HOMOEOPATHY FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS

HOMOEOPATHY FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS

-Dr. Daxa Vaishnav M.D. (Hom.)

Introduction

Adolescence (Latin adolescentia, from adolescere, to grow up) is the period of psychological, social, and physical transition between childhood and adulthood.

As a transitional stage of human development, adolescence is the period in which a child matures into an adult. This transition involves biological (i.e. pubertal), social, and psychological changes.

It is a time of rapid physical development and deep emotional changes which can be confusing and uncomfortable for child and parent alike.

This article is mainly for the parents of adolescent girls. Some teenagers might also enjoy reading it. It gives information about the process of adolescence, the upheavals it can cause, some of the problems that arise, and ways in which they can be managed especially with homoeopathic medicines.

Causes of the changes seen in Adolescence

This stage of development of the girl from the child to the adult involves a lot of hormonal changes. These hormonal changes are responsible for the changes seen in adolescence.

The different changes seen in Adolescence are

Physical:

Puberty

§ The process of rapid physical changes in adolescence is called puberty. It starts gradually, from around eleven years for girls.

§ There is rapid physical growth along with the development of the breasts, the onset of the menstrual periods, and growth of under-arm, body and pubic hair.

§ At this time some adolescents become very concerned about their appearance. They may need a lot of reassurance, especially if they are not growing or maturing as quickly as their friends.

§ This phase of growth and development uses a lot of energy, and this may a reason why teenagers often seem to need so much sleep. Their waking up late may be distressing to the parents, but it may not be just laziness.

Physical changes in Puberty

Early puberty is sometimes called precocious or premature puberty. In most cases, early puberty is just a variation of normal puberty i.e. it is not caused by any disease.

Delayed puberty Sometimes a medical reason causes delayed puberty, but sometimes not. For example, malnutrition (not eating enough of the right kinds of food) can cause delayed puberty. Many girls who exercise vigourously have very little body fat and this is known to cause a delay in the onset of puberty. Sometimes, delayed puberty tends to "run in families" and normal adolescent development proceeds normally after the delay. This is sometimes called a constitutional delay and is responsible for the vast majority of cases of delayed puberty.

Puberty may be late if there is:

No development of breast tissue by age 14
No periods for 5 years or more after the first appearance of breast tissue.

Most of these girls respond to reassurance, a good balanced diet, moderate exercises and constitutional homeopathic drugs like Pulsatilla, Natrum muriaticum, Kali carbonicum, Graphites and Lycopodium. If not, the child needs to be investigated for various anatomical defects of the genitals, chromosomal problems, or problems at the hypothalamic-pituitary or ovarian-uterine axis.

What are the medical concerns associated with normal puberty?

Puberty is a normal condition and not a disease, but many medical conditions and illnesses may first appear during puberty.

Acne: The hormonal changes in puberty lead to the development of acne.

Anemia: Adolescent girls tend to eat less iron-rich foods than boys, and this, combined with blood losses through menstrual bleeding, may cause anaemia.

Scoliosis: Due to the rapid growth during puberty, scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine) can occur.

Vision changes: Near-sightedness (myopia) has a high incidence during puberty because of growth and change in the shape of the eyeball.

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding: Girls who have recently begun menstruating may have irregular, prolonged, or heavy menstrual bleeding. Anovulation (not ovulating) is the most common reason for abnormal menstrual bleeding in adolescent girls. An irregular cycle is often due to a failure to ovulate. It could be heavy or prolonged. A proper explanation, adequate reassurance and psychological support should correct the emotional consequence.

Indications of some homoeopathic medicines for dysfunctional uterine bleeding:

Calcarea carbonica: This is a medicine for girls who have grown too rapidly. They are fat and flabby and are extremely sensitive to cold. In fact, they feel cold all over. They sweat excessively especially on their heads. They are known to have early puberty and the menses are too early, too profuse and last for a very long time. Sometimes the periods return from the slightest emotional causes. As small children they may have had problems with their growth because of the poor calcium assimilation. They tend to have deformed and curved bones and due to their obesity, they cannot take their body weight and so appear to be slow in learning to walk. The child craves eggs, sweets and even indigestible things. She has an aversion to milk and meat.

