Role of Homoeopathy in Management of Covid-19 Complications: ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 7, Issue 2, 2020
Role of Homoeopathy in Management of Covid-19 Complications: ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 7, Issue 2, 2020
ROLE OF HOMOEOPATHY IN
MANAGEMENT OF COVID-19
COMPLICATIONS
Dr. Gaurav Gupta,
B.H.M.S. M.D. Asst. Prof, Faculty of Homoeopathic Science, JVWU, Jaipur
Dr. Hemant Vyas,
B.H.M.S. M.D. Asso. Prof, Faculty of Homoeopathic Science, JVWU, Jaipur
Dr. Ravi Jain,
B.H.M.S. M.D. Asst. Prof, Faculty of Homoeopathic Science, JVWU, Jaipur
Dr. Bharat Sharma,
B.H.M.S. M.D. Asst. Prof, Faculty of Homoeopathic Science, JVWU, Jaipur
INTRODUCTION
First time on December 30, 2019, a report of a cluster of pneumonia of unknown aetiology
was published on ProMED-mail, possibly related to contact with a seafood market in Wuhan,
China. [1] Following this till October 15, 2020, 38,394,169 confirmed cases of COVID-19,
including 1,089,047 deaths have been reported to World Health Organization. [2]
First time, this case was reported on December 31, 2019 by WHO Country Office in China
but based on symptoms; its beginning can be traced in initial days of December 2019.
Initially for first few cases (n=29), this infection was classified as "pneumonia of unknown
etiology." Following intensive outbreak investigation by the Chinese Center for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) and local CDCs, this infection was classified as novel viral
infection belonging to the coronavirus (CoV) family. Finally on February 11, 2020, the WHO
Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced that the disease caused by
this new CoV was a "COVID-19," which is the acronym of "coronavirus disease 2019". [3]
This Coronaviruses are encapsulated, single-stranded RNA viruses that generally cause mild,
cold-like illnesses in human beings and belongs to SARS-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). [4]
Since December 2019, COVID-19 information has much evolved. Much information has
been gathered about its transmission, symptomatology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Many clinical trials are undergoing regarding its vaccination. Along with this, many case
reports have suggested about probable complications which arises during either the stage of
illness or convalescence periods. These long-term effects of surviving COVID-19 have
become a new focus of attention for clinicians and researchers. [5]
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that of their family members, known as PICS-F. Individuals with PICS-F are most commonly
affected in the domain of mental health. As many as 40% of patients with PICS are unable to
return to their former level of function, resulting in job loss and financial difficulties that can
further complicate access to healthcare. Iatrogenic complications from polypharmacy and
fragmentation of care also impact patient recovery as there is often a mismatch between the
support needed relative to the support provided. [6]
―Long covid‖ is the term that is being used to describe illness in people who have recovered
from covid-19 but are still report lasting effects of the infection or have had the usual
symptoms for far longer than would be expected. [7] It includes COVID-19-associated acute
respiratory distress syndrome, and involves persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and
catabolism. Substantial cardiovascular morbidity and mortality accompany PICS, even in
young, fit populations without traditional cardiovascular risk factors. [5] Many people,
including doctors who have been infected, have shared their anecdotal experiences on social
media, in the traditional media, and through patient‘s groups. [7]
Patients with COVID-19 treated in the ICU that survive may be at higher risk for developing
PICS given the constraints on social support (restricted visitation), prolonged mechanical
ventilation with exposure to higher amount of sedatives, and limited physical therapy during
and after hospitalization given the risk of disease transmission. [6]
The post‐ COVID‐ 19 manifestation is largely similar to the post‐ SARS syndrome. [8] In a
study from the post-SARS era, it was observed that patients develop long term fatigue,
diffuse myalgia, weakness, depression, and sleep-disordered breathing. It also increases the
chances of higher rates of PTSD, depression, and substance abuse for patients, families, and
health care workers. [6]
