Tuesday, April 25, 2023
When it comes to treating medical conditions, which approach do you think is faster - Conventional medicine or homeopathy?
Monday, April 24, 2023
Rekindling My Love for Writing: A New Chapter for Infouknow
"Hello, and welcome back to Infouknow!
It's been some time since I've written on this blog, but I'm excited to get back to it.
As a homeopathy practitioner, I've been busy with patient care and continuing my studies, which unfortunately led me to lose focus on my blog.
However, I've realized that sharing my knowledge and experiences with my readers is just as important as my work with patients.
That's why I'm here to recommit to this blog and provide you with valuable content on homeopathy, health, and wellness.
Thank you for joining me on this journey, and let's get started!"
Thursday, February 23, 2012
What are symptoms of Allergy and what is Allergic Rhinitis ? Is this is only Nasal Allergy? What are Allergic Rhinitis symptoms ? How to treat Allergy and what are the best treatment for Allergic Rhinitis
What are symptoms of allergy and what is allergic rhinitis ? Is it only nasal allergy? What are allergic rhinitis symptoms ? How to treat allergy and what are the best treatment for allergic rhinitis in natural way ???
About 40-50 millions of people suffer from allergy in America alone, this list is endless if considered globally and here I like to convey something specific on allergic rhinitis which is type of nasal allergy and this article focuses on natural treatment for nasal allergy or allergic rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis is very severe condition of inflammatory process where person has worse bout of sneezing due to allergy. This can be allergy from dust or smoke or from any animal dander or even simply cleaning your room. It makes the person suffers so badly that it effects his day to day life at times and in other words this makes life a mess for that person ............
If I say how it happen people really will not be interested to know why??? But there concerned person who really wants to know why..... and for them yes I will say people who is suffering or people who is really concerned with him or her will think why ??? To elaborate that in very simple words let me tell you a story......
Suppose your house been attacked by an group anti-social element and you know 10 people and you have asked for help to them and then these good people they tried their level best to take that person out of your house but nothing happens after there efforts and out of your agony u took help of police. Out of frustration seeing no positive outcome then u call up police for help seeing no solution to your problem as what u thought you can do best and you followed your thought. Now your problem is been shared and its problem with the one you ask for help and they wanted you to be out of this agony. Now best thing what they can think is instead of looking for good and bad and as taking your word as you said this is bad ailment they thought that it should be removed as soon as possible even to best of their knowledge keeping in mind for all to not hurt anyone who is not associated and with that keeping your idea that let me you be free of this problem and of-course same thought is there in there mind. Then helpful police desperately kills everyone and damages lot of your important valuables thinking that it can be really damaging and harmful to you and actually they have really created a mess for you never realizing good or bad......................... similarly anti allergen works in similar manner, someway trying to help you and other way not carrying any emotions or feeling what is wrong or right ... So let me know what principle we should work???????????? and most probable answer I get is that answer is remove these effects first in positive manner. Do we get the results then?????
Now let us try to find out solution what can be most common ways to solve this problem is it by correcting in our life style and as I think after seeing around 3000 patients what i feel to make a general control is by doing certain things as I mentioned in points below...
1. Avoid Alcohol - Alcohol may provoke allergies and yes can aggravate asthma and ofcourse too much of intake will always create problems and I have always noticed its problamatic in my patients.
2. Avoid Overeating at night or try to eat early and light dinner - I read it somewhere and that I followed and keep suggesting to all of my patients and yes that really helped them so I truly suggest this point to let sufferer be out of this condition if this works for those of you reading and following the same and I will surely say yes I experience that really lot of patient came out of it following only this point.
3. Regular exercise is very essential and breathing exercises i.e right way of breathing in and breathing out. You can even make your child learn that and for right exercises pattern you really need to consult one who is good in this science (yoga specialist) or drop an email to me I can suggest and help you for solving your problem.
4. Another very important fact and reason for allergy is that the allergies runs common in family and people who are allergic they tend to have problems running in family but let us think how that sufferer can be out of this family inherited sickness ????? And again if we need to find solution, then answer is either that sufferer should be in right medication or general creative ways. If general creative ways then we have to think about breathing exercises, avoiding things which are allergic to that person and concentrate on certain natural manners for which i have already discussed in this article. Think about all those things which are required for making life of the sufferer comfortable and till this time i think its in a way right kind of guidance in brief manner and may help right line of treatment for complete recovery.
What you get to know by what you got from this information and sometime negative projection might let us think in negative manner and here we will not be running in problem to decide wrong and right and hope for you to be benefitted, so try to adopt those what i have suggested then in next article we will discuss about how we can help allergic rhinitis with medicinal management Let us think in positive manner and as we all have very little experience about good life and lets try to make your life or someone from whom you are concerned be comfortable.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Latest record of Homeopathy its Swiss this time
Swiss government report gives thumbs up to homoeopathy
17 February, 2012: It’s official. Homoeopathy works. The Swiss government has produced the most comprehensive governmental report ever written on homoeopathy, looking at the evidence from randomized double-blind and placebo controlled clinical trials. The report also looked at other data including evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and a wide body of preclinical research including fundamental physio-chemical research, botanical studies, animal studies, and in-vitro studies with human cells. We first reported on this in November 2011 when the initial report was published in German. The report has now been published in English in book form. After assessing the pre-clinical basic research and high quality clinical studies, the Swiss Government’s Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Report concludes there is sufficient evidence to recommend homoeopathy for its effectiveness, safety and economy compared with conventional treatment. The data further confirms that homoeopathic high-potencies seem to induce regulatory effects and specific changes in cells or living organisms and that 20 of the 22 systematic reviews of clinical research testing homoeopathic medicines detected at least a trend in favour of homoeopathy.
World renown homoeopath Dana Ullman, writing in the Huffington Post noted that:
“The Swiss government has a long and widely-respected history of neutrality, and therefore, reports from this government on controversial subjects need to be taken more seriously than other reports from countries that are more strongly influenced by present economic and political constituencies. When one considers that two of the top five largest drug companies in the world have their headquarters in Switzerland, one might assume that this country would have a heavy interest in and bias toward conventional medicine, but such assumptions would be wrong. The Swiss government’s inquiry into homoeopathy and complementary and alternative (CAM) treatments resulted from the high demand and widespread use of alternatives to conventional medicine in Switzerland, not only from consumers but from physicians as well. Approximately half of the Swiss population have used CAM treatments and value them. Further, about half of Swiss physicians consider CAM treatments to be effective. Perhaps most significantly, 85% of the Swiss population wants CAM therapies to be a part of their country’s health insurance program.”
Copies of the report can be purchased from the web-site: http://www.springer.com/
To see Dana Ullman's post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Fathers-to-be suffer from pregnancy pain too ANI | May 25, 2011, 03.55pm IST
A quarter of expectant fathers have claimed that they too go through their own nine-month ''pregnancy symptoms' like mothers-to-be.
According to the Pampers study, modern men have become so closely involved with their partner's pregnancy that 23 per cent report emotional and physical changes often associated with women.
The research found they become more emotional, "weepy", and suffer mood swings, nausea and even phantom pregnancy pains.
Fathers-to-be involved in the study also reported cravings for bizarre food combinations.
Experts said, "The strange phenomenon is due to the emotional upheaval men also go through during their partners pregnancy and more of them attending antenatal classes and scans."
"Many fathers-to-be are overwhelmed by the prospect of becoming a father and need support and reassurance during their partner's pregnancy," the Daily Mail quoted Professor Mary Steen, who works as a consultant for Pampers, as saying.
"The expectant mother will always be the main focus during any pregnancy but it is important to recognise how pregnancy can affect the expectant dad," Steen added.
The Article has been taken from
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Fathers-to-be-suffer-from-pregnancy-pain-too/articleshow/8569304.cms
According to the Pampers study, modern men have become so closely involved with their partner's pregnancy that 23 per cent report emotional and physical changes often associated with women.
The research found they become more emotional, "weepy", and suffer mood swings, nausea and even phantom pregnancy pains.
Fathers-to-be involved in the study also reported cravings for bizarre food combinations.
Experts said, "The strange phenomenon is due to the emotional upheaval men also go through during their partners pregnancy and more of them attending antenatal classes and scans."
"Many fathers-to-be are overwhelmed by the prospect of becoming a father and need support and reassurance during their partner's pregnancy," the Daily Mail quoted Professor Mary Steen, who works as a consultant for Pampers, as saying.
"The expectant mother will always be the main focus during any pregnancy but it is important to recognise how pregnancy can affect the expectant dad," Steen added.
The Article has been taken from
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Fathers-to-be-suffer-from-pregnancy-pain-too/articleshow/8569304.cms
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Vitamin D Supplementation: An Update: Conclusion by medscape
This article seems to be very informative and feel like sharing with you all
Abstract and Introduction
Introduction
An estimated 1 billion people worldwide, across all ethnicities and age groups, have a vitamin D deficiency.[1–3] This is mostly attributable to people getting less sun exposure because of climate, lifestyle, and concerns about skin cancer. The 1997 Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) values for vitamin D, initially established to prevent rickets and osteomalacia, are considered too low by many experts.[4] DRI values are 200 IU for infants, children, adults up to age 50 years, and pregnant and lactating women; 400 IU for adults aged 50 to 70 years; and 600 IU for adults older than 70 years. Current studies suggest that we may need more vitamin D than presently recommended to prevent chronic disease. Emerging research supports the possible role of vitamin D in protecting against cancer, heart disease, fractures and falls, autoimmune diseases, influenza, type 2 diabetes, and depression. Many health care providers have increased their recommendations for vitamin D supplementation to at least 1,000 IU.[5] As a result, more patients are asking their pharmacists about supplementing with vitamin D.
