Acanthocytosis
Acanthocytosis is a digestive disorder that is characterized by the absence of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and chylomicrons in the plasma. Chylomicrons are very small fatty droplets that are covered with a beta-lipoprotein and perform an essential function in fat transport in the blood and, thus, in fat metabolism. The absence of VLDL and of chylomicrons interferes with the absorption of fat and leads to excessive fats excretion (steatorrhea). Other symptoms include abnormal red blood cells (acanthocytes), a vision disorder (retinitis pigmentosa), and impaired muscle coordination (ataxia).
|
Remedy |
Characteristics Symptoms |
Patient Worse by |
Patient Better by |
| Causticum | Progressive loss of muscular strength, tendinous
contractures Broken down seniles Seems to choose preferably dark-complexioned and rigid-fibered persons Faint-like sinking of strength Children are slow to walk The skin of a Causticum person is of a dirty white sallow Emaciation due to disease, worry, etc, and of long standing Burning, rawness, and soreness Vision impaired, as if film were before eyes Greasy taste Aversion to sweets Feels as if lime were burned in stomach Worse after eating fresh meat; smoked meat agrees Stool soft and small, size of goose-quill; hard, tough, covered with mucus; shines like grease; small-shaped; expelled with much straining, or only on standing up Menses cease at night; flow only during day; delay, late Leucorrhœa at night, with great weakness Heaviness and weakness Unsteadiness of muscles of forearm and hand. Contracted tendons Weak ankles Cannot walk without suffering. Unsteady walking and easily falling Restless legs at night Very drowsy; can hardly keep awake |
Dry, cold winds In clear fine weather Cold air From motion of carriage |
In damp, wet weather Warmth Heat of bed. |
| Iodum | Rapid metabolism: Loss of flesh great
appetite Hungry with much thirst Great debility, the slightest effort induces perspiration Iodum individual is exceedingly thin, dark complexioned, with enlarged lymphatic glands, has voracious appetite but gets thin Tremor Craves cold air. Acts prominently on connective tissue Sluggish vital reaction, hence chronicity in many of its aspects Is warm, and wants cool surroundings Weakness and loss of breath going upstairs Ravenous hunger and much thirstEmpty eructations, as if every particle of food were turned into gas Anxious and worried if he does not eat Diarrhœa, whitish, frothy, fatty Urine frequent and copious, dark yellow-green, thick, acrid with cuticle on surface Great weakness during menses Menstruation irregular Acrid leucorrhœa, thick, slimy, corroding the linen |
When quiet In warm room Right side |
Walking about In open air After eating. |
| Phosphorus | Tall, slender persons, narrow chested, with thin,
transparent skin, weakened by loss of animal fluids, with great nervous
debility, emaciation, amative tendencies Great susceptibility to external impressions, to light, sound, odors, touch, electrical changes, thunder-storms Suddenness of symptoms, sudden prostration, faints, sweats, shooting pains, etc Ataxia and adynamia Thirst for very cold water Hunger soon after eating Sour taste and sour eructations after every meal Belching large quantities of wind, after eating Very fetid stools and flatus; long, narrow, hard, like a dog's; difficult to expel Urine turbid, brown, with red sediment Lack of power; irresistible desire; involuntary emissions, with lascivious dreams Menses too early and scanty-not profuse, but last too long Weeps before menses Leucorrhœa profuse, smarting, corrosive, instead of menses Weakness and trembling, from every exertion Can scarcely hold anything with his hands Arms and hands become numb Can lie only on right side Joints suddenly give way Great drowsiness, especially after meals Vivid dreams of fire; of hæmorrhage Lascivious dreams Goes to sleep late and awakens weak Short naps and frequent wakings |
Touch Physical or mental exertion Twilight Warm food or drink Change of weather From getting wet in hot weather Evening Lying on left or painful side During a thunder-storm Ascending stairs |
In dark Lying on right side Cold food Cold Open air Washing with cold water Sleep |
| Arsenicum Album | All-prevailing debility, exhaustion, and
restlessness, with nightly aggravation Great exhaustion after the slightest exertion Irritable weakness Burning pains; burning relieved by heat Fear fright and worry Degenerative changes Gradual loss of weight from impaired nutrition Septic infections and low vitality Cannot bear the sight or smell of foodGreat thirst; drinks much, but little at a time Craves milk, acids and coffee Long-lasting eructations Stool small, offensive, dark, with much prostration Urine scanty, burning, involuntary; albuminous Menses too profuse and too soon Leucorrhœa, acrid, burning, offensive, thin Trembling, twitching, spasms, weakness, heaviness, uneasiness Cramps in calves Disturbed, anxious, restless sleep; must have head raised by pillows Suffocative fits during sleep Sleeps with hands over head Dreams are full of care and fear |
Wet weather After midnight From cold, cold drinks, or food Seashore Right side |
From heat From head elevated Warm drinks |
| Picricum Acidum | Prostration, weakness and pain of back, pins and
needle sensation in extremities Muscular debility Heavy tired feeling Sallow complexion Bitter taste Aversion to food Urinary scanty; contains much indican, granular cylinders and fatty degenerated epithelium Emissions profuse, followed by great exhaustion, without sensual dreams Great weakness Tired, heavy feeling all over body, especially limbs; worse, exertion Feet cold; cannot get warm |
Least exertion, especially mental After sleep Wet weather A summer or hot weather remedy; patient is worse then |
From cold air Cold water Tight pressure. |
| Sulphur | Inertia and relaxation of fiber; hence feebleness
of tone Ebullitions of heat, dislike of water, dry and hard hair and skin, red orifices, sinking feeling at stomach about 11 am, and cat-nap sleep Dirty, filthy people, prone to skin affections Aversion to being washed General offensive character of discharge and exhalations Very red lips and face, flushing easily Complete loss of, or excessive appetite Putrid eructation Food tastes too salty Drinks much, eats little Milk disagrees Great desire for sweets Great acidity, sour eructation Very weak and faint about 11 am; must have something to eat Water fills the patient up Frequent micturition, especially at night Must hurry, sudden call to urinate Great quantities of colorless urine Menses too late, short, scanty, and difficult; thick, black, acrid, making parts sore; menses preceded by headache or suddenly stopped Leucorrhœa, burning, excoriating Heaviness; paretic feeling Burning in soles and hands at night Stiffness of knees and ankles Cannot walk erect; stoop-shouldered Talks, jerks, and twitches during sleep Vivid dreams Wakes up singing Wakes frequently, and becomes wide awake suddenly Catnaps; slightest noise awakens Cannot sleep between 2 an 5 am |
At rest When standing Warmth in bed Washing Bathing In morning 11 am Night From alcoholic stimulants Periodically |
Dry, warm weather Lying on right side From drawing up affected limbs |
| Thuja | Rapid exhaustion and emaciation Complete loss of appetite Dislike for fresh meat and potatoes Rancid eructations after fat food Cannot eat onions Urinary stream split and small Desire to urinate sudden and urgent, but cannot be controlled Profuse leucorrhœa; thick, greenish Menses scanty, retarded When walking, limbs feel as if made of wood or glass, and would break easily. Muscular twitchings, weakness and trembling Cracking in joints |
At night From heat of bed At 3 am and 3 pm From cold, damp air After breakfast Fat Coffee Vaccination |
Left side While drawing up a limb |