WEIGHT MANAGEMENT WITH HOMOEOPATHY FOR OBESE AND OVERWEIGHT INDIVIDUALS

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT WITH HOMOEOPATHY FOR OBESE AND OVERWEIGHT INDIVIDUALS

Overweight and obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. Overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscle, bone, water, or a combination of these factors. Obesity is defined as having excess body fat. Many children’s and young people struggle with excess weight. Weighing too many increases the chances that young people may develop some health problems now and later in life.

clinical obesity is considered to  be present when a person has a Body mass index of 30 or over

                                                                 Weight in KG

                                                BMI = ––––––––––––––––

                                                             (Height in meters) ²

WHO Classification of over Weight

Classification	BMI (KG/ M2)	Associated health risk
Under weight	< 18.5	Low ( But risk of other clinical problems increased)
Normal	18.5 – 24.9	Average
Over weight	≥ 25
Per obese	25 – 29.9	Increased
Obese class I	30 – 34.9	Moderately increased
Obese class II	35 – 39.9	Severely increased
Obese class III	≥40	Very Severely increased

Causes of Obesity:

Many factors lead to overweight and obese like

·        Simple: Endogenous – constitutional, Exogenous – Over eating lack of exercise

·        Endocrine causes

v Pituitary – Frohlich’s syndrome , Pregnancy, Climacteric both males & Female

v Thyroid                      -  Hypothyroidism

v Adrenal cortex          - Cushing’s Syndrome

v Gonads                       - Polycystic ovaries

v Pancreas                    - Islet cell tumors

v Hypothalamus          - Encephalitis, Meningo encephalitis, Cranio pharyngioma,   3rd ventricle tumors      

·        Drugs: Anti convulsants, Anti psychotics, Anti depressants, Cortico steroids, Insulin

Types of body fat distribution

Pear type:  Fat accumulates mainly around hips and thighs (Gynoid distribution) characteristics of females.

Apple type:    Fat storage mainly in the abdomen (Android distribution), found in both sexes.

Effects of obesity (Complications)

·        Brain                          - Cerebro vascular accidents (CVA), mental disturbances.

·        C.V.S.                         - Coronary Heart diseases (CHD)

·        Vascular                    - Hypertension , varicose vein, pedal edema,

·        Respiratory               - Dyspnoea

·        G.I.T                           - Hiatus hernia, Gall stone, Constipation.

·        Joints                          - OA, Backache

·        Endocrine & Metabolic    - NIDDM, Hyper lipidemia, menstrual irregularities,     

                                         Impotence 

·        Malignancy               - Cancers such as ca.ovary, endometrium, cervix, breast, prostate

·        Skin                            - Rashes

·        Pregnancy                  - Perinatal mortality, per eclampsia, Gestational diabetes,             

                                   Caesarian sections 

·        Psychic                   -These individuals are very unhappy. Different psychosomatic                    

                                  problems may also develop.

MANAGEMENT

Successful management for weight loss include setting goals and making lifestyle changes such as eating fewer calories and being more physically active. Drug therapy and weight loss surgery are also options for some people if lifestyle changes don’t work.Set Realistic Goal Setting the right weight loss goals is an important first step to losing and maintaining weight.

Lifestyle Changes - For long-term weight loss success, it’s important to make lifestyle changes like Focus on energy intake (calories from food and drinks) and energy output (physical activity),Follow a healthy eating plan, Learn how to adopt more healthful lifestyle habits. Over time, these changes will become part of everyday life.

Healthy Eating Plan - A healthy eating plan gives our body the nutrients it needs every day. It has enough calories for good health, but not so many that gain weight.

Healthful foods include:  Fat-free and low-fat milk and milk products such as low-fat yogurt, cheese, and milk. Lean meat, fish, poultry, cooked beans, and peas. Whole grain foods such as whole wheat bread, oatmeal, and brown rice. Other grain foods like pasta, cereal, bagels, bread, tortillas, couscous, and crackers.

Fruits, which can be canned (in juice or water), fresh, frozen, or dried. Vegetables, which can be canned (without salt), fresh, frozen, or dried. Canola or olive oils and soft margarines made from these oils are heart healthy. 

Cholesterol is found mainly in Egg yellow yolks, Organ meats such as liver, Shrimp and Whole milk or whole-milk products, including butter, cream, and cheese

Physical Activity

Staying active and eating fewer calories will help you lose weight and keep the weight off over time. Physical activity also will benefit you in other ways.

