Like other health professionals, homeopaths honor the special role that surgery and surgeons have in health care. Homeopaths are not against surgery, because certain conditions are simply not treatable without it. At the same time, however, surgery is often performed unnecessarily. It is performed when other, safer measures can be effectively used. It is performed too early when the body can sometimes heal itself. And it is performed inappropriately, primarily because surgeons only know surgery and don’t know what else to do (the law of hammers pervades many professions: when you are a hammer, everything becomes a nail).

Even when surgery is successful, this does not necessarily mean that the person is “cured.” Surgery may, for instance, remove an abscess, a tumor, kidney stones or gallstones, or other diseased parts, but because this removal doesn’t change the underlying pathological processes that created them in the first place, it is understandable and even predictable that people tend to reexperience their ailments.

Even if the ailment seems to have disappeared, homeopaths do not believe that a curative process has always taken place. While the initial complaint may have been eradicated, sometimes more serious pathology develops shortly after the surgery. Although doctors tend to believe that this is a “new” disease, homeopaths theorize that the surgery probably suppressed the original ailment.

This critique of surgery is not meant to devalue its appropriate use in treating various congential deformities, structural problems, severe injuries, or life-threatening pathological conditions. As previously stated, homeopaths are not against the judicious use of surgery.

When possible, homeopaths first attempt to to see if treatment with an individualized homeopathic medicine can prevent the need for surgery. Patients and even homeopaths are sometimes surprised and impressed at the significant results that homeopathic medicines can provide–not that they can do the impossible, but they can often elicit a healing response when conventional therapeutics cannot.

The integration of homeopathic medicines with surgical care uses the best of both worlds to create comprehensive and ultimately more effective health care.



Homeopathic Medicines Before and After Surgery

Once it is determined that surgery is medically necessary, homeopathic medicines can reduce complications of surgery and augment healing so that people can recover more quickly afterward.

Surgeons commonly ask patients not to take any food, drink, or drugs prior to surgery. While it makes sense to avoid food, drink, and conventional drugs, there have never been any reported problems from taking homeopathic remedies prior to surgery.

Some homeopaths recommend Ferrum phos 6, four times a day for two days, prior to surgery in order to prevent infection and hemorrhaging.

Homeopathic medicines can also help people deal with the various emotions they are experiencing prior to surgery. Gelsemium 6 or 30 is a common remedy for the person who experiences great anxiety, apprehension, weakness, and trembling prior to surgery. Aconitum 6 or 30 is indicated when the person is terrified about surgery and thinks that he will die from it.

Take either Gelsemium or Aconitum the night before the surgery and another dose upon waking in the morning. If fear and/or anxiety is felt after surgery, take one to three more doses.

One double-blind, randomized trial on 50 children who underwent surgery showed that 95% of those given the homeopathic medicine Aconitum experienced significantly less post-operative pain and agitation.¹ Aconitum was chosen because it is a common remedy for ailments in which sudden and violent onset of shock or trauma is a primary indication, as well as symptoms of fear and anxiety, which are especially common emotions experienced by children prior to surgery.

Arnica is another common homeopathic medicine given to people before and after surgery because of its ability to reduce surgical shock and minimize bleeding. Surgical shock is a condition that trauma or surgery can cause in which all the capillaries and small blood vessels are filled with blood at the same time. A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study showed that Arnica significantly decreased bleeding time.²

The late British homeopathic physician Donald Foubister recommended Arnica 30 the night before surgery, another dose the morning of the surgery, another dose just prior to the surgery, and different medicines afterward, depending upon the type of surgery and the symptoms the patient feels.

Homeopathic medicines can also be beneficial for patients who undergo long-term intravenous (IV) therapy. Frequent insertion of an IV commonly causes phlebitis (inflammation of the vein) and hematoma (the pooling of blood under the skin); a double-blind study using Arnica 5c found that it can effectively reduce and prevent such problems.³ The study showed significant benefits from Arnica, including reduced pain. Besides subjective improvement, there were also objectively measured increases in blood flow and in blood coagulation factors.

While Arnica is the primary remedy to be taken just prior to the majority of surgeries, there are a certain number of operations for which Dr. Foubister commonly recommended other remedies. For surgery involving cartilage and periosteum, as is often occurs in the knee or elbow, it is recommended to take Ruta 30 the evening before, the morning of the operation, and immediately afterward. For hemorrhoidal surgery, it is recommended to take either Staphysagria 30 or Aesculus 30 in a similar pattern as described for Ruta. And for circumcision, Staphysagria 30 and Arnica 30 should be given similarly as above.

The following are common recommendations for after surgery. Please note that the length of time of treatment can and should be different with each patient, depending upon the intensity of symptoms. Doses should generally be taken as long as pain persists, though they should not be taken for more than a couple of days, unless the person is still in pain and the remedy is providing obvious relief. Arnica 6, 12, or 30 should be given for at least two doses after surgery, approximately one hour apart. In addition to this remedy, the following remedies should be given one hour after the last dose of Arnica:



Gynecological surgery:

–Dilation and curettage: Belladonna 30, every 6 hours

–Hysterectomy: Causticum 30, three times a day (some homeopaths
recommend Staphysagria 6 or 30, three times a day)

–Caesarean section or episiotomy: Staphysagria 30 or Bellis perennis 30,
three times a day

–Abortion or miscarriage: Ignatia 30, every four hours

–Plastic surgery on the breast: Bellis perennis 6 or 30, three times a day

–Amputation of the breast or a lump: Hamamelis 30, every 4 hours


Circumcision: Staphysagria 30 and Arnica 30, every four hours for a day.


