M.Tech. / Homoeopathy is considered to be a safe and effective modality of treatment for various ailments commonly encountered during pregnancy, such as constipation, exhaustion, pyrosis, backache, haemorrhoids, and varicose veins (Castro, 2004; Rothenberg, 2004). Pyrosis is defined as a burning sensation in the epigastric and sub-sternal region, which may radiate to the neck, throat, back and even the face, with rising of acid liquid from the stomach (Beers & Berkow, 1999; O’Toole, 2003). Pyrosis affects up to 85% of pregnant woman, the aetiology being complex and multi-factorial (Broussard & Richter, 1998; Page & Percival, 2000; Richter, 2005). The aim of the study was to determine the effect of homoeopathic similimum treatment on the frequency and severity of pyrosis during pregnancy, and also on the frequency which other antacid medication was taken. A qualitative, interventive, and descriptive study was conducted monitoring twelve participants over a period of five weeks. Non-probability purposive sampling was employed to select twelve pregnant women between 12-34 weeks gestation, suffering from pyrosis, and met the inclusion criteria for the study. Participants were recruited through referrals from midwives and advertisements placed in pharmacies and health stores. The participants evaluated their own symptoms on a daily questionnaire, recording how often they suffered from pyrosis, and also rating the severity of their discomfort. The questionnaire was completed for one week prior to treatment, and then for four weeks during which the participant received homoeopathic similimum treatment. The researcher interviewed each participant during three consultations. A thorough homoeopathic case history was taken during the initial consultation, capturing the totality of the participants’ symptoms on a case study form. After evaluation of the symptoms and repertorisation, a homoeopathic similimum remedy was prescribed. The choice of dosage and potency was individualized to the participant according to homoeopathic principles. A follow-up consultation was conducted after two weeks of treatment. During the follow-up consultation the participants’ symptoms were recorded on a follow-up sheet and their response to the treatment was evaluated. Where indicated the treatment was continued as before, the similimum remedy changed if indicated by a change in symptoms, or treatment stopped when no longer necessary. A final consultation was conducted after another two weeks. The symptoms were again recorded on a follow-up sheet, and the effectiveness of the similimum treatment was then evaluated. The data from the consultations were used to write in-depth case studies representing a qualitative evaluation of the study, based on the subjective experience of symptoms by the participants. Quantitative data was obtained from the daily questionnaires, and represented graphically. The means for all twelve cases, relating to the frequency and severity of pyrosis during the time of the study, were obtained from this data, and represented on bar graphs. From the case studies and questionnaires it was determined that there was an improvement in all twelve of the cases studied. All the participants, except for case five, eight, and nine, experienced improvement in the frequency that pyrosis was experienced. There was improvement of the severity of the symptoms in all twelve case studies. In case five, eight, and nine, the frequency of the symptoms of pyrosis didn’t decrease, but there was amelioration of the severity of the symptoms. In several cases there was also improvement of other concomitant symptoms and participants reported an overall improvement of their health. In case three the symptoms were no longer present after the first two weeks of treatment. No further treatment was required, and the participant remained symptom free for the remainder of her pregnancy. In all of the other cases the participants still continued to experience symptoms, but less frequently and suffered less discomfort. The symptoms were typically ameliorated when the prescribed remedy was taken. Provisional findings suggest that homoeopathic similimum treatment may be effective in managing pyrosis during pregnancy.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:8254 |
| Date | 31 March 2009 |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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