parkinsons disease
TRANSCRIPT
Information about parkinson’s disease, causes, symptoms, homeopathy
treatment, or homeopathy medicine for the cure of parkinson’s disease.
Also called: Paralysis agitans, Shaking palsy
Parkinson’s disease (also known as Parkinson disease or Parkinson’s Disease) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that often
impairs the sufferer’s motor skills and speech.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease have been known and treated since
ancient times. However, it was not formally recognized and its symptoms
were not documenteduntil 1817, in An Essay on the Shaking Palsy. by the British physician James Parkinson. Parkinson’s disease
was then known as paralysis agitans, the term “Parkinson’s disease”
being coined later by Jean Martin Charcot. The underlying
biochemical changes in the brain were identified in the 1950′s, due
largely to the work of Swedish scientist Arwid Carlsson, who later went
on to win a Nobel prize.
Parkinson’s disease is a disorder that affects nerve cells, or neurons, in a
part of the brain that controls muscle movement. In Parkinson’s, neurons
that make a chemical called dopamine die or do not work properly.
Dopaminenormally sends signals that help coordinate your movements.
Parkinson’s is a disease that causes aprogressive loss of nerve cell
function in the part of the brain that controls muscle movement.
Progressive means that this disease’s effects get worse over time.
Parkinson’s disease belongs to a group of conditions called movement
disorders. The primary symptoms are the results of decreased stimulation
of the motor cortex by the basal ganglia, normally caused by the
insufficient formation and action of dopamine ,which is produced in the
dopaminergic neurons of the brain. Secondary symptoms may include
high level cognitive dysfunction and subtle language problems.
Parkinson’s Disease is both chronic and progressive.
Parkinson’s Disease is the most common cause of parkinsonism a group
of similar symptoms. Parkinson’s Disease is also called “primary
parkinsonism” or “idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease” (having no known
cause). While most forms of parkinsonism are idiopathic, there are some
cases where the symptoms may result from toxicity, drugs, genetic
mutation, head trauma, or other medical disorders.
Early symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease are subtle and occur gradually.
Affected people may feel mild tremors or have difficulty getting out of a
chair. They may notice that they speak too softly or that their
handwriting is slow and looks cramped or small. They may lose track of a
word or thought, or they may feel tired, irritable, or depressed for no
apparent reason. This very early period may last a long time before the
more classic and obvious symptoms appear.
Friends or family members may be the first to notice changes
in someone with early Parkinson’s Disease. They may see that the
person’s face lacks expression and animation (known as “masked face”)
or that the person does not move an arm or leg normally. They also may
notice that the person seems stiff, unsteady, or unusually slow.
As the disease progresses, the shaking or tremor that affects the majority
of Parkinson’s patients may begin to interfere with daily activities.
Patients may not be able to hold utensils steady or they may find that the
shaking makes reading a newspaper difficult. Tremor is usually the
symptom that causes people to seek medical help.
People with Parkinson’s Disease often develop a so-called Parkinsonian gait that includes a tendency to lean forward, small quick steps as if
hurrying forward (called festination), and reduced swinging of the arms.
They also may have trouble initiating movement (start hesitation), and
they may stop suddenly as they walk (freezing).
Parkinson’s Disease does not affect everyone the same way, and the rate
of progression differs among patients. Tremor is the major symptom for
some patients, while for others; tremor is nonexistent or very minor.
Parkinson’s Disease symptoms often begin on one side of the body.
However, as it progresses, the disease eventually affects both sides.
Even after the disease involves both sides of the body, the symptoms are
often less severe on one side than on the other.
Tremor. The tremor associated with Parkinson’s Disease has a
characteristic appearance. Typically, the tremor takes the form of a
rhythmic back-and-forth motion at a rate of 4-6 beats per second. It may
involve the thumb and forefinger and appear as a “pill rolling” tremor.
Tremor often begins in a hand, although sometimes a foot or the jaw is
affected first. It is most obvious when the hand is at rest or when a
person is under stress. For example, the shaking may become more
pronounced a few seconds after the hands are rested on a table. Tremor
usually disappears during sleep or improves with intentional movement.
