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Sunday 5 February 2012

Obesity and Homoeopathy BY Juhi C

Obesity is a condition in which there is an accumulation of excess body fat. Fat deposition results from discrepancy between energy consumption and expenditure. A small excess consumption of only 50-200kcal daily will lead to a weight gain of 2-20 kg over a period of 4-10 yrs.

MEASUREMENT OF OBESITY

DIRECT METHOD: includes
A) Under water weighing(densitometry) and estimation of total body water or total body potassium or of fat cell mass by isotope dilution method
B) Computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging can be used to distinguish between fat and lean tissues.

INDIRECT METHOD:includes
A) Relative weight and height measurement
B) BMI - is a measure of body fat relative to height. BMI=body weight(kg) / height(meter)2.
C) Skin fold measurement-
D) Measurement of waist hip circumference. High waist hip ratio is considered a risk factor for IHS,Stroke death.

AETIOLOGY OF OBESITY

# BEHAVIOURAL FACTORS: High fat diet.- fat consumption results induces very little energy expenditure as most of it is stored. Snacking and loss of formalized meal pattern which reduces the conscious recognition of food eaten. Consumption of energy dense food- high in fat and sugar and low in bulk. Alcohol consumption.

# GENETIC FACTORS:are rare single gene disorder which lead to a symptom complex inducing obesity. These include Mutation of melanocortin 4 receptor(MCR4)-causes early onset of obesity, Prader willi syndrome and mutation in leptin gene, Leptin is adipose derived hormone which acts on hypothalamus and has complex effects in energy balance.its plasma levels correlate with fat stores and respond to changes in energy production.

# ENDOCRINE FACTORS:
e.g. Hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome,Insulinoma, Hypothalamic tumours/ injury

# DRUG TREATMENTS:
Tricyclic Antidepressants, Sulphonylurea drugs, Oral contraceptives (some agents), Corticosteriods, Sodium valporate.

There are Different Types of Obesity :

Generalized obesity:fat deposition is mainly on the hips and thighs(pear shape).

Abdominal obesity: is recognised by measuring waist circumference or waist hip ratio. Clinical problems associated with it are coronary artery dz, insulin resistance and development of type2 diabetes mellites.

CONSEQUENCES OF OBESITY
Obesity affects mortality and morbidity. For individual aged between 30 and 42 the risk of death increases by 1% for each 0.5 kg weight rise.
Cardiovascular disease:Increased pulmonary and systemic blood volume—increased stroke volume –increased cardiac output.

DIABETES MELLITUS - It predisposes to carbohydrate intolerance by increasing insulin resistance.

PULMONARY DISEASE :Obesity is associated with pickwickian syndrome. Obesity hypoventilation syndrome is characterized by somnolence, obesity ,hypoventilation.

ENDOCRINE DISORDERS : In men there is consistent reduction in total serum testosterone.
In females abnormal ovarian function,irregular menstruation, secondary amenorrhoea, hirsuitism, early menarche, delayed menopause, endometrial carcinoma, reduced incidence of osteoporosis.

MANAGEMENT OF OBESITY : Moderate reduction in energy intake of about 600kcal less than expenditure assessed on weight sex age. Starvation diets are potentially dangerous due to risk of sudden death from heart disease exacerbated by profound loss in muscle mass. It also leads to a risk of development of arrhythmias secondary to elevated free fatty acids and deranged electrolytes.
Behavioural modification therapy includes- changes in individuals attitude and perception with regards to food life style and physical activity. Promotion of increased physical activity to be maintained on long term basis. Walking briskly for 30 min a day can lead to additional weight loss of 1kg per month.

HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES FOR OBESITY: Homeopathic medicines can help you lose weight by improving digestion, elimination, and metabolism. But the medicines need to be individually prescribed, based on your own unique pattern of symptoms.
Constitutional treatment is most appropriate, but some of the following remedies might be useful.

CALCAREA CARB : Obesity due to pituitary and thyroid dysfunction. Obesity a/s with goiter and tonsils swollen. Disposed to grow fat Esp. indicated in children who grow fat are large bellied with large head, pale skin chalky look, anaemic babies take cold readily. Curvature of bones esp. spine and long bones, deformed bones irregularly developed.

CAPSICUM : Obesity in abstainers form accustomed alcoholics.Obese people with phlegmatic diathesis-lack of reactive force with fat people easily exhausted indolent dreads any kind of exercise. Persons inclined to be jovial yet get angry at trifles. General uncleanliness of body. Obese children dread open air always chilly.

CAPSICUM : Refractory clumsy, dirty, disinclined to think or work. Stomatitis foetid odour from mouth. Homesickness with sleeplessness. Desires to be alone, wants to lie down and sleep. Modalities - < open air, uncovering,   >eating, from heat.

GRAPHITIES : Obesity due to hormonal imbalance at menopause. Women obese who suffer from habitual constipation with history of delayed menstruation. Fat, chilly, costive females with various skin disorders.

PHYTOLACCA : Obesity due to thyroid dysfunction. Acts mainly on glands. Great exhaustion and profound prostration. Obesity with rheumatic diathesis.

FUCUS VESICULOSUS :Obesity due to non toxic goiter also for exophthalmic goiter. Diminished digestion, flatulence, Obstinate constipation. Tincture 5-6 drops 3 times a day before meals.

THYROID - Obesity due to thyroid dysfunction. Hypothyroidism-goiter. Produces anaemia, muscular weakness sweating headache. Myxoedema, cretinism, Easy fatigue weak pulse, tendency to fainting palpitation cold hands, Low blood pressure.

ANTIM CRUDE :Tendency to grow fat associated with gastric ailments. Gout with gastric symptoms. Excess irritability and fretfulness with thickly coated tongue. Recurrent stomatitis. Bloating after eating, constant belching. Corns due to overweight.


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/obesity-and-homoeopathy-3888317.html

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