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Read this essay to learn about Gastroenterology Diseases. After reading this essay you will learn about: 1. Stomatitis 2. Chronic Oesophagitis 3. Acute Dyspepsia 4. Acute Gastritis 5. Ulcer 6. Acute Peptic Ulcer 7. Chronic Gastric Ulcer 8. Chronic Duodenal Ulcer 9. Acute Appendicitis 10. Intestinal Colic 11. Acute Bacillary Dysentery 12. Acute Catarrhal Infanule Diarrhoea and Other Diseases.
Contents:
- Essay on Stomatitis
- Essay on Chronic Oesophagitis
- Essay on Acute Dyspepsia
- Essay on Acute Gastritis
- Essay on Ulcer
- Essay on Acute Peptic Ulcer
- Essay on Chronic Gastric Ulcer
- Essay on Chronic Duodenal Ulcer
- Essay on Acute Appendicitis
- Essay on Intestinal Colic
- Essay on Acute Bacillary Dysentery
- Essay on Acute Catarrhal Infanule Diarrhoea
- Essay on Enterocoutis or Inflammatory Infantile Diarrhoea
- Essay on Epidemic Diarrhoea
- Essay on Cholera
- Essay on Acute Ulcerative Colitis
- Essay on Acute Amoebic Dysentery
- Essay on Constipation
- Essay on Acute Cholecystitis
- Essay on Acute Pancreatitis
- Essay on Chronic Pancreatitis
- Essay on Hepatitis
- Essay on Acute Liver Disease
- Essay on Cirrhosis
- Essay on Acute Cholecystitis
- Essay on Biliary Colic
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 1. Stomatitis:
Patient complains of pain associated with redness, swelling and tenderness in the mouth. There is widespread inflammation of the cheek, the tongue and the floor of the mouth or the palate. In severe cases, the patient may complain of offensive breath, enlarged and tender cervical lymph glands and occasionally swollen lips. This condition is STOMATITIS.
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There are several varieties of this stomatitis:
Catarrhal, Aphthous, Ulcerative, Herpetic, Parasitic or thrush. But the homoeopathic therapy remains essentially the same because the symptoms expressed are more or less the same with little change in modalities. These are important for prescribing than the underlying pathology.
Borax:
Has aphthous inflammation of mucus membrane of the mouth and tongue which bleeds easily, therefore useful in aphthous stomatitis. Ulcers bleed on attempting to eat or to touch; it is a white fungus-like growth and a very important concomitant in diarrhoea. The mouth is hot, mucous membrane around these aphthae bleed easily. Stools are usually green and soft and always contain mucus.
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Kali chloricum:
Produces scorbutic and spongy gums, soft, bleed easily, with foul odour to the breath. The look is very red and like fire, with gray based ulcers. The stomatitis is aphthous and gangrenous.
Mercurius:
The whole mouth is moist, one finds a very thick and flabby tongue coated with dirty yellow white coating and offensive odour to the breath. Scorbutic symptoms are present; tongue takes the imprints of teeth. The gums ulcerate and become spongy, recede and easily bleed with excessive salivation.
Nitric Acid:
Has similar features but does not have the offensive breath like others. The tongue is red and glazed and mapped .The saliva is acrid, the pains in the mouth are pricking in nature, the aphthae are white and pale. Ulcers in the soft palate with sharp splinter like pain. Gums bleed.
Arsenic album:
Has livid bleeding gums, blisters on the edges of the gum and have ulcerating diarrhoea. Burning is more intense, restlessness compelling motion in spite of weakness. The ulcers are bluish-black with intense burning. Mental irritability is more. Stomatitis can occur with ill-fitting dentures, or with number of vitamin deficiencies.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease 2. Chronic Oesophagitis:
Patient complains of recurring attacks of humingpains beneath the lower part of the sternum, the food appears to stick there on swallowing, distension in the left hypochondrium, and occasionally vomiting of blood, loss of weight. The condition may be CHRONIC OESOPHAGITIS.
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The history will reveal that the whole condition has developed gradually, with burning pain in the lower end of the oesophagus shortly after swallowing solid food or very hot drink or alcoholic spirit. This pain initially may be intermittent but later becomes more continuous, so much so that patient goes on starvation, diet with liquids only and antacids which gives him relief.
He swallows lot of air and saliva which causes distension in the left upper abdomen. In some there is severe spasm at the lower end of oesophagus with regurgitation of alkaline fluid. Initially there may be simply an inflammatory condition but later peptic ulcers may form with minor degree of bleeding, haematemesis, melaena or anaemia. Weight loss is caused because of insufficient food intake.
Aisenic:
Has characteristic burning pains, these pains are like burning coal of fire and is associated with diarrhoea. The stools are undigested slimy and bloody; the exciting causes are sudden chilling of the stomach with ice water or ice-cream, alcoholic drinks in excess, bad meat, decayed sausages, rancid fat, overripe fruits etc.
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Everything that is swallowed seems to lodge in the oesophagus. These burning pains are relieved by external warmth or drinking warm drinks. But are definitely aggravated by cold drinks. The inflammation in the arsenic stomach is aggravated by milk.
Phosphorus:
Pain in the stomach, better by cold drinks. Regurgitates ingesta by mouthful. Vomiting as soon as soon as the water gets warmed in the stomach. Sharp cutting pains in the abdomen, empty and gall-gone sensation, flatulent colic, worse by hot drinks. It is chronic of Arsenic.
Kali Bichrom.:
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There is fullness of stomach immediately after meal, particularly after excessive drinking of beer and ale. The vomited matter is sour and is mixed with clear mucus; bitter; and the vomit is renewed after every attempt to eat or drink. It is associated with great deal of distress and burning.
Argentum nitricum:
Will give history of pain developing immediately after taking food which increases for about an hour followed by vomiting with relief. These patients have strong desire for cold, ice cold sweetened drinks and sweets like ice-cream.
Carbo vegetabilis:
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Patients develop definite epigastric pains, burning that come on after some time after partaking of food and develop colicky attacks. Anything by way of cold, ice and ice-creams will immediately cause great discomfort and distension of stomach with water brash.
Lycopodium:
Complains of sour stomach and suffering from water-brash, acute acidity, and recurring attacks of hiccups. They come on more in the late afternoon. In spite of this they are still hungry and their distress increases if they do not partake any food at that time.
Cold food aggravates. We have seen some of the most common remedies in practice. But there are many more worth considering. Important remedies are Pulsatilla, Natrum phos, Natrum carb, Nux vom or Ptelea.
