Monday, March 16, 2009

Katta metta

Katta metta

Going down the memory lane, there are particular dates/days that stand out vividly in my memories. And one such date is 29th August 1974.

The day started off on a quiet normal note but at lunch time my father gave me the message that I was appointed as a demonstrator in Govt homoeopathic college. I joined my job the same day with a mix of emotions as I was joining the same college I graduated from. Moreover, it sounded to be a rather dicey incidence as I was posted in my friend’s place (he was transferred to another district). I was allotted a social and preventive subject for which the class was scheduled to start the very next day. Thankfully my father who had significant experience in teaching gave me some very useful tips. My first class was an ordeal of course, as the administrators as well as some my senior colleagues were observing the session. To my relief and over my expectations, my 1st class concluded on a successful note. For this I have two of my mentors to thank for - Dr Kishna Rao, who was instrumental in starting Jaisoorya homoeopathic college in Hyderbad, and Dr Siva Shankar, former Addl Director, AYUSH dept Govt of Andhra Pardesh, India. They gave me a chance at teaching as well start my successful career.

Things then went on uneventfully until the year 1976, which was like a sweet and sour soup on a platter of delectable Indian food, as this year marked a new phase in my life – my marriage. I married a Homoeo graduate from a different community much to the consternation and anger of my parents. But with God’s grace and the moral support from my friends, I started my life anew, and carried on with my official work without taking off even a day then (a fact which baffles my daughter to this day). The credit here goes to another mentor, Major Joshi Rao, who helped me immensely in shaping my career.

1982 marked a major event in my life, as my wife and I were blessed with a cute and sparkling baby girl. From then on, we could hardly say life was boring as went through the joyful years of watching our daughter grow. She completed her B.Tech and MBA, and is now working as an Associate Consultant in an MNC at Hyderabad. The credit for her education and her career shaping all goes to my wife who has been a pillar of strength and support for our daughter.

During one of my conversations with Dr Nagabushan Rao, a Neuro-Physician, he said “nobody is going to market your greatness, only you can do it through periodically presenting papers in national seminars and publishing your treated cases in international and national journals.” I took this as a challenge and published my 1st article in the national journal titled “Hahnemann Gleening.” In 1976 I published my 1st International article in British Homoeopathic Journal.

From then on, I presented papers at various national and international level conferences such as Nepal and Sri Lanka International conferences. This paper was on “The study of psychological illness in Prisoners in relation to Sycotic Miasm and childhood exercise induced Asthmas.”

Year 2005 was again a mixed year with sorrow and happiness. I retired from the Government service after successfully serving for 31 years in various capacities lastly as Vice Principal and professor and head of the department of Medicine at JSPS Government Homoeopathic College, Hyderabad.

I was awarded Government Andhra Pradesh best teacher award and it was definitely a life time achievement for me. I felt that at least Government of Andhra Pradesh recognized my talent.

I lost my father, a great teacher and Physician who served the Government of Andhra Pradesh more then two and half decades in various capacities as professor and superintendent in conventional system of medicine. His death created a deep vacuum in my life.

Katta metta

Katta metta

Going down the memory lane, there are particular dates/days that stand out vividly in my memories. And one such date is 29th August 1974.

The day started off on a quiet normal note but at lunch time my father gave me the message that I was appointed as a demonstrator in Govt homoeopathic college. I joined my job the same day with a mix of emotions as I was joining the same college I graduated from. Moreover, it sounded to be a rather dicey incidence as I was posted in my friend’s place (he was transferred to another district). I was allotted a social and preventive subject for which the class was scheduled to start the very next day. Thankfully my father who had significant experience in teaching gave me some very useful tips. My first class was an ordeal of course, as the administrators as well as some my senior colleagues were observing the session. To my relief and over my expectations, my 1st class concluded on a successful note. For this I have two of my mentors to thank for - Dr Kishna Rao, who was instrumental in starting Jaisoorya homoeopathic college in Hyderbad, and Dr Siva Shankar, former Addl Director, AYUSH dept Govt of Andhra Pardesh, India. They gave me a chance at teaching as well start my successful career.

Things then went on uneventfully until the year 1976, which was like a sweet and sour soup on a platter of delectable Indian food, as this year marked a new phase in my life – my marriage. I married a Homoeo graduate from a different community much to the consternation and anger of my parents. But with God’s grace and the moral support from my friends, I started my life anew, and carried on with my official work without taking off even a day then (a fact which baffles my daughter to this day). The credit here goes to another mentor, Major Joshi Rao, who helped me immensely in shaping my career.

1982 marked a major event in my life, as my wife and I were blessed with a cute and sparkling baby girl. From then on, we could hardly say life was boring as went through the joyful years of watching our daughter grow. She completed her B.Tech and MBA, and is now working as an Associate Consultant in an MNC at Hyderabad. The credit for her education and her career shaping all goes to my wife who has been a pillar of strength and support for our daughter.

During one of my conversations with Dr Nagabushan Rao, a Neuro-Physician, he said “nobody is going to market your greatness, only you can do it through periodically presenting papers in national seminars and publishing your treated cases in international and national journals.” I took this as a challenge and published my 1st article in the national journal titled “Hahnemann Gleening.” In 1976 I published my 1st International article in British Homoeopathic Journal.

From then on, I presented papers at various national and international level conferences such as Nepal and Sri Lanka International conferences. This paper was on “The study of psychological illness in Prisoners in relation to Sycotic Miasm and childhood exercise induced Asthmas.”

