ACUTE ILLNESS
An acute illness is transitory. Symptoms begin quickly, the illness builds and then subsides. It is self-limiting. Usually the person can recover on her own. Colds and influenza are examples of acute illnesses. They are caused by a virus or bacteria. Injuries can also be considered acute illnesses.
CHRONIC ILLNESS
A chronic illness develops slowly. Symptoms gradually increase in intensity and number, slowly reducing a person’s general health and vitality. Symptoms don’t go away, and compound with accompanying ailments. Examples of chronic diseases are high blood pressure, allergies, arthritis, heart disease, and migraine headaches.
FINDING A REMEDY TO ADDRESS AN ACUTE ILLNESS
A homeopathic remedy used in an acute illness is one that most closely matches the symptoms the person is experiencing during the illness. Some symptoms that a homeopath would use to determine a remedy would include the location where the illness is experienced, the sensation the person is experiencing, the time of day the person feels better or worse, and what makes the symptoms subside or become more severe.
For example, consider the complaints of a person who has a sore throat. This person’s throat is dark red in color. The pain is worse on the left side. The throat feels better when the person swallows solid food, worse while swallowing liquids, and the person’s tonsils and glands under his jaw are swollen. The person may require the remedy Lachesis muta. In contrast, the remedy Lycopodium clvavatum may be needed for a person with a sore throat that started on the right side, is worse in the morning on waking, and feels better when the person has warm drinks.
FINDING A REMEDY TO ADDRESS A CHRONIC ILLNESS
A remedy addressing a chronic illness takes into account all the symptoms the person is experiencing whether or not they have to do with the diagnosed disease. Any physical symptoms such as headaches, joint pain, skin eruptions, as well as mental/emotional symptoms would be considered. Is the person irritable, tired, or sad? Preferences about food and weather will be taken into account. A homeopath would also want to know what the person’s life was like when the symptoms began. Remedies for constitutional care address the totality of the symptoms, and the person should begin to experience well-being throughout.
But what happens if a person acquires and acute illness while they are under homeopathic constitutional care? I invite you to read the case of Sandi D.
