HOMOEOPATHY TO PREVENT DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY WITH SECRETS TO FIND VERY EARLY DAMAGE - MICROALBUMINURIA AN PREDICTOR AND DISEASE MARKER

            Nowadays we very frequently encounter Diabetic cases in our day to day practice. Homoeopathy is considered as one of the very best alternative system for treating Diabetes Mellitus & its complications. Diabetic nephropathy (also known as Kimmelstiel-Wilson syndrome and intercapillary glomerulonephritis) is a progressive kidney disease caused by angiopathy of capillaries in the kidney glomeruli. It is characterized by nephrotic syndrome and diffuse glomerulosclerosis, It is due to longstanding diabetes mellitus and is a prime cause for dialysis in India. Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of chronic kidney failure and end-stage kidney disease in India. People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are equally at risk to develop this complication. The risk is even higher if blood-glucose levels are poorly controlled.

Apart from routine investigations like fasting & post prondial sugar level, HbA1C, Renal Function Test, Complete Urine Analysis & Lipid Profile, there is an investigation to diagnose the very early damage of kidneys & heart, in diabetic patients - level of Microalbuminuria. The earliest detectable change in the course of diabetic nephropathy is a thickening in the glomerulus. At this stage, the kidney may start allowing more serum albumin (plasma protein) than normal in the urine (albuminuria), and this can be detected by sensitive medical tests for albumin. This stage is called "microalbuminuria".

Microalbuminuria occurs when the kidney leaks small amounts of albumin into the urine, in other words, when there is an abnormally high permeability for albumin in the renal glomerulus. Microalbuminuria is probably a misnomer. It is not a “small” albumin molecule found in the urine, but simply albumin present in low amounts, below the level of detection of the standard office multi-test urine dipstick.

ABOUT MICROALBUMINURIA:

Blood contains cells and proteins that we need, as well as waste products that our body needs to get rid of. Blood is filtered by kidneys and waste products are removed from body through urine. Usually, cells and proteins stay in blood, but sometimes a small amount of protein is lost into urine along with other waste products. Microalbuminuria is when the level of the protein albumin in urine is always slightly raised. Microalbuminuria is defined as 30 to 300mg of albumin being lost in urine per day. This is different to proteinuria, which is when the levels of protein in urine are higher than 300mg a day.

CAUSES OF MICROALBUMINURIA:

The development of Microalbuminuria has been linked to diabetes. Other than diabetes, risk factors for developing Microalbuminuria include:

Ø  High blood pressure.

Ø  A family history of diabetic kidney disease.

Ø  Smoking.

Ø  Being overweight.

DIAGNOSIS OF MICROALBUMINURIA:

Normally, most protein stays in the body, and little or no protein appears in the urine. If albumin is detected in the urine, it signifies kidneys may be damaged and may not be working properly. Increased levels of albumin may occur with:.

Ø Diabetic Nephropathy.

Ø High blood pressure.

Ø Certain immune disorders

Ø Some lipid problems.

The Microalbuminuria Test looks for small quantities of a protein called albumin in a urine sample. A small sample of urine needs to be collected. Because the amount of water in urine can vary, it can affect the concentration of albumin. For this reason, the amount of creatinine is also measured. The result is reported as the ratio of albumin to creatinine. This is termed the albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) and According to Gento-Montecatini Microalbuminuria is defined as:

Ø ACR ≥ 3.5 mg/mmol in female.

Ø ACR ≥ 2.5 mg/mmol in male.

Ø Or an ACR between 30 & 300 µg albumin/mg creatinine.

The ratio of albumin to creatinine is usually used to classify diabetic nephropathy. A ratio less than 30 micrograms per milligram is normal.

Ø A ratio of 30-299 in two different 24-hour urine samples is considered Microalbuminuria.

Ø A ratio of more than 300 mg is considered  Macroalbuminuria.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes receive a Microalbuminuria urine test every year (after 5 years of having the disease in people with type 1 diabetes, and at the time of diagnosis in people with type 2 diabetes).

In type 2 diabetes, having Microalbuminuria is a powerful message, that you have an increased risk of heart disease. Microalbuminuria is the strongest independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease. Screening identifies an increased risk of proliferative retinopathy.