Year 2005 was again a mixed year with sorrow and happiness. I retired from the Government service after successfully serving for 31 years in various capacities lastly as Vice Principal and professor and head of the department of Medicine at JSPS Government Homoeopathic College, Hyderabad.

I was awarded Government Andhra Pradesh best teacher award and it was definitely a life time achievement for me. I felt that at least Government of Andhra Pradesh recognized my talent.

I lost my father, a great teacher and Physician who served the Government of Andhra Pradesh more then two and half decades in various capacities as professor and superintendent in conventional system of medicine. His death created a deep vacuum in my life.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Irritant Contact Dermatitis (eczema) & Homoeopathy




Mr. X, 35Y, was
Admitted with eruptions & swelling of face, burning, itching sensation, with increased thirst, it was sudden after hair cut.
HEAD - HAIR - cutting hair - ailments after: Bell 3, glon 2, kali iod 1, phos 2, sepia 2 (CR)
Belladonna, 0/1, 3 times in water, was prescribed on the basis of A/F hair cut, sudden onset, increased thirst, etc during treatment. When cause was analyzed we came to know that patient applied hair dye after hair cut. The cause is hair dye which has caused irritant contact dermatitis. Therapeutic diagnosis was on the basis of causation i.e. ailments after hair cut; Nosological diagnosis was irritant contact dermatitis. The patient recovered with in 48 hour with Homoeo medicines as shown in visuals.

Disc prolapse & Homoeopathy

Herniated disc is referred by many different names like lumbar disk disorders, lumbar disk disease, low back pain, sciatica, intervertebral disk disorders, back pain, sciatic nerve, disk herniation, disk bulge, disk protrusion, disk extrusion, disk sequestration, herniated disk(3). Approximately 25% of the populations between the ages 40 to 50 have shown evidence of a disc prolapse / herniation on MRI scan, most of which were asymptomatic at the time. The diagnosis of disc herniation is therefore a clinical one, relying mainly on the history of pain and neurological abnormalities the age group most commonly affected is adults aged 25-45 years with the male-to-female ratio approximately

Homoeopathic medicines are very effective in treating Disc prolapse, in my study I could get good results with only homoeopathic medicines. Work absence has drastically come down in effected people.
Reference - my articles published in homeopathic Links, Vol 21, Winter 2008

Homoeopathy,Myths and Facts

Myths and Facts about Homoeopathy.
Is Homoeopathic medicine act slow?
No, time taken according to the depth of the disease.
Can Homoeopathy treat any thing and every thing?
Like any other systems of medicine, Homoeopathy has its own limitations
Is Homoeopathy first aggravates the disease and then improves?
It does not happen to all cases and always, if the chosen remedy matches the patient’s need.
Are there any dietic restrictions while taking these medicines?
It is myth regarding restriction in diet like onion, garlic, perfume, pan and tobacco. Homoeo medicines have been used on patients who are habituated to coffee and betel. But with certain medicines when given, such restrictions are must. Otherwise the action may be nullified. Asking not to use pan, or cigarette are on the other hand are safe and healthy restrictions.

Is it a fact that Homoeopathic medicines have no side effects?
It is a fact that homeopathic medicines have no side effects. The homoeopathic remedy is chosen because it matches as closely as possible with the totality of symptoms of the patient.
Can the medicines be taken safely during pregnancy?
The safety of homoeopathic medicines is well known; still it is advised to take the opinion of a qualified Homoeopathic doctor in such situation
Are homoeopathic medicines safe for children?
Yes, they can be given safely to even to the youngest infant.
Can animals be treated with Homoeopathy?
Homoeopathy is as effective for animals as it is for humans.
Can homoeopathic medicine be taken with ordinary drugs?
Always follow your doctor’s advice as stopping some medicine may be harmful and taking some other medicines may also be detrimental
Is Homoeopathy safe?
Homoeopathic medicines are not harmful because they are so greatly diluted. They are safe, non-toxic and non-addictive. They are prepared in laboratories licensed by the Department of Health, to stringent standards of quality.
Is Homoeopathy acts slow?

NO

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Psychological Illnesses & Homoeopathy

Homoeopathic medicines have a good say in various psychological illnesses, what with the incidence of these problems increasing day by day. Most of the precipitating causes contributing to these problems are upcoming examination tension, a new job, loss of job, marriage, and divorce, financial & family problems. Apart from these are some health problems which are quite complicated to be tackled by conventional system of medicine. In such cases, homoeopathic medicines can solve the problem if the treatment is planned in a systematic way with good case taking.

For more details ref my article in Asian Journal Of Homoeopathy , vol.2No,4(5)Nov 2008-Jan 2009.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Bed side teaching Importance in Homoeopathic Colleges

Teaching at the bedside is defined as “Teaching in the presence of the patient”, and this applies to any situation where the teaching occurs in the presence of the patient. It is an active learning process with a limited group of learners, and permits evaluation of all three domains. It Bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical reality in addition to fostering the qualities of scientific thought (observation, problem solving and decision making). As the numbers in admission are coming down year by year owing to the poor quality of clinical teaching with poor patients strength, clinical teaching is a must for learning practical skills in prescription and following up of cases.

Majority of homoeopathic hospitals are facing decreased admission strength as there is no special care for in-patients compared to that received by the out-patients. It becomes difficult to demonstrate a good clinical case (successfully homeopathically treated case). This is a vicious cycle. Many Administrators many not agree on this viewpoint. But the only way to increase the conviction in the homoeopathic system is to break this vicious cycle.

This is just a brief overview of one of my articles published in HomeoBuzz, Vol 3, No.11, 2008