Pulsatilla:
Is thirstless in almost all complaints, and is aggravated by rich food, fats, pork, pastries, desserts and ice-cream.
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Natrum phos:
Has complaints with excess of acidity, desires strong tasting things, eggs, fried fish, beer which ameliorates. Has aversion to bread and butter.
Natrum carb:
Has weak digestion and it gets aggravated with slightest errors of diet. Gastric pains are better by eating, fats aggravate and drinking cold water after getting overheated causes disturbance.
Nux vomica:
Has habit of taking stimulants, rich food and late hours of eating, therefore develops irritable digestive system.
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Ptelea:
There is atomic state of the stomach and is aggravated by lying on the left side. On awaking there is hunger and headache.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 3. Acute Dyspepsia:
A patient whose temperature is normal complains of a mild epigastric tenderness, nausea, gastric discomfort, headache and depression which comes on suddenly, the condition is ACUTE DYSPEPSIA.
There is a sudden disturbance of digestion in a previously healthy person, and often occurs after partaking a very heavy meal, excess of alcohol, fats, ice, and many other articles which vary with the idiosyncrasy of an individual. This often is followed by a fit of anger or worry or disappointment.
Acute dyspepsia usually passes off in a couple of days. It may not need any special medication. A very mild emetic like salt water is enough to induce vomiting. A simple milk diet is sufficient for a day or two. A dose of Nux vomica or Pulsatilla, depending on the type of indiscretion done, would bring the situation under control.
Carbo veg.:
Carbo veg. is equally important. Patient wakes up in the morning with headache and morning diarrhoea accompanied by great straining. Eructation worse on lying down, fullness of abdomen, burning in stomach. Digestion is slow as it gets putrefied before it gets digested.
It is indicated after Nux vom given on symptoms fails to act, although Nux vom has most symptoms of the dyspepsia. Lycopodium has the immediate distress symptoms. The accumulation of flatulence is more downwards in the lower abdomen as compared to Carbo veg. or Nux vom.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 4. Acute Gastritis:
The patient complains of considerable epigastric pain or discomfort that have come rather suddenly, the condition is probably ACUTE GASTRITIS. Majority of these cases are caused by errors of diet, excess of alcohol, and excess of fatty food or rich food. In clinical practice we find from the type of indiscretion that is done in eating and drinking one will seldom need remedies other than Arsenic album.
Arsenic album:
Is suited to those with excess eating of vegetable diet,, melons, strawberries and fruits in general. The stomach is extremely irritable, the least of food and drink causes distress or vomiting or stool or both together. Pain in abdomen causes turning and twisting. The pains are burning in stomach, better by sweet milk. Ice-cold water distresses the stomach and is vomited out immediately.
Graphite’s:
Has sense of pressure in the stomach, sour and foul belching and burning in stomach causing hunger. Better by drinking hot drinks, especially hot milk. Constrictive pain in the stomach with vomiting of food immediately on eating and the stomach is worse by cold.
Hydrastis canadensis:
There is more or less constant sore feeling in the stomach, vomits all food but retains milk or water mixed. Sinking and all-gone feeling. Mother tincture and lower potencies act better. (Clifton) Appetite is bad, poor digestion of bread and vegetables and causes belching.
Kali bichromicum:
Gastric symptoms are relieved after eating but the rheumatic symptoms reappear. The patient feels a sore spot in the stomach, or says there is load of food lying in the stomach. The discharges are thick ropy. Complaints are mostly in the hot weather but at the same time there is liability to catch cold easily. Ill-effects of indulgence in beer and malt liquor.
Nux vomica:
Has ill-effects of alcohol drugs, spices, stimulants and sexual excesses. Hiccup from overeating, cold or hot drinks. There is nausea in the morning after eating. A sensation of weight in stomach and stomach is very sensitive to pressure. There is ravenous hunger a day before an attack of dyspepsia. Nausea and vomiting with much retching. There is alternate constipation and diarrhoea.
Phosphorus: gastric pains are better by ice-cream. Water brash, sour taste and sour belching, after every meal, throws up by mouthful in fact when the food gets warm’ in the stomach. Regurgitation of ingesta in mouthfuls.
There is no evidence that acute gastritis will eventually lead to chronic gastritis or peptic ulceration. Chronic gastritis is seen in pernicious anaemia where there is atrophy of the mucosa which fails to produce the intrinsic factor B12.
Three types of chronic gastritis are known Type A (autoimmune,) Type B bacterial gastritis where there is presence of Helicobactor pylori on the surface epithelium and Type C gastritis is recently recognized histologically distinct lesion due to NSAIDS e.g., aspirin or painkillers.
Most of these need no treatment but accompanying pernicious anaemia should be treated. Homoeopathic treatment essentially remains the same for both acute and chronic variety. The remedies listed under acute gastritis are equally useful in the treatment of chronic variety.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 5. Ulcer:
The patient complains of Indigestion. The pain comes on daily with constant relation to food. The pain is relieved by liquid, food and by alkali. There is tenderness and pain on pressure. The condition is probably an ULCER.
Simple or peptic ulcer is fairly common. The ulcers probably arise by peptic digestion of the stomach mucosa which is injured by local trauma, by toxins swallowed from mouth. The most common are the frequent ingestion of painkillers and Steroids. They tend to heal readily unless there is persistent and static gastric hyperacidity.
Usually the complaint passes off by observing a fast or drinking cold milk, or some alkaline mixture. A common prescription for such a condition arising from excess of lactic acid, resulting from too much sugar, sour vomiting and sour eructation’s.
Natrum phosphoricum:
Useful in lower potency 4x or 6x. Canine hunger, all- gone sensation desires strong tasting things, eggs, fried fish, and beer that relieves. Aversion to bread.
Argentum nitricum:
There is gnawing ulcerative pain, burning constrictive pain in the stomach. The pains are radiating. Ineffectual attempt at eructation and belching accompanies most of the gastric complaints. Great flatulence and painful swelling in the pit of the stomach. Irresistible desire for sugar and sweets.
Omithogalum umbellatum:
Has increased pains while the food passes the pyloric outlet. And there is frequent passing of offensive flatus. There is vomiting of coffee ground coloured matter suggesting haemorrhage.
Psorinum:
There is sour, rancid, tasting and smelling like rotten eggs belching but always hungry must have something to eat at night, water brash when lying down.