Rigidity-. Rigidity, or a resistance to movement, affects most people
with Parkinson’s Disease. A major principle of body movement is that all
muscles have an opposing muscle. Movement is possible not just because
one muscle becomes more active, but because the opposing muscle
relaxes. In Parkinson’s Disease, rigidity comes about when, in response
to signals from the brain, the delicate balance of opposing muscles is
disturbed. The muscles remain constantly tensed and contracted so that
the person aches or feels stiff or weak. The rigidity becomes obvious
when another person tries to move the patient’s arm, which will move
only in ratchet-like or short, jerky movements known as “cogwheel”
rigidity.
Bradykinesia. – Bradykinesia, or the slowing down and loss of
spontaneous and automatic movement, is particularly frustrating because
it may make simple tasks somewhat difficult. The person cannot rapidly
perform routine movements. Activities once performed quickly and easily
— such as washing or dressing — may take several hours.
Postural instability.- Postural instability, or impaired balance, causes
patients to fall easily. Affected people also may develop a stooped
posture in which the head is bowed and the shoulders are drooped.
A number of other symptoms may accompany Parkinson’s Disease. Some are minor; others are not. Many can be treated with
medication or physical therapy. No one can predict which symptoms will
affect an individual patient, and the intensity of the symptoms varies from
person to person.
§ Depression. This is a common problem and may appear early in the
course of the disease, even before other symptoms are noticed.
Fortunately, depression usually can be successfully treated with
antidepressant medications. Hallucinations,delusions and paranoia may
develop.
§ Emotional changes. Some people with Parkinson’s Disease
become fearful and insecure. Perhaps they fear they cannot cope with
new situations. They may not want to travel, go to parties, or socialize
with friends. Some lose their motivation and become dependent on family
members. Others may become irritable or uncharacteristically
pessimistic.
§ Difficulty with swallowing and chewing. Muscles used in
swallowing may work less efficiently in later stages of the disease. In
these cases, food and saliva may collect in the mouth and back of the
throat, which can result in choking or drooling. These problems also may
make it difficult to get adequate nutrition. Speech-language therapists,
occupational therapists, and dieticians can often help with these
problems.
§ Speech changes. About half of all Parkinson’s Disease patients
have problems with speech. They may speak too softly or in a monotone,
hesitate before speaking, slur or repeat their words, or speak too fast. A
speech therapist may be able to help patients reduce some of these
problems.
§ Urinary problems or constipation. In some patients, bladder
and bowel problems can occur due to the improper functioning of the
autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for regulating smooth
muscle activity. Some people may become incontinent, while others have
trouble urinating. In others, constipation may occur because the
intestinal tract operates more slowly. Constipation can also be caused by
inactivity, eating a poor diet, or drinking too little fluid. The medications
used to treat Parkinson’s Disease also can contribute to constipation. It
can be a persistent problem and, in rare cases, can be serious enough to
require hospitalization.
§ Skin problems. In Parkinson’s Disease, it is common for the skin
on the face to become very oily, particularly on the forehead and at the
sides of the nose. The scalp may become oily too, resulting in dandruff. In
other cases, the skin can become very dry. These problems are also the
result of an improperly functioning autonomic nervous system. Standard
treatments for skin problems can help. Excessive sweating, another
common symptom, is usually controllable with medications used for
Parkinson’s Disease.
§ Sleep problems. Sleep problems common in Parkinson’s Disease
include difficulty staying asleep at night, restless sleep, nightmares and
emotional dreams, and drowsiness or sudden sleep onset during the day.
Patients with Parkinson’s Disease should never take over-the-counter
sleep aids without consulting their physicians.
§ Dementia or other cognitive problems. Some, but not all,
people with Parkinson’s Disease may develop memory problems and slow
thinking. In some of these cases, cognitive problems become more
severe, leading to a condition called Parkinson’s dementia late in the
course of the disease. This dementia may affect memory, social
judgment, language, reasoning, or other mental skills.