Pharmacology
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as a steroid hormone. The body makes vitamin D from cholesterol through a process triggered by the action of the sun's ultraviolet B rays on the skin (FIGURE 1). Factors such as skin color, age, amount and time of sun exposure, and geographic location affect how much vitamin D the body makes. Vitamin D influences the bones, intestines, immune and cardiovascular systems, pancreas, muscles, brain, and the control of cell cycles.[6] Its primary functions are to maintain normal blood concentrations of calcium and phosphorus and to support bone health.
Vitamin D undergoes two hydroxylations in the body for activation. There are several metabolic products or modified versions of vitamin D (TABLE 1). Calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3), the active form of vitamin D, has a half-life of about 15 hours, while calcidiol (25-hydroxyvitamin D3) has a half-life of about 15 days.[6] Vitamin D binds to receptors located throughout the body.
Deficiency, Blood Concentrations, and Toxicity
Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency include living in northern latitudes (in the U.S., above the line from San Francisco to Philadelphia), failing to get at least 15 minutes of direct sun exposure daily, being African American or dark-skinned, being elderly, or being overweight or obese.[5] Rickets and osteomalacia are the well-known diseases of severe vitamin D deficiency. Musculoskeletal pain and periodontal disease may also indicate a significant vitamin D deficiency.[7] Subtle symptoms of milder deficiency include loss of appetite, diarrhea, insomnia, vision problems, and a burning sensation in the mouth and throat.[7]Drawing a blood calcidiol concentration is the standard test for vitamin D status, since calcidiol has a longer half-life.[8]
A normal range of vitamin D is 30 to 74 ng/mL, but this can vary among laboratories.[8] Most experts agree that a concentration between 35 and 40 ng/mL is reasonable for preventive health. Some suggest that the optimal concentration for protecting against cancer and heart disease is between 50 and 70 ng/mL and up to 100 ng/mL. Side effects or toxicity can occur when blood concentrations reach 88 ng/mL or greater.[9] Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, sleepiness, and weakness.[6] Too much vitamin D can raise blood calcium concentrations, and acute toxicity causes hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria.
Disease Prevention
Cancer
Vitamin D decreases cell proliferation and increases cell differentiation, stops the growth of new blood vessels, and has significant anti-inflammatory effects. Many studies have suggested a link between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of cancer, with the strongest evidence for colorectal cancer. A Creighton University study found that postmenopausal women given 1,100 IU of vitamin D3 (plus calcium) versus placebo were 77% less likely to be diagnosed with cancer over the next 4 years.[10] In the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS), subjects with high vitamin D concentrations were half as likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer as those with low concentrations.[11]
Some studies have shown less positive results, however. The Women's Health Initiative found that women taking 400 IU of vitamin D3 (plus calcium) versus placebo did not have a lower risk of breast cancer.[12] Many critics have argued that this dosage of vitamin D is too low to prevent cancer. A 2006 Finnish study of male smokers found that those with higher vitamin D concentrations had a threefold increased risk for pancreatic cancer, with cigarette smoking not found to be a confounding factor.[13] A 2009 U.S. study of men and women (mostly nonsmokers) did not confirm these results, finding no association between vitamin D concentrations and pancreatic cancer overall, except in subjects with low sun exposure.[14] In this subgroup, higher versus lower vitamin D concentrations had a positive association with pancreatic cancer.[14] A definitive conclusion cannot yet be made about the association between vitamin D concentration and cancer risk, but results from many studies are promising.
Heart Disease
Several studies are providing evidence that the protective effect of vitamin D on the heart could be via the renin-angiotensin hormone system, through the suppression of inflammation, or directly on the cells of the heart and blood-vessel walls. In the Framingham Heart Study, patients with low vitamin D concentrations (<15 ng/mL) had a 60% higher risk of heart disease than those with higher concentrations.[15] The HPFS found that subjects with low vitamin D concentrations (<15 ng/mL) were two times more likely to have a heart attack than those with high concentrations (>30 ng/mL).[16] In another study, which followed men and women for 4 years, patients with low vitamin D concentrations (<15 ng/mL) were three times more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension than those with high concentrations (>30 ng/mL).[17] As is the case with cancer and vitamin D, more studies are needed to determine the role of vitamin D in preventing heart disease, but the evidence thus far is positive.
Fractures and Falls
Vitamin D is known to help the body absorb calcium, and it plays a role in bone health. Also, vitamin D receptors are located on the fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are the first to respond in a fall.[18] It is theorized that vitamin D may increase muscle strength, thereby preventing falls.[5] Many studies have shown an association between low vitamin D concentrations and an increased risk of fractures and falls in older adults.
A combined analysis of 12 fracture-prevention trials found that supplementation with about 800 IU of vitamin D per day reduced hip and nonspinal fractures by about 20%, and that supplementation with about 400 IU per day showed no benefit.[19] Researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University have examined the best trials of vitamin D versus placebo for falls. Their conclusion is that "fall risk reduction begins at 700 IU and increases progressively with higher doses."[18] Overall, the evidence is strong in support of supplementing with vitamin D to prevent fractures and falls.
Autoimmune Diseases and Influenza
Since vitamin D has a role in regulating the immune system and a strong anti-inflammatory effect, it has been theorized that vitamin D deficiency could contribute to autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune thyroid disease. Scientists have suggested that vitamin D deficiency in the winter months may be the seasonal stimulus that triggers influenza outbreaks in the winter.Numerous trials have evaluated the association between vitamin D and immune-system diseases.
A prospective study of white subjects found that those with the highest vitamin D concentrations had a 62% lower risk of developing MS versus those with the lowest concentrations.[21] A Finnish study that followed children from birth noted that those given vitamin D supplements during infancy had a nearly 90% lower risk of developing type 1 diabetes compared with children who did not receive supplements.22 In a Japanese randomized, controlled trial, children given a daily vitamin D supplement of 1,200 IU had a 40% lower rate of influenza type A compared with those given placebo; there was no significant difference in rates of influenza type B.[23] More studies of the influence of vitamin D on immunity will be emerging, as this is an area of great interest and it remains unclear whether there is a link.
Type 2 Diabetes and Depression
Some studies have shown that vitamin D may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, but few studies have examined the effect of vitamin D on depression. A trial of nondiabetic patients aged 65 years and older found that those who received 700 IU of vitamin D (plus calcium) had a smaller rise in fasting plasma glucose over 3 years versus those who received placebo.[24] A Norwegian trial of overweight subjects showed that those receiving a high dose of vitamin D (20,000 or 40,000 IU weekly) had a significant improvement in depressive symptom scale scores after 1 year versus those receiving placebo.[25] These results need to be replicated in order to determine a correlation between vitamin D and the risk of diabetes or depression.
Dosing
Only a few foods are a good source of vitamin D. These include fortified dairy products and breakfast cereals, fatty fish, beef liver, and egg yolks. Besides increasing sun exposure, the best way to get additional vitamin D is through supplementation. Traditional multivitamins contain about 400 IU of vitamin D, but many multivitamins now contain 800 to 1,000 IU. A variety of options are available for individual vitamin D supplements, including capsules, chewable tablets, liquids, and drops. Cod liver oil is a good source of vitamin D, but in large doses there is a risk of vitamin A toxicity.[26]
The two forms of vitamin D used in supplements are D2(ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). D3 is the preferred form, as it is chemically similar to the form of vitamin D produced by the body and is more effective than D2 at raising the blood concentration of vitamin D.[27] Since vitamin D is fat soluble, it should be taken with a snack or meal containing fat. In general, 100 IU of vitamin D daily can raise blood concentrations 1 ng/mL after 2 to 3 months (TABLE 2).[28] Once the desired blood concentration is achieved, most people can maintain it with 800 to 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily.[28] Even though dosages up to 10,000 IU daily do not cause toxicity, it generally is not recommended to take more than 2,000 IU daily in supplement form without the advice of a health care provider.[29]Individuals at high risk for deficiency should have a vitamin D blood test first; a dosage of up to 3,000 to 4,000 IU may be required to restore blood concentrations.
Drug Interactions
Vitamin D supplements may interact with several types of medications. Corticosteroids can reduce calcium absorption, which results in impaired vitamin D metabolism.[6] Since vitamin D is fat soluble, orlistat and cholestyramine can reduce its absorption and should be taken several hours apart from it.[6] Phenobarbital and phenytoin increase the hepatic metabolism of vitamin D to inactive compounds and decrease calcium absorption, which also impairs vitamin D metabolism.
