Anxiety

What is Anxiety? Anxiety Symptoms and Causes

Anxiety is a general term for several disorders that cause nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worrying. These disorders affect how we feel and behave, and they can manifest real physical symptoms. Mild anxiety is vague and unsettling, while severe anxiety can be extremely debilitating, having a serious impact on daily life.
People often experience a general state of worry or fear before confronting something challenging such as a test, examination, recital, or interview. These feelings are easily justified and considered normal. Anxiety is considered a problem when symptoms interfere with a person's ability to sleep or otherwise function. Generally speaking, anxiety occurs when a reaction is out of proportion with what might be normally expected in a situation.
Anxiety disorders can be classified into several more specific types. The most common are briefly described below.

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What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic disorder characterized by excessive, long-lasting anxiety and worry about nonspecific life events, objects, and situations. GAD sufferers often feel afraid and worry about health, money, family, work, or school, but they have trouble both identifying the specific fear and controlling the worries. Their fear is usually unrealistic or out of proportion with what may be expected in their situation. Sufferers expect failure and disaster to the point that it interferes with daily functions like work, school, social activities, and relationships.
A short video discussing generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). (video by healthyplace)

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What is Panic Disorder?

Panic Disorder is a type of anxiety characterized by brief or sudden attacks of intense terror and apprehension that leads to shaking, confusion, dizziness, nausea, and difficulty breathing. Panic attacks tend to arise abruptly and peak after 10 minutes, but they then may last for hours. Panic disorders usually occur after frightening experiences or prolonged stress, but they can be spontaneous as well. A panic attack may lead an individual to be acutely aware of any change in normal body function, interpreting it as a life threatening illness - hypervigiliance followed by hypochondriasis. In addition, panic attacks lead a sufferer to expect future attacks, which may cause drastic behavioral changes in order to avoid these attacks.
A short video discussing panic disorder. (video by NHSChoices)

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What is a Phobia?

A Phobia is an irrational fear and avoidance of an object or situation. Phobias are different from generalized anxiety disorders because a phobia has a fear response identified with a specific cause. The fear may be acknowledged as irrational or unnecessary, but the person is still unable to control the anxiety that results. Stimuli for phobia may be as varied as situations, animals, or everyday objects. For example, agoraphobia occurs when one avoids a place or situation to avoid an anxiety or panic attack. Agoraphobics will situate themselves so that escape will not be difficult or embarrassing, and they will change their behavior to reduce anxiety about being able to escape.
A video discussing phobias. (video by wbal)

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What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social Anxiety Disorder is a type of social phobia characterized by a fear of being negatively judged by others or a fear of public embarrassment due to impulsive actions. This includes feelings such as stage fright, a fear of intimacy, and a fear of humiliation. This disorder can cause people to avoid public situations and human contact to the point that normal life is rendered impossible.
A 28 minute video discussing social anxiety disorder with leading expert, Dr. Murray Stein. (video by uctelevision)

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What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by thoughts or actions that are repetitive, distressing, and intrusive. OCD suffers usually know that their compulsions are unreasonable or irrational, but they serve to alleviate their anxiety. Often, the logic of someone with OCD will appear superstitious, such as an insistence in walking in a certain pattern. OCD sufferers may obsessively clean personal items or hands or constantly check locks, stoves, or light switches.
A 4 minute video discussing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). (video by koritzls)

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What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is anxiety that results from previous trauma such as military combat, rape, hostage situations, or a serious accident. PTSD often leads to flashbacks and behavioral changes in order to avoid certain stimuli.
A 28 minute video discussing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (video by uctelevision)

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What is Separation Anxiety Disorder?

Separation Anxiety Disorder is characterized by high levels of anxiety when separated from a person or place that provides feelings of security or safety. Sometimes separation results in panic, and it is considered a disorder when the response is excessive or inappropriate.
A short video of a toddler demonstrating separation anxiety. (video by jenningh)

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What are common symptoms of anxiety?