Development of Microalbuminuria is closely linked to long term blood sugar control. This risk is increased by:

Ø  Duration of diabetes.

Ø  High blood pressure.

Ø  Genetic susceptibility.

MANAGEMENT:

Diet and exercise play a key role in controlling blood sugar levels and reducing your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, in turn preventing any further kidney damage. Steps may include:

Ø Exercising regularly, if possible for 30 minutes a day.

Ø Eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

Ø Increasing the amount of starchy carbohydrates in diet.

Ø Choosing to eat carbohydrates that release energy slowly such as porridge oats, brown rice and pasta, lentils and beans and avoiding those that release energy quickly such as white bread and white rice.

Ø Reducing the amount of sugar, fat and salt in your diet.

Ø Stop smoking.

Ø Cutting down on alcohol.

Ø Monitoring and controlling your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes.

Ø Limit the amount of foods containing high levels of protein, sodium, potassium or phosphate.

The following measures are advisable in diabetes patients:

Ø Tighten up your blood sugar control.

Ø Blood pressure lowering if high.

Ø Stop smoking.

Ø Exercise.

Ø Lipid lowering treatment.

SIGNIFICANCE:

Presence of Microalbuminuria signifies:

Ø  Blood vessels involved in filtering waste products in kidneys are damaged.

Ø  First sign of kidney damage or kidney disease.

Ø  Sign of more widespread damage to blood vessels, including those of heart.

Ø  Sign of an increased risk of heart disease, particularly in type 2 diabetes.

Ø  An indicator of subclinical cardiovascular disease.

Ø  Marker of vascular endothelial dysfunction.

Ø  An important prognostic marker for kidney disease, especially in diabetes mellitus & in hypertension.

Ø  Increasing Microalbuminuria during the first 48 hours after admission to an intensive care unit predicts elevated risk for acute respiratory failure , multiple organ failure and overall mortality.

Ø  A risk factor for venous thrombo embolism.

Ø  Healthy people may exceed normal levels after strenuous exercise or with dehydration.

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

Diabetic nephropathy is supposed to be a constitutional disease, so treatment also should be constitutional. Normal levels can be absolutely attained and maintained if Homoeopathic treatment is started earlier. In Homoeopathy, medicines are highly individualized to the patient and this will help, Following remedies are quite helpful to treat the symptoms and condition related to nephropathy

Apis mellifica: Urine suppressed or scanty, high colored, fetid, containing albumen, blood corpuscles, uriniferous casts & epithelium.

Argentum nitricum: Fatty degeneration of kidneys with haematuria & epithelial casts in urine.

Arsenicum album: Indicated in primary cases of tubal nephritis. Urine highly albuminous with waxy & fatty casts.

Arsenicum iodatum: Albuminuria from cardiac disturbances & periodical effusions, as it reduces the amount of albumen in the urine.

Aurum metallicum:Indicated in interstitial nephritis with contracted kidneys. Renal troubles secondary to cardiac affections, causing a decided albuminous crasis. At first the urine is increased in quantity, later it becomes scanty & albuminous.

Brachyglottis repens: Albuminuria depending on nervous disturbance, as from over work, gradually causing renal disorganizations.

Berberis vulgaris: Urine of dark, bloody appearance & largely supplied with albumen.

Bryonia alba: Urine almost dark brown, darker & more scanty than usual.

Calcarea arsenicosa: Great sensitiveness to pressure in renal region. Must urinate every hour & urine full of albumen.

Calcarea carbonica:  Albuminuria following Eruptive diseases, especially variola.

Cannabis indica:Albuminuria as sequelae of pericarditis.

Cantharis vesicatoria: Indicated in Post–Scarlatinal Nephritis & early stages, especially when occurring from blows on the loins, or sudden change of temperature & when there is more renal desquamation than blood. Urine contains an excessive quantity of swollen epithelial cells.

Carbolicum acidum: Post – Scarlatinal Nephritis with much exhaustion.

Chelidonium majus:  Albuminuria as a result of intercurrent Pneumonia. Urine red & turbid.

Coccus cacti:  Indicated in Acute desquamative nephritis with Pulmonary congestion.

