How I was dragged into homeopathy

I am Dr. Yadunath Joshi. I passed MBBS from Goa Medical College in 1971 and started my general practice in a suburb of Mumbai (Bhandup)

I was a fresh graduate aspiring and dreaming to do something for my patients.

 I believed in ethical practice. For some minor complaints I did not give any medicine (only reassurance)

 I did not give antibiotics or injection to every patient,

I refused to give false medical certificates (for which I was offered money)

I was interested in homeopathy but many patients did not like it

 As a result only selected families who believed me came to me. Clinic was never crowded. People passing by used to comment that this doctor is just sitting.

One day I myself developed a rash on my face which was red, itching and oozing. I thought it as an opportunity to learn homeopathy and started treating myself.  But every day the face was becoming worse. One day it became very ugly, grotesque and looked like a Frankenstein. I was forcibly taken to a dermatologist and improved a lot within a week. However the infection had quietly spread to the brain and I got major convulsion in my sleep and was put on anticonvulsants for the next three years. I was confined to home for one month

I paid a heavy price by treating self with homeopathy without any experience.

I returned to my clinic after one month. The face was ok but still oozing

It was embarrassing to face people.

What went wrong?

The area where I practiced belonged to lower middle class and people wanted quick results with antibiotics and injections. A doctor was considered as good if his clinic was always crowded by patients. My clinic was always empty. It was unbearable to sit in empty clinic and listen to people’s comments

I decided to close my clinic after 5 years (1971 -1976) I was a failure. It was a great setback in my career. I also lost my interest in homeopathy

There were nearly 25 doctors around my clinic. All were unqualified but very successful, working from 9am to 2 pm and 6pm to 12 am.

I could not survive in that rat race.

   

What next?

I joined a pharmacy college as a lecturer in pharmacology and also registered for MD in pharmacology. Within 4 years (1980) I got my MD (pharmacology) I joined pharmaceutical industry as a medical advisor.

It was a challenging and rewarding career, I had no time to think about homeopathy. I almost became anti –homeopath. I used to criticize homeopathic practitioners. I also wrote some articles in a medical magazine about how unscientific is homeopathy (Today I feel ashamed)

 In 1992 I came across a book on homeopathy by Dr Rajan Sankaran who is an eminent homeopath. He is known as original thinker and has introduced many concepts in homeopathy. He has written many books on these new concepts which have helped practicing homeopaths to succeed.

Dr Sankaran thinks that every remedy has a frame of mind which is distinct from other remedies

For example:

BRYONIA

He is very industrious, busy and determined and works at a feverish pace. He is dry and insensitive to the feelings of others. He does not like to be disturbed. His focus is on business. Even in the clinic, his attitude is business –like, asking doctor about the options in solving his health problem

The main feeling is of a loss (notional) which has to be made up very fast. For example he spent time for a few days for some family event. He calculates the notional loss during these days and how he can recover this loss as early as possible.

CHINA

China is a man who had an ambition to do something. He has plans and goals but somehow people came in the way.  They troubled him all the time. This is a long standing situation and he is a failure

He becomes lazy and starts to fantasize. In his fantasy he does what he would have done if he had not been troubled by people.

Feels unfortunate. Just bad luck.

ANACARDIUM

It is a situation of child abuse. When parents are too strict with their children and impose their desires forcibly and do not allow them to think and do anything on their own, the child cannot take any decisions

The child reacts against this, becomes hard and cruel.

Also this could be a situation of a wife of a dominating husband. Her self-confidence is shattered,

These are the people who are tormented, punished and abused. As a reaction they harden up inside and become violent with suicidal or homicidal behavior.

 

I was not in touch with homeopathy from 1976 to 1992

This new approach was very fascinating and I was again tempted to learn homeopathy. I started seeing patients with this new approach.

During the history taking it was easy to observe the frame of mind of the patient and search for a remedy with similar mind frame.

This approach was rewarding and I started getting results which gave me confidence.