Phosphorus: This is a child who appears to be just the opposite in appearance to the Calcarea carbonica child. Though both grow too rapidly, she is lean and thin and appears emaciated. The menses may start at a very early age and the bleeding is bright red, profuse and lasts for a number of days. She is a chilly child and craves spicy and pungent food, salt and ice-cold things. She seems to dislike sweets.

Erigeron: The child suffers from bleeding which may be continuous or between the periods and which is made worse from the slightest movement. The blood flow is bright red and she complains of severe urging for urine and stool during the menses.

Sabina: The bleeding is profuse and bright red and she complains of also passing dark red clots. She also has pain during the menstrual flow that begins in the sacrum (lower back) and goes to the pubis (in the front).

Trillium pendulum: During the menses she has a sensation as though the hips and back were falling into pieces. There is a gushing out of bright blood on the least movement. The bleeding is associated with faintness & sinking at stomach. The menses appear every two weeks.

Psychological problems

§ Apart from the physical changes, people of this age start to think and feel differently. They make close relationships outside the family, with friends of their own age. Parents become less important in their children's eyes as their life outside the family develops.

§ They develop views of their own that are often not shared by their parents causing rifts with the parents. This is an important way of becoming more independent.

§ Parents often feel neglected, and in a sense they are. But this is often necessary for young people to develop their own identity.

§ As they become more independent, they want to try out new things, but often realize that they do not have any experience to sort out their problems when things get out of control. This may produce a variety of emotions - feeling very mature at one time, very young and vulnerable the next.

§ Being upset, feeling ill or lacking confidence can make them sulky.

§ Over-eating, excessive sleepiness and too much concern with appearance may be signs of emotional distress.

§ Anxiety may produce phobias and panic attacks.

§ During their adolescence, more than 1 in 5 teenagers are depressed. However, depression may not be obvious to other people.

§ Some describe adolescence as a period of "storm and stress". The adolescent may develop a feeling of guilt, depression, a loss of interest in her usual activities or sleep disorders.

Indications of some homoeopathic medicines for psychological problems:

Pulsatilla: This drug is often helpful to girls who have recently started having periods with irritability, moodiness, and weepiness. The girl usually is emotional and weepy, wanting a lot of attention and comforting and feels better with sympathy and consolation. Delay or suppression of the menstrual flow can be accompanied by nausea and faintness. Being too warm or in a stuffy room makes her uncomfortable, and fresh air can bring relief. The menstrual flow is changeable just like her moods and is usually late, dark and intermittent.

Natrum muriaticum: The adolescent who needs this remedy usually seems reserved to others, but is deeply emotional inside. She may feel extremely sad and lonely, but gets angry if others try to console her or sympathize. Depression, anger over minor things, and a need to be alone to cry is a part of her nature. When she is depressed she broods about past grievances or may have migraines, backache and insomnia. A craving for salt, great thirst and a tendency to feel worse from being in the sun are other indications for this remedy.

Cimicifuga: This remedy can be helpful for irregular and painful periods, with shooting pains that go down the hips and thighs, or cramps similar to labor-pains that are felt in the pelvic area. Headache with pain and stiffness in the neck and back will often occur with PMS. The girl is intense and talkative when she is well, but becomes agitated, fearful, and depressed before a menstrual period. She may develop exaggerated fears (of going mad, of being attacked, of disaster). Painful menstrual periods and headaches that involve the neck are often seen when this remedy is needed. She becomes extremely sad, depressed, does not talk to any one, does not like to be looked at. At such times she does not want anyone around her, not even her mother.