§ Orthostatic hypotension. < Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden
drop in blood pressure when a person stands up from a lying-down
position. This may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and, in extreme
cases, loss of balance or fainting. Studies have suggested that, in
Parkinson’s Disease, this problem results from a loss of nerve endings in
the sympathetic nervous system that controls heart rate, blood pressure,
and other automatic functions in the body. The medications used to treat
Parkinson’s Disease also may contribute to this symptom.
§ Muscle cramps and dystonia. The rigidity and lack of normal
movement associated with Parkinson’s Disease often causes muscle
cramps, especially in the legs and toes. Massage, stretching, and
applying heat may help with these cramps. Parkinson’s Disease also can
be associated with dystonia — sustained muscle contractions that cause
forced or twisted positions. Dystonia in Parkinson’s Disease is often
caused by fluctuations in the body’s level of dopamine. It can usually be
relieved or reduced by adjusting the person’s medications.
§ Pain. Many people with Parkinson’s Disease develop aching
muscles and joints because of the rigidity and abnormal postures often
associated with the disease. Certain exercises also may help. People
with Parkinson’s Disease also may develop pain due to compression of
nerve roots or dystonia-related muscle spasms. In rare cases, people
with Parkinson’s Disease may develop unexplained burning, stabbing
sensations. This type of pain, called “central pain,” originates in the
brain. Dopaminergic drugs, opiates, antidepressants, and other types of
drugs may all be used to treat this type of pain.
§ Fatigue and loss of energy. The unusual demands of living with
Parkinson’s Disease often lead to problems with fatigue, especially late in
the day. Fatigue may be associated with depression or sleep disorders,
but it also may result from muscle stress or from overdoing activity when
the person feels well. Fatigue also may result fromakinesia – trouble
initiating or carrying out movement. Exercise, good sleep habits, staying
mentally active, and not forcing too many activities in a short time may
help to alleviate fatigue.
§ Sexual dysfunction. Parkinson’s Disease often causes erectile
dysfunction because of its effects on nerve signals from the brain or
because of poor blood circulation. Parkinson’s Disease-related
depression or use of antidepressant medication also may cause decreased
sex drive and other problems. These problems are often treatable.
Impaired visual contrast sensitivity , spatial reasoning, colour
discrimination, convergence insufficiency (characterized by double vision
) and oculomotor disturbances.
Dizziness and fainting; usually attributable to orthostatic hypotension, a
failure of the autonomous nervous system to adjust blood pressure in
response to changes in body position
Impaired propriception (the awareness of bodily position in three-
dimensional space)
Reduction or loss of sense of smell (microsmia or anosmia) – can occur
years prior to diagnosis,
Pain: neuropathic, muscle, joints and tendons, attributable to tension,
dystonia, rigidity, joint stiffness, and injuries associated with attempts at
accommodation
The main causes could be graded under four headings:
Genetic
Toxins
Head injury
Drug induced
Parkinson’s disease occurs when nerve cells, or neurons, in an area of the
brain known as the substantia nigra die or become impaired. Normally,
these neurons produce an important brain chemical known
as dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical messengerresponsible for
transmitting signals between the substantia nigra and the next “relay
station” of the brain, the corpus striatum, to produce smooth, purposeful
movement. Loss of dopamine results in abnormal nerve firing patterns
within the brain that cause impaired movement. Studies have shown that
most Parkinson’s patients have lost 60 to 80 percent or more of the
dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra by the time symptoms
appear. Recent studies have shown that people with Parkinson’s Disease
also have loss of the nerve endings that produce the neurotransmitter nor
epinephrine. Nor epinephrine, which is closely related to dopamine, is
the main chemical messenger of the sympathetic nervous system, the
part of the nervous system that controls many automatic functions of the
body, such as pulse and blood pressure. The loss of nor epinephrine
might help explain several of the non-motor features seen in Parkinson’s
Disease, including fatigue and abnormalities of blood pressure
regulation.
Scientists have identified several genetic mutations associated with
Parkinson’s Disease, and many more genes have been tentatively linked
to the disorder. Studying the genes responsible for inherited cases of
Parkinson’s Disease can help researchers understand both inherited and
sporadic cases. The same genes and proteins that are altered in inherited
cases may also be altered in sporadic cases by environmental toxins or
other factors.
