HOMOEOPATHY FOR STROKE

A stroke is caused by the interruption of the blood supply to the brain , usually because a blood vessel bursts or is blocked by a clot. This cuts off the supply of oxygen and nutrients , causing damage to the brain tissue.

When this happens , the brain does not get enough oxygen or nutrients , and the brain cells start to die.

TYPES—There are three main types of stroke-

Ischemic stroke—This is the most common type of stroke. A blood clot prevents blood and oxygen from reaching the brain.

Hemorrhagic stroke—This occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures and normally occur as a result of aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations

Transient ischemic attacks—This occurs after blood flow fails to reach part of the brain. Normal blood flow resumes after a short amount of time, and symptoms cease .

Causes

Ischemic stroke—This type of stroke is followed by blockages or narrowing of the arteries that provide to the brain, resulting in ischemia. Ischemia is severely reduced blood flow that damages brain cells.

These blockages are often caused by blood clots, which can form in the brain arteries. They can occur in other blood vessels in the body before being swept through the bloodstream and into narrower arteries in the brain.

Fatty deposits within the arteries called plaque can cause clots that result in ischemia.

Hemorrhagic stroke—Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by arteries in the brain either leaking blood or bursting open.

Leaked blood puts pressure on brain cells and damages them. It also reduces the blood supply that can reach the brain tissue after the hemorrhage. Blood vessels can burst and spill blood into the brain or near the surface of the brain, sending blood into the space between the brain and the skull.

The rupture can be caused by conditions including hypertension , trauma, blood thinning medications and aneurysms.

Intracerebral hemorrhage is the most common type of hemorrhagic stroke and occurs when brain tissue becomes flooded with blood after an artery in the brain bursts.

Transient ischemic attack—TIAs are different from the types above because the flow of blood to the brain is only briefly interrupted. TIAs are similar to ischemic strokes in that they are often caused by blood clots or other clots.

They should be regarded as medical emergencies , even if the blockage of the artery and its symptoms are temporary. They serve as warning signs for future strokes and indicate that there is a partially blocked artery or clot source in the heart.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a stroke often appear without warning. The main symptoms of stroke are-

·        Confusion , including trouble with speaking and understanding

·        A headache , possibly with altered consciousness or vomiting

·        Numbness or inability to move parts of the face, arm, or leg, particularly on one side of the body.

·        Vision problems in one or both eyes

·        Trouble walking , including dizziness and lack of co –ordination

Strokes can lead to long term health problems. Depending upon how quickly it is diagnosed and treated , an individual can experience temporary or permanent disabilities in the aftermath of a stroke.

 In addition to the persistence of the problems listed above , people may also experience the following.

·        Bladder or bowel control problems

·        Depression

·        Pain in the hands and feet that gets worse with movement and temperature changes

·        Paralysis or weakness on one or both sides of the body

·        Trouble controlling or expressing emotions

Symptoms vary and may range in severity

The acronym F.A.S.T. is a way to remember the signs of stroke, and can identify the onset of stroke

Face dropping—If the person tries to smile, does one side of the face droop ?

Arm weakness—If the person tries to raise both their arms, does one arm drift downward ?

Speech difficulty—If the person tries to repeat a simple phrase , is their speech slurred or strange ?

Risk factors

Many factors can increase stroke risk. Potentially treatable stroke factors include—

Lifestyle risk factors

·        Being overweight or obese

·        Physical inactivity

·        Heavy or binge drinking

·        Use of illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines

Medical risk factors

·        Blood pressure reading higher than 120/80 mm Hg

·        Cigarette smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke

·        High cholesterol

·        Diabetes

·        Obstructive sleep apnea

·        Cardiovascular disease including heart failure, heart defects, heart infection or abnormal heart rhythum

·        Personal or family history of stroke, heart attack or transient ischemic attack

Other factors associated with a higher risk of stroke include-

·        Age—People age 55 with or older have a higher risk of stroke than do younger people

·        Race—African-Americans have a higher risk of stroke than do people of other races

·        Sex—Men have a higher risk of stroke than women. Women are usually older when they have strokes, and they are more likely to die of strokes than are men.

·        Hormones—Use of birth control pills or hormone therapies that include estrogen, as well as increased estrogen levels from pregnancy and childbirth.

Investigations

Vascular lesion

CT / MRI

Ischemic / hemorrhagic

CT

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

CT , Lumbar puncture

Underlying vascular disease

ECG, Cardiac ultrasound, MRA, Doppler ultrasound , Contrast angiography

Risk factors

Blood count, Cholesterol, Clotting / thrombophilia screen, Blood glucose

Complications

A stroke can sometimes cause temporary or permanent disabilities, depending on how long the brain lacks blood flow and which part was affected. Complications may include-

Paralysis or loss of muscle movement—Paralysis on one side of the body or lose control of certain muscles, such as those on one side of face or one arm. Along with medicines physical therapy may help return to activities affected by paralysis , such as walking , eating and dressing.

Difficulty talking or swallowing-A stroke might affect control of the muscles in mouth and throat , making it difficult for to talk clearly, swallow or eat. Also difficulty with languages, including speaking or understanding speech, reading , or writing. Along with medicines speech therapy may help

Memory loss or thinking difficulties—Many people who have had strokes experience some memory loss. Others may have difficulty thinking , making judgments, reasoning and understanding concepts.