Phosphorus:
Pain in the stomach is better by drinking cold water, throws up food by mouthful and the water is thrown up as soon as it gets warm in the stomach. There is add dyspepsia with bloated abdomen, faint feeling in the epigastrium, not better by eating. Nausea at the thought of food. There is tobacco dyspepsia.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 6. Acute Peptic Ulcer:
Patient complains of severe boring pain produced by intake of food and relieved by vomiting. The vomit at times contains streaks of blood.
The condition is ACUTE PEPTIC ULCER. Ulcers may be small and multiple Pain is of distending type or boring, aggravated by food; it is relieved by vomiting; the vomitus may contain excess of hydrochloric acid, there may be painless haematemesis, though the appetite is normal, the patient eats less because of the pain he experiences. The choice of remedy is once again:
Natrum phos:
And sometimes Acid sulph. Patient has heartburn, sour eructation, and this often happens after excessive alcohol. Has aversion to coffee and desire for fresh food. There is coldness in the stomach that is relieved by warmth. Patient must be advised to rest in bed. In case of perforation immediate laparotomy must be arranged. If there is intractable vomiting, iced citrated milk is started as early as possible.
Dysentery bacillus (Dys. Co.):
Pain in the stomach is worse from eating. Chroruc indigestion. Eructation and heartburn, at times nausea in the morning on waking, which is relieved by eating. Heartburns at times sometime after food. Mental strain reacts on the stomach. Pain as a rule is better by lying down. Often very useful in duodenal ulcers.
Hydrastis can:
Weak digestion, gastroduodenal catarrh, cutting colicky pains, better after passing flatus, griping pain with the stool. Sore feeling in the stomach, more or less constant. Atonic dyspepsia belching of sour fluid. Vomits all that is eaten, except milk. This causes marasmus. Phosphorus
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 7. Chronic Gastric Ulcer:
Usually a middle-aged person, or an elderly man, or young/middle-aged woman who is enfeebled by illness and anxiety complaining of indigestion or at regular intervals after food, which is relieved after taking light food, by vomiting or by antacids. The condition is CHRONIC GASTRIC ULCER.
Chronic indigestion with epigastric pains frequently after food that comes on half an hour to two hours after. Pains radiate to left upper abdomen or back, they are located in definite area depending on the site of ulcers in the stomach. The pains are described as aching and gnawing. Patient takes food with caution, usually light liquid diet. Antacids usually relieve the pains.
Nux vomica:
Is the remedy that strikes first. It is preeminently the remedy for many of the conditions incident to modem life. His indoor life, mental work, lack of exercise and frequent use of stimulants, coffee and alcohol in excess, is the main cause. In order to calm down, the nerves resort to sedatives. This reflects on his digestion and ultimately ends into gastric ulcer.
Antimonium crudum:
Is yet another remedy that has been found useful. Although has loss of appetite there is a strong desire for pickles and acids. Eructation tastes of food ingested, associated with heartburn and nausea. Bread, pastry, acids, sour wine cause these epigastric pains. Thickly white -coated tongue is the true guiding symptom.
Graphites:
Graphites is another important remedy. There is nausea and vomiting after each meal, pressure in the stomach, burning that causes himger, recurrent gastralgia pain temporarily relieved after vomiting, hot drinks and lying down.
Argentum nitricum:
Has flatulent dyspepsia, belching after every meal, irresistible desire for sugars, and sweets.
Kali Bichromicum:
Gastric symptoms are relieved after eating but rheumatic symptoms reappear. Sensation of sore spot in the stomach with a load nausea and vomiting after beer.
Lycopodium:
Has great weakness of the digestion, with much bloating. Hunger but quick satiety. Gnawing pains are better by drinking warm drinks.
Phosphorus:
Has pain in the stomach, worse by eating, but better by cold drinks; sour taste and sour belching after every meal, and throws up food by mouthful. Vomiting as soon as the water gets warm in the stomach, vomiting is sour bile blood and coffee ground. There is vomiting after post-operative anaesthetic effect of chloroform.
Sepia:
Acid dyspepsia with bloated abdomen, from over-lifting and by tobacco, boiled milk disagrees. Burning in the pit of the stomach, and nausea in the morning before eating.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 8. Chronic Duodenal Ulcer:
The patient is healthy looking, active and has been complaining about frequent attacks of acidity for many years, after overwork, worries or taking indigestible foods: develops pain 3-4 hours after meals or in the night, that is relieved by eating food or antacids. The condition is CHRONIC DUODENAL ULCER.
The symptoms of this condition begins early in life and comes in the form of attacks after dietetic irregularity, subsequently the attacks last for longer period and they come on sooner than previous attacks. The epigastric pains are sometimes intense, usually nagging or gnawing.
This is usually almost quickly relieved after eating! The pains may migrate to the back or become more constant if the ulcer burrows the head of the pancreas. X-ray or endoscopy clinches the diagnosis.
As the symptoms suggest the first remedy that strikes is:
Nux Vomica:
The circumstances and the situation points to this remedy. Nux vomica suits those who indulge in excess of alcohol, indigestible food, irregular habits, lack of sleep, loves fatty food and tolerates them very well, and lot of coffee drinking, there is constipation with frequent ineffectual urging, incomplete and unsatisfactory stools.
Pulsatilla:
Has an aversion to fatty food, warm food and drink. Eructation taste of food long remaining in the stomach, after iced drinks, fruits and pastries. There is often bitter taste in the mouth. Like Nux vom there is pain in abdomen an hour after eating.
Graphite’s:
Has nausea and vomiting after each meal. Sweets nauseate and aversion to meat and hot drinks disagree. Constrictive pain in the stomach, recurrent gastralgia. Stomach pain is temporarily relieved by eating. Dyspepsia due to farinaceous and fermentable foods, cabbages, beans.
Lycopodium:
Has desire for sweet things, food tastes sour, great bulimia, eating, just a little flatulence. Always likes to take hot food. Burning eructation rises up to throat and remains for long. Apart from the remedial therapy more important is the auxiliary management of such patients.
Patient must be given mental and physical rest, nourishing food that does not cause any digestive errors. Overwork, worry or stress should be avoided. Initially the attack may last for a few days but these efforts reduce the super acidity of the gastric juice, gradually returning to normal work in nearly three to four months.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 9. Acute Appendicitis:
The patient complains of constant abdominal pain which aggravates especially after exercise, associated nausea or vomiting with some elevation of temperature with rapid pulse: there is rigidity and tenderness in the right iliac fossa region, the disease is ACUTE APPENDICITIS.
In clinical practice two types of this conditions are seen. One is catarrhal inflammation of the vermiform appendix, and the second is virulent form with ulceration, gangrene and local or diffuse peritonitis. The symptoms are characteristic; point to appendix pain, vomiting, tenderness, local rigidity, quickened pulse and leucocytosis.