Future Research
While considerable research supports the importance of vitamin D beyond bone health, further trials are required before broad claims can be made about vitamin D and prevention of chronic disease. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) is reviewing the research on vitamin D and plans to report in late 2010 regarding any updates to the DRIs for vitamin D (and calcium).[30] Specifically, the IOM will consider the relation of vitamin D to cancer, bone health, and other chronic diseases.[30] An important study, the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial, was launched in early 2010 to determine whether 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 and 1,000 mg of EPA (eicosopentaenoic acid) plus DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) daily can lower the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other diseases.[31] This randomized trial, which will enroll about 20,000 healthy men and women, should provide more insight on vitamin D supplementation.
Conclusion
As the number of people with vitamin D deficiency continues to increase, the importance of this hormone in overall health and the prevention of chronic diseases is at the forefront of research. The best evidence for the possible role of vitamin D in protecting against cancer comes from colorectal cancer studies. Evidence also is strong for the potential role of vitamin D in preventing fractures and falls. At this time, further studies are needed to evaluate the role of vitamin D in protecting against heart disease, autoimmune diseases, influenza, diabetes, and depression.
Web Resources
CDC Norovirus in Healthcare Settings
CDC Division of Viral Diseases - Norovirus
HICPAC 2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings.
US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs.
Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Norovirus
References:
1. Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:266–281.
2. Gordon CM, DePeter KC, Feldman HA, et al. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among healthy adolescents.Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2004;158:531–537.
3. Lips P, Hosking D, Lippuner K, et al. The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy amongst women with osteoporosis: an international epidemiological investigation. J Intern Med. 2006;260:245–254.
4. Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride. Chapter 7. Vitamin D. www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/DRI//DRI_Calcium/250–287.pdf. Accessed August 2, 2010.
5. Harvard School of Public Health Nutrition Source. Vitamin D and health. www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vitamin-d/index.html. Accessed August 30, 2010.
6. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary supplement fact sheet: vitamin D. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp. Accessed August, 4, 2010.
7. Nair S. Symptoms of low vitamin D levels. www.buzzle.com/articles/symptoms-of-low-vitamin-d-levels.html. Accessed September 2, 2010.
8. MedlinePlus. 25-hydroxy vitamin D test. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003569.htm. Accessed August 4, 2010.
9. Moyad MA. Vitamin D: a rapid review: side effects and toxicity. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/589256_10. Accessed September 2, 2010.
10. Lappe JM, Travers-Gustafson D, Davies KM, et al. Vitamin D and calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk: results of a randomized trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;85:1586–1591.
11. Ahn J, Peters U, Albanes D, et al. Serum vitamin D concentration and prostate cancer risk: a nested case-control study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008;100:796–804.
12. Chlebowski RT, Johnson KC, Kooperberg C, et al. Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and the risk of breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008;100:1581–1591.
13. Stolzenberg-Solomon RZ, Vieth R, Azad A, et al. A prospective nested case-control study of vitamin D status and pancreatic cancer risk in male smokers. Cancer Res. 2006;66:10213–10219.
14. Stolzenberg-Solomon RZ, Hayes RB, Horst RL, et al. Serum vitamin D and risk of pancreatic cancer in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Screening Trial. Cancer Res. 2009;69:1439–1447.
15. Wang TJ, Pencina MJ, Booth SL, et al. Vitamin D deficiency and risk of cardiovascular disease. Circulation. 2008;117:503–511.
16. Giovannucci E, Liu Y, Hollis BW, Rimm EB. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and risk of myocardial infarction in men: a prospective study. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168:1174–1180.
17. Forman JP, Giovannucci E, Holmes MD, et al. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and risk of incident hypertension. Hypertension. 2007;49:1063–1069.
18. Liebman B. From sun & sea: new study puts vitamin D & omega-3s to the test. Nutrition Action Healthletter. November 2009:3–7.
19. Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Willett WC, Wong JB, et al. Prevention of nonvertebral fractures with oral vitamin D and dose dependency: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169:551–561.
20. Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC, et al. Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiol Infect. 2006;134:1129–1140.
21. Munger KL, Levin LI, Hollis BW, et al. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and risk of multiple sclerosis. JAMA. 2006;296:2832–2838.
22. Hyppönen E, Läärä E, Reunanen A, et al. Intake of vitamin D and risk of type 1 diabetes: a birth-cohort study.Lancet. 2001;358:1500–1503.
23. Urashima M, Segawa T, Okazaki M, et al. Randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation to prevent seasonal influenza A in schoolchildren. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91:1255–1260.
24. Pittas AG, Harris SS, Stark PC, Dawson-Hughes B. The effects of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on blood glucose and markers of inflammation in nondiabetic adults. Diabetes Care. 2007;30:980–986.
25. Jorde R, Sneve M, Figenschau Y, et al. Effects of vitamin D supplementation on symptoms of depression in overweight and obese subjects: randomized double blind trial. J Intern Med. 2008;264:599–609.
26. Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Willett W, et al. Cod liver oil, vitamin A toxicity, frequent respiratory infections, and the vitamin D deficiency epidemic. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2008;117:864–870.
27. HealthTree.com. Vitamin D and calcium supplements. www.healthtree.com/articles/vitamin-d/source/supplement. Accessed September 2, 2010.
28. Moyad MA. Vitamin D: a rapid review: dosage of vitamin D needed to achieve 35 to 40 ng/ml (90–100 nmol/L). www.medscape.com. Accessed August 4, 2010.
29. The Nutrition Source. Ask the expert: vitamin D and chronic disease. www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource. Accessed August 4, 2010.
30. Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin D and calcium. www.iom.edu/Activities/Nutrition/DRIVitDCalcium.aspx. Accessed August 2, 2010.
31. The Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL). www.vitalstudy.org. Accessed August 2, 2010.
32. Lau AH, How PP. The role of the pharmacist in the identification and management of secondary hyperparathyroidism. US Pharm. 2007;32(7):62–72.
33. Cannell JJ. Vitamin D pharmacology. www.vitamindcouncil.org/vitaminDPharmacology.shtml. Accessed August 30, 2010.
Taken from the link http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/731722_8
Abstract and Introduction
Introduction
An estimated 1 billion people worldwide, across all ethnicities and age groups, have a vitamin D deficiency.[1–3] This is mostly attributable to people getting less sun exposure because of climate, lifestyle, and concerns about skin cancer. The 1997 Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) values for vitamin D, initially established to prevent rickets and osteomalacia, are considered too low by many experts.[4] DRI values are 200 IU for infants, children, adults up to age 50 years, and pregnant and lactating women; 400 IU for adults aged 50 to 70 years; and 600 IU for adults older than 70 years. Current studies suggest that we may need more vitamin D than presently recommended to prevent chronic disease. Emerging research supports the possible role of vitamin D in protecting against cancer, heart disease, fractures and falls, autoimmune diseases, influenza, type 2 diabetes, and depression. Many health care providers have increased their recommendations for vitamin D supplementation to at least 1,000 IU.[5] As a result, more patients are asking their pharmacists about supplementing with vitamin D.
Pharmacology
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as a steroid hormone. The body makes vitamin D from cholesterol through a process triggered by the action of the sun's ultraviolet B rays on the skin (FIGURE 1). Factors such as skin color, age, amount and time of sun exposure, and geographic location affect how much vitamin D the body makes. Vitamin D influences the bones, intestines, immune and cardiovascular systems, pancreas, muscles, brain, and the control of cell cycles.[6] Its primary functions are to maintain normal blood concentrations of calcium and phosphorus and to support bone health.
Vitamin D undergoes two hydroxylations in the body for activation. There are several metabolic products or modified versions of vitamin D (TABLE 1). Calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3), the active form of vitamin D, has a half-life of about 15 hours, while calcidiol (25-hydroxyvitamin D3) has a half-life of about 15 days.[6] Vitamin D binds to receptors located throughout the body.
Deficiency, Blood Concentrations, and Toxicity
Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency include living in northern latitudes (in the U.S., above the line from San Francisco to Philadelphia), failing to get at least 15 minutes of direct sun exposure daily, being African American or dark-skinned, being elderly, or being overweight or obese.[5] Rickets and osteomalacia are the well-known diseases of severe vitamin D deficiency. Musculoskeletal pain and periodontal disease may also indicate a significant vitamin D deficiency.[7] Subtle symptoms of milder deficiency include loss of appetite, diarrhea, insomnia, vision problems, and a burning sensation in the mouth and throat.[7]Drawing a blood calcidiol concentration is the standard test for vitamin D status, since calcidiol has a longer half-life.[8]
A normal range of vitamin D is 30 to 74 ng/mL, but this can vary among laboratories.[8] Most experts agree that a concentration between 35 and 40 ng/mL is reasonable for preventive health. Some suggest that the optimal concentration for protecting against cancer and heart disease is between 50 and 70 ng/mL and up to 100 ng/mL. Side effects or toxicity can occur when blood concentrations reach 88 ng/mL or greater.[9] Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, sleepiness, and weakness.[6] Too much vitamin D can raise blood calcium concentrations, and acute toxicity causes hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria.