Colchicum autumnale:Urine as black as ink, containing blood, & loaded with albumen & tube-casts, smoky in appearance. Patient cannot stand up straight or lie down with stretched out legs without causing pain in renal region.

Crotalus horridus:Urine dark, smoky from admixture of fluid blood with renal congestion.

Cuprum metallicum:Urine containing albumen & renal elements with uremic convulsions.

Digitalis:Post – Scarlatinal nephritis. Granular degeneration of the kidneys. Scanty urination, urine albuminous, thick, turbid, blackish. Urinary solids absolutely diminished. Contracted kidney & uremic poisoning.

Glonoinum:Cirrhotic kidney with Albuminuria. Urine high colored, burning while passing, with red sediment & muddy, reddish – yellow slime.

Helleborus: Post – Scarlatinal or Post – diphtheritic nephritis. Black urine with a black cloud near the bottom of the chamber or a coffee – ground sediment.

Helonias:Urine, profuse, clear, light colored, albuminous with diabetes.

Hepar sulph:  Post – Scarlatinal nephritis. Urine dark red, hot, bloody, burning, or pale, with flocculent, muddy looking sediment.

Kali bromaticum:Nephritis with a syphilitic background. Urine loaded with epithelial casts & albumen.

Kalmia latifolia:Albuminuria as a result of heart complication. Urine scanty, albuminous with fibrinous casts & epithelial cells.

Lachesis:Nephritis after excessive use of alcohol. Urine dark, turbid or black in spots with full of albumen.

Mercurius corrosivus:Early stages of nephritis, especially when caused by abuse of alcoholic drinks, by cold or by obstructed portal circulation. Scanty bloody urine with effusion of fibrin or fat globules in the urine, or profuse secretion of pale, albuminous urine.

Phosphoricum acidum:Urine contains much phosphate, fibrinous casts & epithelial cells, fatty corpuscles, rarely carbonate of ammonia with albumen.

Phosphorus:   Kidney present with great structural changes, granular & fatty degenerations, destruction of epithelium & finally atrophy. Urine highly albuminous.

Plumbum metallicum:Granular kidney with a urine of low specific gravity, pale, containing albumen, tube casts, epithelial cells, blood & pus corpuscles.

Secale cornatum:Post – Scarlatinal nephritis. Urine pale or bloody, urinary deposits looking like cheese.

Terebinthina: Indicated in early stages, when blood & albumen abound more than casts & epithelium. Urine much diminished in quantity & highly charged with decomposed blood.

DYSLEXIA

                                                                                                  

hAve yOU eVEr sEEn thE fiLM “ tAAre ZameeN Par”??? Does your child have learning disabilities? Then you should know about Dyslexia

Dyslexia is one of the most common learning disabilities and is characterized by difficulty with learning to read fluently and with accurate comprehension despite normal intelligence. The word dyslexia comes from Greek word “dys” means ill or difficult and “lexis” word used to describe a specific disturbance of reading in the absence of pathological conditions, these are often associated with CNS disorder. Children with dyslexia have difficulty in learning to read despite traditional instruction, at least average intelligence, and an adequate opportunity to learn. It is caused by an impairment in the brain's ability to translate images received from the eyes or ears into understandable language. It does not result from vision or hearing problems. It is not due to mental retardation, brain damage, or a lack of intelligence. Dyslexia can go undetected in the early grades of schooling. Children can become frustrated by the difficulty in learning to read, and other problems can arise that disguise dyslexia. They may show signs of depression and low self-esteem. Behavior problems at home, as well as at school, often manifest. Children may become unmotivated and develop a dislike for school, and their success there may be jeopardized if the problem remains untreated.

                                   

According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, dyslexia is a learning disability that can hinder a person's ability to read, write, spell, and sometimes speak. This includes difficulty with phonological awareness, phonological decoding, processing speed, orthographic coding, auditory short-term memory, language skills/verbal comprehension, and/or rapid naming. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability in children and persists throughout life. The severity of dyslexia can vary from mild to severe. The sooner dyslexia is treated, the more favorable the outcome; however, it is never too late for people with dyslexia to learn to improve their language skills.

AETIOLOGY

There are several types of dyslexia that can affect a child's ability to spell as well as read.