Initially the pain is generalized over the abdomen, epigastrium and then settles in the right iliac fossa. MacBumey’s point is tender on pressure.
Patient complains of violent colic, that comes and disappears suddenly. The tenderness of the abdomen is worse by least jar. The pain is throbbing, localized in the ileo-caecal region and cannot bear slightest touch. Even the bed-clothes are very sensitive. Face is red with dilated pupils. These symptoms point to Belladonna.
Belladonna:
Is more useful at the early inflammatory stage much before the suppuration has set in that means when there is generalized pain in the abdomen but when the pains become localized there are more chances of the suppuration developing. Belladorma may hasten this suppuration and can burst the inflammed appendix causing peritonitis. Under the circumstances use Plumbum met.
Plumbum met:
There is violent colic and the patient assumes the strangest postures for relief. The pains radiate to all parts of the body. Violent colic cause the abdominal muscles to retract till navel seems to press against the spine.
Magnesia phos:
Where we find spasmodic cramping of stomach nipping, gripping, and pinching with belching that does not relieve. Flatulent colic that forces the patient to bend and better by warmth and rubbing. Use 12x, or IM. In chronic appendicitis, there is pain starting from right iliac fossa or radiating from umbilicus or epigastrium to this region.
Usually after food and aggravated by overexertion. Prolonged retention of barium in X-ray will confirm the diagnosis. Filling defect will be present. With any malignant disease, tuberculosis, stricture of lumen with formation of mucocoele of the appendix.
One remedy that I have found very useful is Iris tenax. I have used this in number of cases where there is dry mouth, deathly sensation at a point in the stomach and pain in the ileo-coecal region. Repeated low potency doses help. This needs to be differentiated from acute amoebic colitis.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 10. Intestinal Colic:
Patient is complaining of sudden and severe pain in abdomen, doubling up with restlessness, or rolling about in cold sweat, often there is vomiting, the face is pale and anxious, feeble, rapid pulse, without any temperature, no physical signs in abdomen but may be relieved by pressure. The condition is INTESTINAL COLIC.
The intestinal colic is due to distension and spasm of the bowel. The spasm of the small intestine is characteristically twisting and is paroxysmal in nature and refers to epigastrium or umbilicus. The colic of the colon is referred to hypogastrium. The palpating hand can appreciate the hardening of the bowel. Relief from pressure distinguishes it from peritonitis. At times it is accompanied by diarrhoea.
Plumbum met:
Excessive colic that spreads all over abdominal wall, feeling of abdominal wall being retracted, severe constipation, stools hard and lumpy. Plumbum is very useful in intestinal obstruction, intussusception and hernia.
Carbo. vegetabilis:
One will find gaseous distension with wind colic belching that relieves.
Colocynthis:
Colocynthis has agonizing cutting pain in abdomen, intestines feel bruised, the colics appear after anger, least food or drink brings on dysenteric stool and the colic are better by bending double.
Mercurius:
Mercurius has stabbing pain in the abdomen with flatulent distension, dysenteric stools with or without blood.
Chamomilla:
Chamomilla Abdomen distended, spells of flatulent colic, after anger. Cutting wind colic, aggravated at night, better by warm application.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 11. Acute Bacillary Dysentery:
The patient who is a professional/regular traveller complains, more or less, sudden diarrhoea with mucus and sometimes blood in the stools; constitutional symptoms with pyrexia, headache and abdominal pain, followed by dehydration. The condition is ACUTE BACILLARY DYSENTERY.
Bacillary dysentery is common in tropical and subtropical climates. After an incubation period of 1-7 days there is a sudden onset of fairly high fever, nausea, vomiting and headache followed by colicky abdominal pain, tenesmus and frequent passage of small stools.
As the toxaemia increases the face becomes flushed, pulse becomes rapid and tongue gets coated. The general picture of dehydration becomes evident with sunken eyes, pinched features, restlessness, and, in infants, depressed fontanelles. Soon the foecal character of the stool is lost and it becomes gelatinous mucus mixed with bright red blood.
Before we decide of its various remedies we need to understand the cause and occurrence:
Type of stool; concomitants, before, during, and after the stool; and modalities. A quick reference to the repertory will help to come to a conclusion of the remedy in every case. In clinical practice the most important and often indicated remedies in acute condition are Nux Vom., Mercurius, Merc corrosive, Trombidium, Arsenic alb. Aloe, Nitric acid.
Nux vom:
Nux vom there is frequent and scanty stool, with marked urging. Stool relieves the pain for some time to return again after some time.
Mercurius:
Mercurius has a never-get-done feeling, bloody slimy stools with much straining.
Merc cor:
Merc cor is more violent than Merc sol. Slime and wet tongue with excessive thirst is characteristic. Chilliness is followed by stool. There is more blood than in Merc sol.
Trombidium:
Trombidium is worse by food and drink. Urgent loose stool after rising from bed.
Arsenic:
Arsenic there is putrid, involuntary stools, frequent thirst for small quantity but the most important is restlessness and anxiety.
Aloe:
Aloe there is fullness of abdomen, heavy, hot and bloated. Sense of insecurity in the rectum. A lot of mucus that passes after the stool with pain in the rectum.
Nitric acid:
Nitric acid there is great straining but very little stool passes. Violent and cutting pain in the rectum that remains long after the stool. But passes profuse and bright blood.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 12. Acute Catarrhal Infanule Diarrhoea:
The patient is a child, developing sudden, at first yellow and offensive stool, then greenish and slimy and often mixed with undigested food. The condition is ACUTE CATARRHAL INFANULE DIARRHOEA.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 13. Enterocoutis or Inflammatory Infantile Diarrhoea:
The patient is a child, develops greenish, stools slimy, containing mucus, and streaks of blood. There is slight fever in the beginning with abdominal distension in the colonic area. But the colour, and consistency of the stool changes with type of infection. The condition is ENTEROCOUTIS OR INFLAMMATORY INFANTILE DIARRHOEA.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 14. Epidemic Diarrhoea:
The patient is a child, the stools are watery, foul smelling, green in colour, containing mucus, which starts suddenly but insidiously. There may be vomiting followed by dehydration, elevated temperature, prostration and collapse. The condition is EPIDEMIC DIARRHOEA.
The above three conditions are fairly common in children during their first one year of life, mostly because of bad hygiene, contaminated water and summer warmth. Some of the infections are because of organisms like shigella, flexener and Sonne and b. coli or e. coli staphylococci. In many epidemics no infection can be detected — then it is treated as viral infection.