Prostate surgery: Staphysagria 30, three times a day


Abdominal surgery: Staphysagria 30 or Bellis perennis 30, three times a
day


Appendectomy: Rhus tox 30, three times a day


Gastrectomy: Raphanus 30, three times a day


Gall bladder surgery: Lycopodium 30, three times a day


Eye surgery: Ledum 30, every four hours


Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy: Rhus tox 30, every four hours


Orthopedic surgery

–involving cartilage or periosteum: Ruta 30, every four hours

–involving the spine: Hypericum 30, every four hours

–Surgery for bullet wounds and/or stab wounds: Staphysagria 30, four
times a day


Plastic surgery: Arnica 30 (internally) and Calendula, (externally) four
times a day


Amputation: Hypericum 30, every four hours


Hemorrhoids: Staphysagria 30 or Aesculus 30, every four hours for two

or three days* Varicose veins: Ledum 30, three times a day


Dental surgery: Hypericum 30 and Ruta 30, alternating every two to four
hours



Homeopathy for Specific Ailments After Surgery

Readers who experience symptoms or syndromes discussed elsewhere in this book should review those chapters. For instance, if you have urinary symptoms after surgery, which is common when catheterization takes place, consult the section on bladder infection in the section on Women’s Conditions (even if you are a man; see: WOMEN). If you are now suffering from acute insomnia, consult the chapter on Insomnia (sorry, not included online).

Some common conditions after surgery for which homeopathic medicines are often effective include the following:


Fear of Death
Aconitum 30 is indicated (every hour for up to four doses).



Bleeding

Arnica 30 helps to slow or stop bleeding after surgery. Phosphorus 30 is the primary remedy for helping to stop bleeding when Arnica does not work adequately. Ipecacuanha 30 is indicated when there is much bleeding of bright red blood, often accompanied by nausea. Secale 30 is effective in treating uterine bleeding that is aggravated by heat and relieved by cold. Cinchona 30 is helpful for people whose bleeding and general loss of fluids lead them to feel weak and faint and have ringing in the ears. This remedy is sometimes indicated several weeks, months, or years after much fluid has been lost, after either an illness or an operation. Arsenicum 30 is useful when profuse bleeding leads to great weakness, burning pains, restlessness, anxiety, and fear, along with a characteristically large thirst for only sips at a time.

Dose: Take the remedy every hour until bleeding stops, not more than four doses. If bleeding has not significantly slowed, consider another remedy. The next day, take one more dose of whichever works to reduce the possible complications of blood loss.



Trauma to Tissue

Arnica topically and Arnica 6 or 30 are useful when the muscle feels bruised or swollen and when there is any pooling of blood under the skin. Hamamelis topically and Hamamelis 6 or 30 are effective when the person has weak veins, passive hemorrhage, bleeding hemorrhoids, or varicose veins. Capillaries are enlarged and congestion is marked. Calendula in external application (gel, ointment, tincture, spray) is indicated to heal wounds or incisions. Bellis perennis 6 or 30 is a remedy for use after abdominal surgery and when deep internal tissue has been traumatized.

Dose: Apply external remedies at least once a day, and apply again if bathing washes them off. Generally, only two to eight doses of the internal remedy over a two day period will be necessary to complete the healing process.



Wound Infection

External applications of Calendula and Hypericum, either alone or preferably together, help to both prevent and treat infection of surgical wounds. If pus has developed and caused hypersensitivity of the wound, Hepar sulphur 30 is recommended. Because Hepar sulphur is an effective remedy for helping to push out splinters, pieces of glass, and various foreign objects that get stuck under the skin, it also has a tendency to push out surgical stitches. Thus it is not recommended to use this remedy when there are stitches, except towards the end of the healing process, when their removal is part of the healing. If the wound becomes purplish, Lachesis 30 or Gunpowder 30 is indicated. If there is much burning in the wound or wound area, Sulphur 30 is helpful.
Dose: Apply external remedies at least once a day, and apply again if bathing washes them off. Take internal remedies every two to four hours during the first 24 hours and four times a day for two to five more days.



Scarring and Adhesions:

Apply Thiosinaminum tincture externally or use an external combination formula that also contains Calendula (some injury gels include these ingredients). Take Graphites 12 internally.

Dose: Apply external remedies at least once a day, and apply them again if bathing washes them off. You may need to do this for several weeks or months. Internal remedies should be taken three times a day for two days, and if necessary, repeated one month later.



Constipation

Raphanus 6 or 30 is indicated when there is constipation with no urgings for a stool and/or when there is painful gas; see also the chapter on Digestive Disorders for other potential medicines for constipation.

Dose: Take this remedy three times a day for up to four days.



