ACUTE
ILLNESS
Acute illness
is by definition a self-limiting disease which is mostly characterized
by the symptoms having a rapid onset. These symptoms are fairly
intense and resolve in a short period of time as either cure or
death in the patient. We commonly know these acute diseases as
colds, flu, bronchitis, childhood illnesses, tonsillitis, appendicitis,
ear aches, most headaches, most infectious disease, etc.
The same objective reporting is required for acute illness as
for trauma, but here there is generally more information to report.
Relay to the practitioner what the presenting symptoms are as
accurately as possible. Report the most persistent symptoms as
they exist at the time that you contact the homeopath. It may
be that information about the onset of symptoms is necessary,
but it is not unusual that another remedy will be needed at the
time of initial contact with your practitioner and several days
have elapsed from the beginning of the acute illness.
For example, when asked to relay symptoms of the disease several
days into it, you tell about a terrible headache that lasted for
several days. You tell how it kept you up all night and how no
over the counter medication gave you any relief etc., but you
haven't experienced that symptom for the last two days, but now
have a barking cough. The information regarding the headache may
have very little value as to the state of the disease at the time
of the call. However, if historical information is required, you
will be asked for that information as well.
Every practitioner has their own style of gathering information.
Perhaps the best way to approach speaking to your homeopath is
to ask them what information they require in order to treat the
acute disease.
Homeopathy is a very precise science. Since everyone assumes their
own individualistic symptoms during an acute disease, the treatment
for that particular disease is based upon the individual's particular
symptoms. For example, if a cold or flu is going around in a family,
it is very likely that a different remedy must be given to each
family member even though the same bug has been floating around
the remote control and kitchen table.
It is important to note that individuals get sick for individualistic
reasons, and that's why different remedies are often given within
the same family who apparently suffer from the same illness. What
is so interesting about the individuality of illness, is that,
often there is one or more members of the same family who are
infected with the dreaded disease, but do not succumb to its ravages.
This widely observed phenomena will be discussed at another time
in the theory and philosophy portion of this web site
One of the most important components of accurate reporting is
conveying information regarding certain aspects of the illness
called modalities. Modalities are the individuals specific attributes
and characteristics that attach themselves to and modify a particular
symptom. An example might be that a person has a cough, but that
cough is worsened every time he/she begins to lie down no matter
what time of day or night.
Another specific attribute of the cough is that there is tremendous
pain in the head every time they cough. Or, that the cough is
better for drinking cold drinks and made worse for drinking hot
or warm drinks, even though the patient has chills.
So a modality is any situation, condition, or event, whereby a
particular general symptom is either improved or worsened. Such
conditions may include, but are not limited to, time of day, posture,
temperature, light or heat sources, foods, drinks, desire or aversion
to company, quality of pains, hot or cold applications, various
types of pressures at the affected sight, etc.
Modalities, as they manifest in an individual during illness,
are one of the most significant defining characteristics as to
how a particular disease is impacting on the vital force of that
individual. Precise observations and accurate reporting of these
modalities will serve to give the practitioner very specific information
regarding the exact nature of the illness and will aid in finding
the best remedy for the problem.
Report even strange or very unusual behavior during these acute
illnesses, this information is often the most important in arriving
at the correct treatment. Remember, any departure from a person's
ordinary general state is worth noting, these include not only
the physical symptoms, but the mental and emotional behaviors
as well.
