Since prescription of homeopathic remedies relies greatly upon the information collected by history taking, it is a great challenge for the homeopath when patient is not in able to describe his symptoms. This concerns every critically ill patient and conditions as cerebrovascular stroke, meningitis, encephalitis, etc. Often we find in Materia Medica the term “apoplexy” which is an ambiguous term used for any cause that can cause loss of consciousness followed by death, including vascular cerebral stroke, serious bleeding, etc.
Main remedies:
ARNICA
After injuries of the head, concussion.
After cerebral hemorrhage.
Dazed state, answers correctly when asked, then sinks to the previous state. (dd. Hyoscyamus).
Aversion of being touched.
Says he’s ok and sends the doctor away.
Coma during high fever, from brain damage.
OPIUM
Encephalopathy (from infection, hypoxia etc).
Conditions that are characterized either of lack of reaction with insensibility and sleepiness or hyperesthesia, overexcitement and sleeplessness. These states can alternate in the same person.
Arrested respiration. To facilitate extubation when spontaneous respiratory effort is inefficient.
Unconsciousness with Cheyne-stokes respiration (breathing characterized by progressively deeper and sometimes faster breathing, followed by a gradual decrease that results in a temporary stop in breathing).
Coma vigil.
Deep sleep after convlsions.
Coma from injury, fright, apoplexy.
Deep coma, doesn’t respond to painful stimuli.
Pupils either contracted or dilated.
Bradycardia.
Hypotension.
HYOSCYAMUS NIGER
Coma vigil.
Involuntary motions: Picking bedclothes, grasping imaginary objects.
While unconscious handles genitals.
Answers correctly then stupor returns (dd. Arnica):
CARBO VEGETABILIS
Hypercapnia and/or hypoxia (cardiogenic shock, respiratory failure, sepsis, etc).
Needs fresh air, to be fanned, may throw away the oxygen mask, even if his blood oxygen levels are low.
Dullness, answers slowly, or unconsciousness.
<lying flat, needs pillows.
Cyanosis.
Cold perspiration, cold breath.
APIS
Meningitis (dd. Bell, Hell, Stram, Zinc).
Intracranial hypertension, hydrocephalus.
Tongue protrudes during meningitis.
HELLEBORUS NIGER
Encephalitis (dd with Belladonna), meningitis.
After head injury.
Rolling of head with moaning.
Deep sleep after coma vigil, or after convulsions.
Indifferent to external stimuli.
NUX VOMICA
Aphasia after cerebrovascular stroke.