Nausea and Vomiting

Nux vomica 6 or 30 is good for violent retching, especially when there is generally ineffectual retching that does not lead to vomiting. Phosphorus 6 or 30 helps to prevent or treat nausea after surgery; it is indicated when the patient has a strong thirst for ice drinks; he or she may also have a concurrent headache. Ipecac 6 or 30 is effective for persistent nausea with vomiting, when vomiting does not provide relief. Arsenicum 6 or 30 treats violent and incessant vomiting which is made worse by drinking water, especially cold water, or eating. There may also be burning pain in the stomach. See also chapter on Digestive Disorders.

Dose: Take a remedy every two hours during intense symptoms and every four hours during less intense discomfort. If improvement is not obvious after 24 hours, consider another remedy.



Gas
Carbo veg 6 or 30 helps people who suffer from great distension and offensive gas, who get some relief from release of gas, and who desire carbonated drinks because they seem to help them release gas. Cinchona 6 or 30 is useful when there is more pain than distension, frequent rumbling in the abdomen, and no relief from releasing gas. Raphanus 6 or 30 is a common remedy for people who have a distended abdomen but are unable to expel gas. Because this condition is extremely common after surgery, especially abdominal surgery, this remedy is often indicated. Colocynthis 6 or 30 is effective when there is more pain than distension, and also cramps that are relieved by bending over.

Dose: Take a remedy every two hours during intense pain and every four hours during mild discomfort. If improvement is not obvious after 24 hours, consider another remedy.

Bedsores
(see the chapter on Conditions of the Elderly for details)

Resources

¹J.P. Alibeau and J. Jobert, “Aconit en Dilution Homeopathique et Agitation Post-Operatoire de l’enfant,” Pediatrie, 1990, 45 (7-8): 465-66.

²J. Baillargeon, et.al., “The Effects of Arnica Montana on Blood Coagulation: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” Canadian Family Physician, November 1993, 39:2362-67.

³C. Amodeo, et.al., “The Role of Arnica in the Prevention of Venous Pathology from Long-term Intravenous Therapy: Evaluation of Platelet Aggregation,” Ninth National Conference of the Italian Society for Vascular Pathology, Capanello, June 6-9, 1987. The study included 39 patients, including 21 undergoing intravenous feeding, nine in infusion protracted beyond 72 hours, and nine in chemotherapeutic treatment.

When faced with a surgical decision, who better to be than a physician? You would be among the best informed consumers. You would be well aware of the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the proposed procedure. And, according to the results of a new study, you would be less likely to have surgery at all.

Researchers compared surgical rates for physicians, lawyers, and their families to the general public in a large population in Switzerland. They looked at rates for the surgical removal of tonsils, gallbladder, uterus, hemorrhoids, appendix as well as repair of hernias and D&C (dilatation and curettage of the uterus).

For all of the operations except appendectomy, the general public went under the knife much more frequently than physicians or their families. For example, if you don’t have a physician in the family you are 50% more likely to have had a tonsillectomy, hysterectomy, or hernia repair and 80% more likely to undergo removal of hemorrhoids or gall bladder. If you want to avoid surgery, it also helps to have a lawyer in the family. Their surgical rates were almost identical to physicians!

These differences don’t seem to be due to financial barriers since all patients were covered by the public insurance programs and even the poorest had access to needed surgical services. Nor does it appear to be differences in how sick the general public was compared to physicians and lawyers. While some disease rates do vary by level of income and occupation, there is little evidence of variation in the specific types of disease for which these surgical procedures are indicated.

It appears that the more informed you are, the less likely you are to ask for or agree to elective surgery. Lawyers seem to have a special immunity to surgery. Lawyers may be more likely to challenge the surgeon’s authority and have greater potential for causing legal problems. Physicians may tend to be more cautious and prudent about recommending elective surgery to these “risky” patients.

We don’t know for sure the optimal rate of these surgical procedures that yields the best overall outcomes for patients. Nor do we know whether the reversal of financial incentives from fee-for-service to prepaid, managed care will lead us closer to optimal surgical rates. Nevertheless, we suspect that more operations are performed than are needed and that we would all do well to more closely follow the example of the most informed consumer, the physician-patient.

For More Information:


Sobel D, Ornstein R: Preparing for Surgery, Mind/Body Health Newsletter, Volume V, Number 2, 1996.

Domenighetti G, et al: Revisiting the most informed consumer of surgical services: The physician-patient. International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 1993;9(4):505-513.

Domenighetti G, Casabianca A: Rate of hysterectomy is lower among female doctors and lawyers’ wives. British Medical Journal 1997 May 10;314(7091):1417.

Excerpted with permission from the Quarterly Newsletter, Mind/Body Health Newsletter. For subscription information call 1-(800)-222-4745 or visit the Institute for the Study of Human Knowledge website.

When, for any of a number of reasons, a valve becomes incompetent, and allows a back-flow of blood, the vein becomes distended, its walls stretch and, like tired elastic, sag, allowing the vein to swell in that region into a miniature balloon.

This is a varicosity.

When this happens in the legs, the commonest site, it is called a varicosity, and when this occurs in the rectum it is known as haemorrhoids, or piles.