People with anxiety disorders present a variety of physical symptoms in addition to non-physical symptoms that characterize the disorders such as excessive, unrealistic worrying.  Many of these symptoms are similar to those exhibited by a person suffering general illness, heart attack, or stroke, and this tends to further increase anxiety. The following is a list of physical symptoms associated with GAD:

• Trembling
• Churning stomach
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Backache
• Heart palpitations
• Numbness or "pins and needles" in arms, hands or legs
• Sweating/flushing
• Restlessness
• Easily tired
• Trouble concentrating
• Irritability
• Muscle tension
• Frequent urination
• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Being easily startled

Those suffering from panic disorders may experience similar physical symptoms to those with GAD. They also may experience chest pains, a sense of choking, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
Post-traumatic stress disorders have a range of symptoms that are unique to this form of anxiety. Frequent symptomatic behaviors include:

• Flashbacks or nightmares of re-experiencing the trauma
• Avoidance of people, places, and things that are associated with the original event
• Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
• Closely watching surroundings (hypervigilance)
• Irritability and diminished feelings or aspirations for the future

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What Causes Anxiety?

Anxiety disorders may be caused by environmental factors, medical factors, genetics, brain chemistry, substance abuse, or a combination of these. It is most commonly triggered by the stress in our lives. Usually anxiety is a response to outside forces, but it is possible that we make ourselves anxious with "negative self-talk" - a habit of always telling ourselves the worst will happen.

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Environmental and external factors

Environmental factors that are known to cause several types of anxiety include:

• Trauma from events such as abuse, victimization, or the death of a loved one
• Stress in a personal relationship, marriage, friendship, and divorce
• Stress at work
• Stress from school
• Stress about finances and money
• Stress from a natural disaster
• Lack of oxygen in high altitude areas

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Medical factors

Anxiety is associated with medical factors such as anemia, asthma, infections, and several heart conditions. Some medically-related causes of anxiety include:

• Stress from a serious medical illness
• Side effects of medication
• Symptoms of a medical illness
• Lack of oxygen from emphysema, or pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lung)

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Substance use and abuse

It is estimated that about half of patients who utilize mental health services for anxiety disorders such as GAD, panic disorder, or social phobia are doing so because of alcohol or benzodiazepine dependence. More generally, anxiety is also know to result from:

• Intoxication from an illicit drug, such as cocaine or amphetamines
• Withdrawal from an illicit drug, such as heroin, or from prescription drugs like Vicodin, benzodiazepines, or barbiturates

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Genetics

It has been suggested by some researchers that a family history of anxiety increases the likelihood that a person will develop it. That is, some people may have a genetic predisposition that gives them a greater chance of suffering from anxiety disorders.

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Brain chemistry

Research has shown that people with abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain are more likely to suffer from generalized anxiety disorder. When neurotransmitters are not working properly, the brain's internal communication network breaks down, and the brain may react in an inappropriate way in some situations. This can lead to anxiety.

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How is anxiety diagnosed?

A psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or other mental-health professional is usually enlisted to diagnose anxiety and identify the causes of it. The physician will take a careful medical and personal history, perform a physical examination, and order laboratory tests as needed. There is no one laboratory test that can be used to diagnose anxiety, but tests may provide useful information about a medical condition that may be causing physical illness or other anxiety symptoms.
To be diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), a person must:

• Excessively worry and be anxious about several different events or activities on more days than not for at least six months
• Find it difficult to control the worrying
• Have at least three of the following six symptoms associated with the anxiety on more days than not in the last six months: restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating

Generally, to be diagnosed with GAD, symptoms must be present more often than not for six months and they must interfere with daily living, causing the sufferer to miss work or school.
If the focus of the anxiety and worry is confined to a particular anxiety disorder, GAD will not be the diagnosis. For example, a physician may diagnose panic disorder if the anxiety is focused on worrying about having a panic attack, social phobia if worrying about being embarrassed in public, separation anxiety disorder if worrying about being away from home or relatives, anorexia nervosa if worrying about gaining weight, or hypochondriasis if worrying about having a serious illness.
Patients with anxiety disorder often present symptoms similar to clinical depression and vice-versa. It is rare for a patient to exhibit symptoms of only one of these.

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How is anxiety treated?