Although the importance of genetics in Parkinson’s Disease is
increasingly recognized, most researchers believe environmental
exposures increase a person’s risk of developing the disease. Even in
familial cases, exposure to toxins or other environmental factors may
influence when symptoms of the disease appear or how the disease
progresses. There are a number of toxins, such as 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2,
3, 6-tetrahydropyridine, or MPTP (found in some kinds of synthetic
heroin), that can cause Parkinson Ian symptoms in humans. Other, still-
unidentified environmental factors also may cause Parkinson’s Disease in
genetically susceptible individuals.
Viruses are another possible environmental trigger for Parkinson’s
Disease. People who developed encephalopathy after a 1918 influenza
epidemic were later stricken with severe, progressive Parkinson’s-like
symptoms. A group of Taiwanese women developed similar symptoms
after contracting herpes virus infections. In these women, the symptoms,
which later disappeared, were linked to a temporary inflammation of the
substantia nigra.
Several lines of research suggest that mitochondria may play a role in the
development of Parkinson’s Disease. Mitochondria are the energy-
producing components of the cell and are major sources of free radicals
— molecules that damage membranes, proteins, DNA, and other parts of
the cell. This damage is often referred to as oxidative stress. Oxidative
stress-related changes, including free radical damage to DNA, proteins,
and fats, have been detected in brains of Parkinson’s Disease patients.
Other research suggests that the cell’s protein disposal system may fail
in people with Parkinson’s Disease, causing proteins to build up to
harmful levels and trigger cell death. Additional studies have found
evidence that clumps of protein that develop inside brain cells of people
with Parkinson’s Disease may contribute to the death of neurons, and
that inflammation or over stimulation of cells (because of toxins or other
factors) may play a role in the disease. However, the precise role of the
protein deposits remains unknown. Some researchers even speculate
that the protein buildup is part of an unsuccessful attempt to protect the
cell. While mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and
many other cellular processes may contribute to Parkinson’s Disease, the
actual cause of the dopamine cell death is still undetermined.
A doctor may diagnose a person with Parkinson’s disease based on the
patient’s symptoms, neurological examinations and medical history. No
blood tests or x-rays can show whether a person has Parkinson’s disease.
However, some kinds of x-rays can help the doctor make sure nothing
else is causing symptoms. If symptoms go away or get better when the
person takes a medicine called levodopa, it’s fairly certain that he or she
has Parkinson’s disease.
The disease can be difficult to diagnose accurately. The Unified disease rating scale is the primary clinical tool used to assist in
diagnosis and determine severity of Parkinson’s Disease. Indeed, only
75% of clinical diagnoses of Parkinson’s Disease are confirmed at
autopsy. Early signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease may
sometimes be dismissed as the effects of normal aging. The physician
may need to observe the person for some time until it is apparent that the
symptoms are consistently present. Usually doctors look for shuffling of
feet and lack of swing in the arms. Doctors may sometimes request brain
scans or laboratory tests in order to rule out other diseases. However, CT
and MRI brain scans of people with Parkinson’s Disease usually appear
normal.
The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UParkinson’s DiseaseRS) is a rating scale used to follow the longitudinal course of
Parkinson’s disease. It is made up of the following sections:
Mentation, behavior, and mood;
Activities of daily living;
Motor;
Complications of therapy;
Hoehn and Yahr Stage;
Hoehn and Yahr Staging of Parkinson’s DiseaseStage oneSymptoms on one side of the body only. Stage two
Symptoms on both sides of the body. No impairment of balance.
Stage three
Balance impairment. Mild to moderate disease. Physically independent.
Stage four
Severe disability, but still able to walk or stand unassisted.
Stage five
Wheelchair-bound or bedridden unless assisted.
Prognosis of Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s Disease is not by itself a fatal disease, but it does get worse
with time. The average life expectancy of a Parkinson’s Disease patient
is generally the same as for people who do not have the disease.
However, in the late stages of the disease, Parkinson’s Disease may
cause complications such as choking, pneumonia, and falls that can lead
to death. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available for
people with Parkinson’s Disease.