How Do Veins ‘Move’ the Blood?

There are a number of driving forces which are involved in the return of blood to the heart for oxygenation, along the veins.
These include the contracting and relaxing effect of muscles in which many veins lie.

As muscles work they automatically apply a pumping action to any vein with which they are in touch,and this, because of the vein’s one-way valve system, causes a forward motion of the blood.

Many veins run alongside arteries (which carry fresh oxygenated to the body tissues) and the pulsating action of these arteries (due to the heart’s beating) also produces a pump-like effect on the veins.

Another key pumping action occurs as we breathe, with the rise and fall of the diaphragm, which creates an alternating positive and negative pressure in the chest cavity.

Much of the blood returning to the heart has to overcome the force of gravity, for example as it passes from the feet upwards into the pelvic area and then onto the chest cavity and its destination, the heart.

While muscle pump action can be said to have most to do with the movement of blood up the legs themselves into the pelvic cavity, the passage onto the heart from the pelvis is largely the result of this alternating positive and negative pressure created by breathing.

So we have three pump mechanisms apart from the heart itself: active muscles, the pulsation of the arteries and diaphragmatic movement.

Finally we should consider the actual structure of the veins, comprising as they do layers of elastic and connective tissue fibres.

Those veins which lie deeper than the more superficial ones are usually enclosed in a sheath of connective tissue in which the arteries are resting, and the health and integrity of the connective tissue can influence the efficiency of the vein.

What Goes Wrong?

The structure of the veins themselves, the healthy constituency of the connective and elastic tissues, is directly related to nutritional factors (as is the integrity of the nervous system which controls the muscles in which many veins lie).

Nutrition: for example the levels of certain important nutrients in the diet most notably dietary fibre, vitamins C and E, and substances called bioflavonoids (which influence the elasticity of the tissues) can have a profound effect on the prevention or development of varicosities.

If much of the movement of blood along veins is dependent on muscles regularly contracting and relaxing, as well as on the diaphragm’s movement, it is pretty clear that exercise, or lack of it, and breathing function as well as mechanical stress factors (see below), are bound to be massively influential in deciding on the overall efficiency of venous return.

When any of the various pumping mechanisms are inefficient, or when the structure of the supporting tissues of the veins is inadequate, there is a strong chance of veins becoming incompetent, allowing back-pressure to build up and causing a varicosity.

The good news is that a great deal can be done to prevent this from ever happening, and to improve things once they have, as long as the causes of the problem can be dealt with.

Factors which make varicose veins more likely include:

• excessive weight (more than 20% above normal bodyweight)
  

  
  

• excessive weight bearing (weight training, carrying etc)
  

  
  

• inadequate exercise (sedentary occupations)
  

  
  

• excessive standing (waiter, hairdresser, soldier)
  

  
  

• increased intra-pelvic pressure (chronic constipation,
  straining at stool, tight restricting girdles, poor posture,
  pregnancy etc)
  

  
  

• poor nutritional status
  

  
  

• use of the contraceptive pill
  

Who Gets Varicose Veins and Are There Dangers?

Very few people in non-industrialized societies ever develop varicose veins but one person in five in the UK has or will have them, and most will relate to their legs.

When not in the legs the commonest sites are the scrotum (varicocele) and the rectal region (haemorrhoids).

In themselves the bunched clusters of tortuous worm-like superficial varicose veins are not dangerous.

The dangers that can develop relate to the relative slow moving nature of blood in varicose veins.

Because it cannot easily move along, due to valve incompetence, the blood becomes increasingly static, or may actually flow backwards.

The symptoms most commonly associated with this sort of picture include heaviness and aching in the area, discolouration of the tissues and commonly itching of the skin over the veins, as well as a generalized tendency to swelling in the limb, mainly affecting the ankles and feet but often the entire calf or at times the whole leg.

When the left leg only is affected it can be suspected that the cause lies in intra-abdominal pressure due to chronic constipation. When overweight or mechanical lifting stress is involved it will affect both legs.

Varicose eczema may develop and in time the skin and overlying tissue may break down leading to varicose ulcers and even to haemorrhage of the vein.

For many people, especially in the early stages, there is nothing more obvious that a tendency for the legs to feel tired more easily than previously.

When haemorrhoids or varicoceles develop symptoms are similar (heaviness, aching, irritation) with the underlying causes being much the same.

Phlebitis and DVT

A possibly serious consequence of varicose veins can be the development of inflammation of the vein (phlebitis).

Some researchers believe that varicose veins do not show themselves until there has been an incident of what is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the presence of a blood clot caused by the sluggish movement of the blood or because the blood had a more viscous (sticky) nature than usual.

Another reason for a thrombosis can be the development of a constriction or narrowing in the vessel causing the blood passing through it to swirl and to possibly produce a clot.

The result of any of these causes of a thrombosis would be an inflammation of the vein and consequent damage to it, resulting in varicosity.

It is seldom possible in any given case to say whether the venous damage comes before the thrombosis or the other way around, the same features and factors apply in both sequences.