Patients with severe illness due to COVID-19 often develop critical illness with hypoxemic
respiratory failure, most commonly ARDS. [6] Intensive care unit (ICU) stays of patients with
ARDS are lengthy and characterised by severe hypoxaemia, extrapulmonary organ failures,
and a marked inflammatory response. Organs undergo microscopic damage at the time of
acute inflammation and display imperfect repair, with acute kidney injury and cardiovascular
dysfunction transitioning to chronic kidney disease and post-ICU major adverse cardiac
events [5] It could also lead to serious systemic consequences affecting most of the major
organs including the digestive tract, liver and pancreas. [9] A study has found that in patients
who had recovered from COVID-19, 87.4% reported persistence of at least 1 symptom upto
60 days after onset of first COVID-19 symptoms. [10] Another study has suggested that
Survivors of the critically ill new type of coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) patients still
have post-ICU syndrome (PICS) manifestations of varying degrees after leaving the ICU, and
comprehensive respiratory rehabilitation interventions is required. [11]
In a study about 90 % patients report symptoms even after recovery from COVID-19 and
only 10.8 % of all subjects have no manifestation. Subjects post recovery suffered from
several symptoms and diseases. The most common symptom reported was fatigue (72.8 %),
more critical manifestations like stroke, renal failure, myocarditis, and pulmonary fibrosis
were reported by a few percent of the subjects. There was a relationship between the presence
of other comorbidities and severity of the disease. Also, the severity of COVID‐ 19 was
related to the severity of post‐ COVID‐ 19 manifestations. [8]
The post‐ COVID‐ 19 manifestation is largely similar to the post‐ SARS syndrome. [8] In a
study from the post-SARS era, it was observed that patients develop long term fatigue,
diffuse myalgia, weakness, depression, and sleep-disordered breathing. It also increases the
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chances of higher rates of PTSD, depression, and substance abuse for patients, families, and
health care workers. [6] Some previous studies related to ARDS have shown that the case
fatality rate of patients admitted to the ICU due to ARDS or sepsis within 12 months after
discharge is 40%~50%. 50%~70% of survivors have cognitive dysfunction, 60%~80% Of
survivors have physical dysfunction, and up to 30% of ARDS survivors will suffer from post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Among them, elderly patients with previous depression and
low socioeconomic groups are more affected. [11]
Heart conditions associated with COVID-19 include inflammation and damage to the heart
muscle itself, known as myocarditis, or inflammation of the covering of the heart, known as
pericarditis. COVID-19, especially in older people with underlying illness may cause severe
disease and death that may involve heart damage. Young adults with COVID-19, including
athletes, can also suffer from myocarditis. [12] Severe coagulopathy is also seen in patient with
COVID-19 pneumonia possibly due to its multifocal thromboembolic disease involving the
pulmonary, cerebral, and renal circulations include coagulopathy due to COVID-19 versus
cardioembolic cause in the setting of atrial fibrillation. [13] COVID-19 pneumonia seems to
have role as a precipitant factor for acute venous thrombo-embolism. [14]
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weaker and weaker, withered in the face; night sweats; cold sweat down the back;
cold sweats on the arms and hands more than on the feet; cold extremities; feeble
circulation, feeble heart; catches cold on the slightest provocation and it settles in the
chest; dry, hacking cough; catarrhal conditions of the chest; tuberculosis; pallor with
gradually increasing weakness and emaciation. [21]
3. ARSENICUM ALBUM- It includes exhaustion, and restlessness, with nightly
aggravation, are most important. Great exhaustion after the slightest exertion. This,
with the peculiar irritability of fiber, gives the characteristic irritable weakness. [19]
There is Great prostration, with rapid sinking of the vital force with mental
restlessness, but physically too weak to move; cannot rest in any place: changing
places continually; fear of death; thinks it useless to take medicine, is incurable, is
surely going to die. [20] The surface of the body is pale, cold, clammy, and sweating,