Anxiety can be treated medically, with psychological counseling, or independently. Ultimately, the treatment path depends on the cause of the anxiety and the patient's preferences. Often treatments will consist of a combination of psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and medications.
Sometimes alcoholism, depression, or other coexisting conditions have such a strong effect on the individual that treating the anxiety disorder must wait until the coexisting conditions are brought under control.

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Self treatment

In some cases, anxiety may be treated at home, without a doctor's supervision. However, this may be limited to situations in which the duration of the anxiety is short and the cause is identified and can be eliminated or avoided. There are several exercises and actions that are recommended to cope with this type of anxiety:

• Learn to manage stress in your life. Keep an eye on pressures and deadlines, and commit to taking time away from study or work.
• Learn a variety of relaxation techniques. Information about physical relaxation methods and meditation techniques can be found in book stores and health food shops.
• Practice deep abdominal breathing. This consists of breathing in deeply and slowly through your nose, taking the air right down to your abdomen, and then breathing out slowly and gently through your mouth. Breathing deeply for too long may lead to dizziness from the extra oxygen.
• Learn to replace "negative self talk" with "coping self talk." Make a list of the negative thoughts you have, and write a list of positive, believable thoughts to replace them. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
• Picture yourself successfully facing and conquering a specific fear.
• Talk with a person who is supportive.
• Meditate.
• Exercise.
• Take a long, warm bath.
• Rest in a dark room.

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Counseling

A standard method of treating anxiety is with psychological counseling. This can include cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, or a combination of therapies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to recognize and change the patient's thinking patterns that are associated with the anxiety and troublesome feelings. This type of therapy has two main parts: a cognitive part designed to limit distorted thinking and a behavioral part designed to change the way people react to the objects or situations that trigger anxiety.
For example, a patient undergoing cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder might work on learning that panic attacks are not really heart attacks. Those receiving this treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder for cleanliness may work with a therapist to get their hands dirty and wait increasingly longer amounts of time before washing them. Post-traumatic stress disorder sufferers will work with a therapist to recall the traumatic event in a safe situation to alleviate the fear it produces. Exposure-based therapies such as CBT essentially have people confront their fears and try to help them become desensitized to anxiety-triggering situations
Psychotherapy is another type of counseling treatment for anxiety disorders. It consists of talking with a trained mental health professional, psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or other counselor. Sessions may be used to explore the causes of anxiety and possible ways to cope with symptoms.

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Medicine

Medical treatments for anxiety utilize several types of drugs. If the cause of the anxiety is a physical ailment, treatment will be designed to eliminate the particular ailment. This might involve surgery or other

Ganglion / Ganglion Cyst in Wrist

 ganglion cyst is a swelling that often appears on or around joints and tendons in the hand or foot. The size of the cyst can vary over time. It is most frequently located around the wrist and on the fingers.

Ganglion cysts arise from the capsule of a joint or the sheath of a tendon. They can be found at different places on the wrist. Aganglion cyst that grows on the top of the wrist is called a dorsal ganglion. Others are found on the underside of the wrist between the thumb and your pulse point, at the end joint of a finger, or at the base of a finger. Most of the time, these are harmless and will often disappear in time.

ETIOLOGY of Ganglion

• Exact cause is not known.
• May be benign tumour of tendon sheath.
• Excessive use of joint.

CLINICAL FEATURES of Ganglion Cyst

Symptoms

• Onset: insidious.
• Cystic swelling gradually appearing at back of wrist.
• Swelling causes mild discomfort during wrist movement.
• Other less common sites are- palm & dorsum of hand.

Signs

On palpitation
• Cystic swelling.
• Tense.
• Non-tender.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT of Ganglion

• Reassurance.
• Immobilization of joint.

Homeopathic Treatment for Ganglion Cyst

Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions. The medicines given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the treatment of this condition. The symptoms listed against each medicine may not be directly related to this disease because in homeopathy general symptoms and constitutional indications are also taken into account for selecting a remedy. To study any of the following remedies in more detail, please visit our Materia Medica section. None of these medicines should be taken without professional advice.