Today I am a successful homeopath although I am not a homeopathic graduate.

 

 

 

 

How do you define constipation?

A worried mother came to my clinic with her teenage daughter

"Doctor, my daughter is suffering from constipation. Please do something"

She narrated her story. She goes to toilet in the morning. But there is no urge. She strains and strains without any effect and comes out with a sorry face.

" Doctor I am really worried".

I asked "Do you mean, she does not pass stool?"

"No doctor, she passes it sometime in the afternoon or late evening. some day she does not pass at all"

"Then what is the problem?"

"She should pass stools every morning before her breakfast."

I said "not necessarily, Nothing is wrong if we pass it in the evening.

What is the frequency of bowel movements? 

It is between three per day to three per week. And hence it is really difficult to define constipation

This means that even you pass three satisfactory stools in a week, you are not constipated.

However,people are not convinced. For them, passing stools every day is a sign of health. 

 

This is due to the conditioning since childhood

They label themselves as constipated and start taking laxatives and develop the habit of straining. They become obsessive

Rather than taking laxatives one should improve his lifestyle

Adequate dietary fiber

At least three fruits per day and adequate amount of vegetables

Water intake (1000 ml/day)

Regular exercise (I recommend Suryanamaskar)

Advantage

Less calories, yet more filling. 

You eat less and stay satisfied longer

Absorption of glucose is delayed

The bulk of stools increases

Bowel movements normalise

Remember that non-veg food does not contain any fiber

Heavy intake of meat is not good for health

Medications can cause it

• Cough syrups containing codeine

• Medicines for parkinson's disease

• Antidepressants

• Calcium and iron supplements can also have constipation as a notable side effect.

• Check your thyroid status. Hypothyroidism is a cause of constipation

The bottom line:

• Do not enter the toilet unless there is a strong urge

• Refrain from taking laxatives. If you feel uneasy about not passing stools, then insert a suppository into the rectum. you will get urge within 15 minutes.

• Do not label yourself as constipated.

Coffee and health

Coffee and tea have been consumed for hundreds of years and have become an important part of cultural traditions and social life. 

Health effects

• Consumption of 3 to 5 standard cups daily is associated with a reduced risk of several chronic diseases.

               A standard cup defined as 240 ml.  

• It does not increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancers.

• It increases wakefulness and work productivity. 

• It improves energy balance by reducing appetite and increasing the basal metabolic rate 

• Repeated intake during the day  were associated with slightly less long-term weight gain

• A modest beneficial effect on body fatness

     Moderate consumption can be part of a healthy lifestyle.

      You cannot recommend coffee intake for  

      disease prevention. There is no evidence 

A standard coffee mug (240 ml)
Not more than 5 mugs/day

     

  Adverse effects

  High caffeine intake (more than 5 cups) can have various 

  adverse effects,  

• Consumption later in the day can increase sleep latency and reduce the quality of sleep

• Caffeinated beverages that are high in calories, such as soft drinks and energy drinks and coffee or tea with added sugar, may lead to excess weight gain.

•  Caffeine can induce anxiety in persons with high anxiety or bipolar disorders. , 

.

       Adverse effects in pregnancy

• Caffeine readily passes the placenta

• High caffeine intake is associated with lower birth weight

• There is a risk of pregnancy loss .

 A pregnant lady should avoid coffee intake as far as possible, 

Why mask is necessary to prevent the corona?

.mask is mandatory

• Because we can’t tell who’s infected in the crowd 

• An effective way to limit transmission . 

• It prevents larger droplets from evaporating into smaller droplets that can travel farther

Do masks protect the people wearing them or the people around them?

• The best benefit is for people who have corona to protect them from giving it to other people,

• An healthy person will also be protected from wearing a mask  

  you could still catch the virus through the membranes in  
  your eyes, a risk that masking does not eliminate.

How many people need to wear masks to reduce community transmission?

• You want 100 percent of people to wear masks, but even 80 percent wear it, we would achieve more than a strict lock down.

