Homeopathy relieves hostel life induced Acidity and Anxiety in an engineering student

In June 2022, Miss A, a 20-year-old computer science student, visited with a complaint of acidity. She stays in a hostel and has been feeling stressed since the term began, dealing with the challenges of her studies and the loneliness of being away from home since 2017.

The patient's primary concern was persistent burping, exacerbated by stress and consumption of spicy, oily, and Chinese food. This issue persisted in stressful situations and intensified since the patient relocated to a hostel in 2022. During the case assessment, the patient experienced frequent burping, occurring approximately every 10 minutes. Alongside acidity, bloating and the sensation of expelling gas through the mouth caused significant discomfort. Retrosternal burning accompanied the episodes of acidity.

The patient's dietary habits have been influenced by her hostel living situation, contributing to her health concerns. With limited food options available in the hostel, she often relies on cafeteria meals, and at times, resorts to consuming outside food. Unfortunately, these dietary choices include items high in oil, Chinese cuisine, junk food, and frequent intake of chips.

Mental generals:

In terms of mental aspects, the patient was aggressive and sensitive to criticism. Adapting to hostel life posed a significant challenge, especially for someone who enjoys outdoor activities and a natural environment. The patient experienced heightened anxiety about her future, dealing with the emotional strain of being isolated and alone in an unfamiliar place.

Physical generals:

In terms of general physical attributes, the patient follows a daily routine of cafeteria meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additionally, she consumes crunchies and chips after dinner. Being a vegetarian with an average appetite, the patient particularly enjoys crunchies and chips, but dislikes spicy food and brinjal. She tends to feel chilly, and her menstrual cycle is regular. During examination, a coated tongue was observed as part of her physical presentation.

Prescription:

After the completion of the case history, Dr. Shah carefully studied the patient's condition and prescribed Pulsatilla Nigricans 30 and Nux Vomica 30. This prescription took into account various aspects, including physical generals, mental health, and the maintaining cause of the patient's symptoms. In addition to the homeopathic remedies, the patient was advised to incorporate yoga and meditation into her routine to manage anxiety. A personalized diet chart was also recommended to address dietary factors contributing to her symptoms. This holistic approach aimed to promote both physical and mental well-being, acknowledging the interconnected nature of the patient's symptoms and lifestyle.

Follow-ups:

In the initial follow-up conducted in July, a notable 25% improvement was observed. The intensity of complaints, such as bloating, flatulence, and retrosternal burning, diminished, and the frequency of burping also decreased. Concurrently, the patient commenced treatment for a year-long hairfall issue.

Subsequent follow-ups revealed a substantial 60% overall improvement. The primary complaint of burping exhibited a noticeable reduction in frequency, occurring less frequently and causing discomfort only sporadically. With continued monitoring, the patient exhibited remarkable progress, reaching up to an 80% improvement across all complaints. The occurrences of trigger-induced episodes were also addressed, and the frequency of acidity notably reduced to just one episode in the last month. Simultaneously, the hairfall issue showed improvement, with a 50% reduction in the number of hairfall strands during combing and throughout the day (15-20 strands/day). Dandruff and itching also decreased in scalp.

Despite these positive developments, it was observed in subsequent follow-ups that occasional episodes persisted. Although the intensity of complaints during these episodes decreased, external factors such as consuming outside food and cafeteria meals were identified as maintaining causes. Notably, during a month with vacation and a return home, the patient reported experiencing no episodes and an overall sense of well-being.

Conclusion:

Homoeopathy proves valuable in addressing cases of acidity where eliminating maintaining causes is challenging. The demonstrated efficacy is marked by a reduction in episode frequency and a moderated intensity of symptoms during episodes. This positive outcome not only signifies the potential of homoeopathy in managing acidity but also emphasizes its role in enhancing patients' quality of life. By addressing symptoms and offering relief even in complex situations, homoeopathy stands as a beneficial and holistic solution for individuals seeking effective management of acidity-related challenges.