ATAXIA AND HOMEOPATHY

ATAXIA

Ataxia describes lack of muscle control or coordination of voluntary movements, such as walking or pricking up objects. A sign of an underlying condition, ataxia can affect various movements and create difficulties with speech, eye movement and swallowing.

HOMEOPATHY

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When ataxia is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy, but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

EARLY STAGE

ARGENTUM NITRICUM

Argentum nitricum is a great remedy for inco-ordination of muscles. Unable to stand in the dark or with eyes closed. Walks and stands unsteadily, especially when unobserved.??Legs weak and calves feel bruised. The legs feel as if they were made of wood or padded. Trembling of limbs. Loss of papillary reflexes, and perhaps incontinence of urine. Useful in the early stages.

PLUMBUM METALLICUM

Paralysis with atrophy, loss of co-ordination of muscles, anaesthesia, and impotence. Sharp, piercing pains, worse at night, sometimes so severe as to make the patient cry out. Pains in muscles of thighs, come in paroxysms. Loss of patellar reflex.

BELLADONNA

In first stage of the disease Belladonna is indicated. Inco-ordination of the upper and lower extremities. The patient raises the foot slowly and puts it down with great force. When walking he raises his legs as if he had to pass over an obstacle. Sharp pains, which are lightening like.??Pain appears suddenly and disappear suddenly. Diplopia, amaurosis, trembling of limbs, and tottering gait is also found. Belladonna is also a useful remedy in the last stage of the disease, when gastric crises are present.

NUX VOMICA

A useful remedy in the first stage of ataxia. Drags feet while walking. Sensation of sudden loss of power of arms and legs in the morning. Legs numb, feel paralysed, cramps in calves and soles. Ataxia in alcoholics.

ZINCUM METALLICUM

?Zincum is also??a remedy effective at the beginning. Stumbling, spastic, gait totters while walking, especially in the dark and with closed eyes. Lightning –like pain of locomotor ataxia, sweaty feet with sore toes. Formication of feet and legs as of insects crawling over the skin, prevent sleep, better rubbing and pressure. Twitchings??and the whole body jerks during sleep.

ADVANCED STAGES

ALUMINA

Staggers on walking. Legs feel numb, especially when sitting cross legged.??Heaviness of legs, can scarcely lift them. Heels feel numb when stepping. Soles tender, on stepping, feel soft and swollen. Impairment of coordination.??Inability to walk, expect with eyes open and in the day time. Sensation as if ants were crawling on his legs, extremities go to sleep. Pain in the back, as if hot iron were thrust through the vertebrae. Lightning-like pains shooting to and fro in the back and abdomen. Sensation as if a cobweb were on the face, or as if the white of egg had dried on it –a prominent symptom of Alumina. Constipation due to paralysis of rectum. Ptosis and diplopia due paralysis of ciliary muscles. The esophagus feel contracted, food cannot pass. Feels as if splinter or plug were in throat. Throat is sore and dry.

CAUSTICUM

Unsteady walk and easily falling. Falling sideways or forward. Unsteady staggering gait.??Contraction in the instep, with tensive pain when stepping.??Paralytic feeling of tongue.

GELSEMIUM SEMPERVIRENS

Dullness, dizziness and drowsiness are the characteristic symptoms of Gelsemium . Lack of muscular co-ordination. Muscles refuse to obey the wills. Complete relaxation and prostration of the whole muscular system with mortor paralysis. Unsteady gait. Fatigue after slight exercise. Pain in sole of foot when walking. Excessive trembling and weakness of limbs.??Spasmodic contraction of toes.

HELODERMA---Staggering gait. Cock’s gait. When walking, lifts feet higher than usual and puts down heel hard. Feet cold as ice or burn. Sensation as if walking on sponge and as if feet were swollen. Numbness and trembling.

LATHYRUS SATIVUS

Heels do not touch the ground when walking. Gluteal muscles??and muscles of lower limbs are emaciated. Feet are dragged or put down suddenly and forcibly while walking. While luing down legs can be moved from side to side, but cannot be lifted. This remedy is effective in advanced conditions.

PHOSPHORUS

Phosphorus is indicated when eye complaints are associated with ataxia. Atrophy of the optic nerve, with flushes of light. Dim vision, blurred vision and diplopia. Great nervous prostration. Trembling of hands while writing. Sharp pains in different parts of the body. Burning along the spine and in the extremities with formication.

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