Myoclonus refers to a sudden involuntary jerking of the muscles. These jerks cannot be controlled by the people suffering from it. Either one muscle or a group of muscles can be involved. Homeopathic medicines for myoclonus are only recommended in cases where the symptoms fall in the mild to moderate category. 

It may develop itself or from some of the underlying medical conditions. Few examples include epilepsy, stroke  (a medical condition resulting in cell death from poor blood flow to the brain) and tumour of the brain or the spinal cord. Next causes linked with it are hypoxia (conditions that arise when tissue of the body or a region of the body  does not get adequate oxygen), trauma to the head or the spine, some type of infections, kidney failure or liver failure. It can also occur as a part of some sort of autoimmune diseases. Its some examples  are multiple sclerosis  (disorder that arise from damage to the cover of nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord) , celiac disease (an autoimmune disorder in which eating gluten which is a protein found in the wheat, barley and rye damages the lining of the small intestine). Other than these it can arise from side effects of some drugs and chemicals. Next metabolic disorders and lipid storage disease (a group of inherited metabolic disorders in which fats or lipids accumulate in some cells or tissues of the body) is associated with it. Lastly it can be a symptom part of some  of the neurological disorders like parkinson’s disease (nervous system disorder affecting movement that usually begin as tremor in just one hand), encephalitis (inflammation that occurs in the brain), alzheimer’s disease  (a disorder in which the brain cells degenerate and causes decline in the memory, thinking, behavioural and social skills of the sufferer ), coma, Creutzfeldt – Jakob disease  ( a rare degenerative e brain disorder that leads to memory loss and, ultimately, death), Huntington’s disease (an inherited disease that causes degeneration of nerve cells in the brain) and certain dementia (eg frontotemporal dementia and lewy body dementia). Genetics also seems to play a role in it as it is also seen to run in families.

Types 

It is of various types as given below:

1. Primary Myoclonus 

It occurs on its own without any other symptoms. It may affect many body parts like legs, soft palate. Some reasons behind it includes poisoning, injury.

2. Secondary/Symptomatic Myoclonus

It is a  symptom of some of the underlying medical issue like Restless leg syndrome (RLS), Parkinson’s disease, lipid storage disease, prolonged oxygen deprivation. It may appear with other symptoms. It is a common form. 

3. Action Myoclonus

This type may affect the arms, legs and the face. In this the jerks worsen from trying to do voluntary movements. It is the most severe form among all the types

4. Essential Myoclonus

The cause behind this type is unknown. No underlying condition is present behind it. No other symptoms are there apart from muscle jerks in it. It can run in the families and it does not have a tendency to get worse over a period of  time.

5. Sleep Myoclonus 

This type occurs when a person falls asleep. It doesn’t require any treatment. Sometimes it may be  a symptom of restless leg syndrome.

6. Stimulus Sensitive Myoclonus 

It occurs as a reaction of external stimuli like light,  noise and movement

7. Cortical Reflex Myoclonus 

It begins in the outer layer of the brain tissue. It may affect a few muscles or various muscles of the body all over. It may get worse when trying to make a specific movement.

8. Reticular Reflex Myoclonus 

It is a type of epilepsy originating in the brain stem. The muscles jerks/ spasms affect the whole body. These may get triggered from external stimulus like changes in light, noise and also from voluntary movement 

9. Palatal Myoclonus 

This type affects the muscles of the roof of the mouth. In this these muscles contract in a  regular and a  rhythmic way. Sometimes muscles of the face, throat and the tongue may be affected too. The jerks may lead to discomfort or pain.

10. Physiological Myoclonus 

This type occurs in people who are otherwise healthy. Some of the examples of this type are hiccups, spasm from anxiety , exertion and sleep starts. It usually needs no treatment.

11. Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy

This type can have worsening of symptoms as time goes and can be fatal. This type causes myoclonus, epileptic seizures, difficulty speaking, and difficult movement.

Symptoms 

People with it feel jerking, shaking of muscle or a shock like sensation in muscle.  These are unpredictable that occur suddenly and without control of them. They remain for a brief duration. The jerks can be localized to one body part or widespread to the whole body. These symptoms can be of mild to severe intensity. Its frequency also varies from case to case. They may occur frequently or less often.  Trembling or twitching sensation may attend the jerks. In case of severe intensity they may interfere with speech, eating or walking 

Homeopathic Medicines for Myoclonus

Homeopathic medicines help to manage these cases quite effectively. These help to reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms of myoclonus. These medicines work by targeting the root cause behind it and offer good help in these cases. The homeopathic medicine which is needed for a given case depends on the symptom of the person in every case. One should take any homeopathic medicine under supervision of a homeopathic physician. But in case the symptoms are intense or serious one must take help from conventional mode of treatment. 