• The latest forecast suggests that 33000 deaths could be avoided by October 1 if 95 percent of people wore masks in public.
• .

.Hong kong is doing a good job

It has kept its outbreak relatively under control because a vast majority wear a mask

Even if you live in a community where few people wear masks, you would still reduce your own chances of catching the virus by wearing one, 

You should always wear masks and socially distance,
 . 

Mask is a must

             
 
Spread of emission of sneeze cloud 

A video film analysed it

• Largest droplets rapidly settle within 1 -2 meters away from the person
• The smaller and evaporating droplets travel the dimensions of the room and land up to 6 - 8 meters away from the person

     The droplets in aerosols from coughing travel with  
     airspeed of 8 m/sec

Center for Disease Control (CDC) in U.S. observed:

Both symptomatic and asymptomatic transmission are  common. 
viral load peaks  before symptoms begin 

 Just speaking is enough to expel virus-carrying droplets.

Two compelling case reports:

•  A man flew from China to Toronto and then tested positive. He had a dry cough but he wore a mask on the flight, All 25 people closest to him on the flight tested negative  . 

• Two hair stylists in U.S. had close contact with 140 clients while sick with corona.

      Everyone wore a mask and none of the clients tested     

      positive.

A mnemonic is the “Three W’s" 

• wearing a mask,
• washing your hands, 
• watching your distance.

Cleaning your iPhone or wiping down your groceries are “just distractors.” They are not a major source of transmission.

Most important is wearing a mask

                 

Can flushing the toilet Spread corona virus?

A study points out that flushing a toilet generates “strong turbulence within the bowl” and expel aerosol particles containing viruses out of the bowl with a upward velocity of 5 m/second to the height of 106 cm from the ground

 when an infected person uses it, 

There will be a large amount of viruses within the toilet bowl and therefore, toilets are a source of infection 

Home isolation 

The patient usually remains at home and the same toilet is used by the members of the family.

What about public washrooms?

Large number of people use it and a positive case can cause a massive number of infections.


  

Precaution:

Close the lid before you flush

Toilet seats should be put down before flushing and seats should be cleaned before using it, since floating virus particles could be present on the surface. .

P.S.

No doubt, we should wear a mask but also be aware of the spread of corona from the toilets.

Does the type of mask matter?

        

• Studies have compared various mask materials 
• The most important consideration is comfort. 
• The best mask is one you can wear comfortably and consistently. 

Surgical masks are generally more protective than cloth masks, and some people find them lighter and more comfortable to wear.

Experts have cautioned against N 95 masks with valves

• They are commonly used in construction to prevent the inhalation of dust
• But they do not protect the people around you. 
• The valve is one- way. It closes when the person breathes in, but opens when the person breathes out, allowing unfiltered air and droplets to escape. 

• The city of San Francisco has specified that masks with valves do not comply with the city's face covering order.

The bottom line

Any mask that covers the nose and mouth will be of benefit.
You can use a handkerchief or a dupatta or a gamcha

The concept is risk reduction rather than absolute prevention,” 

Now we know more about Corona

It started just with cold, fever,cough and breathlessness.

Now we look for body ache, loss of smell and taste,headache, dizziness and fatigue.

Sometimes there is only weakness and no other symptoms.

It will become more challenging for the physician to suspect and diagnose Covid19

The virus is not confined to lungs. It has effects outside lungs

• It blocks oxygen supply to many organs. 

• It triggers a clot formation,which travels to heart, brain and kidneys.Many need a dialysis

• Those who have recovered may need oxygen at home because their lungs are in bad shape. 

• Some complain of dry cough,(due to scars in lungs)

• Some complain of weakness and having no energy to go back to work.
•  Physiotherapy is needed to improve lung capacity 

Elderly people should prevent a fall

       

One of my patient who is 78 yr old, was leading a normal life, except the age related weakness. He went for a picnic along with his friends and fell down while going down the stairs. He developed fracture of the shoulder and hip joint.

