Homeopathy for the side effects of dialysis

Dr Asha Priyanka M

ABSTRACT :
Dialysis is a treatment procedure that purifies the  blood when the kidneys are no longer able to perform their function. Dialysis process of removing waste products and excess fluids from the blood when the kidneys are unable to perform this function naturally. Dialysis can have various side effects during and after the procedure . Homeopathy is useful to help manage side effects associated with dialysis.

KEYWORDS : Dialysis, homeopathy , side effects of dialysis .

INTRODUCTION :
Dialysis process of removing waste products and excess fluids from the blood when the kidneys are unable to perform this function naturally. Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or acute kidney injury (AKI) who require replacement of kidney function.¹

Dialysis procedure  can have the following side effects¹:

1. Cardiovascular complications:

– Hypotension

– Arrhythmias

– Cardiac arrest

2. Fluid and electrolyte disturbances:

– Hypovolemia

– Hypervolemia

– Electrolyte imbalance (e.g., hyperkalemia, hypokalemia)

3. Hematologic complications:

– Anemia

– Bleeding disorders

4. Infections:

– Dialysis access infections

– Sepsis

5. Metabolic complications:

– Hyperglycemia

– Hypoglycemia

6. Neurologic complications:

– Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome

– Seizures

7. Nutritional complications:

– Malnutrition

– Protein-energy malnutrition

8. Renal osteodystrophy
9. Respiratory complications:

– Hypoxemia

– Hypercapnia

10. Vascular access complications:

– Stenosis

– Thrombosis

– Infection

PREVALENCE
Haemodialysis (HD) is the commonest form of kidney replacement therapy in the world, accounting for approximately 69% of all kidney replacement therapy and 89% of all dialysis.  HD availability, accessibility, cost and outcomes vary widely across the world and, overall, the rates of impaired quality of life, morbidity and mortality are high².

Indicated homeopathic remedies reduce and overcome the complications such as anuria, weight loss, infections associated with chronic dialysis therapy.³

REPERTORY :

Repertorial results for remedies used for complaints from dialysis⁴, all the remedies mentioned belongs to grade four :

• Dementia dialysis from: alumina ,bar-c, ph-acid ,zinc-p
• Head pain dialysis from- :  chin, ferr-py , ferr-r , nat-mur  ,phase, sang
• Vomiting dialysis from-apom , ars, cupr-ar , phos
• Aluminium poisoning dialysis from – alum , bar-c , gels, kali-p , ph – ac , pic-ac , plb , zinc-p.
• Anemia dialysis from – ferr-act , ferr-cit , rub-t
• Hyperlipidemia dialysis from – calc-f , lyc , mag-m , nux-vom , stront-c , sulph
• Hypertension dialysis from – acon-f , adren , ser-ang
• Hypotension dialysis from – cac , carb-v , guips , naja , verat , visc
• Pain in muscles dialysis from – cho , eupi.
• Cramping pain dialysis from – cho , eupi.

HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES ^5,6:

ALUMINA :

A remedy for uremic poisoning,

• – Dementia from blood poisoning ,Confusion, disorientation, and loss of memory
• – Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
• – Slowness of thought and speech
• – Weakness of mind and body
• – Dryness of mouth and throat
• – Constipation
• – Cramping pains in limbs , Numbness and tingling sensations
• – Difficulty urinating
• – Increased thirst

PHOSPHORIC ACID :

Phosphoric acid may be useful in treating patients with dementia and urinary disturbances from dialysis

• – Dementia: forgetfulness, memory loss, confusion, and inability to concentrate
• – Urinary symptoms: frequent urination, involuntary urination, and painful urination
• – Weakness and exhaustion
• – Anxiety and restlessness
• – Decreased cognitive function

ARSENICUM ALBUM :

• – Weakness, exhaustion, and debility
• – Anxiety and restlessness
• – Nausea and vomiting
• – Diarrhea and abdominal pain
• – Burning pains and sensations
• – Thirst with frequent urination
• – Pale, sunken, and wrinkled skin
• – Hair loss and brittle nails
• – Worse: Cold, damp weather, after midnight, and from exertion
• – Better: Warmth, rest, and external warmth

FERRUM ACETICUM :

• –  Anemia with weakness, pallor, and shortness of breath
• – Increased thirst and urination
• – Dark, cloudy, or bloody urine
• – Painful urination and bladder tension
• – Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• – Headaches, dizziness, and fainting spells
• – Skin eruptions, itching, and eczema
• – Worse: Night, motion, and cold air
• – Better: Rest, warmth, and external applications

NAJA TRIPUDIANS

• – Dropsy (edema) and anasarca (generalized swelling)
• – Palpitations, arrhythmia, and cardiac weakness
• – Dyspnea (shortness of breath) and asthma
• – Hiccough and spasms of the diaphragm
• – Numbness and tingling in the extremities
• – Weakness, fatigue, and prostration
• – Worse: Evening, night, and from motion
• – Better: Rest and quiet

SULPHUR

•  – Edema (swelling) and anasarca (generalized swelling)
• – Painful urination and bladder tension
• – Dark, cloudy, or bloody urine
• – Fatigue, weakness, and prostration
• – Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• – Shortness of breath and dyspnea
• – Skin eruptions, itching, and eczema
• – Burning sensations and intolerable heat
• – Worse: Evening, night, and from warmth
• – Better: Morning, cold applications, and rest

EUPIONUM

• – Nephritis (kidney inflammation) and nephrosis (kidney damage)
• – Edema (swelling) and anasarca (generalized swelling)
• – Painful urination and bladder tension
• – Dark, cloudy, or bloody urine
• – Fatigue, weakness, and prostration
• – Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• – Shortness of breath and dyspnea
• – Worse: Motion, exertion, and cold air
• – Better: Rest, warmth, and external applications

REFERENCE :

1. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, Twenty-First Edition
2. Bello AK, Okpechi IG, Osman MA, Cho Y, Htay H, Jha V, Wainstein M, Johnson DW. Epidemiology of haemodialysis outcomes. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2022 Jun;18(6):378-395. doi: 10.1038/s41581-022-00542-7. Epub 2022 Feb 22. PMID: 35194215; PMCID: PMC8862002.
3. Dr. Lubna Kamal, Dr. Arvind Kumar Verma, Dr. Mohan Singh. Study to assess role of homeopathy in management of CKD. Int J Hom Sci 2022;6(4):102-105. DOI: 10.33545/26164485.2022.v6.i4b.645
4. Repertorium Homoeopathicum Syntheticum. By Dr. Frederik Schroyens.
5. A Dictionary Of practical materia medica -John henry Clarke
6. Pocket manual of homeopathic materia medica and repertory – Dr.william Boericke

Dr Asha Priyanka .M
PG scholar, department of practice of medicine
Government Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Bengaluru-560079
ashabhms2004@gmail.com
Under the Guidance of : Dr. Praveen kumar MD(Hom) HOD,  Professor, Department of Practice of medicine