Revista Médica de Homeopatía最新文献

Objective

To know the frequency of use of homeopathic treatments, the kind of disease for which they are prescribed and the clinical outcome, of the patients treated in a primary care (PC) setting.

Methodology

Observational retrospective study of the medical records of an urban outpatient clinic.

Population

Over 18 year old users of a general practice consultation unit. The sample was chosen by simple randomization.

Variables

Use of homeopathic medicines, time frame (acute or chronic), treated disease, prescribed treatment and clinical outcome.

Statistical analysis

The mean ± standard deviation of the quantitative variables and the percentages of the qualitative ones were calculated, and the prevalence of use of homeopathy was estimated with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

A total of 142 medical records were included. A 63.4% of the patients had used homeopathy at some time (95% CI, 55.4-71.4). No statistical differences were observed regarding gender and age. The 55.6% of the patients were treated for chronic conditions. Exclusively homeopathic treatment was the most frequent kind of prescription (46.7%). Most frequently treated pathologies were: locomotor, respiratory, psychic, vascular and cutaneous. The clinical outcome was favorable in 57.8% of these patients. None of the patients treated with homeopathy declared adverse reactions.

Conclusion

The use of homeopathy was frequent in a PC setting (63% of the patients), also with chronic diseases. Prospective multicentric studies should be performed in order to confirm these results.

Chronic diseases of tracheobronchial tree—such as bronchiectasis and pulmonary sequestration—generate in patients symptoms like cough, secretions and hemoptysis, affecting their quality of life, and are frequently complicated with respiratory infections that require a considerable amount of antibiotics, and occasionally surgery. We present the case of a 55 year-old woman with pulmonary sequestration and bronchiectasis, whit repeated lower respiratory tract infections, which evolved favorably with individualized homeopathic treatment within a period of 2 years.

The original suggestion of Samuel Hahnemann of the existence of an immaterial dynamical force for explaining homeopathy is analyzed within the frame of quantum theory. Based on quantum field theory and the concept of 2D coherence domains, a plausible model of action of homeopathic remedies is proposed allowing to discuss the concept of water memory and information transfer through electromagnetic signals within a scientific rigorous quantitative frame. This quantum-mechanical viewpoint points to the crucial role played by lipidic membranes, a universal component of any living system. Attempts to assimilate homeopathy to a mere placebo effect and trials to block research funding on homeopathic remedies should be viewed as a conservative attitude stemming from a sticking to a materialistic philosophy based upon classical physics laws. Time is now ripe for physicians and biologists to realize that quantum physics applies at all scales, giving to homeopathy its credentials as a rational medical approach for healing people.

Medical ethics is a discipline that regulates the application of all human knowledge. The theoretical framework for the application of the different disciplines of knowledge must be elaborated. Homeopathic medicine has a theoretical framework, established by the body of knowledge outlined in the essential principles of its method. As doctors dedicated to the practice of homeopathic medicine we need an ethical theoretical framework in our medical acts. Homeopathic societies must have their codes, aiming at the elaboration of a document where the principles that underlie and make known the characteristics of the homeopathic medicine are described. “The main loyalty of the homeopathic doctor is owed to the patient”. Depending on their specific characteristics, other medical specialties have their own codes. It is in this context that the need for a code that reflects the specific and differentiating characteristics of homeopathic medicine is valued.

A 52 year-old man is seen at the pharmacy due to severe skin lesions on the back of his hands since 10 days without improvement under corticoid treatment. The back of both hands shows chemical burnt like injuries with dry skin, hyperkeratosic, cracked, yellowish, with blisters and bloody fissures (photos are provided). As he remembers having worked with concrete before the picture, dermatitis by cement is suspected. We decide to start a homeopathic treatment because there is a medicine with characteristic symptoms and etiology of suitable correspondence. Additional medication is given to accelerate recovery: Kalium Bichromicum 15 CH, Nitricum acidum 9 CH and a compound ad hoc. Evolution was favorable in 3 days and the skin recovered normality in 17 days. Homeopathy can contribute to a better evolution of chemical dermatitis, therefore its use should be considered.