A gentle cure for old age

Dr Deepak Grover

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Health problems increase with advancing age. Several physiological changes take place as a person grows older; stamina gets diminished and endurance becomes poor. Multiple diseases start occurring due to degeneration of tissues and slowing down of body functions. In old age, disease management becomes a problem because of drug toxicity of medicines being taken and poor tolerance towards them. In such a situation, homoeopathy is a viable alternative as it is more efficient at tackling a specific problem, and is relatively free from side-effects.

The following medicines are very useful and these can be taken in 6c or 30c potency for few days depending on the intensity of the symptoms.

Aurum Metallicum: It is indicated in severe depression in old age. The symptom includes no joy in living and a sense of weariness in every activity. The person remains absorbed in his own self and has a brooding nature. These causes are often associated with oppression of heart at night and palpitation. These may be accompanied by pain in chest and difficulty in breathing while walking owing to blocked coronary arteries.

Arsenicum Album: The medicine is useful in sleeplessness or insomnia, coupled with anxiety, restlessness and weakness. In a typical case, a person tosses and turns from side to side while in bed, is fidgety when awake, anxiously moves around a lot, finally gets exhausted, and goes back to bed.

Baryta Carbonica: This one is especially useful for premature ageing that has occurred due to prolonged mental-physical strain. Its symptoms include a confused mind and lack of clarity in thought process. Baryta Carb also helps in improving memory.

Conium Maculatum: Its chief symptom is a tired mind. Patient is unable to apply his mental power to any work and has an attitude of complete indifference. These complaints are more prominent in persons who have suffered grief.

Calcarea Phosphate: It is useful in defective nutrition in old age. In such cases, calcium does not get absorbed leading to a low-bone density, which shrinks the bones and makes them fragile. A dosage of Calcarea Phosphate 6X, 4 tablets, thrice daily helps the body absorb calcium and prevent osteoporosis. This medicine is also useful in curing arthritis of the knees, especially the left knee.

Calcarea Carbon: It is particularly indicated in fat, flabby and anaemic old people who are unable to endure any exertion. They feel difficulty in breathing and tend to avoid activity due to a weak heart. Shock, bad news or any mental excitement causes them dizziness or confusion of mind.

Lycopodium: It is very useful for flatulence; when abdomen is distended like a drum and breathing seems difficult. In this case, after consuming a few mouthfuls of food the person feels bloated as gas builds up, such that she/he cannot eat anymore. Such a person is always belching.

Nux Vomica: It is indicated in sensitive old people who are over drugged by multiple allopathic medicines and have a weak digestion. They are extremely sensitive regarding their food intake and remain extremely irritable and cranky.

Plumbum Metallicum: Constipation is a common problem in old age. With slowness of mind and movements, digestion also becomes weak. Plumbum is helpful when passing stool becomes a difficult and painful task. In such cases, no matter how much a person strains, she/he cannot expel the stool, which becomes hard and ball-like and causes pain in the anus.

Sabal Serrulata: It has been used with benefit in benign prostate hypertrophy (enlargement of prostate). The initial symptoms include gradual increase in frequency of urination and a dull ache in the prostate region. In this case a liquid dose of 8-10 drops in half a glass of water can be taken three times a day for 2-3 months.

The writer is a Chandigarh-based homeopathic practitioner