Signs

If there is a DVT or phlebitis the signs will be local warmth , tenderness and swelling, but these signs can also relate to a muscle injury or cellulitis (inflammation of the connective tissues), therefore if in any doubt at all get expert advice.

The treatment of DVT calls for rest with the leg elevated, pressure (elasticated stockings or bandaging) and possible medication to dissolve the clot and reduce inflammation.

Medical Approaches to Varicose Veins

Surgery is often used to remove the unsightly damaged veins, either by ‘stripping’ them out, or by tying or blocking them off, and thus allowing secondary channels of circulation to take over the load.

This has an obvious cosmetic effect, but the truism ‘out of sight out of mind’ is often evidenced by a return of new varicosities within a short time, because the causes are not dealt with by such methods.

Surgery, or the palliative use of support stockings, as much as these ease the aching in the legs, do nothing for the causes and therefore are not a long-term answer, and more than surgical treatment of haemorrhoids undoes the reasons for their presence.

There are of course a variety of balms and creams to help ease the skin or rectal irritation or eczema symptoms, and some excellent treatments which help to heal ulcers.

But none of these methods has anything at all to do with the causes of these problems.

Complementary and Self-Help Approaches

1. Nutritional Approaches:
   

   
   

   
   
   • Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids: This helps to maintain the health of the connective tissue. To do this effectively it needs bioflavonoids (see below) such as rutin and hesperidin. Many Vitamin C supplements state that they contain bioflavonoids, or these can be taken separately (in the form of buckwheat tea or tablets for rutin)
     
     Take between 1 and 5 grams daily of C with bioflavonoids.
     

     
     

   • Vitamin E: This powerful antioxidant is reported by Canadian researchers Drs Evan and Wilfred Shute to improve varicose veins status when supplemented in doses of 500 to 800iu daily.
     
     They believe it assists in the development of collateral channels of circulation, relieving the veins under pressure.
     
     Direct applications of vitamin E to ulcers is helpful.
     
     

     
     

   • Selenium acts symbiotically with Vitamin E and a dose of 50mcg daily should be taken of this.
     
     Ulcers seldom appear if E is supplemented adequately, and its use is a powerful aid when phlebitis is present, reducing pain and preventing clot formation.
     

     
     

   • Essential fatty acids: Evening primrose oil (500mgs daily) and EPA (4 to 6 capsules daily) are both useful in reducing chances of inflammation and the adhesiveness of the blood.
     

     
     

   • Fibre: It is absolutely essential to keep bowel function working smoothly, with no straining at all. Adequate fibre intake means also reducing to nil if possible any refined carbohydrates (white flour products, any colour of sugar, white rice). At the very least these should be cut severely, and as much complex carbohydrate (which is rich in fibre) eaten. This includes wholemeal bread and pasta, brown rice, vegetables and fruit, seeds and nuts, pulses (all the bean family).
     
     A supplemental intake of two or more dessertspoonsful of linseed (the Linusit brand is excellent is recommended daily to ensure bowel function.
     
     A general reforming of the diet is desirable to include minimal animal fat (cut down meat drastically, only use low or no-fat dairy produce, increase poultry, fish or vegetarian meals) as is the abundant use of unprocessed foods.
     
   
   

   
   

2. Self-Help Measures:
   
   
   

   
   

   • a/ Deal with weight and constipation problems (use dietary methods above)
     

     
     

   • b/ Introduce regular exercise, such as walking, dancing, skipping, yoga. DO regular exercises in which you contract the muscles of the leg rhythmically, or move the ankles in circles or up and down firmly, or do upside down cycling exercises… anything which keeps muscles pumping.
     

     
     

   • c/ Learn to breathe more effectively. See a physiotherapist or a registered osteopath for advice and treatment, if necessary, as you may need some work done on the structures which are tight before you can breathe better.
     

     
     

   • d/ Stop use of the contraceptive pill, and get advice on what nutrients you need to make up for the damage this has done (consult a naturopath or nutrition consultant)
     

     
     

   • e/ Stop use of any tight clothing, especially if it constricts the waist area, and avoid use of high heels which stops normal muscle contraction in the lower leg, affecting circulation.
     

     
     

   • f/ Use elasticated support hose if your job entails excessive standing, or when pregnant, or if you are overweight. This should support not just the calf but the entire thigh, and should be put on before getting out of bed.
     

     
     

   • g/ Raise the foot of the bed by up to six inches (place blocks or books under the feet). This is not uncomfortable and helps gravity to ease back-pressure on the veins at night.
     

     
     

   • h/ Avoid standing still for lengthy periods. Rock from one leg to the other or pace gently up and down, to keep muscles moving.
     

     
     

   • i/ When sitting don’t cross legs as this restricts circulation. Try to have a footstool which allows the feet to be at least level with the hips and ideally slightly higher.
     

     
     

   • j/ Avoid hot baths, warm ones are fine, but finish with a cold splash or shower application to the legs.
     

     
     

   • k/ Regular use of alternating hot and cold sitz baths (up to umbilicus in water) is useful for causing a circulatory stimulus.
     
     Always finish with cold. If this cannot be organised use hand shower or bidet to at least apply cold water to rectal area in cases of haemorrhoids (after a bath, after every bowel movement and at least morning and evening as well).
     