By whatever name the conditions are labeled the homoeopathic remedies do not differ very much because of the indications of these remedies are on the basis of presenting signs and symptoms, which remain often very same. Only what is important is the modalities, circumstances of its appearance and the concomitants.
Aconite:
Aconite is indicated when there is sudden, green, watery, frequent stools caused due to chill or fright; or suppressed perspiration,
Bryonia:
Bryonia is indicated when there is unquenchable thirst, and diarrhoea is from hot weather.
Dulcamara:
Dulcamara when the weather changes to cool or exposure to cold weather, colic before the stool.
Croton tig.:
Croton tig. watery stool comes out like shot while nursing or inunediately after. Chamomilla has watery greenish stools smelling like rotten eggs, very irritable, uncivil and snappy child.
Gambogia:
Gambogia Pain in the stomach after food, tenasmus after stool with burning in anus, sudden forcible ejection of bilious stool, mostly in elderly’s and in hot weather.
Veratrum alb:
Veratrum alb diarrhoea is with violent vomiting, cold sweat on the forehead with the slightest activity.
Podophyllum:
Podophyllum has painless, profuse stools, offensive, gushing and causes a quick dehydration. Desires much water to drink but not to eat any food. This diarrhoea is worse in the morning and there is a normal natural stool in the evening usually during teething in babies.
Bacillus Gaertner (Bach):
Bacillus Gaertner (Bach) is a bowel nosode, very useful in babies who have this coeliac disorder after they have been put on the top feed. In slightly older children they cannot digest fatty food, although they desire puddings, milk, sweets, eggs. Vomit after sweets, their diarrhoea is fetid, every fifteen days mixed stool with mucus and blood.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 15. Cholera:
The patient complains of sudden diarrhoea, attended with severe collapse, abdominal cramps, and ‘rice water stools’— the condition is probably CHOLERA. Often known as Asiatic cholera, a condition caused by organism Cholera vibrio. It begins with urgent vomiting, purging and colourless evacuations.
Cuprum arsenicosum:
Cuprum arsenicosum is the most valuable remedy having rumbling and sharp cutting pains in the abdomen followed by cold clammy sweat of intermittent character. There are cramps in the calves. Repeated lower potencies help.
Veratrum album:
Veratrum album is another remedy that very much simulates Cholera. Sinking and empty feeling in the abdomen. Diarrhoea is very painful, watery, copious and forcibly evacuated followed by great prostration. Vomiting accompanies the purging. Intermittent cold clammy sweat.
Camphor is the third of Hahnemann’s cholera remedy. Everything is vomited, the tongue is blue and cold, and breath is cold too; cold sensation in the stomach. In cold stage wants to uncover and in hot phase wants to remain warm.
Arsenic alb:
Arsenic alb Effect of food poisoning, caused by bad meat, vegetables, water, melons and watery fruits. Dyspepsia from acidic, ice cream, vinegar. Burning pain in the stomach.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 16. Acute Ulcerative Colitis:
Patient complains of sudden onset of diarrhoea, with pain in abdomen occurring in paroxysms, with dark, offensive stools, a mixture of blood and mucus; complains of tenderness over the ascending colon. Pyrexia of 101° to 103°F. The condition is ACUTE ULCERATIVE COLITIS.
(b) Chronic Ulcerative Colitis:
The patient complains of augmented form of above conditions, having developed insidiously; from:
(i) Simple diarrhoea, comprising of watery stools mixed with bright blood, mucus and faeces,
(ii) Lower abdominal flatulence,
(iii) Rectal discotnfort
(iv) Considerable number of stools with dehydration,
(v) Marked weight loss, and anaemia. This condition is CHRONIC ULCERATIVE COLITIS.
In the absence of any infective organism having been detected,this condition is regarded as purely psychogenic in origin. Stress, unresolved conflicts, business worries, financial burdens and impositions of sudden responsibilities.
Strong Psoric and Syphilitic traits (Tubercular) inherent in the individual bring forth this condition. Intermissions are common, apparent recovery is followed by relapses and a long term treatment is therefore necessary.
Ignatia:
Ignatia since the emotional element is uppermost in Ignatia, relationship of this physical irritation first needs to be established. To resolve this emotional state infrequent doses of high potency will be required as intercurrent medication.
Natrum mur:
Natrum mur is chronic of Ignatia. Ill-effects of grief, fright and anger aggravations by consolation are the characteristic features. Cutting pain in abdomen, and the abdominal ring, burning and stitching pain in the rectum after a copious diarrhoea.
Staphysagria:
Staphysagria is a nervous personality with marked irritability. This irritability is reflected in temper as well as in the function of the digestion. The peristalsis is aggravated with the emotional outburst.
Aurum met:
Aurum met has feeling of self-condemnation and utter worthlessness, profound despondency that affects the digestion.
Nux vom:
Nux vom if one studies the pathogenesis of Nux Vom, one sees a clear picture of this condition. I have found it extremely useful in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, both in acute as well as chronic state when appareritly indicated remedies fail to evoke response.
Lycopodium:
Lycopodium is another remedy that has a very close resemblance to the condition. Mercurius solubilis or corrosive: both have a very close relationship with the pathology of ulcerative colitis.
Bacillus sycoccus (Paterson):
Bacillus sycoccus (Paterson) a bowel nosode has a very close resemblance to the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Person of tubercular constitution, a nervous anxiety, tense and tearful. There is chronic irritation of the alimentary tract, heartburn and hyperacidity, there is urgent desire to stool on waking up in the morning. Stools are loose and offensive.
Cynodon dactylon:
Cynodon dactylon one of the indigenous remedy which was added to our remedy list recently. It has griping pains and dysenteric symptoms aggravated by anger and anxiety. It works better either with Mercurius or Nux vom.
Apart from the treatment through the remedies, a lot of counseling and appropriate diet regimen is required. Correction of dehydration and electrolyte losses through intravenous fluids may often be required which may not be possible at home and need admission to the hospital.
Similarly, correction of anaemia by blood transfusion to maintain the haemoglobin level should be done. Initially water by mouth but later high roughage diet may be suggested.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 17. Acute Amoebic Dysentery:
The patient complains of afebrile diarrhoea, with several voluminous foetid stools daily containing brownish mucus and red blood. Tenesmus is present. The condition is probably ACUTE AMOEBIC DYSENTERY. This protozoal amoebic dysentery is common in tropical areas where there is faulty and contaminated water supply, and infected vegetables that are partaken.