1. Zincum Met – Top Grade Medicine

It is good medicine for treating a number of nervous complaints, including muscle jerking and twitching. Person needing it can have jerks in various muscles of the body. They may have jerking through the whole body that occurs specifically during sleep. They may sometimes cry out and get awake with fear from sleep along with jerking of the body.

2. Agaricus – For Trembling and Twitching of Muscles 

This medicine is highly recommended for managing cases of trembling and twitchings of the muscles. In persons needing it the twitching can be present in the limbs or the face. There is restlessness, trembling and shaking in the limbs. In most cases needing it the muscle twitches worsen when an attempt of voluntary motion is made. The twitchings are better at night where this medicine is required.Its use is also indicated when there is trembling in the whole body. The trembling may be attended with weakness. 

3. Stramonium – For Twitching of Hands and Feet 

It is a natural medicine prepared from a plant known as thorn-apple. This plant belongs to family solanaceae. It is well indicated when there is twitching of hands and feet. It is also indicated for twitching of limbs during sleep. Next it is used for trembling of lips, limbs or of the whole body.

4. Cuprum Met – For Twitching and Difficulty in Speech 

This is a very prominent medicine for twitching and speech difficulty. 

For using it the twitching is marked in fingers. Twitching may extend to  extending into hands, arms and upper body. These are triggered by talking or any exciting emotion. There is also jerking in arms, legs and hands. It is also indicated for twitching in toes. Trembling of tongue and speech difficulty is present with above symptoms.

5. Cicuta – For Trembling of the Upper and Lower Limbs

This medicine is prepared from the fresh root of a plant Cicuta Virosa commonly known as water Hemlock. It belongs to the family umbelliferae. It is a valuable medicine for helping cases in which there is trembling of upper and lower limbs. Next twitching and jerking of arms also calls for its use. Sudden shocking and jerking in head, arms and legs is yet another indicative feature for using it. In addition to above there may be weakness in arms and legs after slight exertion.

6. Tarentula Hispanica – With Marked Trembling of Body 

It is a valuable medicine for cases in which there is marked trembling of the body. With this great restlessness is present. The person needing it, is unable to be quiet in any position. He feels like moving all the time. Sometimes speech difficulty is there along with above symptoms.

7. Merc Sol – For Jerking in the Limbs

This medicine is considered when there is jerking in the limbs. The arms, fingers and legs twitch where it is required. The limbs may also feel weak. Trembling of hands may also occur.

8. Opium  – For Twitching of Head, Arms and Hands

This medicine works well when there is twitching in head, arms and hands. Next indication to use it is convulsive movements of the arm to and fro. Spasms occurring from fright, anger are also characteristic symptoms for using it.

Pica is a disorder that refers to compulsive eating of non – food items or non – nutritive things by a person. For example, a person having pica may eat chalk, sand, ice, paper etc. Homeopathic medicines for Pica offer a natural solution for cravings and for mild to moderate cases of pica.

Causes

Pica can arise in cases of nutritional deficiencies like that of iron and zinc. Mostly it is associated with iron deficiency anaemia. In such cases may be the body is demanding non food items to fulfil the nutritional demands of the body due to deficient nutrients. Sometimes in case of children who eat dirt, sand and other non food items doesn’t indicate pica and may be it is just a child’s way of exploring his / her surroundings with senses. Next it can occur during pregnancy. Pica can also be seen in persons having some psychological condition. Few examples of these conditions include OCD – obsessive compulsive disorder (A psychological disorder in which a person has compulsions to repeatedly perform certain activities / behaviours or have repeated unwanted thoughts in mind) and schizophrenia (it is a serious psychological disorder characterised by abnormal interpretation of reality, hallucinations, delusions and disordered thinking). Persons with autism, intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities are also at high risk of pica. Other than above it can be present in people belonging to certain nations where eating clay is common and is also acceptable. Also in people of some cultures eating certain non – food items is considered to have some healing properties so considered normal. Lastly people may eat non food items just because they like the taste and texture of them and enjoy and relish eating them.

Symptoms

The main symptom of pica is eating non food stuff and it is diagnosed when this habit persists for at least one month duration. People with pica tend to eat a variety of non food items. Some common ones are ice, clay, chalk, dirt, sand, soap, hair, coins, buttons, paper, paint, burnt matches, cigarette ashes and metal pieces. Some people with pica may eat their nose pickings, ear wax, wool, stones, wood, glass, paper clips, mucus, vomit, even their faeces or in some of the cases faeces of animals.