Disease Prevention
Cancer
Vitamin D decreases cell proliferation and increases cell differentiation, stops the growth of new blood vessels, and has significant anti-inflammatory effects. Many studies have suggested a link between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of cancer, with the strongest evidence for colorectal cancer. A Creighton University study found that postmenopausal women given 1,100 IU of vitamin D3 (plus calcium) versus placebo were 77% less likely to be diagnosed with cancer over the next 4 years.[10] In the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS), subjects with high vitamin D concentrations were half as likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer as those with low concentrations.[11]
Some studies have shown less positive results, however. The Women's Health Initiative found that women taking 400 IU of vitamin D3 (plus calcium) versus placebo did not have a lower risk of breast cancer.[12] Many critics have argued that this dosage of vitamin D is too low to prevent cancer. A 2006 Finnish study of male smokers found that those with higher vitamin D concentrations had a threefold increased risk for pancreatic cancer, with cigarette smoking not found to be a confounding factor.[13] A 2009 U.S. study of men and women (mostly nonsmokers) did not confirm these results, finding no association between vitamin D concentrations and pancreatic cancer overall, except in subjects with low sun exposure.[14] In this subgroup, higher versus lower vitamin D concentrations had a positive association with pancreatic cancer.[14] A definitive conclusion cannot yet be made about the association between vitamin D concentration and cancer risk, but results from many studies are promising.
Heart Disease
Several studies are providing evidence that the protective effect of vitamin D on the heart could be via the renin-angiotensin hormone system, through the suppression of inflammation, or directly on the cells of the heart and blood-vessel walls. In the Framingham Heart Study, patients with low vitamin D concentrations (<15 ng/mL) had a 60% higher risk of heart disease than those with higher concentrations.[15] The HPFS found that subjects with low vitamin D concentrations (<15 ng/mL) were two times more likely to have a heart attack than those with high concentrations (>30 ng/mL).[16] In another study, which followed men and women for 4 years, patients with low vitamin D concentrations (<15 ng/mL) were three times more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension than those with high concentrations (>30 ng/mL).[17] As is the case with cancer and vitamin D, more studies are needed to determine the role of vitamin D in preventing heart disease, but the evidence thus far is positive.
Fractures and Falls
Vitamin D is known to help the body absorb calcium, and it plays a role in bone health. Also, vitamin D receptors are located on the fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are the first to respond in a fall.[18] It is theorized that vitamin D may increase muscle strength, thereby preventing falls.[5] Many studies have shown an association between low vitamin D concentrations and an increased risk of fractures and falls in older adults.
A combined analysis of 12 fracture-prevention trials found that supplementation with about 800 IU of vitamin D per day reduced hip and nonspinal fractures by about 20%, and that supplementation with about 400 IU per day showed no benefit.[19] Researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University have examined the best trials of vitamin D versus placebo for falls. Their conclusion is that "fall risk reduction begins at 700 IU and increases progressively with higher doses."[18] Overall, the evidence is strong in support of supplementing with vitamin D to prevent fractures and falls.
Autoimmune Diseases and Influenza
Since vitamin D has a role in regulating the immune system and a strong anti-inflammatory effect, it has been theorized that vitamin D deficiency could contribute to autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune thyroid disease. Scientists have suggested that vitamin D deficiency in the winter months may be the seasonal stimulus that triggers influenza outbreaks in the winter.Numerous trials have evaluated the association between vitamin D and immune-system diseases.
A prospective study of white subjects found that those with the highest vitamin D concentrations had a 62% lower risk of developing MS versus those with the lowest concentrations.[21] A Finnish study that followed children from birth noted that those given vitamin D supplements during infancy had a nearly 90% lower risk of developing type 1 diabetes compared with children who did not receive supplements.22 In a Japanese randomized, controlled trial, children given a daily vitamin D supplement of 1,200 IU had a 40% lower rate of influenza type A compared with those given placebo; there was no significant difference in rates of influenza type B.[23] More studies of the influence of vitamin D on immunity will be emerging, as this is an area of great interest and it remains unclear whether there is a link.
Type 2 Diabetes and Depression
Some studies have shown that vitamin D may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, but few studies have examined the effect of vitamin D on depression. A trial of nondiabetic patients aged 65 years and older found that those who received 700 IU of vitamin D (plus calcium) had a smaller rise in fasting plasma glucose over 3 years versus those who received placebo.[24] A Norwegian trial of overweight subjects showed that those receiving a high dose of vitamin D (20,000 or 40,000 IU weekly) had a significant improvement in depressive symptom scale scores after 1 year versus those receiving placebo.[25] These results need to be replicated in order to determine a correlation between vitamin D and the risk of diabetes or depression.
Dosing
Only a few foods are a good source of vitamin D. These include fortified dairy products and breakfast cereals, fatty fish, beef liver, and egg yolks. Besides increasing sun exposure, the best way to get additional vitamin D is through supplementation. Traditional multivitamins contain about 400 IU of vitamin D, but many multivitamins now contain 800 to 1,000 IU. A variety of options are available for individual vitamin D supplements, including capsules, chewable tablets, liquids, and drops. Cod liver oil is a good source of vitamin D, but in large doses there is a risk of vitamin A toxicity.[26]
The two forms of vitamin D used in supplements are D2(ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). D3 is the preferred form, as it is chemically similar to the form of vitamin D produced by the body and is more effective than D2 at raising the blood concentration of vitamin D.[27] Since vitamin D is fat soluble, it should be taken with a snack or meal containing fat. In general, 100 IU of vitamin D daily can raise blood concentrations 1 ng/mL after 2 to 3 months (TABLE 2).[28] Once the desired blood concentration is achieved, most people can maintain it with 800 to 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily.[28] Even though dosages up to 10,000 IU daily do not cause toxicity, it generally is not recommended to take more than 2,000 IU daily in supplement form without the advice of a health care provider.[29]Individuals at high risk for deficiency should have a vitamin D blood test first; a dosage of up to 3,000 to 4,000 IU may be required to restore blood concentrations.
Drug Interactions
Vitamin D supplements may interact with several types of medications. Corticosteroids can reduce calcium absorption, which results in impaired vitamin D metabolism.[6] Since vitamin D is fat soluble, orlistat and cholestyramine can reduce its absorption and should be taken several hours apart from it.[6] Phenobarbital and phenytoin increase the hepatic metabolism of vitamin D to inactive compounds and decrease calcium absorption, which also impairs vitamin D metabolism.
Future Research
While considerable research supports the importance of vitamin D beyond bone health, further trials are required before broad claims can be made about vitamin D and prevention of chronic disease. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) is reviewing the research on vitamin D and plans to report in late 2010 regarding any updates to the DRIs for vitamin D (and calcium).[30] Specifically, the IOM will consider the relation of vitamin D to cancer, bone health, and other chronic diseases.[30] An important study, the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial, was launched in early 2010 to determine whether 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 and 1,000 mg of EPA (eicosopentaenoic acid) plus DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) daily can lower the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other diseases.[31] This randomized trial, which will enroll about 20,000 healthy men and women, should provide more insight on vitamin D supplementation.
Conclusion
As the number of people with vitamin D deficiency continues to increase, the importance of this hormone in overall health and the prevention of chronic diseases is at the forefront of research. The best evidence for the possible role of vitamin D in protecting against cancer comes from colorectal cancer studies. Evidence also is strong for the potential role of vitamin D in preventing fractures and falls. At this time, further studies are needed to evaluate the role of vitamin D in protecting against heart disease, autoimmune diseases, influenza, diabetes, and depression.
Web Resources
CDC Norovirus in Healthcare Settings
CDC Division of Viral Diseases - Norovirus
HICPAC 2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings.
US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs.
Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Norovirus
References:
1. Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:266–281.
2. Gordon CM, DePeter KC, Feldman HA, et al. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among healthy adolescents.Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2004;158:531–537.
3. Lips P, Hosking D, Lippuner K, et al. The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy amongst women with osteoporosis: an international epidemiological investigation. J Intern Med. 2006;260:245–254.
4. Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride. Chapter 7. Vitamin D. www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/DRI//DRI_Calcium/250–287.pdf. Accessed August 2, 2010.
5. Harvard School of Public Health Nutrition Source. Vitamin D and health. www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vitamin-d/index.html. Accessed August 30, 2010.
6. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary supplement fact sheet: vitamin D. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp. Accessed August, 4, 2010.
7. Nair S. Symptoms of low vitamin D levels. www.buzzle.com/articles/symptoms-of-low-vitamin-d-levels.html. Accessed September 2, 2010.
8. MedlinePlus. 25-hydroxy vitamin D test. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003569.htm. Accessed August 4, 2010.
9. Moyad MA. Vitamin D: a rapid review: side effects and toxicity. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/589256_10. Accessed September 2, 2010.
10. Lappe JM, Travers-Gustafson D, Davies KM, et al. Vitamin D and calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk: results of a randomized trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;85:1586–1591.
11. Ahn J, Peters U, Albanes D, et al. Serum vitamin D concentration and prostate cancer risk: a nested case-control study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008;100:796–804.
12. Chlebowski RT, Johnson KC, Kooperberg C, et al. Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and the risk of breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008;100:1581–1591.
13. Stolzenberg-Solomon RZ, Vieth R, Azad A, et al. A prospective nested case-control study of vitamin D status and pancreatic cancer risk in male smokers. Cancer Res. 2006;66:10213–10219.
