Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

238 • HOMEOPATHIC SELF-HELPDISORDERDIARRHEADiarrhea is the frequent passing of watery or loose stools asa result of the failure of the large intestine to absorb water fromundigested material. This may be the result of dietary or digestiveproblems, such as eating too many prunes or legumes, a lack ofvitamin B or folic acid, too much vitamin D, food intolerance,parasites, or gastroenteritis (see page 236). Diarrhea may indicatea more serious condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome(see page 189), or be a reaction to certain drugs, anxiety, or stress.SELF-HELP Drink plenty of boiled, cooled water with a little honeyin it or ice water to avoid dehydration. Progress to arrowroot, tapioca,semolina, or slippery elm food, then thin soups. A supplement ofacidophilus, or eating live yogurt, is advisable if diarrhea followstaking certain drugs such as antibiotics. Avoid analgesics andvitamin E supplements.CAUTION If diarrhea continues for more than 48 hours, or if thereis blood in the feces, see a doctor within two hours. Recurrentdiarrhea may require constitutional homeopathic treatment(see page 176).SPECIFIC AILMENTDiarrhea caused byfood intoleranceDiarrhea caused bynervous excitementDiarrhea after shockDiarrhea after cold foodsand drinksPHYSICAL SYMPTOMS• Yellowish-green stools accompanied bysevere flatulence• Painful urination• Tip of the tongue is red• Diarrhea followed by severe flatulence• Stools may be greenish in color• Flatulence not relieved by burping• Craving for salty, sweet, and cold foods• Green, watery diarrhea resemblingchopped spinach• Possible nausea and perspiration• Possible colicky pains or lack of pain• Stools are scanty, odorless, and brown• Stools burn the skin around the anusCONSTIPATIONConstipation is the difficult and/or infrequent passing of stools.It is commonly caused by a diet that includes too little fiber, but itcan also result from a lack of exercise, stress, poor bowel training,taking certain drugs, and thyroid or liver problems. Chronicconstipation may be due to the recurrent use of laxatives ordrinking too much coffee or alcohol, and is viewed in homeopathyas a constitutional problem (see page 176).SELF-HELP Try eating plenty of raw vegetables before resorting tolaxatives based on substances such as senna which, over a longperiod, may irritate the lining of the gut. Increase the amount ofexercise you do and amount of fluid you drink.CAUTION If a marked change in bowel function is accompanied by aweight loss of more than 1 lb (0.5 kg) in a week, see a doctor within48 hours. If there is any bleeding from the anus or blood in thestools, see a doctor within 12 hours. If no stools have been passedfor several days despite self-help measures, especially if there ispain in the abdomen, see a doctor as soon as possible.Dry, hard stools and drymucous membranesConstipation with strongurge to pass stoolsConstipation withdifficulty in passing evensoft stools• Stools are large, dry, hard, and burned-looking• Headache and congested feeling• Bloated abdomen• Burning in the rectum after passing a stool• Great thirst• All mucous membranes are dry• Cramps and spasms in the anus resulting ina great urgency to pass a stool, but withincreasing difficulty in doing so• Great thirst• No desire to open the bowels until the rectumis completely distended• Difficulty in passing stools• Stools may be soft and claylike or coveredin mucus• Sensation as though a stool has been coughedup and caught beneath the left rib cageHEMORRHOIDSHemorrhoids, or piles, are swollen veins in the lower rectum andaround the anus, often due to constipation (see above), but alsoassociated with hormonal problems, pregnancy, childbirth, theoveruse of laxatives, and sitting on hard surfaces.SELF-HELP Try peony ointment or hamamelis suppositories. Includemore fiber in your diet to avoid constipation.CAUTION If there is bleeding from the anus, do not assume thatit is due to piles until other possible causes have been ruled out.If bleeding persists, see a doctor within 12 hours.Hemorrhoids resemblinga bunch of grapesInternal hemorrhoids withsplinterlike pain• Itchy inflammation of the veins• Sore, bruised feeling in the anus• Hemorrhoids may bleed• Hemorrhoids feel strained and rigid• Great thirst• Internal hemorrhoids associatedwith constipation• Dry, splinterlike sensation in the rectum• Lumpy stools that cause stitching pain• Hot, dry, itchy anus