"Trauma dyslexia" usually occurs after some form of brain trauma or injury to the area of the brain that controls reading and writing. It is rarely seen in today's school-age population.

A second type of dyslexia is referred to as "primary dyslexia." This type of dyslexia is a dysfunction of, rather than damage to, the left side of the brain (cerebral cortex) and does not change with age. Individuals with this type are rarely able to read above a fourth-grade level and may struggle with reading, spelling, and writing as adults. Primary dyslexia is passed in family lines through their genes (hereditary). It is found more often in boys than in girls.

A third type of dyslexia is referred to as "secondary" or "developmental dyslexia" and is felt to be caused by hormonal development during the early stages of fetal development. Developmental dyslexia diminishes as the child matures. It is also more common in boys.

Dyslexia may affect several different functions. Visual dyslexia is characterized by number and letter reversals and the inability to write symbols in the correct sequence. Auditory dyslexia involves difficulty with sounds of letters or groups of letters. The sounds are perceived as jumbled or not heard correctly. "Dysgraphia" refers to the child's difficulty holding and controlling a pencil so that the correct markings can be made on the paper.

CLINICAL FEATURES:  
Symptoms of dyslexia may vary from mild to very severe and can be broadly grouped into the following categories:

General features: The child can be very talented in art, drama, music, sports, mechanics, story-telling, designing, etc. He may have high IQ but may not score well academically. At school he may be labeled as lazy or careless due to his symptoms. The child may develop low self-esteem due to his inability to cope up with the educational system

Reading (and spelling) Symptoms : The child is often confused by letters, numbers, words, sequences or verbal explanations. His reading or writing shows repetitions, additions, transpositions, omissions, substitutions, and reversals in letters, numbers and/or words. He may feel that the letters or words to be moving or jumping around on the page when he is reading or writing. He reads and rereads with little comprehension. He seems to have difficulty with vision, yet eye exams don't reveal a problem

riting (motor skills) Symptoms : He has trouble with writing or copying in class. He is clumsy, uncoordinated while writing, handwriting may be illegible. He can be ambidextrous and often confuses left/right, over/under

Hearing and Speech Symptoms: The child is easily distracted by sounds or he may hear things that have not been said.. He may face difficulty in speaking out what he is thinking (cannot put thoughts into words). He may mispronounce words (e.g. God instead of Dog), transpose words while speaking, leave sentences incomplete or take long halts during his speech

Memory Symptoms: He has poor memory for facts, sequences, information that has not been experienced. His memory can be very good for things that have been experienced. In general the child can appear to be very bright and intelligent but when it comes to reading, writing, spellings, etc he can be very bad at these. The child learns best through experience, observation, demonstrations, experimentation, and visual aids. He can fare well in verbal tests but may not be able to do well in written exams

DIAGNOSIS

Dyslexia is a difficult disorder to diagnose. There are many factors the psychologist or other health professional reviews to diagnose the disability. The testing determines the child's functional reading level and compares it to reading potential, which is evaluated by an intelligence test. All aspects of the reading process are examined to pinpoint where the breakdown is occurring. The testing further assesses how a child takes in and processes information and what the child does with the information. The tests determine whether a child learns better by hearing information (auditory), looking at information (visual), or doing something (kinesthetic). They also assess whether a child performs better when allowed to give information (output), by saying something (oral), or by doing something with their hands (tactile-kinesthetic). The tests also evaluate how all of these sensory systems (modalities) work in conjunction with each other.

The tests administered are standardized and are considered highly reliable. The child should not feel as if there is something wrong because testing is occurring. Many of the tests use a game-type or puzzle format which can help make the child feel more comfortable. Children should get a good night's sleep prior to the testing and have a good breakfast. If the testing is done in a school setting, the teacher can prepare the child by talking about the person who will come and do special work with the child. With young children, the psychologist may visit the child's classroom before the testing so that the child is familiar with him. Whether or not the testing is done at school, the parent may want to talk to their child about a new person coming to work with them. However, parents should not try to coach the child concerning the testing. It is recommended that parents not be present during the testing.

Self Care Measures :

·                     Help your child be aware of their problem.

·                     Recognize your child’s strengths and weaknesses and be a positive force in their intellectual growth.

·                     Be a good reading role model, encourage discussion and reinforce reading.

