Homeopathy Helps Children Feel Better
Treating Acute Illnesses While Under Homeopathic Care
In homeopathy we believe there are two ways in which an acute illness manifests: one is a pure acute. In this case the patient’s usual symptoms are suspended, while he goes into a new state that is different from his usual state. This kind of acute illness may require an acute remedy, such as Aconitum napellus, Belladonna, Arsenicum album, Gelsemium sempervirens, Bryonia alba and others.
The second type of acute illness is an exacerbation or flare of the chronic state. In this type of acute, the patient’s usual chronic symptoms persist during the acute. If the patient is having difficulty recovering from such an acute illness, then they may need another dose of their constitutional remedy. Please send me an email if you or your child are sick and we will determine what type of acute this is, whether an acute remedy is called for, or whether a oral or proximity dose of the constitutional remedy will be helpful.
Some people like to have a homeopathic 30C kit at home for emergency use. Homeopathic pharmacies will often sell remedy kits, such as Helios.co.uk, hahnemannlabs.com, homeopathyworks.com, and homeopathy.org.
From a homeopathic perspective, it is generally better not to give a remedy at the start of an acute illness, because the remedy can on occasion cause an exacerbation of the acute symptoms. It is preferable to let the patient’s own immune system try to overcome the acute. If the patient is having difficulty it is okay to give a remedy, but it is better to give it toward the end of the acute illness rather than in the earlier stages of it. Another reason for this is that a period of observation is very wise, because the nature of the acute reveals itself as more time passes.
A fever or acute illness that appears within weeks of taking the remedy can also be a part of the healing response on the remedy. This should not be interfered with by administering a different homeopathic remedy. Please contact me if you or your child falls sick and you have questions about treating the acute.
In homeopathic practice, we often observe that following a febrile or acute illness that the patient’s usual symptoms are often better afterwards.
For a high or persistent fever, or where the child is in pain, has difficulty breathing, is dehydrated, is unusually sleepy, or is having seizures, please seek medical attention. Please also let me know what is going on and I will do my best to guide you with homeopathic care.
I can also give you a list of herbal tonics that can help during different acute illnesses, so please send me an email if you or your child is sick and you need assistance.
I asked ChatGPT to create a list of symptoms that should be noted when a patient is ill. Here is the list that it gave me.
For a homeopathic follow-up, I would ask parents to observe the whole acute picture, not simply the diagnosis or temperature. The most useful observations are:
- Onset: When did the illness begin? Was it sudden or gradual? What was happening beforehand?
- Temperature: Highest temperature, how it was measured, how it changes through the day, and whether the child feels hot, chilly, or alternates between the two.
- Behavior and mood: Is the child unusually irritable, clingy, frightened, restless, quiet, withdrawn, weepy, angry, confused, or wanting to be left alone?
- Energy: Is the child still playing or completely prostrated? Does the child want to lie down? Are there unusual bursts of energy?
- Sleep: More or less sleepy than usual? Restless sleep? Difficulty falling asleep? Frequent waking? Unusual sleep position?
- Thirst: More thirsty or less thirsty than usual? Drinking large quantities or frequent small sips? Preference for cold, warm, or room-temperature drinks?
- Appetite: Increased, decreased, or absent? Any unusual cravings or aversions?
- Perspiration: Is the child sweating? Where—head, face, chest, back, whole body? Does sweating make the child feel better or worse?
- Temperature preferences: Does the child want to be covered or uncovered? Want fresh air? Want the room warmer or cooler?
- Pain: Where is it? What does it feel like if the child can describe it? What makes it better or worse—movement, pressure, lying still, warmth, cold, eating, drinking, etc.?
- Discharges: Describe nasal mucus, cough/phlegm, vomiting, diarrhea, ear discharge, etc.—including color, consistency, odor, frequency and anything unusual.
- Stool and urine: Diarrhea or constipation? Frequency and appearance of stools? Is the child urinating normally?
- Modalities: What clearly makes the child better or worse—time of day, position, motion, rest, warmth, cold, fresh air, eating, drinking, company, being held, etc.?
- Unusual or characteristic symptoms: Anything particularly strange or different from the child’s ordinary illnesses. These can be especially useful homeopathically.
- The chronic symptoms: During the illness, are the child’s usual chronic symptoms better, worse, unchanged, or temporarily absent? This would be particularly important for distinguishing what you call a pure acute from a flare of the chronic state.
- What is different about your child during this illness compared with how he or she normally behaves?
- Medications/supports given: Tylenol/acetaminophen, ibuprofen, antibiotics, antihistamines, herbs, supplements, homeopathic remedies, etc.—including approximately when they were given and what happened afterward.
- Overall direction: Is the child clearly getting better, clearly getting worse, or staying about the same?
Note: I would add one separate safety instruction: parents shouldn’t wait for a homeopathic assessment when a child appeasrs seriously ill. Difficulty breathing, blue/gray coloration, seizure, stiff neck with severe illness, severe dehydration or very little urine, inability to awaken normally, severe or rapidly worsening pain, or another alarming change warrants prompt conventional medical evaluation.
Conclusion
I hope this information is helpful to you, and that you or your child recover quickly from acute illness. Please send me an email if you have concerns about how the recovery is progressing.
Wishing you health and happiness.
Deborah Olenev CCH RSHom (NA)