In some cases pain in the stomach, blood in the stool, diarrhoea (loose stool) and constipation may arise. They may also have damaged teeth from eating indigestible things.

Complications

The nature of complications depends upon the type of thing eaten by the person. Eating certain things like ice doesn’t lead to any complication when the diet of a person is normal. But serious complications can occur in case a person eats other dangerous items like paint that may contain lead and cause lead poisoning. Some other complications of this condition include breaking of the teeth, choking, stomach ulcers, parasitic infections, blockage in intestines and injuries to the throat and GIT (gastrointestinal tract).

Homeopathic Medicines For Pica

Homeopathy offers a natural solution in cases of pica. The use of homeopathic medicines is recommended for some of the cravings (as given below) and for mild to moderate cases of pica in which no serious complication is present. Homeopathic medicines are selected individually for every case depending upon the type of craving and the attending symptoms that are present. These medicines work towards reducing the cravings for non food items gradually. They are helpful for people of all age groups. It is advised to take any homeopathic medicine for treating pica under supervision of a homeopathic physician after detailed case analysis. In serious cases with attending complications it is strictly advisable to take help from conventional mode of treatment.

1. Calcarea Carb – Top Grade Medicine

It leads the chart of homeopathic medicines for treating cases of pica. Its use is mainly recommended for persons who tend to eat non food things like chalk, dirt, sand, slate and coal. Next there may be craving for eating pencils in them. Other than this desire for eating raw potatoes, flour and soap may be present where this medicine is required.

2. Alumina – Another Prominent Medicine For Craving Of Indigestible Things

Alumina is next well indicated medicine for desire to eat indigestible things. Its use is considered for persons who crave to eat chalk, tea or coffee grounds, charcoal. Next it is used in cases where desire to eat white rags, or dry rice is there. In cases needing it constipation may be present. The constipation is severe and the stool may be hard or even if it is soft is passed with great straining. The stool may not be passed daily and the person has no desire for it until there is a large accumulation.

3. Nitric Acid – With Desire For Lime, Chalk, Earth

It is another beneficial medicine for cases where desire for lime, chalk, slate or earth is present. Along with these cravings there may be some gastric complaints. In such conditions there may be diarrhoea with little stool. The stool may be yellow or green and pass with a lot of gas. Blood or mucus may also pass in the stool.

4. Cina – Another Important Medicine For Desire For Indigestible Things

This is a natural medicine prepared from plant Cina Maritima also known as Artemisia maritima. This plant belongs to family compositae. It is also very significant medicine for persons who crave indigestible things. Persons who need this medicine have pale faces with bluish appearance around the mouth and dark rings under the eyes. Twisting pain around the navel can also be complained about by them. Sometimes there are pinching, cramping pain in the abdomen. There is marked irritability in children who need this medicine. They are very cross and desire to be carried all the time.

5. Silicea – For Desire To Eat Mud

This medicine is beneficial for persons who have a desire to eat mud. They have loss of appetite and they have aversion to eating cooked food. Constipation may be present with this. Here there is great difficulty in passing the stool. The stool when partly expelled from the anus recedes back in the rectum. When stool is passed it is followed by burning and smarting sensation at the anus. Additionally the abdomen may be hard, distended and bloated. A tendency of excessive sweating on head and feet may be present where this medicine is required.

6. Tarentula Hispanica – For Desire Of Sand, Raw Food And Ashes

This medicine is indicated for cases where desire for eating sand, raw food and ashes is specifically present. Along with this there is loss of appetite with refusal to eat. Violent burning sensation in the abdomen may also attend. Sometimes there is sharp pain felt in the navel region.

7. Cicuta – For Desire Of Charcoal Or Chalk

This medicine is prepared from fresh roots (gathered at flowering time) of plant Cicuta Virosa commonly known as Water Hemlock. This plant belongs to the family umbelliferae. It is valuable medicine for cases where a person craves and relishes eating charcoal and chalk. The sense to differentiate edible things from inedible ones is lost. Along with this there may be abdomen pain, distension and vomiting.

8. Nux Vomica – When There Is Craving For Eating Chalk

This medicine is helpful when there is a desire to eat chalk. A prominent attending symptom to this is constipation with ineffectual urge to pass stool. Here a person has frequent urge for stool but passes only a small quantity of stool at a time. Soon after evacuating bowels the desire for stool is again felt. Along with this pain and sensation of weight in the abdomen is felt. This tends to get worse from eating. The stomach area is also sensitive to touch. Stomach bloating, nausea, vomiting with excessive retching are other attending symptoms.