·                     Respect and challenge your child’s natural intelligence.

·                     Play spelling games with your child and encourage your child to write.

·                     Work with your child’s teachers and have your child use alternative means at school like using flash cards, listening to books on tape, using text reading computer programs, and writing on computers.

·                     Trace with a finger the shape of the letters used and the words spoken.

·                     Give your child emotional support and motivation, which will help them build a strong self-image.

·                     Have your child sit in an erect posture and read aloud, this will slowly help in successful conversion of visual symbols into sound.

·                     Have your child listen and repeat instructions.

·                     Stay involved with your child’s education and help them cope with strategies as they advance in school.

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT:

Dyslexia a constitutional disorder, as it is an outcome of a constitutional problem (genetic factors). Homoeopathy is definitely recommended for the management of dyslexia. Special modified teaching methods and educational environment, special tutoring, summer school, speech therapy, or placement in special classes helps the dyslexics to cope up better. Homoeopathic treatment is extremely effective in the cases of Dyslexia and strongly recommended along with other supportive therapies. Homoeopathic remedies are natural, gentle, harmless, and easy to take and it helps the Dyslexia condition that burdens and interfere with the life of a child or an adult.

After understanding the child’s constitution, restricted capabilities, mental state, life situation, etc., a constitutional remedy is selected to start healing the patient. Homeopathic constitutional treatment will facilitate your child with constructive reinforcement of staying motivated and occupied in the learning process. Both hemispheres of the brain contribute in processing language and Homeopathic remedies will promote rejuvenation of the brain cells and help reinstate the equilibrium between the two hemispheres of the brain, which is imperative in overcoming Dyslexia and improve your child’s aptitude to read and spell. Homeopathic approach will enhance brain function and improve multi tasking, reading, spelling, and comprehension, reasoning ability, memory, focus and organizational skills. These remedies will also help your child cope with emotional struggles that may arise because of difficulties at school.

Lycopodium - Apprehensive. Weak memory, confused thoughts; spells or writes wrong words and syllables. Failing brain-power (Anac; Phos; Baryt). Cannot bear to see anything new. Cannot read what he writes. Loss of self-confidence. Melancholy; afraid to be alone.

Lac caninum - Very forgetful, absent-minded; makes purchases and walks away without them. In writing, uses too many words or not the right ones; omits final letter or letters in a word; cannot concentrate the mind to read or study; very nervous,  Fears to be alone

Stramonium - Weakness of memory; cannot remember names, words or initial letters; has to ask name of most intimate fried; even forgets his own name. Cannot spell correctly; wonders how a well-known name is spelled. Constantly loses the thread of conversation. Anxious, nervous, extremely sensitive; starts at the least sound.

Syphilinum - Loss of memory; remembers everything previous to his illness. Apathetic, cannot remember names of books, persons or places; arithmetical calculation difficult.

Baryta carb  - Memory deficient; forgetful, inattentive; child cannot be taught for it cannot remember; threatened idiocy. Children both physically and mentally weak. Scrofulous, dwarfish children who do not grow, Loss of memory, mental weakness. Irresolute. Lost confidence in himself. Confusion. Bashful. Aversion to strangers. Childish; grief over trifles.

Aethusa cyn  - Restless, anxious, crying. Unconscious, delirious. Inability to think, to fix the attention. Brain fag. Idiocy may alternate with furor and irritability.

Anacardium - Brain-fag. Impaired memory. Absent mindedness. Very easily offended. Malicious; seems bent on wickedness. Lack of confidence in himself or others.  impaired memory, depression, and irritability;

Other Frequently used Homoeopathic remedies for Dyslexia are Kali brom, Stramonium, China, Nux vom, Silicea, Thuja, Chammomilla, Cannabis sativa, Sulphur, Hypericum,

The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach. This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the patient is suffering. The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat dyslexia symptoms but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, several well-proved medicines are available for dyslexia symptoms that can be selected on the basis of cause, sensations and modalities of the complaints.  For individualized remedy selection and treatment, the patient should consult a qualified homeopathic doctor in person.

Hence, increase your child’s confidence, improve their level of fluency, expression, comprehension and help your child achieve higher in school and in life with the help of Homoeopathy.