A stool examination can confirm the diagnosis. The infection is largely affecting the’ large intestines and the complications can produce intestinal haemorrhage, perforation with peritonitis, retrocoloic abscesses and post-dysenteric adhesions, amoebic liver.
In clinical practice we come across the pathogenesis of three remedies very close to the symptomatology of amoebic dysentery. Nux vomica, Merc sol, Merc cor are closely related.
Nux vomica:
Nux vomica has ineffectual desire for stool, unsatisfactory feeling, temporarily feeling better after passage of stool.
Merc sol.:
Merc sol. has never-get-done well feeling with passage of large quantity of mucus and less blood. The tongue is moist and flabby, taking the imprint of the teeth, thirst although the tongue is moist. But in Merc cor there is plenty of blood and mucus with increased pain. The bouts of pain come intermittently.
Low residue diet is advised. Weak tea, curds and buttermilk in large quantity is better. Must avoid high proteins, deep fried food, meat and oily fish. Similarly green leafy vegetables should be avoided. It is advisable to wash the pre-cooking vegetables in potassium chloride solution to disinfect the vegetable.
Trombidium:
Trombidium is another remedy that comes handy. There is severe pain in abdomen before and after the stool with griping pain in the hypochondrium.
Nitric acid:
Nitric acid has violent cutting pain after the stool, lasting for hours.
Gambogia:
Gambogia has a diarrhoea very similar to Croton tig. Yellow coloured stool is expelled all at once after considerable urging followed by a feeling of great relief, and it is preceded by excessive cutting around the navel. Burning in anus after stool.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 18. Constipation:
The patient complains of delay in the passage of contents of the intestine, causing hard, dry faeces. This condition is CONSTIPATION. Patients attribute this condition by various ways. Little quantity of stool, irregular stool, painful evacuation, has to strain a lot to evacuate, etc.
Symptoms that accompany or result from constipation are very familiar; headache, languor and depression, furred coated tongue, dyspepsia, urticarial eruptions. Habitual constipation may give rise to haemorrhoids.
Often the main cause of constipation is errors of diet. Too bland, too dry, too rough and irritating food or too little or poor food is responsible for this. Similarly, sedentary habits, lack of exercise, depression or anxiety contribute to this condition.
Arsenic album:
Arsenic album its pathogenesis corresponds to several severe types of diseases that make its homoeopathic application constant and certain — that burning pain in abdomen like coal fire, better by sweet milk, an unconquerable chronic constipation mostly from inaction or paresis with loss of appetite. Faeces at times protrude and recede or involuntary after fright.
Plumbum:
Plumbum has habitual obstinate constipation, paresis of intestines. There is urging and terrible constriction and spasm of the anus, violent colic with the sensation of abdominal wall being pulled back towards the spine.
Alumina:
Alumina has inactivity of the rectum and has great straining at stool — even to pass a very soft stool. This may develop because of constant use of aluminium utensils.
Conium:
Conium Inability to strain at stools usually due to senile state. A very unusual symptom is that he sweats profusely in sleep or on closing the eyes. Straining at stool causes uterine prolapse.
Silicea:
Silicea has stool of hard lumps, straining till abdominal wall becomes sore. Shy stool returns back after showing.
Sanicula:
Sanicula has no desire till a large accumulation is collected; stool is so hard that it is impossible to evacuate. Head sweats profusely at night.
Magnesium mur:
Magnesium mur is worse from salt and at seaside, stool crumble at the anus.
Nux vomica:
Nux vomica one will find unsatisfactory stools with ineffectual desire to pass stool. Mostly in literary type who are engaged in studies and exerting of mind, with sedentary habits without any outdoor exercises.
Bryonia:
Bryonia there is no desire. Stool is too thick and large, charred black, and after the stool long continued burning in rectum.
Natrum mur:
Natrum mur has obstinate retention of stool irregular hard and dry. Often during menstrual period. Very irritable, weepy and hates fuss. Craves salt.
Graphite’s:
Graphite’s has a large stool, hard knotty, mixed with tough slimy mucus. There is relief from eating hot foods and drinks.
Opium:
Opium has obstinate constipation, no desire to go to stools, hard round blackballs, faeces protrude and recede.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 19. Acute Cholecystitis:
Patient complains of pain in the gall bladder area. This pain is paroxysmal, or dull and continuous, and it radiates to the right shoulder. There is tenderness over the gall bladder, vomiting and fever. The condition is ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS.
Berberis vulgaris:
Berberis vulgaris affects the liver markedly, promotes the flow of bile, therefore it is useful remedy for fleshy people with good livers but having poor endurance. Sticking pain in the region of the liver shooting up to the right shoulder, worse by pressure. Constipation with gall stone colic with severe pain and yellow complexion. . There is heartburn and nausea before breakfast and is better after breakfast.
Carduus mar:
Carduus mar has its action centered round the liver and portal system causing soreness and pain, jaundice. There is general oedema, stitches in the liver, worse lying on the left side.
Chionanthus vir:
Chionanthus vir patient is better lying on abdomen there is heat but aversion to uncover, very bitter eructation, constant nausea and retching with desire for stools.
Natrum sulph:
Natrum sulph is an important remedy for gall stone colic. There is a sensation of lump below the liver and crawling in the liver. Cannot take deep breath without pain. Worse in damp weather. Nux vom is oversensitive and touchy. Liver is swollen, indurated sensitive to pressure and stinging. Cannot bear tight clothing.
China:
China has pain in the hepatic region, worse from touch and least pressure. There is periodic recurrences with yellow skin and conjunctiva, constipation with dark green scybala.
Chelidonium:
Chelidonium has pain travelling backwards or fixed at the angle of right scapula has enlarged liver; jaundice is because hepatic and gall bladder obstruction. Yingling reports that when it is absolutely impossible to take symptoms during the attack, Cholesterinum in low potency does a better job.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 20. Acute Pancreatitis:
Patient is middle-aged or elderly — is seized suddenly with violent upper abdominal pain, at times radiating to the lumbar region. Vomiting is severe, the abdomen is distended, the bowels are constipated and severe shock with vasomotor collapse develops. The condition is likely to be an ACUTE PANCREATITIS.
Our literature reconmiends many rcruedies for the pains of pancreatic colic, and all of them are equally good when they match the symptoms. But what is found most useful in our daily practice is that great anti-spasmodic.
Belladonna:
Belladonna there is extreme sensitiveness, specially to jarring. The face is red and hot. Extreme irritability of the nerve centers. Excitability.