 In general, adults should follow these guidelines in relation to physical activity.

·         For overall health and to lower the risk of disease, aim for at least 30 minutes of   moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week.

·         To help manage body weight and prevent gradual weight gain, aim for 60 minutes of        moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity most days of the week.

·         To maintain weight loss, aim for at least 60 to 90 minutes of daily moderate-intensity      physical activity.

In general, children and teens should aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week.

Behavioral Changes - Changing your behaviors or habits around food and physical activity is important for losing weight. The first step is to understand the things that lead you to overeat or have an inactive lifestyle. A record of your food intake and the amount of physical activity that you do each day will help to inspire you.

Surgical therapy like Gastroplication,  Jejuno ileal by pass and +Starvation therapy  may be helpful sometime

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

Homoeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. 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 homoeopathy is not only to treat obesity but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, several remedies are available to treat obesity and overweight 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. A holistic approach considering the lifestyle, personal habits, food habits, inclusion of nutrients and diet, etc. along with homoeopathic treatment helps in overcoming overweight and obesity of individuals. The medicines given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the treatment of this condition

Medicine	Indication
Ammonium  muriaticum	Especially suited to those who are fat and sluggish and whose bodies are large and fat with large buttocks, fatty tumors and thin legs. All mucus secretions are increased and retained. Generally suffering from respiratory troubles and associated affections of liver. Obstinate constipation accompanied by much flatus. Hard, crumbling stools require great effort in expulsion; crumble from the verge of anus.
Thyroidinum	It produces anemia, emaciation, muscular weakness, and sweating, tingling and increased heart rate. It exerts great influence over goiter and excessive obesity and acts best in females with paleness and uterine fibroids or mammary tumors.
Antimonium crudum	Obesity in young people with excessive irritability and fretfulness together with a thickly coated white tongue. All the conditions aggravate by heat and cold bathing. Tendency to grow fat. For children and young people inclined to grow fat, for the extremes of life. Old people with morning diarrhea suddenly become constipated or alternate diarrhea and constipation, pulse hard and rapid. Sensitive to the cold. < After taking cold. Child is fretful, peevish, cannot bear to be touched or looked at, sulky, and does not wish to speak or be spoken to, angry at every little attention. Great sadness, with weeping. Longing for acids and pickles. Gastric and intestinal affections: from bread and pastry; acids, especially vinegar; sour or bad wine; after cold bathing; overheating; hot weather. Worse – After eating; cold baths, acids or sour wine; after heat of sun or fire; extremes of cold or heat. Better – In the open air; during rest; after a warm bath.
Graphites	Tendency to obesity in females with delayed menstruation. The patients are stout, of fair complexion and tendency to skin affections and constipation, fat, chilly and costive. Take cold easily. Tendency to obesity and swollen genitals with indurations of tissues.
Phytollaca	An important remedy for obesity. Reduces fat and false growths. It is preeminently a glandular remedy with glandular swellings –heat and inflammations. Helps to reduce fat and thus reduce weight. It is useful in rheumatism of syphilitic origin where the pains are wandering, shifting and shooting. Burning in throat as from coal fire and cannot swallow hot liquids. General soreness, lameness, bruised feeling over whole body causes the patient to groan. Intense prostration, sitting upright makes him faint and dizzy. Mother tincture is used for weight reduction.
Fucus	A good remedy for obesity and nontoxic goiter (also exophthalmic). Digestion is improved and flatulence diminished. Obstinate constipation. Thyroid enlargement in obese people.
Calcarea arsenicum	Complaints in fat women around climacteric or women approaching climaxis. The females tend to become fleshy and obese around menopause. Chilliness with dropsicalaffections. Cancer of uterus, affections of spleen and mesenteric glands are often found associated. Great mental depression. The slightest emotion causes palpitation of heart
Capsicum	Suits nicely those people who are of lax fibers, weak, diminished vital heat, fat/obese, indolent and have no vital heat or no reactive force. General uncleanliness of body and opposed to physical exertion. Burning pains and general chilliness with marked tendency to suppuration in every inflammatory process are found.
Phosphorus	Persons of waxy, translucent skin, half anemic, young people growing too rapidly, fair, blondes, quick and hemorrhagic diathesis. It affects the nutrition and function of every tissue of body. It causes pseudohypertrophy of muscles. Adapted to tall slender persons of sanguine temperament, fair skin, delicate eyelashes, find blond or red hair, quick perceptions, and very sensitive nature. Young people, who grow too rapidly, are inclined to stoop who are chlorotic or anemic; old people, with morning diarrhea. Hemorrhagic diathesis; small wounds bleed profusely from every mucous outlet. Longs for: cold food and drink; juicy, refreshing things; ice cream > gastric pains. As soon as water becomes warm in stomach it is thrown up. Worse – Evening, before midnight, lying on left or painful side; during a thunderstorm; weather changes, either hot or cold. Cold air relieves the head and face symptoms but aggravates those of chest, throat and neck. Better – In the dark; lying on right side; from being rubbed or mesmerized; from cold food, cold water, until it gets warm.
Lac defloratum	Useful in obesity and where diseases are associated with faulty nutrition. Sick headaches with intense throbbing, nausea and vomiting, prostration and all complaints aggravated during menses.
Kali bichromicum	It is specially indicated for fleshy, fat, light haired complexioned people with scrofulous or syphilitic history. Symptoms tend to increase in the morning and all pains migrate quickly with rheumatic and gastric symptoms alternating. Catarrhal stage of all mucus membranes.
Pulsatilla	It is preeminently a female remedy with tendency to obesity in mild, gentle, yielding females who are sad, cry easily and weeps when talking. The symptoms are changeable and contradictory. The patient seeks the open air and feels better in it. Thirstlessness and chilliness in fat females. Aversion to fatty foods, still grows obese. Adapted to persons ofmild, gentle, timid, yielding disposition – the woman’s remedy. Weeps easily: almost impossible to detail her ailments without weeping. Especially, in diseases of women and children. Women inclined to be fleshy, with scanty and protracted menstrual tion.
Sepia	Obesity in females with weakness, yellow complexion and bearing down sensations. Pains extend down to back and patient chills easily. Obesity in menopausal females with hot flushes and perspirations. Particularly sensitive to cold air, “chills so easily;” lack of vital heat, especially in chronic diseases. Great sadness and weeping. Dread of being alone; of men; of meeting friends; with uterine troubles. Indifferent: even to one’s family; to one’s occupation, to those whom she loves best. Greedy, miserly.
Senega	Especially suited for persons of lax fibers who tend to become obese and also to children who are chubby in appearance. These children usually suffer from repeated respiratory catarrhal affections where rattling cough and profuse mucus but difficult raising are characteristics.

