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Ferrum Phos

Homeopathic Approach For Otitis Media

INTRODUCTION:

Acute otitis media results when pathogens from the nasopharynx are introduced into the inflammatory fluid collected in the middle ear e.g., by nose blowing during a upper respiratory tract infections.

PATHGENESIS:

The proliferation of these pathogens in this space leads to the development of the typical signs and symptoms of acute middle-ear infection. The diagnosis of acute otitis media requires the demonstration of fluid in the middle ear (with tympanic membrane immobility) and the accompanying signs or symptoms of local or systemic illness.

Etiology

Acute otitis media typically follows a viral URI.

The causative viruses most commonly

* RSV

* influenza virus

* rhinovirus

* enterovirus can themselves cause subsequent acute otitis media; more often, they predispose the patient to bacterial otitis media.

Studies have consistently found S. pneumoniae to be the most important bacterial cause, isolated in up to 35% of cases.

H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis are also common bacterial causes of acute otitis media, and concern is increasing about community strains of MRSA as an emerging etiologic agent.

Viruses, such as those mentioned above, have been recovered either alone or with bacteria in 17-40% of cases.

Clinical Manifestations

Fluid in the middle ear is typically demonstrated or confirmed with pneumatic otoscopy.

In the absence of fluid, the tympanic membrane moves visibly with the application of positive and negative pressure, but this movement is dampened when fluid is present.

With bacterial infection, the tympanic membrane can also be erythematous, bulging, or retracted and occasionally can spontaneously perforate.

The signs and symptoms accompanying infection can be local or systemic, including

* Otalgia

* otorrhea

* diminished hearing

* fever

* irritability.

* Erythema of the tympanic membrane is often evident but is nonspecific as it is frequently seen in association with inflammation of the upper respiratory mucosa e.g., during examination of young children.

Other signs and symptoms that are occasionally reported include

1. vertigo

2. nystagmus

3. tinnitus.

INVESTIGATIONS:

* Physical examination of the patient

* Complete blood picture

* Otoscopy

* Examination of the fluid for micro organisms

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH:

PULSATILLA:

This remedy exerts specific curative power in the ear affections

The ear is hot red and swollen and there are very severe darting and tearing pulsating pains which is worse at night

There is profuse discharge of yellowish green fluid from the ear

Deafness and feeling as if ears are stopped and something is being forced out.

There are also roaring noises synchronous with the pulse

Itching deep in the ear.

FERRUM PHOS:

This remedy is most useful one in ear affections ,suiting congestive and inflammatory stages of most troubles

It is most suitable to anemic subjects

Reliable remedy in acute ear ache and it has tinnitus

The pain is throbbing or sharp stiching and occurs in paroxysms

CHAMOMILLA:

It is almost specific in infantile ear ache

The pains are violent worse from warmth and the cheeks are red and the patient is restless , fretful

There is great hyperesthesia and much suffering

Patient is worse at night and from slightest cold

CAPSICUM:

There is rupture of the tympanic membrane

Great soreness of the mastoid portion of the temporal bone

Chronic suppurations of the ear with bursting head aches and chilliness

Ears are hot and pain goes to the throat and the drum is perforated

About the Author

Dr Guptha, Director for the
medical coding services
and
medical coding training

homeopathic remedy: ferrum phos questions?

i have recently been given ferrum phos for my "problem". (No one is telling me what it is, which i think is just down right wrong).
so, i wanted to know what ferrum phos is used to cure? and apparently i'll be expecting a physical change when the medication starts to work. what will that physical change be?

thanks in advance.

I'm sorry you've gotten so many skeptics answering.
To actually answer your question, Homeopathic Ferrum Phos (derived from Iron Phosphate) is typically used to help fevers, inflammation, and colds.
Homeopathic products are basically diluted from the original source, so it wouldn't have the same impact on Anemia as straight Iron Phosphate would have, but the diluted Homeopathic remedy would help moreso by stimulating the immune system's response (which is why it helps more with fevers and such). Good luck and I hope I helped!

[edit]: Fair enough, Nate. Most of the websites that give "everyday information" about Homeopathic products are also sales websites and I didn't want to post those and look like I'm spamming, but I'd be happy to give some links to some of the research on this. None of these sites sell Ferrum Phos alone so there's no need to worry about them hyping it up to try selling the product.
http://www.homeopathytoday.org/?tag=ferrum-phos has more about earaches and inflammation (only a portion of the benefits it can give). http://www.homeremedycentral.com/en/homeopathic-remedies/homeopathy/ferrum-phos.html gives more detailed info about it (one of the most informative pages about it). http://www.herbs2000.com/homeopathy/ferrum.htm gives the least information about it and is pointing out more of the lesser dilutions, but it also points out where it's derived from to round out all the points I referred to above. I hope this helps to clear things up!