14. Stolzenberg-Solomon RZ, Hayes RB, Horst RL, et al. Serum vitamin D and risk of pancreatic cancer in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Screening Trial. Cancer Res. 2009;69:1439–1447.
15. Wang TJ, Pencina MJ, Booth SL, et al. Vitamin D deficiency and risk of cardiovascular disease. Circulation. 2008;117:503–511.
16. Giovannucci E, Liu Y, Hollis BW, Rimm EB. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and risk of myocardial infarction in men: a prospective study. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168:1174–1180.
17. Forman JP, Giovannucci E, Holmes MD, et al. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and risk of incident hypertension. Hypertension. 2007;49:1063–1069.
18. Liebman B. From sun & sea: new study puts vitamin D & omega-3s to the test. Nutrition Action Healthletter. November 2009:3–7.
19. Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Willett WC, Wong JB, et al. Prevention of nonvertebral fractures with oral vitamin D and dose dependency: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169:551–561.
20. Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC, et al. Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiol Infect. 2006;134:1129–1140.
21. Munger KL, Levin LI, Hollis BW, et al. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and risk of multiple sclerosis. JAMA. 2006;296:2832–2838.
22. Hyppönen E, Läärä E, Reunanen A, et al. Intake of vitamin D and risk of type 1 diabetes: a birth-cohort study.Lancet. 2001;358:1500–1503.
23. Urashima M, Segawa T, Okazaki M, et al. Randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation to prevent seasonal influenza A in schoolchildren. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91:1255–1260.
24. Pittas AG, Harris SS, Stark PC, Dawson-Hughes B. The effects of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on blood glucose and markers of inflammation in nondiabetic adults. Diabetes Care. 2007;30:980–986.
25. Jorde R, Sneve M, Figenschau Y, et al. Effects of vitamin D supplementation on symptoms of depression in overweight and obese subjects: randomized double blind trial. J Intern Med. 2008;264:599–609.
26. Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Willett W, et al. Cod liver oil, vitamin A toxicity, frequent respiratory infections, and the vitamin D deficiency epidemic. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2008;117:864–870.
27. HealthTree.com. Vitamin D and calcium supplements. www.healthtree.com/articles/vitamin-d/source/supplement. Accessed September 2, 2010.
28. Moyad MA. Vitamin D: a rapid review: dosage of vitamin D needed to achieve 35 to 40 ng/ml (90–100 nmol/L). www.medscape.com. Accessed August 4, 2010.
29. The Nutrition Source. Ask the expert: vitamin D and chronic disease. www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource. Accessed August 4, 2010.
30. Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin D and calcium. www.iom.edu/Activities/Nutrition/DRIVitDCalcium.aspx. Accessed August 2, 2010.
31. The Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL). www.vitalstudy.org. Accessed August 2, 2010.
32. Lau AH, How PP. The role of the pharmacist in the identification and management of secondary hyperparathyroidism. US Pharm. 2007;32(7):62–72.
33. Cannell JJ. Vitamin D pharmacology. www.vitamindcouncil.org/vitaminDPharmacology.shtml. Accessed August 30, 2010.
Taken from the link http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/731722_8
Monday, May 16, 2011
Schwabe News : By Dr. . Valavan
Volume 2 | Issue 2 | May 2011 | Editorial Advisor: Dr. P. N. Varma | Editor: Dr. R. Valavan
Contents
* Editorial
* News from the world of homoeopathy
* Clinical verification
* Mother tincture info
* Product watch
* Research news
Editorial
As per reports, India has the large number of practising homoeopaths and has organised infrastructure. The education system is separate from the conventional medicine. It comes under the Department of Ayush. Now Government of India is also focussing on these Ayush systems of medicine. Year by year it is reflected in the budget allocation. In a recent development, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of parliament has recommended to give a separate ministerial status to the Department of Ayush, detaching from the Ministry of Health.
Pharmacists with special training on homoeopathic processes will be good for the profession. They will dispense the medicines in a right way. Diploma in homoeopathy course has been conducted by institutions depending upon the need of the post. Now Government of Uttar Pradesh has decided to start a D. Pharm (Homoeopathy) course this year. It will cater the need of the profession. Both these developments are reported under “News from the world of homoeopathy”.
Under clinical verification, this time we have covered a well-known and widely used drug Plumbum metallicum. In a paper published in the International Journal of High Dilution Research, special emphasis was given to new symptoms as well as unusual or repeated dreams of the drug. 37 new symptoms were found, which are useful to update Homoeopathic Repertories. The researchers have concluded that the new HPT, besides widening the pathogenetic picture of Plumbum metallicum (skin and mucosae symptoms), also allowed us to give new and deeper meanings to some of the symptoms reported in the original trial, such as Anxiety, Activity, Depression, Slowness, Gastro-oesophageal problems, Colitis. All 37 new symptoms reported from this reproving, are given in this section for the readers of Schwabe News.
Brahmi is an old Indian drug. It has been used in Indian medicine for nervine and cardiac problems. Its late introduction into homoeopathy has given a valuable addition in the materia medica, in the name of Bacopa monnieri. Modern research has unearthed its activity on learning abilities, improving memory and other cognitive functions. All such reports are covered under Mother Tincture Info. With scientific understanding, it will be easier for physicians to remember this drug where the case needs.
Schwabe Germany is a name associated with eye drops in homoeopathy since a century. Efficacy of the product Cineraria Maritima Schwabe Eye Drops (CMS) helped expansion of the consumer base beyond homoeopathic market. There was a demand for less expensive all purpose eye drops for common problems from the trusted makers of original CMS Eye drops. People specifically wanted an alcohol free eye drops from Schwabe-Germany. The consumer demand has been met now. The company has produced a much lighter version as Senecio bicolour D2 or Cineraria Maritima D2 Eye Drops. Detailed indications of the product are covered under Product Watch.
Under ‘Research News’, we have covered couple of recent developments in the field of homoeopathic research. In a new research, a bioassay with arsenic-stressed duckweed (Lemna gibba L.) was developed to study potentially regulative effects of homoeopathic preparations. In another paper, the authors have studied and suggested to adopt new method in computer repertorisation called Fuzzy Expert System to aid in accurate remedy selection.
Enjoy reading and don’t miss to reply back with your feedback.
Dr. R. Valavan, BHMS, MD (Hom)
Editor
News from the world of homoeopathy
PAC recommended Department of Ayush should be converted into a full-fledged ministry
New Delhi, March 24 (IANS): The Public Accounts Committee has recommended converting the Department of Ayush into a separate ministry. The committee had presented its report on the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to the parliament. The implementation of the NRHM came under sharp attack from the committee, with the health ministry being asked to carry out a "complete re-appraisal and restructuring" of the project. In the report, it has also lamented that the government's expenditure on public health was merely 1.1 percent of the GDP. An "appalled" PAC also noted that the per capita expenditure in India on public health was still worse at $7, even less than that of neighbouring Sri Lanka at $30.
The PAC recommended that the Department of Ayush should be converted into a full-fledged ministry and for the promotion of indigenous systems of medicine such as ayurveda, unani, siddha, naturopathy, homoeopathy and yoga in rural areas. It also emphasized the formulation of a five-year special plan for the Ayush department to encourage cultivation of herbal medicines for domestic consumption and export.
The PAC, in its report, further said it was dismayed to note that health centres at various levels were being used as foodgrain godowns, community halls, local offices or cow sheds in many of the 18 states where the NRHM is being implemented. It said the health centres also lacked necessary infrastructure, doctors, medical supplies and trained health workers. "The committee apprehended that the goal of universal health care to all the citizens as envisaged in the mission may remain a pious platitude and a distant dream unless the budgetary outlays for the NRHM for both the terminal year of 11th plan and for the 12th plan period are scaled up significantly commensurate with the problem," it added.
Source: http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=229322
http://www.similima.com/homoeopathynews/homoeoworld33.html
UP to begin 2-yr diploma course in homoeopathy pharmacy
Lucknow: Now UP is all set to become the first state in the country to launch a two-year diploma in homoeopathy pharmacy (also called homoeopathy compounder course) that would produce homoeopathy pharmacists for operating government dispensaries in the state. Two government homoeopathy colleges in the state - one each in Lucknow and Allahabad with 100 seats for the course - would provide training to the aspiring candidates in the academic session starting this year. Uttarakhand has also shown interest in launching the course to bolster homoeopathy dispensaries in the state in the next year. All the 200 seats under the course have been filled through competition, and the course is all set to make its beginning this year, said the Registrar, Homoeopathy Medicine Board (UP), while talking to TOI on Monday. Saying that the eligibility criterion for application under the course has been fixed as intermediate pass-out in science stream, he also said that the move would bolster homoeopathy pharmacy besides reviving the government dispensaries.