Some mother tinctures useful are

Phytolacca. Berry Q (Phytoline Q) - Attended with difficulty in walking, sitting, palpitation, dyspnea on the least exertion, nausea, eructations. A great fat reducer.

Aesculentine Q- Another great fat reducer, may be alternated with phytoline.

Calotropis Q – Obesity, while flesh decreases, muscles becomes, harder and firmer

Fucus. Vesiculosis Q, 1x, if attended with indigestion and flatulence.  A remedy for obesity and non-toxic goiter, obstinate constipation, thyroid enlargement in obese subjects.

ANGINA -GENERAL AND HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

“ANGINA” - CORONARY HEART DISEASE (HEART ATTACK) - GENERAL AND HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

Angina, is the sensation of chest pain, pressure, or squeezing, often due to not enough blood flow to the heart muscle as a result of obstruction or spasm of the coronary arteries. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a disease in which a waxy substance called plaque (plak) builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to heart muscle. Over time, the walls of arteries can become furred up with fatty deposits. This process is known as atherosclerosis and the fatty deposits are called atheroma. If the plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form on its surface. A large blood clot can mostly or completely block blood flow through a coronary artery. Over time, ruptured plaque also hardens and narrows the coronary arteries. Coronary heart disease is a group of diseases that includes: stable angina, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, and sudden coronary death.

RISK FACTORS

Coronary artery disease has a number of well determined risk factors.

Major Risk Factors

·        Unhealthy blood cholesterol levels. This includes high LDL cholesterol (sometimes called “bad” cholesterol) and low HDL cholesterol (sometimes called “good” cholesterol).