Chamomilla: The adolescent needing this remedy is angry, irritable, and hypersensitive to pain. She is cross, irritable, snappish and spiteful. Cramping may come on during the menses which could be intensified, because of emotional upset. The flow can be very heavy, and the blood may look dark or clotted. Problems are often worse at night. Heating pads or exposure to wind may aggravate the symptoms, and motion (such as rocking or brisk walking) may help to reduce the tension and discomfort.

Calcarea carbonica: Anxiety, fatigue, confusion, discouragement, self-pity, and a dread of disaster may develop. A woman who needs this remedy often feels chilly and sluggish and easily tires on exertion. (Please see above).

Ignatia: These are sensitive girls who suffer from grief or disappointment and try to keep the hurt inside. They do not want to cry or appear too vulnerable to others, and so they may seem guarded, defensive, and moody. They may also burst out laughing, or into tears, for no apparent reason. A feeling of a lump in the throat and heaviness in the chest with frequent sighing or yawning are strong indications for Ignatia. Insomnia (or excessive sleeping), headaches, and cramping pains in the abdomen and back are also often seen.

Sexual Problems

§ Some adolescents are shy and who don't like to ask questions about their developing bodies. Some show their worries talking about their sexual ability and experiences.

§ Those who start having sex early are at greater risk of early pregnancy and health problems. Sexually transmitted diseases are common. HIV infection and AIDS are becoming more common.

§ Most adolescents are careful in choosing their partners, so risky sexual behavior could be a sign of underlying emotional problems.

§ It is important to note that girls who are close to their parents are less likely to indulge in such activity.

Behaviour Problems

§ Teenagers and their parents complain about each other's behavior. Parents often feel they have lost any sort of control or influence over their child. Adolescents may resent any restrictions on their growing freedom and ability to decide for themselves.

§ If disagreements are common and normal, when should you worry? Experience suggests that children are at greater risk of getting into trouble if their parents don't know where they are. So, try to make sure that you know where they are going and what they are up to. If you really don't know, you need to find out.

Eating problems

§ If an adolescent is overweight and is criticized or made fun of, they are more likely to dislike themselves and to become depressed. This can lead to inactivity and comfort eating, which worsens the weight problem - dieting can actually aggravate the situation. It is more important to ensure that they feel happy with themselves, fat or thin.

Obesity in adolescents

§ Many adolescents diet. Fortunately, few will develop serious eating disorders - only around 1 in 100 teenagers develop anorexia, 1 in 50 have bulimia. However, these are more likely to occur in those who take up serious dieting, think very little of themselves, are under stress and who have been over-weight as a child.

Anorexia nervosa

Abuse

§ Adolescent children may be at risk of physical, emotional and sexual abuse and these may cause many of the problems mentioned above.

Mental Illness

§ Although uncommon, manic depression and schizophrenia may appear for the first time during adolescent years.

Tips for parents

Don't use physical punishment
Although it is now viewed as unhelpful, many people still occasionally hit younger children. If you do this with adolescent children:

§ You create the impression that violence is an acceptable way to solve difficulties. This means that they are more likely to grow up to use violence as adults.

Set an example

Although they are becoming more independent, your children will still learn a lot about how to behave from you. If you don't want them to be violent, don't use violence yourself. If you want them to be kind and generous to other people ….. try to be like this yourself.

General measures for prevention of problems associated with adolescence

Diet

Your child's nutrition is important to the overall health.

Proper nutrition can also prevent many medical problems, including becoming overweight, developing weak bones, and developing diabetes.

It will also ensure that your child physically grows to her full potential.

The best nutrition advice to keep your adolescent healthy includes encouraging her to:

Eat a variety of foods
Balance the food eaten with physical activity
Choose a diet with plenty of grain products, vegetables and fruits
Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol
Choose a diet moderate in sugars and salt
Choose a diet that provides enough calcium and iron to meet her growing body's requirements.

A balanced diet with regular exercise and a proper amount of sleep will go a long way in maintaining the state of health. The food pyramid will help the adolescent girl maintain a healthy diet.

