week 9 : hypothyroidism and case note taking

goal of case taking

Goal for both acute and chronic cases is to identify the state of the individual and  find the simillimum to solve the case.

compare acute and chronic case taking

• Recent information is important for both acute and chronic.

• Acute cases are easier, though, because the patient notices the recent strong symptoms and relates them more easily!

• However, for chronic cases, we will need much more information about their previous health and medical history, plus the family history may be relevant as well.

• Plan to give yourself a lot more time for chronic case interviews, to review organ systems, mental and emotional aspects of the case, etc.

what are the aphorisms that are the 4 pillars of homeopathy?

Aphorisms 82-85: 4 pillars of Homeopathy 

• Aphorism 82: Always individualize the case

• Aphorism 83: Be impartial, attentive, observant and accurate in recording the disease picture.

• Aphorism 84: Collect information from the patient, the relatives/witnesses, your own observations, exam, and your tests. Transcribe the patient's own words. Never interrupt the patient!

• Aphorism 85: Write the symptoms on separate lines.

how should questions be asked?

Questioning Strategies & Types

• Open-ended questions: "How are you?" 

• Non-leading questions: "Tell me more (about)...", "What else can you say..."

• Deepening questions: "How would you describe this?", "What do you mean?", "What else?"

names of causticum

Potassium hydrate or caustic potash (tinctura acris sine kali)

etiology of causticum

• Burns, grief/sorrow

• Fright, long-lasting illness

• Night-watching (e.g. caregivers watching over someone at night)

• Suppressed eruptions

affinities of causticum

• Chronic and gradual affections of the musculoskeletal system, such as rheumatism, arthritis

• PARALYSIS, with pains and deformities

• Progressive weakness and contractures

• For catarrhal affections of the respiratory system in dark hair people with rigid fibre (more prone)

• Urinary tract problems (pain, incontinence, or retention)

• Children slow learning to walk and talk

mental picture of causticum

• Sympathetic

• History of abuse, repeated or prolonged suffering, grief

• High sense of justice, idealistic; militant, fanatical, rebellious

• Very sensitive, usually serious and introspective

• Fears: something bad is going to happen, in twilight, dogs, ghosts, being alone at night, dark

• Sad, hopeless mood, with weeping

• Guilt; anxiety about the future, from noise, sitting, from pain

• Forgetful, compulsive need to check what they've done

general symptoms of causticum

• Chilly

• Progressive weakness of muscles (due to weak nerves), esp. bladder, larynx, upper eyelids, right side of face

  • May show as twitching, stiffness, growing to paralysis

  • May have drooping eyelids 

• Burning pains and effects of burns, old scars re-open

• Aversion to sweets and fruit

modalities of causticum

• Worse: 

  • Dry cold air or winds/drafts

  • Right side

  • Evenings

• Better: 

  • Cold drinks

  • Damp/wet weather

  • Warmth

  • Gentle motion

physical symptoms of causticum

• Hoarseness, aphonia < morning, burning throat

• Coughing, rawness in chest

• Incontinence when coughing, sneezing, laughing, running, in sleep

• Cystitis with urge to urinate but inability to do so

• Tremors, stammering with anger, dizziness with lack of coordination, possible seizures (petit mal to convulsions)

• Tendon contractures (Dupuytren's)

• Warts on face, nose, eyelids; large, pedunculated

• Facial neuralgia, Bell's palsy

• Multiple sclerosis