·        High blood pressure. Blood pressure is considered high if it stays at or above 140/90 mmHg over time

·        Smoking. Smoking can damage and tighten blood vessels, lead to unhealthy cholesterol levels, and raise blood pressure. Smoking also can limit how much oxygen reaches the body's tissues.

·        Insulin resistance. This condition occurs if the body can't use its own insulin properly. Insulin resistance may lead to diabetes.

·        Diabetes. With this disease, the body's blood sugar level is too high because the body doesn't make enough insulin or doesn't use its insulin properly.

·        Overweight or obesity. The terms “overweight” and “obesity” refer to body weight that’s greater than what is considered healthy for a certain height.

·        Lack of physical activity. Being physically inactive can worsen other risk factors for CHD, such as unhealthy blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes, and overweight or obesity.

·        Unhealthy diet. An unhealthy diet can raise your risk for CHD. Foods that are high in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, sodium (salt), and sugar can worsen other risk factors for CHD.

·        Older age. Genetic or lifestyle factors cause plaque to build up in  arteries as age. By the time you're middle-aged or older, enough plaque has built up to cause signs or symptoms. In men, the risk for CHD increases after age 45. In women, the risk for CHD increases after age 55.

·        Family history of early heart disease.  Risk increases if father or a brother was diagnosed with CHD before 55 years of age, or if mother or a sister was diagnosed with CHD before 65 years of age.

CLINICAL MANIFESTATION

The most common symptoms is Chest pain and chest discomforts.

 

Nature of Pain

·        Site of pain: – Retro sternal. 

·        Character of pain: - heaviness, squeezing, burning, constricting, like a band across the Chest or crushing in nature.

·        Radiation of pain: - It radiates across the chest, both arms and shoulders (More commonly medial aspect of left side) Inter scapular region, Neck, Jaw, Fingers and epigastric region.

·        Duration of chest pain: –

Angina - Few seconds to few minutes.

Myocardial ischemia - Few minutes to few hrs.

Myocardial infarction – Few hrs to few days.

·        Precipitating Factors: - includes exertion, climbing stairs going uphill, anger, excitement, after heavy meals, cigarette smoking & sudden exposure to cold.

·        It is relieved with rest, Sublingual nitroglycerine or isosorbide dinitrate (stable angina).

·        Unstable angina occurs at any time, even at rest without obvious precipitating factors.

·        Associated symptoms: - Sweating, breathlessness & even circulatory collapse also.

·        “LEVINE’S SIGN” – The patient typically use characteristic hand gestures. Patient may keep his fist clenched or open hand over the pre cordial area.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis is made based on  medical and family histories, risk factors for CHD, a physical exam, and the results from tests and procedures like Baseline electrocardiography (ECG), Exercise ECG – Stress test, Exercise radioisotope test (nuclear stress test, myocardial scintigraphy), Echocardiography (including stress echocardiography), Coronary angiography

Intravascular ultrasound, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

Steps to Ease Sudden Chest Pain

Chest pain can be the result of a variety of reasons, many of which are small and harmless. However, it can cause sudden discomfort. It is possible to reduce or eliminate chest pain without the use of strong medicines.

·     If the chest pain is severe, long-lasting, or much unexpected, call your local emergency number or go to the emergency room. A lot of damage caused by heart attacks can be reduced if the heart attack is caught soon enough.

·     Eat plenty of healthy foods and get in at least thirty to sixty minutes of exercise per day. Avoid too much stress and handle everything in a calm manner. Eat slowly, as swallowing air can cause chest pain.

·     Breathe in and out slowly. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Do this at a steady but comfortable pace.

·     Generally, activities like reading, going on the computer or watching TV while having chest pain don't tend to be relaxing, so avoid them.

·     Drink a mild herbal tea, such as mint or chamomile. It will help soothe you.

·     Lie down and relax. Stop thinking too intensely about anything. You may close your eyes, if it helps and try meditating. Have someone talk to you, but remember that loud sounds can only hurt more.

·     Fresh air can be a natural remedy to many ailments. Go for a simple walk, or just sit down if you feel frail.

·     Have someone give you a strong back massage. The effect can carry on to your pain and reduce it.

·     Don't breathe in too hard or too fast. This will only speed up your heart rate.

·     Lay on your back with your hands above your head. This will open your lungs and get more air in.

Preventive measures for cardiac attacks in day to day life:

·     Restrict sodium intake.