and the aspect is cadaveric. Anxiety, restlessness, prostration, burning and cadaveric
odors are prominent characteristics. [21]
4. CHELIDONIUM MAJUS- A prominent liver remedy, covering many of the direct
reflex symptoms of diseased conditions of that organ. The jaundiced skin, and
especially the constant pain under inferior angle of right scapula, are certain
indications. [19] Constant pain under the lower and inner angle of right scapula. Patient
suffers from Constipation with hard, round balls stool like sheep's dung. There may
be alternate constipation and diarrhoea. [20] There is Congestion and soreness in the
liver, with jaundice. Right-sided pneumonia, complicated with liver troubles, or
jaundice. [21]
5. ANTIMONIUM TARTARICUM- Through the pneumogastric nerve it depresses
the respiration and circulation. [20] Clinically, its therapeutic application has been
confined largely to the treatment of respiratory diseases, rattling of mucus with little
expectoration has been a guiding symptom. There is much drowsiness, debility and
sweat. [19] when the patient coughs there appears to be a large collection of mucus in
the bronchi; it seems as if much would be expectorated, but nothing comes up. [20] The
face is covered with a cold sweat and is cold and pale. In cases of pneumonia; when
first coming down with a chill, it may be a very violent attack, such an attack as from
its violence produced prostration early. [21] Paroxysms of coughing, with suffocating
obstruction of respiration, dyspnœa, compelling one to sit up, shortness of breathing
from suppressed expectoration. [22]
6. BAPTISIA- The symptoms of this drug are of an asthenic type, simulating low
fevers, septic conditions of the blood, malarial poisoning and extreme prostration.
Indescribable sick feeling. Great muscular soreness and putrid phenomena always are
present. All the secretions are offensive-breath, stool, urine, sweat, etc. Epidemic
influenza. Chronic intestinal toxæmias of children with fetid stools and eructations.
[19]
Patient has aversion to mental exertion; indisposed, or want of power to think.
Perfect indifference; don't care to do anything, inability ot fix the mind to work. [20]
There is stupor, patient falls asleep whilst being spoken to, confused as if drunk. He
cannot keep his mind together, a wild wandering feeling. This scattered feeling is
further exemplified in the illusion that the body is double; limbs separated and
conversing with each other; can't sleep because body seems scattered about and
cannot collect pieces. There is a dull heavy sensation in head with drowsiness and
heavy eyelids. [22]
7. HYDROCYANIC ACID- Convulsions and paralysis are the leading notes of the
medicine‘s action. It acts on the medulla and through the vagus nerve on heart and
respiration. The breathing is irregular and gasping. The heat is greatly disturbed,
blueness and coldness of surface, pulse feeble, imperceptible. Respiration profound,
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while walking. Wheezing and rattling of mucus in the chest. Great difficulty of
respiration, and oppression of the chest. Frequent want to take a deep inspiration.
Want of breath, esp. in the evening in bed. Compression and cramp-like constriction
in the chest. The chest is tight, with a sensation of fullness and anxiety. [22]
13. ARNICA MONTANA- The face or head and face alone is hot, the body cool.
Unconsciousness; when spoken to answers correctly but unconsciousness and
delirium at once return. Says there is nothing the matter with him. [20] Angina pectoris;
pain especially severe in elbow of left arm. Stitches in heart. Pulse feeble and
irregular. Cardiac dropsy with distressing dyspnœa. Fatty heart and hypertrophy.
Coughs depending on cardiac lesion, paroxysmal, at night, during sleep, worse
exercise. Dyspnœa with hæmoptysis. Influenza. Thrombosis. Hematocele. [19,23,24]
Respiration short, panting, difficult, and anxious. Rattling in the chest. Oppression of
the chest and difficulty of breathing. Respiration frequently slow and deep.[25-28]
Shootings in the chest and sides, with difficulty of respiration, aggravated by
coughing, but breathing deeply, and by movement; better from external pressure.
Beating and palpitation of the heart. Pain from liver up through left chest and down
left arm, veins of hands swollen, purplish; sudden pain as if heart squeezed or had got
a shock (angina pectoris). [29-33]
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