The progression of symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease may take 20 years
or more. In some people, however, the disease progresses more quickly.
There is no way to predict what course the disease will take for an
individual person.
There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. But medicines can help control
the symptoms of the disease. Some of the medicines used to treat
Parkinson’s disease include carbidopa-levodopa (one brand name:
Sinemet), bromocriptine (brand name: Parlodel), selegiline (one brand
name: Eldepryl), pramipexole (brand name: Mirapex), ropinirole (brand
name: Requip), and tolcapone (brand name: Tasmar).
Medications to Treat the Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
Drugs that increase brain levels of dopamineLevodopaDrugs that mimic dopamine (dopamine agonists)ApomorphineBromocriptinePramipexole
Drugs that inhibit dopamine breakdown (COMT inhibitors)EntacaponeTolcaponeDrugs that decrease the action of acetylcholine anticholinergics)<TrihexyphenidylBenztropine
RopiniroleDrugs that inhibit dopamine breakdown (MAO-B inhibitors)Selegiline (deprenyl)
EthopropazineDrugs with an unknown mechanism of action for Parkinson’s DiseaseAmantadine
The most common drugs used in the treatment are:
L-dopa – It is the most widely used drug but also causes many side effects
because only 1-5% of L-dopa enters dopaminergic neurons rest is
metabolized to dopamine elsewhere.
Initially it causes complaints like:
Nausea
Vomiting
Reduced blood pressure
Restlessness
Drowsiness and sudden sleep
Later it can complicate the condition even further and can cause:
Hallucinations
Psychosis
Younger patients of Parkinson’s suffer more from its side effects as:
Dyskinesis
Painful ‘off’ dystonias
Tremors intensified
Dyskinesias, or involuntary movements such as twitching, twisting,
and writhing, commonly develop in people who take large doses of
levodopa over an extended period. These movements may be either mild
or severe and either very rapid or very slow. The dose of levodopa is
often reduced in order to lessen these drug-induced movements.
However, the Parkinson’s Disease symptoms often reappear even with
lower doses of medication. Doctors and patients must work together
closely to find a tolerable balance between the drug’s benefits and side
effects.
The period of effectiveness after each dose may begin to shorten, called
the wearing-off effect. Another potential problem is referred to as
the on-off effect — sudden, unpredictable changes in movement, from
normal to Parkinson Ian movement and back again. These effects
probably indicate that the patient’s response to the drug is changing or
that the disease is progressing.
Dopamine agonists -
Somnolence
Hallucinations
Insomnia
Oedema
Less motor fluctuations
Dyskinesis (twisting / turning) movements
In rare cases, they can cause compulsive behavior, such as an
uncontrollable desire togamble, hyper sexuality, or compulsive shopping. Bromocriptine can also causefibrosis, or a buildup of fibrous
tissue, in the heart valves or the chest cavity. Fibrosis usually goes away
once the drugs are stopped.
MAO-B inhibitors. These drugs inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase
B, or MAO-B, which breaks down dopamine in the brain. MAO-B
inhibitors cause dopamine to accumulate in surviving nerve cells and
reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Selegiline, also called
deprenyl, is an MAO-B inhibitor that is commonly used to treat
Parkinson’s Disease. Studies supported by the NINDS have shown that
selegiline can delay the need for levodopa therapy by up to a year or
more. When selegiline is given with levodopa, it appears to enhance and
prolong the response to levodopa and thus may reduce wearing-off
fluctuations. Selegiline is usually well-tolerated, although side effects
may include nausea, orthostatic hypotension, stomatitis or insomnia. It should not be taken with the antidepressant
fluoxetine or the sedative mepiridine, because combining seligiline with
these drugs can be harmful.
COMT inhibitors. COMT stands for catechol-O-methyltransferase,
another enzyme that helps to break down dopamine. Two COMT
inhibitors are approved to treat Parkinson’s Disease in the United
States: entacapone and tolcapone. These drugs prolong the effects of
levodopa by preventing the breakdown of dopamine. COMT inhibitors can
decrease the duration of “off” periods, and they usually make it possible
to reduce the person’s dose of levodopa. The most common side effect is diarrhea. The drugs may also cause nausea, sleep disturbances, dizziness, urine discoloration, abdominal pain, low blood pressure, or hallucinations. In a few rare cases,
tolcapone has caused severe liver disease. Because of this, patients
taking tolcapone need regular monitoring of their liver function.