·     Avoid foods high in trans fatty acids and saturated fats.

·     Eat a well-balanced, high-fiber diet based on whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.

·     Eliminate the consumption of refined foods.  

·     Avoid milk, butter, margarine, vegetable shortening, cheese, red meat, and chicken skin. They cause bloodclogging.

·     Blueberries have antioxidant properties. Add them to your morning cereals.

·     Eat fish, especially salmon and mackerel, three times a week.

·     Garlic helps reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol. Take a tiny piece of garlic and crush it with a knife. Swallow with a glass of water.

·     Ginger helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

·     Have a glass of red wine with your meal, at dinner.

·     Lose weight, if you are overweight.

·     Avoid overeating and eating late.

·     Engage in 30 minutes of physical exercise.

·     Stop smoking.

·     Avoid stress. 

Home Management

v If u r alone………

And suddenly get Chest pain………

That radiates to your Left arm up to your jaw…….

Then it may be a heart attack!! 

If No one to help you & the Hospital is so far, then don’t wait……..

Help yourself.

§  Cough repeatedly & vigorously.

§  Take deep breath before every cough.

§  Coughing keeps blood circulation Alive…..

§  Deep Breath gets oxygen to lungs…….

v Lower your chance of Heart diseases by laugh. Laugh as much as u can….

v 1 Glass of water before u sleep will help avoid Stroke or Heart attack at midnight.

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

In Homoeopathy, medicines are highly individualized to the patient and this will help a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which a patient is suffering. The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat chest pain, but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility of the patient. For this patient’s current symptoms, past medical history and family history are taken into account. There are many homoeopathic remedies which cover the symptoms of chest pain and can be selected on the basis of cause, location, sensation, modalities and extension of the pain. For individualized remedy selection and treatment of chest pain, the patient should consult a qualified homeopathic doctor in person. In medical emergencies like myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism, immediate hospitalization is usually required. Some important remedies are given below for the treatment of chest pain:

Indicated Remedies	Indications
Convallaria Majalis	When the ventricles are over distended and dilatation begins and when there is no compensatory hypertrophy and when venous stasis is marked. It is useful for dyspnoea and dropsy with suppression of urine.
Iberis	Cardiac debility after influenza. It controls vascular excitement in hypertrophy with thickening of the heart’s walls. There is a dilatation of the heart.
Lycopus Virginicus	Exophthalmic and toxic goiter causing heart disease. There is also hemoptysis (spitting of blood) due to valvular heart disease. The pulse does not synchronize with the heart (atrial fibrillation). It is also indicated in cardiac asthma.
Strophanthus Hispidus	Drug for exophthalmic goiter. There is anemia with palpitation and breathlessness. It is indicated in mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation where edema and dropsy have supervened. The heart’s action is weak, rapid, and irregular due to muscular debility and insufficiency.
Lithium Carb	Pain in the heart which is worse before and during urination and better after urination.
Myrtus Communis	Stitching pains in the left breast, running through to shoulder blade. There is a burning sensation in the left chest.
Naja Tripudians	Pains extending to the nape of the neck, left shoulder and arm with anxiety and fear of death. When the pathology is prominent and there are plenty of signs as well as symptoms pointing to an organic lesion, the homeopathic medicine will not be able to cure or reverse the disease process, but will help in preventing further progress and let the patient lead a more comfortable life. Certain homeopathic medicines will then be useful in treating hypertension, ischemic heart disease
Baryta Mur	Indicated in arteriosclerosis when a high systolic pressure with a comparatively low diastolic tension is attended by cerebral and cardiac symptoms. There may also be aneurysms of the heart or the aorta. It is useful in pulmonary hypertension and for bronchial affections of old people with cardiac dilatation.
Crataegus	Medicine that acts on the myocardium and is also useful for myocarditis. The heart is dilated and the first sound is weak. It is known to have a solvent power upon calcareous deposits in the arteries.
Aurum metallicum	treats myocardial weakness. The chest pain is aggravated at night. A sensation as if the heartbeat will cease.
Digitalis	treats cardiac muscle failure. There is a slow pulse, a tight heart, palpitation, the sensation as if suffocating, and all symptoms are aggravated sleeping on left side.
Spigelia	relieves violent cardiac palpitations with shooting pain in the breast area. An inability to sleep, worse sleeping on the left side.