Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM• 185ANGINAA fairly common complaint, angina consists of a constricting chest pain. In thedeveloped world this condition usually affects men over 50, but sometimes thoseas young as 30; in women it generally strikes in later life. Angina occurs whenextra demands are made on the heart during exercise or in stressful situationswhen oxygen supply may be restricted.Symptoms• Pain resembling a tight band around the chestthat can spread up into the neck and jaw anddown into an arm, usually the left arm.• Symptoms associated with exercise, especiallyafter eating, stress, and during very hot orcold weather.• Possible dizziness, palpitations, nausea, coldsweats, breathlessness, and cold extremities.• Symptoms wear off after rest.CausesThe direct cause of angina is not enough oxygenreaching the heart. This may be because arteriessupplying the heart have been damaged by adisease such as atherosclerosis (arteriesnarrowed by fatty deposits), or because of highblood pressure, malfunctioning heart valves,anemia, or disturbed heart rhythms. Anginamay also be caused by spasms in blood vessels.A less common cause is overproduction ofhormones (by the thyroid gland) that makesthe heart race.Conventional careAngina may be diagnosed by measuringelectrical activity in the heart while the patientis on a treadmill, or by X-raying altered bloodvessels injected with a highlighting substance(a practice known as coronary angiography).Conventional treatment is with drugs thatimprove circulation, such as glyceryl trinitrate,beta blockers, or calcium channel blockers.Surgery may be necessary. Angioplasty is theinsertion and inflation of a balloon in a blockedvessel to widen it. Coronary artery bypassentails placing a section of vein—from a leg, forexample—in the heart to bypass a blocked vein.Homeopathic medicineA full case history is studied along with theresults of explorative tests. Particular attentionis paid to triggers of angina and location of thepain. There are two aspects of homeopathictreatment: constitutional treatment aims torelieve pressure in the heart long-term, whileacute remedies are prescribed for attacks.Although specific symptoms ultimatelydetermine the choice of constitutionalremedy (see page 18), those that have anaffinity with the circulatory system includeApis, effective for fluid retention; Argent.nit., associated with improved nerveconduction to coronary arteries; Arnica,if there is damaged heart muscle—after aheart attack for example; Arsen. alb., forproblems in the left side of the heart; andAurum, for atherosclerosis, other arterialdiseases, and valve problems.Acute remedies include Cactus grand.,if the chest feels as though there is an ironband around it, and if there are breathingdifficulties, cold sweats, pain in the left arm,and falling blood pressure; and Lilium, whenthe chest feels as though it is in a vise, andthere are palpitations and pain in the rightarm. Latrodectus mac. is used for serious chestpains, rapid pulse, and numb fingers; andSpigelia is given for palpitations with a thirstfor hot water and breathing difficultiesrelieved by lying on the right.LifestyleAngina sufferers are advised to lose weight andwork out a diet for life, with plenty of oily fish,garlic, and brewer’s yeast, but little animal fat,refined carbohydrates, salt, caffeine, and alcohol.Antioxidant and fish-oil supplements may help;as may the use of fresh ginger in cooking.Smoking is not advisable. Relaxation techniquesor meditation and regular exercise are advisable.Any conventional drugs should be reviewedwith a doctor.CAUTION• If pain lasts for more than five minutes anddoes not ease after rest, call 911. If trained,administer first aid for a heart attack.• If angina attacks are becoming progressivelyworse, consult a doctor.• Never change the dosage of conventionaldrugs without consulting a doctor.CASE HISTORYElla, a 35-year-old lawyer and mother oftwo children, had experienced high bloodpressure and severe angina since shewas 14. (Her mother had died of a strokeat 46.) Ella’s drugs included a glyceryltrinitrate spray for the pain and a diureticto lower her blood pressure. She had hada mild heart attack the year before herconsultation and a stroke three yearsbefore that. She suffered severe anginaabout three times a year, preceded byextreme fatigue. She often had lessserious attacks, brought on by tirednessand stress.PERSONAL DETAILSElla was a vivacious woman but confessedto being depressed at times about hercondition, fearing that it would kill her.She was tearful and easily frightened,sometimes waking up with a great feelingof foreboding and anxiety.FOOD PREFERENCESFrequent nausea and a throbbing feelingin the stomach often resulted in a loss ofappetite. At such times Ella would lose hertaste for meat, which she usually liked.She often experienced a bitter-tasting fluidrising into her mouth, making all foodtaste acrid.GENERAL DETAILSElla was worse when lying on her left sideand on her back. She experienced low timesat 11 a.m. and 11 p.m., and she haddifficulty sleeping because of throbbing invarious parts of her body and disturbingdreams. She liked to be out in the open air.PRESCRIPTION & FOLLOW-UPNo attempt was made to change Ella’sconventional drugs in view of her medicalhistory. A satisfactory constitutional remedywas never found, but the chest pains wereable to be controlled and eventuallyeliminated by regular and as required use ofCactus grand. This also resulted in a muchreduced use of her spray. Ella eventuallystopped having severe attacks altogether.Two years after commencing homeopathictreatment, she felt able to undertake a thirdpregnancy, and eventually gave birth to ahealthy boy. She remains well unless shebecomes very overtired.