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Homeopathy For Cancer-Related Fatigue
Cancer-related fatigue is found among 60-90% of cancer patients and is defined by National Comprehensive Cancer Network as distressing, persistent physical, emotional and cognitive tiredness or exhaustion related to cancer and its treatment and interferes with usual functioning. Homeopathic therapy was found in an observational study to be effective in ameliorating caner related fatigue.
Homeopathy is a treatment modality based on the Law of Similars, which states that the totality of symptoms in a sick person can be ameliorated when treated with a medicinal substance that has the therapeutic potential to produce similar symptoms in a healthy person.
Homeopathic theory states that symptoms are primarily a disturbance in the innate defense mechanism. The innate defense mechanism is a non-material force, similar to gravity; and like gravity awareness of its presence is caused by a disturbance in its action.
For example a disturbance in the immune defense mechanism produces symptoms characterized as the common cold. The primary goal of homeopathic therapy is to strengthen and restore balance in the innate defense mechanism, which results in amelioration of symptoms. An observational study of homeopathic therapy for symptom control in cancer patients reported that 75% of study participants achieved relief of fatigue during homeopathic treatment.
As a naturopathic oncologist I primarily work with cancer patients to improve their quality of life by reducing cancer-related symptoms and side effects of treatment using homeopathic medicine and various nutraceuticals. The specific homeopathic medicine for cancer-related fatigue is determined by the cause of the fatigue. Some common causes of cancer-related fatigue are insomnia, treatment with chemotherapy and radiation, post-surgery and slow recovery from an acute illness.
Insomnia from emotional stress often leads to fatigue. Patients with emotional distress who experience easily disturb sleep will benefit from homeopathic therapy with Ignatia. Radiation induced fatigue can be prophylactically managed with daily treatment with homeopathic Radium Bromide. Chemotherapy induced fatigue can often be ameliorated with a five-day course of Cadmium Sulfuratum following chemotherapy. Homeopathic Psorinum will benefit patients with cancer-related fatigue that results from slow convalescence from an acute illness or the fatigue found in heavily treated patients. Patients who suffer prolong fatigue after surgery will find benefit with homeopathic Phosphorus.