Homeopathic Remedies

Carbo veg.

Pulling and acute drawing pains in the forearms, the wrists, and the fingers. Relaxation of the muscles of the arms and of the hands, on laughing. Tension in the joints of the hand, as if they were too short. Cramp-like contraction of the hands.
Heat of the hands, burning in the hands. Icy-cold hands. The tips of the fingers are covered with cold sweat. Paralytic weakness of the wrists and of the fingers, especially on grasping an object. Fine granulated, and itching eruption on the hands. Extremities of the fingers become ulcerated.
Cachectic persons whose vitality has become weakened or exhausted. Persons who have never fully recovered from the exhausting effects of some previous illness. Weakness of memory and slowness of thought.

Causticum

Pains in the arms at night. Drawing pains and acute pulling, in the arms and hands. Convulsive movements and shocks in the arms. Itching and eruptions on the arms. Warts on the arms. Shooting pains in the front part of the arms, from the fingers to the elbow. Paralytic feeling in the right hand. Sensation of Fulness in the hands, on grasping an object. Tearing in right wrist-joint. Drawing pains in the hands, and the joints of the fingers. Spasmodic weakness and trembling of the hands. Paleness and painful torpor of the fingers. Tension of the posterior joints of the fingers when bending them. Contraction and induration of the tendons of the fingers. Itching tetters on the fingers.
Adapted to persons with dark hair and rigid fibre; weakly, psoric, with excessively yellow, sallow complexion; subject to affections of respiratory and urinary tracts.

Phos.

Stiffness in morning on washing, with pressure. Rheumatic tearing (and lancinating pains) in shoulders, arms, and hands (particularly in joints), especially at night. Burning pain in palms of hands and arms, clammy perspiration in palms and on head. Burning pain in hands and arms. Numbness of arms and hands.

Adapted to tall slender persons of sanguine temperament, fair skin, eyelashes, fine blond, or red hair, quick perceptions, and very sensitive nature. 

Ruta

Paralytic stiffness of wrist. Wrenching pain or shootings in wrists. Sensation as from a sprain and stiffness in wrist. Bones of wrist and back of hand painful as if bruised when at rest and when moving. Pain in wrist (as from a sprain) on lifting a weight. Numbness and tingling in hands after exertion. Spasmodic contraction of fingers. Swollen veins on hands, after eating.
Ruta suited to Scrofulous exostosis; bruises and other mechanical injuries of bones and periosteum; sprains; periostitis; erysipelas; fractures, and especially dislocations. Bruised lame sensation all over, as after a fall or blow; worse in limbs and joints. All parts of the body upon which he lies are painful, as if bruised. Restless, turns and changes position frequently when lying.

Silicea

Ganglion on wrist. Gnawing, purulent vesicles, with burning in fingers. Tearing, drawing, sticking pain and numbness in fingers, as if suppurating, or as if a panaritium would form. Numb feelings of a finger, as though it were enlarged and the bone swollen. Pain as from a splinter in flexor surface of one finger. Panaritium, especially with vegetations, cries and insupportable pains day and night.- Drawings and tearings in arms, hands and fingers. Heaviness and paralytic weakness of arms, which tremble on least exertion. Numbness of the (fore-) arms when patient is lying upon them or leaning the elbows on a table. Throbbing and jerking of muscles of arm. Paralytic weakness of the forearm, everything is dropped from the hands. 

Sulphur

Sprained pain and stiffness in wrist, worse in morning. Ganglion.  Swelling of hands and thumbs. Rigidity and wrenching pain in joints of hands and fingers. Trembling of hands, especially when occupied with fine work. Involuntary contraction of hands, as if about to grasp something. Coldness in hands and fingers. Great burning in palms. Perspiration on hands (in the palms) and between the fingers. Desquamation, hardness, dryness, and cracking of skin of hands. Itching vesicles on backs of hands. Cracking and chapping on finger-joints. Burning in balls and tips of fingers. Cramps and jerks in fingers. Contraction of tendons of hands and fingers.