     
     

   • l/ Use vitamin E cream on skin irritations.
     

     
     

   • m/ Herbal teas such as Mullein and Buckwheat are useful.
     
     Garlic is a powerful aid in reducing levels of viscosity of the blood and is highly recommended, raw or as a capsule (two or there daily)
     

     
     

   • n/ Spinal manipulation and postural reeducation (osteopathy and Alexander Technique) can together dramatically influence normalisation of poor body mechanics which is a contributor to the problem due to negative effects on breathing as well as forward tilt of the pelvis which causes abdominal/pelvic contents to become crowded.
     
   
   

A combination of nutrition, hydrotherapy, exercise and common sense can transform and improve early varicose veins and haemorrhoids. Once varicosity of any sort is advanced however the best that can be achieved is relief and a stopping of the progression towards a worse state, ulcers etc.

Surgery is sometimes advisable, but only if the sort of long-term approaches recommend above are also used.

Recommended reading: Varicose Veins (Thorsons New Self-Help Series) by Leon Chaitow ISBN 0-7225-1304-6

Leon Chaitow can be contacted at The Hale Clinic, London (071-631-0156)

Case 1: Beverly before labor

Beverly was eight months pregnant. Her hemorrhoids had begun to
flareup up at the beginning of her third trimester, two months before this
visit. “I feel like it’s a tone problem. My anal tissue just doesn’t seem like
it can support the weight of the baby. ” She complained of pressure in the
rectum (2). She felt like the skin would pop (2). She experienced a sense of
fullness (3) and tightness (2). These sensations were much worse after a stool
(3) and after drinking coffee (2). One night she could not sleep because of a
twisting feeling (3) in the rectum. She was worried that the hemorrhoids would
become worse during the duration of her pregnancy and, especially, during
labor. On physical examination, two hemorrhoids about 1 cm in diameter were
visualized protruding from the rectum.

Case 2: Beverly after childbirth

Beverly returned to see us seven weeks later. Her labor had
lasted 29 hours, during which time she suffered from severe low back pain. She
now felt a twisting (2) feeling in the rectum most of the time. The dis-comfort
was temporarily relieved by cold applications (2). It was worse after a stool
(3), at which time it throbbed (3). Beverly experienced some relief from
elevating her legs. The pain was also worse from sitting down too long (2), at
which time the pain became griping (2) or clenching (2). This was a problem
because she needed to sit down much of the time to nurse her newborn son. There
was only slight bleeding (1) with the hemorrhoids. Examination reveal one pink,
swollen external hemorrhoid approximately 1.5 cm in diameter.

Case 3: Lois

Lois was a 45 year-old patient of ours of three years standing
at the time of her hemorrhoid flareup. She had moved out of state, so we
treated her hemorrhoids by phone consultation. Her hemorrhoids were terrible
(3). “It’s like when I had the kids. They are big (3) and painful (3). They
burn (3). The pain can be needlelike (3). One is the size of a grape (3). I
feel them all the time (3). It’s worse lately since my mother in law is
visiting and we’re doing a lot of sitting. I can feel the pain travel up my
back (2).” She had started to take rutin and Vitamin C and had also tried witch
hazel and sitz baths, but nothing was helping. The tone of desperation in her
voice was clear.

Case 4: Bill

Bill was in bad shape after painting the deck outside his house.
He had squatted and stooped for two days in a row and ended up with a raging
case of hemorrhoids. He had experienced hemorrhoids periodically in the past,
but these were the worst. He felt a raw (3), sore (3), burning (3) pain in the
rectum all the time. It was even worse after a stool (4). Bill experienced
severe left sacroiliac pain (3) along with the hemorrhoids. The SI pain was
sharp (2) and worse when he rose from sitting (3). He felt the hemorrhoids
protruding (2). There was no bleeding. He could not come into the office, so
there was no physical examination.

Please study these cases, then turn to page ____ for the case
analyses.

Case 1:

In analyzing Beverly’s case, we used the following rubrics in
Kent’s Repertory : “RECTUM; HAEMORRHOIDS; chronic”
(although we treated this case as an acute flareup, she did have a chronic,
recurrent tendency towards hemorrhoids), “RECTUM; HAEMORRHOIDS;
internal”, “RECTUM; HAEMORRHOIDS; pregnancy; during”, “RECTUM;
HAEMORRHOIDS; stool; after”, “RECTUM; HAEMORRHOIDS; stool;
protrude during”. The remedy which came up with the highest score and which
seemed to best fit Beverly’s case was Sulphur. We gave herSulphur
30C in a single dose. The rectum pain was substantially improved and she
did not need another dose.

Case 2:

Beverly was given Aloe 200c in a single dose.
Aloe is very useful for protruding hemmorhoids with a sense of
pulsation in the rectum. There is often a feeling of insecurity in the rectum;
a weakness and loss of power of the sphincter ani. This is much like Beverly
described at her previous visit while she was still pregnant. Patients needing
aloe may complain of an intense burning in the anus and rectum or an extreme
soreness and tenderness. The pain is usually relieved by cold applications. A
keynote of Aloe is hemorrhoids protruding like a bunch of grapes. There
may also be considerable mucus in the stool. Aloe is an important
remedy for dysentery, so diarrhea may also accompany the hemorrhoids.