He was brought to Mumbai in the ambulance and was hospitalized and operated and resting at home.  

However, he developed complications like pneumonia, bed sores and died within 15 days.

This is what happens to many elderly people.

They are more prone to fall and likely to have a fracture. 

They should take care and family members can help them.by ensuring the following:

• Check their vitamin B12 levels .If it is low, they could have balancing problems while walking. Injections of B12 will help them

• They need to go to the bathroom in the middle of night,They are not fully awake at that moment and should take care at that time

• Keep the bathroom dry day and night.

• Fix a rod to the wall of the bathroom.

These simple measures will help the elderly to prevent a fall and live with comfort

How do we react to an illness?

Health is of paramount importance to us and disease is always perceived as a threat to our well being and to our life
.
Heart attack evokes a scare and fear of death.This fear remains even after successful treatment. Not only the patient but his friends and relatives are also shaken.They may consult a cardiologist and make changes in their lifestyle.

Cancer creates a fear of death.It is a sudden news and signals exit from this world in near future.The whole family is shaken. Fortunately many treatments are available now, due to the advances in medical technology. Coping with the long term suffering needs a support system. It is a major setback for the patient which changes his outlook towards life.

A sudden attack of stroke paralyses the patient in every sense. A mighty hand of destiny strikes a powerful blow to his existence. "why me?" is the question that bothers him. 
It is an ordeal to remain bed ridden and disabled throughout the life. 





Parkinson's disease evokes self pity. Patient feels trapped and helpless. He undergoes a lot of suffering and leads a very restricted life till the end.It is an agony. His family also suffers along with him.  He is haunted with the thoughts "Why me?" "Is it my past karma?"  What have I done? 

Tuberculosis causes a stigma and also the long term suffering due to the adverse effects of the medicines.He would not like others to know about it.

In most of these diseases, people turn to spirituality, perform rituals, visit the family deity. Also they may consult an astrologer, who reassures them and asks to perform some rituals (at a reasonable cost) 


What about diabetes?




Diabetes does not create a panic or a threat to life. The literature mentions that he suffers from depression but soon recovers and become normal.

There is no "why me?" feeling in diabetes because he is not the only one. Many of his friends and relatives have it. It has become so common in society that there is no shock or a surprise or a stigma (It may add to the status)

He reacts in different ways:

"So it has come, I was expecting it",

"No wonder, it is in our family"

"Now I should not eat sweets". 

"I feel nice ,no symptoms"

He does not feel the burden of the problem (which he should be feeling) There are ups and downs in the blood sugar, but he is cool. He knows various complications of diabetes, but is indifferent. His family is also cool. 

I have not seen a 'worried' diabetic yet,. 

Who is afraid of diabetes?

Can you stop medicines for high blood pressure?

A lady patient came for consultation. I saw her file and the list of medicines she is taking. There were in all 11 medicines. Two of them for high blood pressure.

She was taking these anti hypertensives for nearly 20 years,
and regularly visiting the doctor who prescribed them.
At every follow up visit that doctor said only one word "continue"

I took her blood pressure. It was 130/ 70.
I told her to stop these two medicines for some time. She refused. "How can I stop?  it may increase" 

I explained to her that blood pressure will not rise suddenly. It may take at least 3 weeks to rise. You can monitor it at home with the instrument once in a week. If there is a rise within 3 weeks we can restart the treatment.

The arm should be resting on the pillow and cuff should be at the level of the heart 

The lady agreed and discontinued her two medicines. She monitored her blood pressure every week for the next 4 weeks. The blood pressure did not rise.

She felt confident but still was in doubt " what if it increases after 3 moths or 6 months?"  

I said " Please continue to monitor once a week. No need to worry"
. 
Six months have passed and her pressure is still normal

P.S.:

Millions of patients are taking treatment for many years. Doctors are not interested in a review in their busy practice.

Patients are also not keen for a review because they have been told:

"Treatment of high blood pressure is life long"

Not necessarily.