Calcarea carb:
Calcarea carb has colic around the navel with darting pain from right to left. Profuse sweat about the head when rest of the body is warm. Sensation of cold damp stockings in the legs. Desire for eggs and boiled eggs. Chronic of Belladonna.
Berberis:
Berberis is an excellent remedy for both renal and biliary calculi. There is sudden stabbing like pain in the liver; sits bent over pain on the painful side for relief, sticking pain under border of false rib — Haemorrhagic Pancreatitis.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 21. Chronic Pancreatitis:
Repeated attacks of above condition causes the fibrosis of the organ followed by mild attack of jaundice, the condition is CHRONIC PANCREATITIS. The pain is very sudden in onset, persistent and severe in the midline, or to the left or right of the upper abdomen, the pain the lumbar area is less in intensity, severe and repeated vomiting with constipation.
Vasomotor collapse with thin thready pulse, low blood pressure and sweating. Serum amylase is raised and glycosuria and hyperglycaemia may be found.
Phosphorus:
Is one of the few remedies that are known to act on pancreas. The characteristic symptoms of phosphorus, desire for cold water, characteristic fears, and haemorrhages.
Iodine:
Has affinity for glands, it cannot stand warmth, pain in the pit of the stomach top navel and back. Profound debility and great emaciation.
Iris versicolour:
Iris versicolour causes acute affections of the pancreas, inflammation or salivation. Bilious acrid stools bum like fire.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 22. Hepatitis:
Patient feels unwell with nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, anorexia, headache malaise and distaste for cigarettes. There is mild fever, and a slight upper abdominal discomfort with tender liver. The condition is HEPATITIS. This is the prodromal or pre-icteric phase of the disease which lasts up to 2 weeks. The viraemia causes the patient feel unwell with nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia, headache and malaise.
After 1 or 2 weeks the patient becomes icteric, and may show signs of improvement. The appetite returns and the patient feels better. As the jaundice deepens the urine becomes dark, the stools tum pale due to intrahepatic cholestasis.
The liver is moderately enlarged and spleen is palpable There may be transient rash. Thereafter the jaundice reduces and, in majority of cases, the illness is over in 3-6 weeks-time, there is rarely a relapse. But if relapse appears, then jaundice returns. The prognosis is very good and most cases completely recover.
Patients may complain of debility for several months following resolution of the symptoms and biochemical parameters. This is Hepatitis A and is commonest of viral hepatitis. Its spread is through faecal-oral route and arises from ingestion of clams, shellfish or water. Over-crowding and poor sanitation is another important cause.
Hepatitis B vims spreads through intravenous route. Transfusion of infected blood, contaminated needles, used by drug addicts, tattooist, or acupuncturist. or by sexual contacts particularly in male homosexuals. From mother to child during parturition or soon after birth is the most important means.
Clinical features are the same as those found under Hepatits A infection. Majority of cases recover completely. Prevention is by avoiding the risk factors.
Hepatitis C is due to an RNA virus (HCV). Seen in intravenous drug abusers and male homosexuals. There are more extra hepatitis manifestations including arthritis, agranulocytosis, and aplastic anaemia and diffuse neurological problems. Progression to chronic liver disease.
Chelidonium: is one of our greatest liver remedy. It acts on portal system, right side of the abdomen and right lower lung. It covers many of the direct reflex symptoms of the diseased condition of liver. It manifests the congestion inflammation, fullness and enlargement in semi-chronic and acute cases.
The keynote of the remedy is tearing, shooting stitching pains from the liver region travelling to the back below the right shoulder blade. Hot drink and hot milk relieves.
Bryonia:
Bryonia inflammation of the liver — the right lobe of the liver is mostly affected and feels like a load in the hypochondrium. Every slightest movement hurts, with burning and stitching pains and nausea.
Podophyllum:
Podophyllum there is congestion and enlargement of the liver with great irritability of the liver, slight rubbing of the liver helps, the discomfort is aggravated by the slightest thought or smell of food.
Carduus mar.:
Carduus mar. has feeling of engorged liver, pressure feeling worse by lying on the left side, left liver is full and engorged and sensitive. Concomitant symptoms here are haemoptysis due to congestion of the liver and lungs.
Ptelea trifoliata:
Ptelea trifoliata has aching in the liver aggravated by lying on the left side, voracious or poor appetite. Develops a repugnance to animal food, rich puddings, of which he is very fond of, butter and fats aggravate his hepatic symptoms.
Lycopodium:
Lycopodium has sore pain in the right hypochondrium which is aggravated by touch. Intense flatulence by 4 p.m. as if everything that he takes turns into gas or wind, better by warm drinks.
Phosphorus:
Phosphorus has hyperaemia and enlargement of the liver. Craves cold food and’ drink, ice-cream and wine, has bad effects of excessive intake of salt. As soon as the cold water becomes hot in the stomach he vomits. Phosphorus is useful when there is suppuration in the hepatitis, hectic fever, night sweats and marked soreness over the liver.
Arsenic:
Arsenic which is acute of Phosphorus has burning thirst and drinks bit by bit, but warm water. This burning of arsenic is better by warm application. There is typical Arsenic anxiety and restlessness. Nux vomica has constrictive pains in the region of the liver; the liver is swollen, indurated and sensitive with pressure. Aversion to meat, tobacco and coffee, ale etc.
The patent is chilly and irritable. Other remedies and their prescribing indications are the same as mentioned.
Myrica cerifera:
It has marked action on the liver and heart, distinctive features are aching pain in the liver, fullness, dull heavy headache, worse in the morning, weakness with ash-coloured stools, slow pulse and pain under the scapula. Jaundice of all degrees. Low potency found to be working better.
Cornus circinata has caused liver derangement, with aching eyeballs, disturbed sleep. Weakness in the morning, pain in the pit of the stomach, with distended abdomen. Dark foul stools, burning in anus, vesicular eruption on the face.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 23. Acute Liver Disease:
Patient complains of sudden development of malaise, anorexia, and fever, slightly enlarged liver and yellow tinged conjunctiva. Occasionally there may be pale stools, and dark urine. The condition is ACUTE LIVER DISEASE.
Acute parenchymal liver damage can be caused by many agents and the extent of damage can be variable. Hepatitis A is commonest type of viral hepatitis. Is often in epidemics worldwide. Mostly in autumn and affects young children and adults. Shell fish and clams are the common iterris which infect.
The prodromal phase lasts up to two weeks, and this viraemia causes the patient to feel unwell with nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, anorexia, headache and distaste for cigarettes. There is an upper abdominal discomfort, and, at times, mild fever.