Ankylosing spondylitis

                            Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is one of the many types of arthritis. “Ankylosing” means joining together or stiffening; “spondylitis” means inflammation of the vertebral bones of the spine. Inflammation of the bones in AS can lead to degeneration, pain, and loss of joint motion. AS typically affects the spine but can been seen in other areas, especially the hips. Ankylosing spondylitis can range from a mild to more severe disease in patients. Ankylosing spondylitisis approximately three times more common in males than females. It is usually diagnosed in young adults, with a peak onset between 20 and 30 years of age. Children may also be affected by a form of AS termed “juvenile ankylosing spondylitis”, seen in children younger than 16 years of age. There is evidence suggesting a strong genetic component in the development of the disease.

AS is a type of arthritis of the spine. It causes swelling between vertebrae, which are the disks that make up your spine, and in the joints between spine and pelvis. Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease. This means immune system, which normally protects body from infection, attacks body’s own tissues. The disease is more common and more severe in men. It often runs in families.

Early symptoms include back pain and stiffness. These problems often start in late adolescence or early adulthood. Over time, ankylosing spondylitis can fuse vertebrae together, limiting movement.

ETIOLOGY of Ankylosing Spondylitis

• Exact cause is unknown.
• Evidence points to autoimmune etiology.
• Positive family history.

CLINICAL FEATURES of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Prodorme

• Malaise.
• Tiredness.
• Anorexia.

Symptoms

• Onset: insidious.
• Pain in back, buttocks.
• Morning stiffness, better with activity.
• Weight loss.
• Fatigue.
• No movement possible.
• Gradual involvement of:

1. Whole vertebral column.
2. Hips.

Signs

• Tenderness at sacro-iliac joint.
• Cervical, thoracic spines become tender.
• Restricted movement.
• Patient cannot erect spine.
• Sits, walks with flexed spine.
• Chest expansion diminished.
• Complete rigidity of spine & involved joints.
• Kyphosis (curve in spine).

COMPLICATIONS of Ankylosing Spondylitis

• Aortic incompetence (calcification of valve).
• Recurrent chest infection.
• Atlanto-axial subluxation.

INVESTIGATIONS FOR ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

Blood

• Hb% : low.
• ESR: raised.
• HLA-B-27: positive.
• CRP: raised.
• Rheumatoid factor: negative.
• ANA: negative.

X-Ray sacro-iliac joints

Early

• Narrowing of joint space.
• Haziness of joint margins.
• Marginal erosions.
• Marginal sclerosis.

Late

• New bone formation.
• Bridging of joint cavity.

X-Ray vertebral column

• Ossification of spinal, para-spinal ligaments.
• Squaring of vertebrae.
• Ossification of intervertebral discs.
• Bamboo spine (fusion of entire vertebral column).

GENERAL MANAGEMENT for Ankylosing Spondylitis

• Before ankylosis takes place:

1. Provide straight back chair for sitting.
2. Firm bed with one pillow at night.

• Encourage swimming.
• Extension exercises.
• Encourage lying in prone position.
• Stop smoking.

Homeopathic Treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis

Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions. The medicines given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the treatment of this condition. The symptoms listed against each medicine may not be directly related to this disease because in homeopathy general symptoms and constitutional indications are also taken into account for selecting a remedy. To study any of the following remedies in more detail, please visit our Materia Medica section. None of these medicines should be taken without professional advice.

Homeopathic Remedies

Calc carb.

Pain as if sprained; can scarcely rise; from overlifting. Pain between shoulder-blades, impeding breathing. Rheumatism in lumbar region; weakness in small of back. Curvature of dorsal vertebrae. Nape of neck stiff and rigid.

Calc carb suits to person with Leucophlegmatic constitution, blond hair, light complexion, blue eyes, fair skin; tendency to obesity in youth. Psoric constitutions; pale, weak, timid, easily tired when walking. Disposed to grow fat, corpulent, unwieldy. Children with red face, flabby muscles, who sweat easily and take cold readily in consequence. Large heads and abdomens; fontanelles and sutures open; bones soft, develop very slowly. Curvature of bones, especially spine and long bones; extremities crooked, deformed; bones irregularly developed. Head sweats profusely while sleeping.