Amantadine. An antiviral drug, amantadine, can help reduce symptoms
of Parkinson’s Disease and levodopa-induced dyskinesia. It is often used
alone in the early stages of the disease. It also may be used with an
anticholinergic drug or levodopa. After several months, amantadine’s
effectiveness wears off in up to half of the patients taking it.
Amantadine’s side effects may include insomnia, mottled skin, edema, agitation, or hallucinations. Researchers are not certain
how amantadine works in Parkinson’s Disease, but it may increase the
effects of dopamine.
Anticholinergics. These drugs, which include trihexyphenidyl,
benztropine, and ethopropazine, decrease the activity of the
neurotransmitter acetylcholine and help to reduce tremors and muscle
rigidity. Only about half the patients who receive anticholinergics are
helped by it, usually for a brief period and with only a 30 percent
improvement. Side effects may include dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, hallucinations, memory loss, blurred vision, and confusion.
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/susceptability) 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.Reportorial rubric:
Murphy: Diseases: Paralysis-agitans.
Clarke: Paralysis agitans.
Boericke: Nervous system: Paralysis-Type – agitans
Agar., Am Gr., Arg-n., Aur., Bufo.,Cocc., Con., Gels., Helo.,
Hyos. ,Lathyr., Mag-p., MERC., Nux-v., Phos., Plb., Puls., RHUS-T.,
Stam., Tarent., Thuj., ZINC.,.
Mercurius
Weakness of limbs, trembling of extremities, especially hands. Paralytic
agitans. Lacerating pain in joints. Cold and clammy sweat on limbs. Oily perspiration.Tremors everywhere in body. Weakness with
trembling from least exertion. All symptoms are aggravated at night,
warmth of bed, Damp, cold, rainy weather and during
perspiration. Complaints increase during sweating and rest. All
symptoms always associated with weariness, prostration and trembling.
Slow in answering questions. Memory weakened and loss of will power.
Skin alwaysmoist and freely perspiring. Itching worse warmth of bed.
Zincum-MetallicumViolent trembling (twitching) of the whole body especially after
emotions. Twitching in children. Chorea. Paralysis of hands and feet.
Trembling of hands while writing. Lameness, weakness, trembling and
twitching of various muscles. Feet in continued motion, cannot keep still. Worse touch, between 5-7 pm., after dinner, better eating,
discharges.
Rhus-toxWhen the tremors start with pain which is relieved by motion. There
is stiffness of the parts affected. Numbness and formication, after
overwork and exposure. Paralysis; trembling after exertion. Limbs
stiff and paralysed.All joints hot and painful. Crawling and tingling
sensation in the tips of fingers. Worse during sleep, cold, wet rainy
weather and after rain, night, during rest, drenching and when lying on
back or right side. Better warm, dry weather, motion, walking, change of
position, rubbing, stretching out limbs.
Gelsemium
Centers its action on nervous system, causing various degrees of motor
paralysis…Dizziness, drowsiness, dullness and trembling are the
hallmark of this remedy. Trembling ranks the highest in this remedy,
weakness and paralysis, especially of the muscles of the head. Paralysis
of various groups of muscles like eyes, throat, chest, sphincters and
extremities. Head remedy for tremors. Mind sluggish and muscular
system relaxed. Staggering gait. Loss of power of muscular control.
Cramps in muscles of forearm. Excessive trembling and weakness of all
limbs. Worse by dampness, excitement, bad news. Better by bending
forwards, profuse urination, continued motion and open air.
Argentum Nitricum
It is complimentary to Gelsemium. Memory impaired; easily excited and
angered; flatulence and greenish diarrhea.Inco-ordination, loss of control
and imbalance with trembling and general debility. Paralysis with mental and abdominal symptoms. Rigidity of calves. Walks and
stands unsteadily. Numbness of body. Specially arms.