The liver is tender but not enlarged initially. Icterus develops one to two weeks after, at times. All these symptoms may improve, appetite returns and patient feels better. Occasionally there is tender lymphadenopathy and rash in some cases. Liver biochemistry may be performed. Most patients make a complete recovery.
Homoeopathy offers a clear line of treatment irrespective of the liver pathology. The remedies enumerated above under hepatitis cover the pathogenesis of almost every Hepatic disorder. It must be remembered that the final selection of the remedy will be based on the totality of the case. The list above enumerates the various remedies which have close resemblance to the liver pathology.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 24. Cirrhosis:
Middle-aged person gives a history of chronic dyspepsia, haematemesis, recurrent ascites, and a small hard liver, and an enlarged spleen, and presents with a congested fades. The condition is CIRRHOSIS of the liver.
Cirrhosis results from the necrosis of liver cells followed by fibrosis, and nodule formation. This causes change in the architecture of the liver which interferes with the blood flow and the function. This change produces clinical features of portal hypertension and impaired liver cell function.
Carduus marianus:
Carduus marianus the action of this remedy is centered in the liver and portal system. Causing soreness, pain and jaundice. The remedy is suited for those who had ill-treated their liver with alcohol, beer in particular.
The liver is engorged, swollen laterally and painful to pressure. Cirrhosis with general oedema, left lobe very sensitive, Stitches in the liver worse lying on the left side. The liver disorder causes lung disorder.
China officinalis:
China officinalis there is fermentation in the bowel, frothy and sour-smelling diarrhoea, yellow watery, with much flatus but painless, stools are frequent at night and only after food during the day. Uncomfortable disterision of abdomen, with a desire to belch up, not better by eructation.
The periodicity of China still persists when the pain in the liver recurs periodically. The abdominal flatulence is present and feels better on bending double.
Hydrastis canadensis:
Hydrastis canadensis there is gastro-duodenal catarrh, loud rumbling with dull aching, worse on moving. Sharp pain in the coecal area, and the spleen, and griping pain with the stool. There is jaundice torpor of the liver, with pale and scanty stools, pain in the liver extending to the back to the right scapula, while lying on the back. The liver is atrophied.
Phosphorus:
Phosphorus it belongs to Tubercular constitution, nervous and weak person but intelligent. Burning is the character, craves ice-cream and cold things, chocolate, and salt. The liver is congested, jaundice with acute hepatitis. Has very foetid stools, with flatus, great weakness after the stool. Lot of belching, and throws up food by mouthful.
The treatment of cirrhosis is mainly palliative and the damage done to the liver cell is not reversible. But the progression may be halted by correcting the underlying cause. Rest in bed is essential till the improvement continues.
Diet should be low in salt. Total intake should be about 2,000 cal, with protein intake of 120 gms. Fats and carbohydrate in normal quantity. Plenty of Vitamin B complex. Iron deficiency, anaemia should be treated through haematinics, B12 and folic acid. Milk should be restricted .Alcohol to be stopped. Initially the treatment will be mostly symptomatic, depending on the case, and care should take to avoid any complications.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 25. Acute Cholecystitis:
Patient complains of pain in the gall bladder area, and the pain is paroxysmal, or dull or continuous and radiates to the right shoulder. There is tenderness in the gall bladder, vomiting and some fever. The disease is called ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS.
The condition is very clear, one can feel the tender and enlarged gall bladder if the muscles are relaxed. The causes are stagnation of bile, calculi of solitary cholesterol type, foreign bodies like worms and ova, and the exciting cause can be any infection.
Cholesterinum:
In such conditions where the diagnosis is in doubt, especially when the patient has been subjected to frequent biliary attacks, hepatic engorgement, and with or without jaundice. This remedy is almost specific. Burnett uses this in low potency of 3c.
Chionanthus virginica:
Chionanthus virginica acts powerfully on the liver, and gall bladder. This is a remedy for those living in malarial districts. Bilious colic, enormous liver, constipation and clay coloured stools, skin is yellow. Jaundice developing every surruner. Abdominal pains are better by lying on abdomen. This remedy is useful in mother tincture and first potency.
Chelidonium maj:
Chelidonium maj acts on the liver, portal system, right side of abdomen and right lower lung. Liver pains travel backwards and jaundice is developed due to hepatic and gall bladder obstruction. Prefers hot food and drink. Gastric pains are better after eating. There is decided aversion to cheese. Lower potencies are useful.
Berberis vulgaris:
Berberis vulgaris is useful in gall bladder colic as well as kidney colic. It promotes the flow of bile, the liver function is good but there is very little endurance. Sticking pain in the liver and gall bladder, shooting up the shoulder, worse by pressure. Jaimdice follows the gall stone colic. Shooting pressure in the gall bladder area, worse from extending to stomach. Hard ball like stool, with constipation and yellow complexion.
Essay on Gastroenterology Disease # 26. Biliary Colic:
An elderly female is suddenly seized with paroxysms of severe pain, in the hepatic region and in course of twelve to twenty-four hours, she becomes jaundiced, the stool becomes clay coloured. The attack is of BILIARY COLIC.
Cholelithiasis is a condition when the gall stones are formed in the gall bladder. And the biliary colic is caused when the gall stones move along the ducts. When the stones are at rest there may not be any pain, but when they start moving there is agonizing pain — it starts in the epigastrium and shoots in the hypochondrium, towards the spine and up towards the right shoulder.
These attacks are at times extremely severe. The symptoms arise of depending on position of the stone in the biliary tree.
Apart from the remedies which act on the pathology of gall bladder including the pain and colic, like Bell., Berberis vul., Carduus m., China, and cholesterinum, there are general colic drugs which have shown good results in gall stone colic.
Colocynthis:
The characteristic griping pain in abdomen causes the patient to double up and this may accompany by colics in other parts of the body. Also, if stool occurs there is immediate relief. The pains come in waves and are better by doubling up and hard pressure. And is worse by eating or drinking.
Dioscorea:
It is a remedy for many kinds of pains that dart about or radiate to distant parts. The pains and colic are unbearable, sharp, cutting, twisting, griping, and grinding. There are sharp pains in the liver shooting upwards to the nipple.
Morgan bacillus:
Morgan bacillus is a bowel nosode. There are two sub-types — Morgan Pure and Morgan Gaertner. The key note of Morgan is congestion. There is epigastric pain or discomfort. There is pain in the liver and gall bladder, congestion of liver with bilious attacks. Severe headache, relieved with vomiting, there is recurrent bouts of indigestion.