Calc phos.

Rheumatic pain and stiffness of neck with dulness of head, from slight drought of air. Cramp-like pain in neck first one side then the other (right to left). Throbbing or jerking pains below scapula. Violent pain in region of back when making the least effort. Backache and uterine pains. Sharp pains in sacrum and coccyx. Soreness as if separate in sacro-illiac synchondrosis. Curvature of the spine to the left, lumbar vertebrae bend to the left, spina bifida. Soreness in sacro-iliac symphysis, as if broken.

Calc phos suits to person with anaemic and dark complexion, dark hair and eyes; thin spare subjects, instead of fat.

Phos acid.

Tension and cramp-like drawing in muscles of neck, especially on moving head. Miliaria on neck. Boring pain between scapulae. Spondylitis of cervical vertebrae. Eruption, painful to touch, on back, shoulder-blades, neck, and chest. Burning pain in a spot above small of back. Itching stitch in coccyx, fine stitches in coccyx and sternum. Crawling (formication) tingling in back and loins.

Phos acid best suited to persons of originally strong constitutions, who have become debilitated by loss of vital fluids.

Phosphorus.

Rigidity of nape of neck. Pressure on shoulders. Swelling of neck. Engorgement of axillary glands and of those of nape of neck and of neck. Paralysed sensation in upper sacrum and lower lumbar vertebrae. Contusive pain in loins and back (as if back were broken), especially after having been seated a long time, hindering walking, rising up, or making the least movement. Pain in small of the back when rising from a stooping position. Sensitiveness of spinous processes of dorsal vertebrae to pressure. Softening of spine. Heat or burning in back, between scapula. Tearings and stitches in and beneath both scapula. Pain in coccyx impeding easy motion, can find no comfortable position, followed by painful stiffness of nape. Coccyx painful to touch as from an ulcer. Transient pain from coccyx though spine to vertex that drew head back during the stool. Backache and palpitations prevail.

Phos best adapted to tall slender persons of sanguine temperament, fair skin, eyelashes, fine blond, or red hair, quick perceptions, and very sensitive nature. Young people who grow too rapidly are inclined to stoop who are chlorotic or anaemic; old people, with morning diarrhoea. Nervous, weak; desires to be magnetized Oversensitiveness of all the senses to external impressions, light, noise, odors, touch. Restless, fidgety; moves continually, cannot sit or stand still a moment Burning: in spots along the spine; between the scapulae; or intense heat running up the back;of palms of hands in chest and lungs; of every organ or tissue of the body generally in diseases of nervous system. Haemorrhage diathesis; small wounds bleed profusely.

Silicea.

Stiffness of nape, with headache. Swelling of glands of nape, in the neck, and under the axillae (with suppuration), sometimes with induration. Suppuration of axillary glands. Caries of clavicle.Stitches between the hips.Coccyx painful, as after a long carriage ride.- Stinging in os coccyges on rising, painful to pressure. -Scabby elevation on coccyx, above fissure of nates.- Pain in the loins, which prevents rising up, and forces patient to remain lying down.- Inflammatory abscess in lumbar region (on the psoas muscle).- Weakness and paralytic stiffness in back, loins, and nape.- Tearings and shootings in the back.- Shootings in the loins, when seated or lying down.-Burning in back when walking in open air and becoming warm.- Aching, shooting, burning, and throbbing in lumbo-sacral region.- Swelling and distortion of spine (curvature of the vertebrae).-Contusive pain between the shoulder-blades.

Silicea best adapted to the nervous, irritable, sanguine temperament; persons of a psoric diathesis. Persons of light complexion; fine dry skin; pale face; weakly, with lax muscles. Constitutions which suffer from deficient nutrition, not because food is lacking in quality or quantity, but from imperfect assimilation. Oversensitive, physically and mentally. Scrofulous, rachitic children with large heads; open fontanelles and sutures; much sweating about the head.

Sulphur.