Beverly called three days later to say her hemorrhoids were much improved. She
has not needed further treatment.

Case 3:

We also prescribed Aloe for Lois. The only potency which was
available to her locally was 6c. She took the Aloe 6c daily for two
days, then called us two days later with a report on her condition. The
hemorrhoids had diminished in size by one-half. The pain was better. The
improvement had begun to diminish after she stopped taking the remedy. We
instructed her to resume the Aloe 6c as needed and to call us if it
stopped working, so that we could send her Aloe 30c. The hemorrhoids
resolved over the next few days and Lois never needed the higher dose. That was
six months ago and she has had no problems with hemorrhoids since that time.

Case 4:

Bill was given one dose of Aesculus hippocastanum 200c
(Horse chestnut). Aesculus, a prominent remedy for hemorrhoids, is
needed for hemorrhoid pain which radiates to the back and hips, particularly
the sacroiliac. The pain is worse when the person rises from a seat, like Bill
did. The remedy also fit his tendency to rectal pain which was worse after a
bowel movement. Bill’s hemorrhoidal symptoms were much improved within two
days. The hemorrhoids were completely gone within three days. They have not
returned despite continued physical labor with squatting and bending.

These four cases illustrate the rapid and long-lasting response of patients
suffering from hemorrhoids to acute homeopathic treatment.

Dr. Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman and Dr. Robert Ullman are licensed
naturopathic physicians and are board certified in homeopathy. They are
President and Vice President of the International Foundation for Homeopathy
where they teach homeopathy to licensed health care professionals. They
practice in Edmonds, WA at 131 3rd Ave., N., Edmonds, WA 98020 and can be
reached at (206) 774-5599. Their new book, The Patient’s Guide to Homeopathic
Medicine, is now available.

]]> 14409 https://healthy.net/2000/12/06/your-home-pharmacy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=your-home-pharmacy Wed, 06 Dec 2000 13:28:02 +0000 https://healthy.net/2000/12/06/your-home-pharmacy/

Here is a list of drugs and other things you should keep at home for self-care. Store them in a handy, dry place, but out of children’s reach. Check the expiration date often. Throw away and replace ones that are outdated.

Medications	Use
Acetaminophen ex: Aspirin-Free Anacin, Tylenol	Pain relief, reduces fever
Activated charcoal (binds certain chemicals when swallowed) [NOTE: Call Poison Control Center first]	Oral Poisoning for some poisons
Antacids (liquid or tablets) ex: Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta, Amphojel	Stomach upset, heartburn
Antibiotic cream or ointment ex: Neosporin	Minor skin infection, wounds
Anti-diarrheal medicine ex: Kaopectate, Immodium A-D, Donnagel	Diarrhea
Antifungal preparations ex: Tinactin	Fungal infections such as athlete’s foot
Antihistamines ex: Dristan, Triaminic, Benadryl	Allergies, cold symptom relief
Anti-motion sickness ex: Dramamine	Motion sickness
Antiseptic preparation ex: Betadine	Abrasions, cuts
Aspirin* ex: Anacin, Bayer, Bufferin	Pain relief, reduces fever and swelling
Cough medicine with expectorant (look for one with Guaifenison) ex: Robitussin	Cough with mucus
Cough suppressant without expectorant(look for one with Dextromethorphan ex: Robitussin DM	Dry cough without mucus
Decongestant (tablets, nose spray, etc.) ex: Dristan Nasal Spray, Sudafed, Dimetapp	Stuffy and runny nose, post-nasal drip from colds, allergies
Ear wax dissolver ex: Debrox	Ear wax
Eye drops and artificial tears ex: Murine, Visine	Minor eye irritations
Hemorrhoid preparations ex: Hemorid	Hemorrhoids
Hydrocortisone cream ex: Cortaid, Lanacort	Minor skin irritations, itching and rashes
Ibuprofen (adult) ex: Advil	Pain relief, reduces fever and swelling
Laxatives ex: Ex-Lax, Correctol, Milk of Magnesia	Constipation
Moisturizer ex: Jergens Lotion	Dry skin
Naproxen Sodium (adult) ex: Aleve	Pain relief, reduces fever and swelling
Petroleum jelly ex: Vaseline	Chafing, dry skin
Rubbing alcohol	Topical antiseptic, clean thermometer
Sanitary napkins, tampons	Menstruation
Sunscreen – look for one with SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or more	Prevent sunburn, protect against skin cancer
Syrup of Ipecac (NOTE: Call Poison Control Center first)	To induce vomiting for some poisons
Throat anesthetic preparations ex: Sucret throat lozenges, Chloraseptic spray	Minor sore throat
Toothache – relief preparation ex. Anbesol	Toothache
Supplies	Use
Adhesive bandages	Minor wounds
Adhesive tape, sterile gauze pads, roll of sterile gauze and scissors	To dress minor wounds
Cotton balls, cotton tipped applicators	Minor wounds
Elastic bandages and clips	Minor strains and sprains
Heating pad/hot water bottle	Minor pains, strains, menstrual cramps
Humidifier, vaporizer (cool mist)	Add moisture to the air
Ice pack/Heat pack	Minor pain and injuries
Thermometer (mercury-containing, digital, etc.) Basal thermometer if using natural family planning method for birth control.	Fever
Tongue depressor, flashlight	Check for redness or infection in throat
Tweezers	Remove splinters