The Food Pyramid

Hygiene

During adolescence hygiene is very important to remove oils and body odor.
They must be told the importance of washing their face, underarms, pubic area, and feet daily.
Have your children wash their hands frequently to decrease the spread of germs, especially before eating and after using the bathroom.
Underwear should be made of cotton for better air circulation. Tight jeans also prevent air circulation and can cause friction of the labia (private parts).
Hygienic care revolving around the monthly cycle needs to be conveyed. Girls must learn how to anticipate and prepare for their menstrual cycles so they won't be caught by surprise. Daily bathing and special padding must be undertaken for this cyclical phase of their development.
Tampons or pads should be changed every few hours to prevent bacterial growth; tampons should not be worn overnight.
Avoid all feminine hygiene sprays, douches and scented sanitary products since they may irritate the pubic area.

Reassurance and advice

§ Reassure your daughter that one breast may develop faster than the other. She may also experience tenderness.

§ Prepare your daughter for her first menstrual period.

§ Menstruation may last from 1 to 8 days, and initially the periods may be scanty and irregular.

§ A warm bath or a hot water bottle to the abdomen may help menstrual discomfort.

§ Severe discomfort or pain (called dysmenorrhoea) can be easily treated with homoeopathic medicines.

Indications of some homoeopathic medicines for dysmenorrhoea:

Magnesia phophorica: This is the homoeopathic anti-spasmodic drug. There is a severe colic during the periods. The pain is cramping and is relieved by hot water bottles or by bending over. She is also relieved by passing out some clots. The bleeding is dark red and clotted, with the tendency for the flow to be more pronounced at night.

Colocynth: Like in Magensia phosphorica, the pain is again cramping, but is likely to be seen in girls who are very sensitive- especially to insults or rudeness. The pain is relieved by hard pressure (she doubles up with the pain) and also by using hot water bags.

Viburnum opulus: The menses are late and scanty and last a few hours only. The cramps begin in the lower back, travel around the pelvis or waist and go into the thighs. The pain is relieved once the bleeding begins.

§ Your daughter might notice a yellow stain on her panties. Leucorrhoea or a white discharge is also a common complaint during puberty. If the discharge is white, non-irritating, non-offensive and is not associated with any urinary symptoms, then it is a physiological phenomenon. This can be corrected with the help of constitutional homeopathic remedies. However, an acute onset of leucorrhoea, with an irritation, itching and redness of the parts, may be due to a fungal infection.

Indications of some homoeopathic medicines for leucorrhoea:

Borax: When the discharge is curdy or like the white of an egg and appears between the menses with a lot of itching and irritation of the parts, this is the drug that may be required.

Alumina: The discharge is profuse, transparent and yellowish. It is associated with a lot of weakness, especially during the daytime.

Kreosote: The discharge is yellowish and offensive. It is corrosive and causes an irritation of the parts. It leaves behind stains that are starchy.

Mutual support

Parents need to:

§ Agree between themselves about their basic values and rules.

§ Support each other in applying them.

It's difficult for a teenager to respect parents who are always at each other's throats or undermining each other. A common trap is for one parent to ally themselves with their child against the other parent. This usually leads to constant trouble.

Listening to their problems

§ Adults need to be a source of advice, sympathy and comfort and not pass judgment, be criticizing or give routine advice. Listening comes first.

§ It is always better to spend time on praising good decisions or behavior.

The Good News

§ Studies have shown that most teenagers actually like their parents and feel that they get on well with them.

§ The anxiety experienced by parents is more than matched by the periods of uncertainty, turmoil and unhappiness experienced by the adolescent.

§ Stressful times come and go, but most adolescents don't develop serious problems.

Constitutional homeopathic treatment given at adolescence would go a long way in preventing disease and maintaining the physical and mental well being of the patient. However, please note that a detailed history followed by constitutional treatment by a good and qualified homoeopath is necessary to treat the complaints that appear during adolescence. It is not advisable to resort to self-medication for any disease. The above mentioned drugs are just a few of the remedies and are mentioned solely to create awareness about the efficacy of homoeopathic medicines in adolescent girls.