Source: Times of India. Available at: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-18/varanasi/29447645_1_homoeopathy-doctors-dispensaries-colleges
Clinical verification
Plumbum metallicum
It is a new clinical verification trial of Plumbum metallicum conducted in Italy. In a previous paper in the journal ‘Homeopathy’ the authors had reported the statistical analysis and other distribution data of a homoeopathic pathogenetic trial (HPT) of Plumbum metallicum 30CH carried out by the group, without giving pure materia medica elicited. In this paper special emphasis was given to new symptoms as well as unusual or repeated dreams, while in the previous paper special emphasis was given to repeated and crossed symptoms. Symptoms are reported in their chronological order of appearance in each volunteer. 37 new symptoms were found, useful to update Homoeopathic Repertories. The paper has also included a synthesis of the original HPT of Plumbum metallicum, carried out in 1828 in order to make available the full experimental materia medica currently existing. The researchers have concluded that the new HPT, besides widening the pathogenetic picture of Plumbum metallicum (skin and mucosae symptoms), also allowed us to give new and deeper meanings to some of the symptoms reported in the original trial, such as Anxiety, Activity, Depression, Slowness, Gastro-oesophageal problems, Colitis.
As stated above, there are mainly 37 new symptoms reported from this reproving, which are given below for the readers of Schwabe News.
1. Mind, Comprehension, easy
2. Mind, Delusions, tongue, double
3. Mind, Delusions, upright
4. Mind, Fear, heart, diseases of the heart– Mind, Anxiety, heart, about his
5. Mind, Industrious, morning, on waking
6. Mind, Mistakes, writing
7. Mind, Mistakes, writing, omitting, words
8. Mind, Mistakes, writing, thoughts, from fast
9. Mind, Mistakes, writing transposing letters
10. Vertigo, Rising, agg.
11. Head, Congestion, Meninges
12. Head, Congestion, Occiput
13. Vision, Colours, bright, spots (in the dark)
14. Mouth, Bleeding, Gums, cleaning them, when
15. Mouth, Crawling, Lips, around
16. Mouth, Roughness, tongue
17. Mouth, Thick, sensation as if, tongue was
18. Face, Chapped, lips
19. Face, Wrinkled, Forehead
20. Neck, Perspiration
21. Stomach, Appetite increased, night
22. Stomach, Appetite increased, accompanied by sleepiness
23. Rectum, flatus, diarrhoea, during
24. Chest, Itching, Mammae, Nipples
25. Chest, Congestion, Heart
26. Male, Ulcer, Glans
27. Female, Pain, Uterus, stitching
28. Skin, Itching, wandering
29. Skin, Itching, ameliorated by cold water
30. Skin, Prickling
31. Sleep, Semi-conscious
32. Dreams, Penis, cut off
33. Dreams, Teacher, of spiritual
34. Generalities, Air, draft, agg.
35. Generalities, Food, desire for ice-cream
36. Generalities, Heat, anxiety, during
37. Generalities, Trembling, externally, anxiety, with
Reference: Andrea Maria Signorini, Christa Pichler, Homoeopathic pathogenetic trial of Plumbum metallicum: the complete 2000 trial with a synthesis of the original 1828 trial, Int J High Dilution Res 2011; 10(34): 15-36
Mother tincture info
Bacopa monnieri
It has been recently introduced in homoeopathy and is used empirically. It is an Indian herb with long tradition of use as nervine and cardiac tonic. It is an old Indian medicine known as ‘Brahmi’. It attracted the scientific attention as back as 1931 when Journal of Indian Medical Association reported that it has an alkaloid Brahmine, which has therapeutic similarity with strychnine, but is less toxic. Thereafter, the drug has been under continuous research. It is found throughout in India in wet damp marshy regions. It is a small plant and the whole plant is used in preparation of homoeopathic medicine. It is covered by the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India (Govt. of India). Homoeopathic literature covers impaired memory and indicates its usefulness as a tonic for absent mindedness1,2,3
Recent research reveals that it has significant influence on learning abilities, reduction of levels of anxiety, improved capacity of adjustments, improved mental function like better acquisition of knowledge, improved retention and delayed extinction. All these make it ideal of improving memory. About a dozen of phytochemicals have been isolated including different bacosides and certain sterols. They have positive effect on the central nervous system. In another paper published on the retention and extinction of newly learned skills on rats, the effect of Bacopa monerri for enhancing the learning abilities has been proved beyond doubt. Surprisingly the enhancement of learning skill persists even under tension like punishment and emotional changes. Very recently the alcoholic extract has been found to be having effects like sharpening of dull memory in the patients of anxiety neurosis. It is also used as tranquilizer, muscle relaxant and as anti-cancer drug (preventive and curative role like in animal experiments). 4,5,6,7,8,9
Based on the reports indicated it may be used alone or as complementary medicine for the following conditions:
* As nervine tonic to lower tension due to mental over-work.
* Improve learning potential.
* Improve memory.
* Lower tension and induce good sleep.
Recommended dose: 30 drops in water twice daily for extended period. Dose and duration are to be monitored by the physician with reference to the improvements taking place.
Reference:
1. Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India.
2. Banerjea S. K., Fifty Homoeopathic Indian Drugs.
3. P. N. Varma, Indu Vaid, Encyclopaedia of Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia, Volume II, Updated edition 2007, B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi.
4. Andrew Chevallier, The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, 1st ed. 1996
5. Dey, C.D. Bose,S. and Mitra,S 1976.Effect of some centrally active Phyto products on maze-learning of albino rat, Indian J Physio.l Allied Sci, 1976, 30, 88
6. Singh HK, Dhawan BN. Effect of Bacopa monniera Linn. (brahmi) extract on avoidance responses in rat. J Ethnopharmacol 1982;5:205–1
7. Roodenrys S, et al., Chronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) on human memory, Neuropsychopharmacology, 2002 Aug;27(2):279-81
8. Asolkar L. V., Kakkar K. K., Chakre O. J., Second supplement to glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants with Active Principles, Part-I, Publications & Information Directorate (CSIR), New Delhi, 1992
9. Deepak Rai, Gitika Bhatia, Gautam Palit, et al., Adaptogenic effect of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi), Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, Volume 75, Issue 4, July 2003, Pages 823-830
Product watch
Cineraria Maritima Eye Drops without alcohol (CMS D2)
Schwabe Germany is a name associated with eye drops in homoeopathy since a century. Efficacy of the product Cineraria Maritima Schwabe Eye Drops (CMS) helped expansion of the consumer base beyond homoeopathic market. It is now recommended by physicians for corneal opacities, cataract, senile cataract, for disturbed metabolism leading to above changes in the vitreous bodies and to delay the on-set of cataract in people above 45 years of age. It is a medicine to be used under medical advice. However, the company had feed-back of its use in common problems like strain, fatigue, dryness, irritation due to dust, smoke, glare of TV & computers. Even though the product was not meant for these minor problems it was used. Being herbal and safe people had no harmful effect. There was a demand for less expensive all purpose eye drops for common problems from the trusted makers of original CMS Eye drops. People specifically wanted an alcohol free eye drops from Schwabe-Germany. The consumer demand has been met now. The company has produced a much lighter version as Senecio bicolour D2 or Cineraria Maritima D2 Eye Drops. It is a generic eye drop and made as per German Pharmacopoeia. It is recommended for minor problems like strain, fatigue, dryness due to heat or over use, over glares, irritation due to dust, smoke, glare of TV / Computers, conjunctivitis and also for inflammation of eye lids.
CMS D2 is a sterile, isotonic (similar to the tension of tears or lachrymal fluids) with negligible alcohol. It is homoeopathic medicine at D2-level (1/100th) and is non-irritating and non-harming. It can be safely used by young & children. It is a product - free from side effect. Schwabe Cineraria Maritima (CMS-D2) is not a substitute of the original Cineraria Maritima Schwabe Eye Drops containing the succuss (juice) of the plant Senecio Cineraria. An advice to the patients to check the seals and logos when purchasing CMS D2 or CMS is worthwhile.
Usefulness and indication of CMS D2
* All purpose Eye Drops
* Mild injury to the eyes
* Irritation of eyes due to dust pollution etc.
* Eye strain due to prolonged use of computers
* Mild conjunctivitis and inflammation of eyelids
Dosage and direction for use: 2 drops 3 times daily into the eye or as per the physicians’ evaluation of the case.
Research news
Development of a Test System for Homoeopathic Preparations Using Impaired Duckweed (Lemna gibba L.)
In this new research, a bioassay with arsenic-stressed duckweed (Lemna gibba L.) was developed to study potentially regulative effects of homoeopathic preparations. Researchers had compared potentized substances (nine different potency levels between 17x and 33x) with two controls (unsuccussed and succussed water) regarding their influence on number- and area-related growth rate and colour of fronds (leaves). Screening included 11 potentised substances: Arsenicum album, gibberellic acid, nosode, arsenic (V), phosphorus, Conchae, Acidum picrinicum, Argentum nitricum, Crotalus horridus, Hepar sulfuris, and Mercurius vivus naturalis. Duckweed was stressed with arsenic (V) for 48 hours. Afterwards, plants grew in either potentised substances or water controls for 6 days. Growth rate and color of fronds were determined with a computerised image analysis system for different time intervals (days 0–2, 2–6, 0–6). A systematic negative control experiment with unsuccussed water was used to investigate the stability of the bioassay. All experiments were randomized and blinded. Results showed that Arsenicum album and nosode potencies increased frond number–related growth rate compared to controls (succussed water controls or pooled water controls [succussed and unsuccussed], p<0.05, t test). Regarding colour classification, no effects were observed. From this study researchers had concluded that the experimental setup with L. gibba stressed by arsenic (V) provides a valuable tool to investigate regulative effects of potentised substances. In order to verify the effects of Arsenicum album and nosode potencies, further independent replication experiments are necessary.