Stiffness of neck, in nape, with paralytic, sprained pain. Child cannot hold head up neck muscles so weak. Tetters on nape. Swelling and inflammation of glands of nape and of neck.Swelling and suppuration of axillary glands. Cracking in vertebrae of neck, especially on bending backwards. Weakness and wrenching pains, or pain as from a bruise in loins, coccyx, and in back, especially on walking, or rising from a seat. Gnawing pain in small of back. Pain in small of back not permitting one to stand erect. Finds himself at night lying on back. Cannot lie on back on account of rush of blood to head. Pain in back after manual labour. Shootings in loins, back, and shoulder-blades, sometimes with obstructed respiration. Sharp and rheumatic pains, drawing, tension, and stiffness in loins, back,and nape. Pinching and burning sensation between the shoulder-blades. Tension and bruised pain between scapulae and in nape, which on moving head goes to shoulders. Stitches beneath scapulae which take away the breath. Drawing in right scapula, evening on going to sleep. Tearing in left scapula while sitting. Needle-shoots at point of left scapula. Sprained pains in back. During whole day aching in small of back, worse when urinating.Distortion (curvature) of spine. Vertebrae softened. Cracking of vertebrae on bending head backward.

Sulphur Adapted to persons of a scrofulous diathesis, subject to venous congestion; especially of portal system. Persons of nervous temperament, quick motioned, quick tempered, plethoric, skin excessively sensitive to atmospheric changes. For lean, stoop-shouldered persons who walk and sit stooping like old men. Standing is the worst position for sulphur patients; they cannot stand; every standing position is uncomfortable. Dirty, filthy people, prone to skin affections. Aversion to being washed; always <. after a bath.

Symphytum.

Pain in back from a fall, from sexual excess. Pott’s disease after injury. Psoas abscess. Much used among herbalists in caries of spinal and other bones. Symphytum facilitates union of fractured bones; lessens peculiar pricking pain; favors production of callous; when trouble is of nervous origin. Irritability at point of fracture; periosteal pains after wounds have healed.

Corns/Callus

              Corns/Callus

A corn or callus are areas of thickened skin that occur in areas of pressure. They are actually a normal and natural way for the body to protect itself. For example, callus develops on the hand when chopping a lot of wood – its a normal way for the skin to protect itself. In the foot, the skin will thicken up to protect itself when there are areas of high pressure. The problem occurs when the pressure continues, so the skin gets thicker. It eventually becomes painful and is treated as something foreign by the body.

Corns are hyperkeratosis of the skin. This thickening of the surface layer of the skin in response to pressure. Corns usually form on the toes, where the bone is prominent and presses the skin against the shoe, ground, or other bones. As corn becomes thick the tissues under the corn are subject to increased irritation. There may be a deep seated nucleation, this is like a core where the corn is thickest and most painful. As corns become inflamed, there is pain and sometimes swelling and redness. Common places where corns form are; the top surface of the toe, at the tip of the toe, and between the toes.

ETIOLOGY

• Intermittent pressure and friction over prolonged period:

- Ill-fitting foot wear.
- Foot deformity.

CLINICAL FEATURES

ONSET

• Insidious.

LOCATION

• Pressure sites: over heads of first and fifth metatarsal bones, heel.

SYMPTOMS

• Pain in feet or heel on standing or walking.
• Variations in temperature, especially cold, dampness which cause spontaneous pain.

LESION

• Conical papule.
• Extends downwards into skin.
• Localised.
• Flesh coloured.
• Surface smooth.
• Consistency firm.
• Intensely tender.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT for CORNS

• Correct underlying cause.
• Wear well-fitting, comfortable shoes.

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT of CORNS / CALLUS

• Antimonium crudum.
• Arnica.
• Camphor.
• Ferrum picricum.
• Graphitis.
• Lyco.
• Nat.mur.
• Phytolacca.
• Ran. Scleratus.
• Ruta.
• Silicea.
• Sulphur.
• Thuja.

ANTIM. CRUD.

Corns inflamed, large horny placed on soles of feet close to the toes; thickened skin of soles & feet. Corn on soles & toes. Inflamed corn with great sensitiveness of soles on walking. Aching, stitching pains in corns.
For children and young people inclined to grow fat; for the extremes of life. Old people with morning diarrhoea, suddenly become constipated, or alternate diarrhoea and constipation; pulse hard and rapid. Sensitive to the cold < after taking cold.

