas as well as other organs throughout the body.

Many types of lymphoma exist. The main subtypes are:

·         Hodgkin’s lymphoma ( formerly called Hodgkin’s disease )

·         Non –Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma , which is the most common type, typically develops from B and T lymphocytes in the lymph nodes or tissue throughout the body. Tumor growth in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma may  not affect  every lymph node, often skipping some and growing on others. It accounts for 95% lymphoma cases.

Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system, can be identified by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells, which are abnormally large B lymphocytes. In people with Hodgkin lymphoma , the cancer usually moves from one lymph node to an adjacent one. Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for 0.5% of all cancers.

CAUSES

Doctors are not sure about what causes lymphoma. But it begins when a disease –fighting white blood cell called a lymphocyte develops a genetic mutation. The mutation tells the cell to multiply rapidly, causing many diseased lymphocytes that continue multiplying.

The mutation also allows the cells to go on living when the other normal cells would die. This causes too many diseased and ineffective lymphocytes in lymph nodes and causes the lymph nodes , spleen and liver to swell.

SYMPTOMS

The signs and symptoms of lymphoma may include:

·         Painless swelling of lymph nodes in neck, armpits or groin

·         Persistent fatigue

·         Fever

·         Night sweats

·         Shortness of breath

·         Cough

·         Unexplained weight loss

·         Itchy skin

·         Bone pain

·         Enlarged spleen

·         Pain when drinking alcohol

·         Rashes in skin folds

·         Stomach pain

RISK FACTORS

Risk factors for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma may include:

·         Immunodeficiency:  This could be due to weak immune system from immunodeficiency virus , HIV or taking an immune system suppressing drug after an organ transplant.

·         Autoimmune disease:  People with certain autoimmune diseases , such as rheumatoid arthritis and celiac disease, have an increased risk for lymphoma.

·         Age:  Lymphoma is most common in people over 60. However some types are more common in children and infants.

·         Sex:  Women are more likely to develop some particular types of lymphoma, and men are more likely to develop other types.

·         Ethnicity:  White Americans in the U.S are more likely to develop some types of lymphoma than African-Americans or Asian-Americans.

·         Infection:  People who have had infections such as human T –cell leukemia/lymphotropic virus ( HTLV-1 ), Heliobacter pylori, Hepatitis C, or the Epstein-Barr virus ( EBV) are associated with an increased risk.

·         Chemical and radiation exposure:  Those exposed to chemicals in pesticides, fertilizers and other herbicides  are also at increased risk. Nuclear radiation can also increase risks for developinh non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

·         Body size:  Obesity has been connected to lymphoma as a possible risk factor, but more research is needed to understand this possible risk factor.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma

The risk factors of Hodgkin’s lymphoma include:

·         Age:  More in people between the ages of 20 and 30, and in people over 55.

·         Sex:  Men are more likely than women to develop this type of lymphoma.

·         Family history:  Risk is higher, if have a family history.

·         Infectious mononucleosis:  This infection can increase the risk for lymphoma

·         Affluence:  Individuals that come from a background with a higher socioeconomic  status have higher risk for this type of cancer.

·         Immunodeficiency:  Individuals with HIV have a greater risk for developing lymphoma.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis procedures include: 

·         Physical examination:  Checks for swollen lymph nodes, including neck, underarm and groin, spleen or liver.

·         Removing lymph nodes for testing:  Recommend a lymph node biopsy procedure to remove all or part of a lymph node for laboratory testing. Advanced tests can determine if lymphoma cells are present and what types of cells are involved.

·         Blood tests:  Blood tests to count the number of cells in a sample.

·         Bone marrow testing:  A bone marrow aspiration and biopsy procedure involves inserting a needle into hipbone to remove a sample of bone marrow. The sample is analyzed to look for lymphoma cells.

·         Imaging tests:  Imaging tests include CT, MRI, and positron emission tomography, PET. Recommend imaging tests to look for signs of lymphoma in other areas of the body.

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 lymphoma  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.

Most important Homoeopathic remedies : Arsenic alb, Arsenic iodide, Baryta iodide,Calcarea carb, Calcarea iodide, Ceonanthus, China officinalis, Ferrum phos, Natrum muriaticum, Natrum arsenic, Phosphorus, Phytolacca decandra, Scrophularia nodosa, Thuja occidentalis, Tuberculinum.