Reference: Tim Jäger, Claudia Scherr, Meinhard Simon, Peter Heusser, Stephan Baumgartner. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. April 2011, 17(4): 315-323
Remedy Selection based on Artificial Intelligent Methods
It is a new paper suggesting new method of computer repertorisation. Homoeopathy decision is a decision under uncertainty and an essential activity for accurate treatment. Computer expert systems have long history of application in medical diagnosis. In this paper the researchers have studied the application of Fuzzy Expert System (it is a logic system that uses collection of function and rules to reason a data) and decision tree for selection of suitable remedy in homoeopathy. A decision made by homoeopath is highly dependent on the quality of selected rubrics. The rubrics are collected during case taking and generally contains expressions that might be considered fuzzy, such as ‘never’, ‘sometimes’, ‘always’, and so on, making it difficult to model them with conventional computational methods. In this context, fuzzy set theory in expert systems is an interesting tool to deal with the representation of inaccurate medical entities. Hence, the researchers suggest that we can go from natural language (linguistic variables) to numerical variables when repertorising in the computer which are more convenient to handle in a computer. The proposed method reduces sensitivity of system to homoeopath mistakes and increase security of system.
Reference: S. S. Sadidpour, S. S. Ghidary, Remedy Selection based on Artificial Intelligent Methods, International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887, Volume 19– No.9, April 2011
Disclaimer
The information provided herein is not intended to be taken as a replacement for medical advice and should not be used during any medical emergency. A Registered Medical Practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only and they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
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Contents
* Editorial
* News from the world of homoeopathy
* Clinical verification
* Mother tincture info
* Product watch
* Research news
Editorial
As per reports, India has the large number of practising homoeopaths and has organised infrastructure. The education system is separate from the conventional medicine. It comes under the Department of Ayush. Now Government of India is also focussing on these Ayush systems of medicine. Year by year it is reflected in the budget allocation. In a recent development, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of parliament has recommended to give a separate ministerial status to the Department of Ayush, detaching from the Ministry of Health.
Pharmacists with special training on homoeopathic processes will be good for the profession. They will dispense the medicines in a right way. Diploma in homoeopathy course has been conducted by institutions depending upon the need of the post. Now Government of Uttar Pradesh has decided to start a D. Pharm (Homoeopathy) course this year. It will cater the need of the profession. Both these developments are reported under “News from the world of homoeopathy”.
Under clinical verification, this time we have covered a well-known and widely used drug Plumbum metallicum. In a paper published in the International Journal of High Dilution Research, special emphasis was given to new symptoms as well as unusual or repeated dreams of the drug. 37 new symptoms were found, which are useful to update Homoeopathic Repertories. The researchers have concluded that the new HPT, besides widening the pathogenetic picture of Plumbum metallicum (skin and mucosae symptoms), also allowed us to give new and deeper meanings to some of the symptoms reported in the original trial, such as Anxiety, Activity, Depression, Slowness, Gastro-oesophageal problems, Colitis. All 37 new symptoms reported from this reproving, are given in this section for the readers of Schwabe News.
Brahmi is an old Indian drug. It has been used in Indian medicine for nervine and cardiac problems. Its late introduction into homoeopathy has given a valuable addition in the materia medica, in the name of Bacopa monnieri. Modern research has unearthed its activity on learning abilities, improving memory and other cognitive functions. All such reports are covered under Mother Tincture Info. With scientific understanding, it will be easier for physicians to remember this drug where the case needs.
Schwabe Germany is a name associated with eye drops in homoeopathy since a century. Efficacy of the product Cineraria Maritima Schwabe Eye Drops (CMS) helped expansion of the consumer base beyond homoeopathic market. There was a demand for less expensive all purpose eye drops for common problems from the trusted makers of original CMS Eye drops. People specifically wanted an alcohol free eye drops from Schwabe-Germany. The consumer demand has been met now. The company has produced a much lighter version as Senecio bicolour D2 or Cineraria Maritima D2 Eye Drops. Detailed indications of the product are covered under Product Watch.
Under ‘Research News’, we have covered couple of recent developments in the field of homoeopathic research. In a new research, a bioassay with arsenic-stressed duckweed (Lemna gibba L.) was developed to study potentially regulative effects of homoeopathic preparations. In another paper, the authors have studied and suggested to adopt new method in computer repertorisation called Fuzzy Expert System to aid in accurate remedy selection.
Enjoy reading and don’t miss to reply back with your feedback.
Dr. R. Valavan, BHMS, MD (Hom)
Editor
News from the world of homoeopathy
PAC recommended Department of Ayush should be converted into a full-fledged ministry
New Delhi, March 24 (IANS): The Public Accounts Committee has recommended converting the Department of Ayush into a separate ministry. The committee had presented its report on the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to the parliament. The implementation of the NRHM came under sharp attack from the committee, with the health ministry being asked to carry out a "complete re-appraisal and restructuring" of the project. In the report, it has also lamented that the government's expenditure on public health was merely 1.1 percent of the GDP. An "appalled" PAC also noted that the per capita expenditure in India on public health was still worse at $7, even less than that of neighbouring Sri Lanka at $30.
The PAC recommended that the Department of Ayush should be converted into a full-fledged ministry and for the promotion of indigenous systems of medicine such as ayurveda, unani, siddha, naturopathy, homoeopathy and yoga in rural areas. It also emphasized the formulation of a five-year special plan for the Ayush department to encourage cultivation of herbal medicines for domestic consumption and export.
The PAC, in its report, further said it was dismayed to note that health centres at various levels were being used as foodgrain godowns, community halls, local offices or cow sheds in many of the 18 states where the NRHM is being implemented. It said the health centres also lacked necessary infrastructure, doctors, medical supplies and trained health workers. "The committee apprehended that the goal of universal health care to all the citizens as envisaged in the mission may remain a pious platitude and a distant dream unless the budgetary outlays for the NRHM for both the terminal year of 11th plan and for the 12th plan period are scaled up significantly commensurate with the problem," it added.
Source: http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=229322
http://www.similima.com/homoeopathynews/homoeoworld33.html
UP to begin 2-yr diploma course in homoeopathy pharmacy
Lucknow: Now UP is all set to become the first state in the country to launch a two-year diploma in homoeopathy pharmacy (also called homoeopathy compounder course) that would produce homoeopathy pharmacists for operating government dispensaries in the state. Two government homoeopathy colleges in the state - one each in Lucknow and Allahabad with 100 seats for the course - would provide training to the aspiring candidates in the academic session starting this year. Uttarakhand has also shown interest in launching the course to bolster homoeopathy dispensaries in the state in the next year. All the 200 seats under the course have been filled through competition, and the course is all set to make its beginning this year, said the Registrar, Homoeopathy Medicine Board (UP), while talking to TOI on Monday. Saying that the eligibility criterion for application under the course has been fixed as intermediate pass-out in science stream, he also said that the move would bolster homoeopathy pharmacy besides reviving the government dispensaries.
Source: Times of India. Available at: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-18/varanasi/29447645_1_homoeopathy-doctors-dispensaries-colleges
Clinical verification
Plumbum metallicum
It is a new clinical verification trial of Plumbum metallicum conducted in Italy. In a previous paper in the journal ‘Homeopathy’ the authors had reported the statistical analysis and other distribution data of a homoeopathic pathogenetic trial (HPT) of Plumbum metallicum 30CH carried out by the group, without giving pure materia medica elicited. In this paper special emphasis was given to new symptoms as well as unusual or repeated dreams, while in the previous paper special emphasis was given to repeated and crossed symptoms. Symptoms are reported in their chronological order of appearance in each volunteer. 37 new symptoms were found, useful to update Homoeopathic Repertories. The paper has also included a synthesis of the original HPT of Plumbum metallicum, carried out in 1828 in order to make available the full experimental materia medica currently existing. The researchers have concluded that the new HPT, besides widening the pathogenetic picture of Plumbum metallicum (skin and mucosae symptoms), also allowed us to give new and deeper meanings to some of the symptoms reported in the original trial, such as Anxiety, Activity, Depression, Slowness, Gastro-oesophageal problems, Colitis.
As stated above, there are mainly 37 new symptoms reported from this reproving, which are given below for the readers of Schwabe News.