ARNICA

Corns on heels and toes. Very sensitive. Very painful, stinging, stitching, smarting pain.
Nervous women, sanguine plethoric persons, lively expression and very red face. For the bad effects resulting from mechanical injuries; even if received years ago.
CAMPHOR

Corns with skin parchment like sore, painful corns which are very sensitive; soreness especially in toe joints and corns.
Pain better while thinking of it. Persons physically and mentally weak and irritable. Exceedingly sensitive to cold air. Bad effects of shock from injury; surface of body cold, face pale, blue, lips livid; profound prostration. Surface cold to touch, yet cannot bear to be covered; throws off all coverings. Entire body painfully sensitive to slightest touch. Tongue cold, flabby, trembling. Sudden attacks of vomiting and diarrhoea; nose cold and pointed; anxious and restless; skin and breath cold. In first stages of cholera morbus and Asiatic cholera; severe, long-lasting chill.

FERR. PICRATE

Corns with yellow discolouration. Multiple corns which are very painful.

GRAPH.

Rough, hard, dry and unhealthy skin. Thin sticky, glutinous discharge. Soreness and aching in corns. Horny skin on toes.
Suited to – Excessive cautiousness; timid, hesitates; unable to decide about anything. Fidgety while sitting at work. Sad, despondent; music makes her weep; thinks of nothing but death.

LYCOPODIUM

Corns that are very sensitive with tearing pain. Skin becomes thick and indurated. Painful callosities on soles, toes and fingers contracted. Inflammation with stitching and soreness.
For persons intellectually keen, but physically weak; upper part of body emaciated, lower part semi-dropsical; predisposed to lung and hepatic affections; especially the extremes of life, children and old people. Deep-seated, progressive, chronic diseases. Pains: aching-pressure, drawing; chiefly right-sided, <. four to eight p.m. affects right side, or pain goes from right to left.

NAT. MUR.

Corns, painful scars. Greasy skin. Boring, tearing and stitching pain. Worse walking and standing.
For the anaemic and cachectic, whether from lots of vital fluids- profuse menses, seminal losses- or mental affections. Great emaciation; losing flesh while living well. Throat and neck of children emaciate rapidly during summer complaint. Great liability to take cold. Irritability: child cross when spoken to; crying from slightest cause; gets into a passion about trifles, especially when consoled with. Awkward , hasty, drops things from nervous weakness. Marked disposition to weep; sad weeping mood, without cause, but consolation from others <. her troubles.

RAN. SCLERATUS

Acute painful corns. Acrid exudation which makes surrounding parts sore. Corns on ball of 1st and 2nd left toes, sensitive to touch and pressure, smart and burn; very painful when letting leg hang down, they also throb and especially painful by flexing toes. Better by extending them, wearing thick soled boot at times. Numbness in corns, knocking toes against anything so as to cause boot to grate against corns, causes great pain and burning.

SILICEA

Inflamed corns with stitching, burning pains. Soreness of soles. Stitches in the corns, jerking up the feet.
Adapted to the nervous, irritable, sanguine temperament; persons of a psoric diathesis. Persons of light complexion; fine dry skin; pale face; weakly, with lax muscles. Constitutions which suffer from deficient nutrition, not because food is lacking in quality or quantity, but from imperfect assimilation; oversensitive, physically and mentally.
SULPHUR

Corns from pressure. If a shoe presses anywhere on the skin, a great corn or bunion develop. Burning, aching, tearing & stitching pain. Desquamation excoriation of the skin.
Adapted to persons of a scrofulous diathesis, subject to venous congestion; especially of portal system. Persons of nervous temperament, quick motioned, quick tempered, plethoric, skin excessively sensitive to atmospheric changes. For lean, stoop-shouldered persons who walk and sit stooping like old men. Standing is the worst position for sulphur patients; they cannot stand; every standing position is uncomfortable. Dirty, filthy people, prone to skin affections. Aversion to being washed; always <. after a bath. Too lazy to rouse himself; too unhappy to live.