Emotional problems—People who have had strokes may have more difficulty controlling emotions , or they may develop depression.

Pain-Pain , numbness or other strange sensations may occur in the parts of the body affected by stroke. People also may be sensitive to temperature changes, especially extreme cold, after a stroke. This complication is known as central stroke pain or central pain syndrome. This condition generally develops several weeks after a stroke, and it may improve over time.

Changes in behavior and self –care ability—People who have had strokes may become more withdrawn and less social or more impulsive. They may need help with grooming daily chores.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

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 cerebral stroke 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.

ACONITUM NAPELLUS 3X—Aconite is considered in the initial stage, when the hemorrahage has just happened. It may be due to emotional shock or fright. The person feel restlessness and tossing about. There is great anxiety of mind and body. Face becomes red. Congestive headaches. Hot heavy and bursting sensation in the head. The pulse is fast,  full, hard, tense and bounding. Palpitation with anxiety. Hot hands and cold feet. Numbness and tingling in hands and feet, especially left arm. Dry, burning mouth with numbness and tingling . Vertigo, worse on rising.

OPIUM 1000—Opium is indicated where the person becomes collapsed , jaws dropped, pupils dilated, hot sweat and one sided paralysis. There is coma with dusky red face and oppressed breathing. Slow and labored pulse.

NUX VOMICA 30—Nux vomica is suitable to persons who have indulged in wines and liquors. Also occur after heavy meal. It is best adapted to persons of bilious, sanguine, or nervous and irritable temperament. Threatened brain hemorrhage with giddiness, headache, and fullness of head.  It is used as a complementary medicine to Opium for completing the cure.

LAUROCERASUS 30—Laurocerasus is prescribed where the stroke occurring suddenly without warning, with palpitation, cold moist skin and convulsions of the facial muscles. Sudden cough, suffocation and loss of speech.

PITUITRINUM 3X—Pituitrinum is affective for arresting the hemorrhage. It also helps absorption of blood clots.

ARNICA MONTANA 30---Arnica is indicated in the hemorrhagic stage. Tendency to hemorrhage and low fever. There is deathly coldness of forearm. Complaints due to injury.

BEALLADONNA 1000—Belladonna is prescribed with severe headache with congestion in the head , face hot and flushed. Eyes are wide and staring.Throbbing and hammering nature of headache, especially in temples , which is worse from motion, light, noise and lying down, better from laying the hand on head and bending head backwards. Eyes are dilated and staring. Throbbing pain deep in eyes. Pulse full and rapid.

CROTALUS HORRIDUS 30—Crotalis horridus is best for paralysis from stroke , especially right side. Lower limbs go to sleep easily. Hands tremble, swollen. Cannot keep legs still. The patient is loquacious with desire to escape.Muttering , mumbles, jumbles, and stumbles over his words, tremens. They are agitated, irritable and cross.

CAUSTICUM 200—Causticum is effective for paralysis after stroke. Paralysis of single parts. It is indicated for paralysis of the muscles of speech, paralysis of the bladder, rectum and extremities. Numbness of the hands and feet. Right sided paralysis.

BARYTA CARBONICUM 30---Baryta carb is effective for stroke symptoms, especially in elderly. It is indicated for both physical and mental weakness and fatigue following a stroke. There is a sensation as if the brain is loose. The person experiences senile dementia with increasing weakness and difficulty in concentrating. Shy towards strangers , childish in behavior. Baryta carb person have a tendency to catch cold easily. They experience burning pain in many parts. Tendency to for aneurysms, blood vessels are soften and degenerate, so rupture easily.

GELSEMIUM SEMPERVENSIS 30—Gelsemium is indicated for stroke symptoms with numbness, weakness  and trembling with   lost the ability to speak. The person experiences dullness, dizziness and drowsiness. There is paralysis of various groups of  muscles of the eye, esophagus, bladder , rectum etc. Deep seated pain in muscles of back, hips and lower extremities. Lack of muscular co ordination. Muscles cannot obey the will.

LACHESIS 200—Lachesis is prescribed with giddiness with congestion. Pain deep in the brain , especially left side. Paralysis , especially left side. Speech is very slow.  They are talkative, suffer from hot flushes and high blood pressure. They cannot tolerate anything tight anywhere. Sensation of constriction , especially in the throat, abdomen and head.

SULFONAL 30—Sulfonal is prescribed for post stroke symptoms , especially for ataxic movements, staggering gait. Legs weak, cold, trembling, seems too heavy. Stiffness and paralysis of both legs. Mood changes like alternation happy, hopeful states with depression and weakness.

ALLIUM SATIVA Q—Allium sativa is an effective cardiac tonic, it makes the blood thin, improve circulation and cardiac disease . Useful for hypertension and high level of fat in blood. It is considered as a preventive for stroke

GINKO BILOBA Q-Ginko biloba is another remedy for the prevention of stroke. This medicine improve the brain blood circulation and corrects memory loss due to poor blood flow. It is considered a good blood thinner.

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