1. Mind, Comprehension, easy
2. Mind, Delusions, tongue, double
3. Mind, Delusions, upright
4. Mind, Fear, heart, diseases of the heart– Mind, Anxiety, heart, about his
5. Mind, Industrious, morning, on waking
6. Mind, Mistakes, writing
7. Mind, Mistakes, writing, omitting, words
8. Mind, Mistakes, writing, thoughts, from fast
9. Mind, Mistakes, writing transposing letters
10. Vertigo, Rising, agg.
11. Head, Congestion, Meninges
12. Head, Congestion, Occiput
13. Vision, Colours, bright, spots (in the dark)
14. Mouth, Bleeding, Gums, cleaning them, when
15. Mouth, Crawling, Lips, around
16. Mouth, Roughness, tongue
17. Mouth, Thick, sensation as if, tongue was
18. Face, Chapped, lips
19. Face, Wrinkled, Forehead
20. Neck, Perspiration
21. Stomach, Appetite increased, night
22. Stomach, Appetite increased, accompanied by sleepiness
23. Rectum, flatus, diarrhoea, during
24. Chest, Itching, Mammae, Nipples
25. Chest, Congestion, Heart
26. Male, Ulcer, Glans
27. Female, Pain, Uterus, stitching
28. Skin, Itching, wandering
29. Skin, Itching, ameliorated by cold water
30. Skin, Prickling
31. Sleep, Semi-conscious
32. Dreams, Penis, cut off
33. Dreams, Teacher, of spiritual
34. Generalities, Air, draft, agg.
35. Generalities, Food, desire for ice-cream
36. Generalities, Heat, anxiety, during
37. Generalities, Trembling, externally, anxiety, with
Reference: Andrea Maria Signorini, Christa Pichler, Homoeopathic pathogenetic trial of Plumbum metallicum: the complete 2000 trial with a synthesis of the original 1828 trial, Int J High Dilution Res 2011; 10(34): 15-36
Mother tincture info
Bacopa monnieri
It has been recently introduced in homoeopathy and is used empirically. It is an Indian herb with long tradition of use as nervine and cardiac tonic. It is an old Indian medicine known as ‘Brahmi’. It attracted the scientific attention as back as 1931 when Journal of Indian Medical Association reported that it has an alkaloid Brahmine, which has therapeutic similarity with strychnine, but is less toxic. Thereafter, the drug has been under continuous research. It is found throughout in India in wet damp marshy regions. It is a small plant and the whole plant is used in preparation of homoeopathic medicine. It is covered by the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India (Govt. of India). Homoeopathic literature covers impaired memory and indicates its usefulness as a tonic for absent mindedness1,2,3
Recent research reveals that it has significant influence on learning abilities, reduction of levels of anxiety, improved capacity of adjustments, improved mental function like better acquisition of knowledge, improved retention and delayed extinction. All these make it ideal of improving memory. About a dozen of phytochemicals have been isolated including different bacosides and certain sterols. They have positive effect on the central nervous system. In another paper published on the retention and extinction of newly learned skills on rats, the effect of Bacopa monerri for enhancing the learning abilities has been proved beyond doubt. Surprisingly the enhancement of learning skill persists even under tension like punishment and emotional changes. Very recently the alcoholic extract has been found to be having effects like sharpening of dull memory in the patients of anxiety neurosis. It is also used as tranquilizer, muscle relaxant and as anti-cancer drug (preventive and curative role like in animal experiments). 4,5,6,7,8,9
Based on the reports indicated it may be used alone or as complementary medicine for the following conditions:
* As nervine tonic to lower tension due to mental over-work.
* Improve learning potential.
* Improve memory.
* Lower tension and induce good sleep.
Recommended dose: 30 drops in water twice daily for extended period. Dose and duration are to be monitored by the physician with reference to the improvements taking place.
Reference:
1. Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India.
2. Banerjea S. K., Fifty Homoeopathic Indian Drugs.
3. P. N. Varma, Indu Vaid, Encyclopaedia of Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia, Volume II, Updated edition 2007, B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi.
4. Andrew Chevallier, The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, 1st ed. 1996
5. Dey, C.D. Bose,S. and Mitra,S 1976.Effect of some centrally active Phyto products on maze-learning of albino rat, Indian J Physio.l Allied Sci, 1976, 30, 88
6. Singh HK, Dhawan BN. Effect of Bacopa monniera Linn. (brahmi) extract on avoidance responses in rat. J Ethnopharmacol 1982;5:205–1
7. Roodenrys S, et al., Chronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) on human memory, Neuropsychopharmacology, 2002 Aug;27(2):279-81
8. Asolkar L. V., Kakkar K. K., Chakre O. J., Second supplement to glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants with Active Principles, Part-I, Publications & Information Directorate (CSIR), New Delhi, 1992
9. Deepak Rai, Gitika Bhatia, Gautam Palit, et al., Adaptogenic effect of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi), Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, Volume 75, Issue 4, July 2003, Pages 823-830
Product watch
Cineraria Maritima Eye Drops without alcohol (CMS D2)
Schwabe Germany is a name associated with eye drops in homoeopathy since a century. Efficacy of the product Cineraria Maritima Schwabe Eye Drops (CMS) helped expansion of the consumer base beyond homoeopathic market. It is now recommended by physicians for corneal opacities, cataract, senile cataract, for disturbed metabolism leading to above changes in the vitreous bodies and to delay the on-set of cataract in people above 45 years of age. It is a medicine to be used under medical advice. However, the company had feed-back of its use in common problems like strain, fatigue, dryness, irritation due to dust, smoke, glare of TV & computers. Even though the product was not meant for these minor problems it was used. Being herbal and safe people had no harmful effect. There was a demand for less expensive all purpose eye drops for common problems from the trusted makers of original CMS Eye drops. People specifically wanted an alcohol free eye drops from Schwabe-Germany. The consumer demand has been met now. The company has produced a much lighter version as Senecio bicolour D2 or Cineraria Maritima D2 Eye Drops. It is a generic eye drop and made as per German Pharmacopoeia. It is recommended for minor problems like strain, fatigue, dryness due to heat or over use, over glares, irritation due to dust, smoke, glare of TV / Computers, conjunctivitis and also for inflammation of eye lids.
CMS D2 is a sterile, isotonic (similar to the tension of tears or lachrymal fluids) with negligible alcohol. It is homoeopathic medicine at D2-level (1/100th) and is non-irritating and non-harming. It can be safely used by young & children. It is a product - free from side effect. Schwabe Cineraria Maritima (CMS-D2) is not a substitute of the original Cineraria Maritima Schwabe Eye Drops containing the succuss (juice) of the plant Senecio Cineraria. An advice to the patients to check the seals and logos when purchasing CMS D2 or CMS is worthwhile.
Usefulness and indication of CMS D2
* All purpose Eye Drops
* Mild injury to the eyes
* Irritation of eyes due to dust pollution etc.
* Eye strain due to prolonged use of computers
* Mild conjunctivitis and inflammation of eyelids
Dosage and direction for use: 2 drops 3 times daily into the eye or as per the physicians’ evaluation of the case.
Research news
Development of a Test System for Homoeopathic Preparations Using Impaired Duckweed (Lemna gibba L.)
In this new research, a bioassay with arsenic-stressed duckweed (Lemna gibba L.) was developed to study potentially regulative effects of homoeopathic preparations. Researchers had compared potentized substances (nine different potency levels between 17x and 33x) with two controls (unsuccussed and succussed water) regarding their influence on number- and area-related growth rate and colour of fronds (leaves). Screening included 11 potentised substances: Arsenicum album, gibberellic acid, nosode, arsenic (V), phosphorus, Conchae, Acidum picrinicum, Argentum nitricum, Crotalus horridus, Hepar sulfuris, and Mercurius vivus naturalis. Duckweed was stressed with arsenic (V) for 48 hours. Afterwards, plants grew in either potentised substances or water controls for 6 days. Growth rate and color of fronds were determined with a computerised image analysis system for different time intervals (days 0–2, 2–6, 0–6). A systematic negative control experiment with unsuccussed water was used to investigate the stability of the bioassay. All experiments were randomized and blinded. Results showed that Arsenicum album and nosode potencies increased frond number–related growth rate compared to controls (succussed water controls or pooled water controls [succussed and unsuccussed], p<0.05, t test). Regarding colour classification, no effects were observed. From this study researchers had concluded that the experimental setup with L. gibba stressed by arsenic (V) provides a valuable tool to investigate regulative effects of potentised substances. In order to verify the effects of Arsenicum album and nosode potencies, further independent replication experiments are necessary.
Reference: Tim Jäger, Claudia Scherr, Meinhard Simon, Peter Heusser, Stephan Baumgartner. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. April 2011, 17(4): 315-323
Remedy Selection based on Artificial Intelligent Methods
It is a new paper suggesting new method of computer repertorisation. Homoeopathy decision is a decision under uncertainty and an essential activity for accurate treatment. Computer expert systems have long history of application in medical diagnosis. In this paper the researchers have studied the application of Fuzzy Expert System (it is a logic system that uses collection of function and rules to reason a data) and decision tree for selection of suitable remedy in homoeopathy. A decision made by homoeopath is highly dependent on the quality of selected rubrics. The rubrics are collected during case taking and generally contains expressions that might be considered fuzzy, such as ‘never’, ‘sometimes’, ‘always’, and so on, making it difficult to model them with conventional computational methods. In this context, fuzzy set theory in expert systems is an interesting tool to deal with the representation of inaccurate medical entities. Hence, the researchers suggest that we can go from natural language (linguistic variables) to numerical variables when repertorising in the computer which are more convenient to handle in a computer. The proposed method reduces sensitivity of system to homoeopath mistakes and increase security of system.
Reference: S. S. Sadidpour, S. S. Ghidary, Remedy Selection based on Artificial Intelligent Methods, International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887, Volume 19– No.9, April 2011
Disclaimer
The information provided herein is not intended to be taken as a replacement for medical advice and should not be used during any medical emergency. A Registered Medical Practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only and they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
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