Agaricus Muscarius
Trembling, itching and jerking, stiffness of muscles; itching of skin over
the affected parts and extreme sensitiveness of the spine. Cannot bear touch. Jerking and trembling are strong indications. Chorea and
twitching ceases during sleep. Paralysis of lower limbs with spasmodic
conditions of arms. Numbness of legs on crossing them. Paralytic pain
in left arm followed by palpitation. Stiffness all over with pain over hips.
CocculusHead trembles while eating and when it is raised higher. Knees sink
down from weakness. Totters while walking with tendency to fall on one
side. Cracking of the knee when moving. Lameness worse by bending. Trembling and pain in limbs. One-sided paralysis worse after sleep. Intensely painful, paralytic drawing. Limbs straightened out
and painful when flexed.
It shows special affinity for light haired females especially during
pregnancy.
Lathyrus
Tremors of the upper extremities with paralytic weakness of the lower
limbs. Feels as if limbs are hard and contracted; limbs feel heavy. Feels
as if floor is irregular and is obliged to keep his eyes on the ground to
guide his feet. Affects the lateral and anterior columns of cord. Does not produce pain. Reflexes always increased. Lateral sclerosis
and Infantile paralysis. Finger tips numb. Tremulous, tottering gait. Excessive rigidity of legs with spastic gait. Knees knock against
each other while walking. Cannot extend or cross legs when siting.Stiff
and lame ankles.
PhysostigmaMarked fibrillary tremors and spasms of the muscles, worse from motion or application of cold water. Palpitation and fluttering of the heart felt throughout the body. Depresses the motor and
reflex activity of the cord and causes the loss of sensibility to pain,
muscle weakness and paralysis. Paralysis and tremors, chorea.
Meningeal irritation with rigidity of muscles. Pain in right popliteal
space. Burning and tingling in spine. Hands and feet numb with sudden
jerking of limbs on going to sleep. Crampy pain in limbs.
Ambra GriseaTremors with numbness, limbs go to sleep on the slightest movement, coldness and stiffness of limbs. The finger nails
become brittle and are shriveled. Cramps in hands and fingers. Worse
grasping anything. Cramps in legs. Extreme nervous hypersensitiveness.
Dread of people and desire to be alone. Music causes weeping. One sided complains call for it.Heloderma
Trembling along nerves in limbs. Tired feeling, very weak and nervous,
fainting, numb sensation. It causes locomotor ataxia. The eyes become
more prominent and corneal opacities visible. Very depressed and
sensation as if would fall on right side. Sensationas if walking on sponge. As if the feet were swollen. When walking, lifts feet higher
than usual and puts down heel hard. Stretching relieves pains in muscles and limbs.Mag-phos
Trembling; shaking of hands, involuntary. Paralysis agitans. Cramps in
calves, feet very tender. Twitching, Chorea, cramps. Numbness of finger
tips. Worse right side, cold, touch, night. Better warmth, bending double,
pressure and friction.
Bufo Rana
Special action on nervous system. Painful paralysis. Pain in loins,
numbness and cramps. Staggering gait. Feels as if a peg is driven into
joints. Worse—Warm room. Better bathing or cold air. Putting feet in cold
water.
Tarentula
Remarkable nervous phenomena. Chorea, extreme restlessness and
Paralysis agitans.Must keep in constant motion even though walking aggravates. Numbness of legs with twitching and
jerkings.Extraordinary contractions and movements.
Plumbum Metalicum
Paralytic agitans. Paralysis of single muscles. Cannot raise or lift
anything. Extension is difficult. Paralysis from over-exertion of extensor muscles in piano players. Wrist drop. Loss of patellar reflex. Pain in
right big toe at night. Hands and feet cold. Infantile paralysis and
neuritis.
Conium
Heavy, weary and paralyzed limbs. Trembling and unsteady hands.
Muscular weakness especially of lower extremities. Perspiration of
hands. Putting feet on chair relieves.Ascending paralysis ending in
death by failure of respiration. Worse by lying down, turning or rising in
bed, cold, exertion. Better by darkness, limbs hanging down, motion,
pressure.