• Constipation
• Low dietary fiber intake
• Pregnancy and delivery
• Obesity

Symptoms


Symptoms of hemorrhoids include:

• Rectal bleeding
• Rectal tenderness and/or itching
• Uncomfortable, painful bowel movements, especially with straining
• A lump that can be felt in the anus
• A mucous discharge after a bowel movement

Hemorrhoids are common, and most people have some bleeding from them once in a while. Though annoying and uncomfortable, hemorrhoids are seldom a serious health problem. Reasons to seek medical treatment for hemorrhoids include:

• The presence of a painful blood clot in the hemorrhoid
• Excessive blood loss
• Infection
• The need to rule out cancer of the rectum or colon

If symptoms of hemorrhoids are not relieved with Self-Care Tips on the next page or with time, medical treatment may be necessary. This includes:

• Cryosurgery, which freezes the affected tissue
• A chemical injection into an internal hemorrhoid to shrink it
• Electrical or laser heat or infrared light to destroy the hemorrhoids
• Surgery called hemorrhoidectomy. One type, which requires general anesthesia, cuts out the hemorrhoids. Another, called ligation, uses rubber bands that are placed tightly over the base of each hemorrhoid, causing it to wither away.

Questions to Ask

Do you have severe rectal bleeding that is continuous or associated with weakness or dizziness?
Do you have rectal bleeding: Without bowel movements? That is heavy, dark red or turns brown? That lasts longer than two weeks despite using Self-Care Tips?
Do you have a hard lump where a hemorrhoid used to be?
Does the pain you feel with the hemorrhoid last longer than a week or is it severe?

Self-Care Tips

• Take daily measures to produce soft, easily passed bowel movements such as:
  • Drink plenty of water and other fluids: at least 11/2Ð2 quarts a day.
  • Eat foods with good sources of dietary fiber such as whole grain or bran cereals and breads, fresh vegetables, and fruits.
  • Eat prunes and/or drink prune juice.
  • If necessary add bran to your foods: about 3 to 4 tablespoons per day.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Pass a bowel movement as soon as you feel the urge. If you wait and the urge goes away, your stool could become dry and be harder to pass.
• Lose weight if you are overweight.
• Don’t strain to have a bowel movement.
• Don’t hold your breath when trying to pass stool.
• Keep the anal area clean.
• Take warm baths.
• Use a sitz bath with hot water. A sitz bath device fits over the toilet. You can get one at a medical supply store or at some pharmacies.
• Use moist towelettes or wet (not dry) toilet paper after a bowel movement.
• Check with your doctor about using over-the-counter products such as:
  

  • Stool softeners
  • Zinc oxide preparations. (Examples: Preparation H and Hemorid)
  • Medicated wipes such as Tucks
  • Medicated suppositories
    

• Don’t sit too much because it can restrict blood flow around the anal area.
• Don’t sit too long on the toilet.
• Don’t read while on the toilet.
• For itching or pain, put a cold compress on the anus for 10 minutes up to 4 times a day.
  

One of the best essential oils for a lymphatic massage is true bay (Laurus nobilis); lemon and grapefruit are also good. (A good carrier oil for these essential oils is calendula.) Use basil, rosemary, thyme, marjoram and clove to improve general circulation. Stress-related heart problems respond well to a sedating massage of melissa, neroli, lavender and ylang-ylang. Along with marjoram and ginger, these oils also help normalize high blood pressure. (Studies show that just sniffing neroli can lower high blood pressure.)

Chamomile, myrtle and cypress ease the inflammation and pain of varicose veins, phlebitis and hemorrhoids; frankincense constricts distended veins. All of these oils are especially effective in an infused oil of St. John’s wort. If the skin is ulcerated and broken, apply a compress of carrot-seed essential oil. Soak a cloth in water to which a few drops of oil have been added, wring out, then place over area.

Formula for Varicose Veins

6 drops cypress

3 drops myrtle

3 drops German chamomile

2 drops frankincense (optional)

1 ounce St. John’s wort oil

Combine ingredients. Apply externally. This can also be made into a salve by heating the oil and adding 1/2 teaspoon shaved beeswax before adding the essential oils.

Herbal Adjuncts-Among the herbs which strengthen heart and blood pressure are hawthorn flower and berry, and motherwort. Lymphatic cleaners include echinacea, cleavers and Oregon grape root, which may also be taken as teas, tinctures or pills.

The kitchen cupboard supplies many foods whose essential oils enhance circulation, make blood vessels more elastic and inhibit blood clotting. These include garlic, onion, cayenne and ginger. Ginger either raises blood pressure by restricting external blood flow, or lowers it by dilating surface blood vessels. Garlic and onions also lower high blood pressure. Lemongrass contains five different compounds that inhibit blood clotting.