The joint family system of India is highly regarded for its built-in-caring of senior citizens. After life long serving the family and society – whether it’s directly or indirectly – presently the senior citizens are not quite even after their formal retirement. They contribute their services by helping in growing up of grand children and engaging in other activities. If their minor medical problems are taken care and the moral support is offered, they can lead their healthy life happily, courage (self-confidence) and peace without much depending on others. The common problems during the later stage of life are cataract, dementia, diabetes, easy exhaustion, hypertension and other cardiac problems, knee and other joint pains, loss of hearing, palpitation, poor immune response, reduced physical activity, vertigo and vision impairment. Homoeopathy, in its history, has its own contribution to geriatrics. The time tested remedy Cineraria Maritima was used for cataract since around 1900. Usually homoeopathy is sought as a last resort of life when other therapies have given up. It may not be possible to make them totally free from all the complaints, but the aim of the physician is to provide a better quality of life to them. Homoeopathy eases their routine life and offers peace and solace to them.
Many a time ageing causes poor response to medicinal substances, irrespective of which system of medicine. In such instances “low potency” of homoeopathic medicines may be needed to induce the “vital force”. A senior citizen aged about 75 years, who is a regular homoeopathic patient, came with stable angina and was referred to a cardiologist for further evaluation and expert opinion. After CVS examination and other investigations no major abnormality was detected. Cardiologist suggested not to go for angiography (which may reveal something) due to his aging. He advised few drugs and asked the patient to follow up with the homoeopath (since the cardiologist has faith in homoeopathy). Along with the prescribed drugs, the patient was given Calcarea carbonica 200 (intercurrent), Convallaria majalis Q and Crataegus oxyacantha Q. Patient improved much. Allopathic drugs were tapered and withdrawn in a period of 3-6 months. Till date the patient has no cardiac problem and he is at his 80th year now.
This case is clearly with functional symptoms and not with gross pathological changes. Homoeopathy has good scope in such cases. Referrals to the experts, reciprocally increases the referrals to homoeopathy. They get to know the efficacy and possibilities of homoeopathy during such interactions. Every system has its own limitation. Whenever the case is beyond that, they too refer to homoeopathy.
Another case remembered which came to the OPD during the internship was diabetic foot aged about the same of above case. Since he could not afford the costly drugs, he was referred to homoeopathy. Our senior professor asked him to admit in the IPD and prescribed a dose of Lachesis followed by low potency of Gunpowder and Silicea alternately. The anti-diabetic drugs were not interrupted and the blood sugar level was monitored. The ulcer was dressed up with Calendula Q and Echinacea Q with appropriate intervals. The ulcer healed well. Even though the healing was not complete and there was recurrence, the patient’s ability to lead normal life was very much improved.
Frequently Used Remedies for Senile conditions
Ambra grisea
It is indicated for symptoms of both extremes of life, childhood and senility. In senility, it is useful in nervous affections, general functional impairment and premature senility. Weakness in the morning, in bed, especially in the upper part of body, with confusion in head; sensation as if eyes had been tightly closed.
Aurum metallicum
Aurum metallicum is a frequently prescribed remedy for old age problems. It is a remedy of considerable value in hypertrophy of the heart, with tendency to fatty degeneration and wandering pains. It is sometimes with palpitation and irregular pulse, and with feeling as if the heart would cease beating.
Baryta carbonica
Like Ambra grisea, it is also for both first and second childhood. It is indicated for old, cachectic but fatty people, those who suffer from gouty complaints. It is helpful in senile dementia. Apoplectic tendency is seen frequently in old people. Complaints of old drunkards, headache of aged people, who are childish, are the other characteristics. Other conditions of old men when degenerative changes begin in cardiac and cerebral vascular tissues. It is also indicated for enlarged prostate and indurated testes.
Cineraria Maritima
Many stalwarts and authors from Boericke and Clarke to contemporary physicians, have mentioned about this drug for its employment in cataract. It is prepared from the “juice” of the plant. The method adopted is to instil one drop, four or five times a day, into the eye affected, and to keep this up for several months. The juice does not appear to produce any inflammation: a slight burning sensation, which lasts for about two minutes, follows its application. A study claimed 60% success in both arresting and curing cataract with this drug (Experimental Research in Cataract with Cineraria Maritima, British Homoeopathic Journal, Vol. LIX, No. 2, April 1970). Effectivity of this drug in prevention and treatment of cataract has also been confirmed by animal experimentation in Philadelphia, USA. Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy recommends this drug for cataract.
Coca
Suitable to old people with weariness and shortness of breathing. This remedy is also for the exhaustion of brain and nervous system from physical and mental strain and for those who suffer from dizziness, dyspnoea and exhaustion. Decay of teeth.
Crataegus oxyacantha
It is another remedy for senility, especially for senile heart. Acts upon the heart as a restorative tonic produces a quieting and strengthening influence. It dilates the coronary vessels, reducing peripheral resistance and thus lowering the blood pressure. This remedy in five-drop doses of the tincture will often bring excellent results in chronic dilatation of heart. The indicative symptoms are angina pectoris – pain in region of heart and under left clavicle. Said to have a solvent power upon crustaceous and calcareous deposits in arteries. Extreme dyspnoea on least exertion, without much increase of pulse. It is also used to enhance poor memory by improving the circulation of blood with in the head.
Ginkgo biloba
In low potency or mother tincture this remedy is useful Alzheimer’s disease and other senile problems. Studies claim it is effective in the treatment of arterial insufficiency in limbs and brain. It is also indicated as an analeptic (stimulating effect on central nervous system). It improves memory and concentration and prevents life threatening clots by inhibiting platelet-activating factor. Another indication in low or medium potency is insomnia between 2am and 3am. Acts against allergy and reduces inflammation.
Kalium carbonicum
Recommended for fleshy aged people with dropsical and paretic tendencies, backache and weakness. It is also for weak heart and anaemia. It improves wasting of muscles and tissues. It is also useful in the diathesis of uric acid and urea.
Selenium metallicum
Involuntary dribbling after urinating or when walking, or after stool. Urine red, with a coarse red sandy sediment. Characterized by emaciation and weakness, with irritability.
| Therapeutics of some frequent senile problems | |
| Indication | Drugs |
| Development of senile cataract | Calcarea fluorica, Cineraria maritima (eye drops of juice/succus), Magnesium carbonicum, Silicea |
| Gangrene, senile | Carbo vegetabilis, Kreosotum, Secale cornutum |
| Incontinence of urine in old people, with senile degeneration of the prostate | Iodium |
| Premature senility | Acidum phosphoricum, Ambra grisea, Conium maculatum, Lycopodium, Moschus |
| Senile asthma | Baryta muriatica |
| Senile dementia | Baryta carbonica |
| Senile emphysema | Lobelia inflata |
| Senile erysipelas | Lachesis |
| Senile prostate | Ferrum picricum, Conium maculatum, Baryta carbonica, Rhus aromatica |
| Senile pruritus | Calcarea phosphorica, Natrum silicatum |
| Senile trembling | Cocainum muriaticum |
| Senile sub-acute bronchial catarrh with periodical fever, generally agg. at night | Chininum arsenicosum |
| Senile pneumonia | Digitalis Purpurea |
| Senile heart | Crataegus oxyacantha, Arsenicum iodatum, Strophanthus hispidus |
PS: This article was written by Dr. R. Valavan and published in the April 2008 issue of the medical magazine Homeopathy for All.