9. Veratrum Album – For Craving Of Ice

This medicine is prepared from the root stocks of plants known as White – flowered Veratrum or White Hellebore. It belongs to the family melanthaceae of the liliaceae. This medicine suits persons who have cravings specifically for eating ice. Additionally they may suffer from diarrhoea. In this condition they have frequent stool. Stool is watery greenish, profuse, gushing and mixed with flakes. Stool is offensive. It is accompanied with cold sweat on the forehead.

10. Lac Felinum – For Desire To Eat Paper

This medicine is particularly useful when there is a desire to eat paper. Persons needing it may also complain of soreness and sensitiveness of stomach region. Heated sensation is also felt in the stomach by them. There is loss of appetite with these symptoms.

11. Phosphorus – When There Is Desire For Ice And Dry Rice

This medicine is well indicated for persons who crave for ice and dry rice. Along with this they may complain of burning pain in the food pipe and stomach. Stomach may be inflamed in them. Diarrhoea may also be present in them. In this case the stool is watery, copious and attended with excessive weakness. The stool occurs soon after eating anything. Persons needing it may also be anaemic.

The term chorea is derived from the word “choreus,” which means to dance. Chorea is a hyperkinetic movement disorder characterized by involuntary and unpredictable body movements, mainly of the limbs and the face. The main symptoms of chorea can be minor like fidgeting (restlessness) or severe uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs. Depending upon the cause difficulties with speech, swallowing and gait may accompany. The cause of chorea can be genetic or non-genetic/acquired. Homeopathic medicines for chorea help manage the associated symptoms in chorea and should only be used as a supportive treatment.     

Causes of Chorea

As stated, chorea can be genetic or acquired.

Genetic causes for chorea include Huntington’s disease (the most common inherited cause of chorea), neuroacanthocytosis, Wilson’s disease, and Benign hereditary chorea.

Non-genetic or acquired causes for Chorea are Sydenham’s chorea (arise as a complication of streptococcal infection), Chorea Gravidarum (that occurs during pregnancy), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), drug-induced (as from medications, anti-epileptic and antipsychotics), senile chorea (uncommon, that occurs in elderly adults ), metabolic disorders like hypoglycemia and endocrine disorders.
In some rare cases, AIDS may also cause chorea.

Homeopathic Medicines for Chorea

Homeopathy plays a supportive role in managing chorea. Homeopathy medicines for managing chorea are of natural origin and don’t have any side effects. The top grade medicines for managing chorea are Tarentula Hispanica, Mygale, Agaricus, Cina, and Causticum. The most suitable medicine is selected based on the individual characteristic features in every case.

1. Tarentula Hispanica – Top Grade Medicine for Chorea

Tarentula Hispanica tops the list of medicines for managing chorea. In cases where this remedy is required, all the limbs are affected with involuntary movements. This can be attended with intense hyperaesthesia (increased sensitivity of skin). Constant movements of the arm, tossing of the arms from side to side, constant motion of hands that leads to difficulty in doing anything with the hand are some accompanying symptoms. Involuntary movements of the leg and feet are prominent, leading to an inability to walk. Difficulty in speech, heaviness of the tongue with involuntary movements, and choreic movements of the head are also present. In such cases, the head is turned violently from side to side and in other directions. Nervous contractions in muscles of the face are also noted. All these movements are less intense at night in cases where Tarentula is required.

2. Mygale – For Uncontrollable Movements of Face, Arms, and Legs

Mygale is a beneficial medicine to treat chorea with uncontrollable movements of arms, legs, and face. Among them, the contractions and movements of facial muscle are most marked. There is a constant motion of the legs. The legs jerk excessively, making it difficult to stand or walk. The gait becomes unsteady and it becomes difficult to keep hands in the same position even for a minute. The person needing Mygale may also have involuntary head movements, throwing the head backward and then forwards is prominent. Constant jerking of the head (mostly to the right side) is also noted. Shrugging of shoulders, difficulty in putting out tongue and grating of teeth at night are other indications to use Mygale. The chorea symptoms get better during sleep and are worse in the morning where Mygale is indicated.

3. Agaricus – For Chorea with Uncertain, Unsteady Gait

Agaricus is well-indicated for cases of chorea where an uncertain, unsteady gait is prominent. While walking the person tumbles over everything in the way. It is given for both involuntary motion/jerking of single muscles of a body part as well as involuntary trembling/dancing of the whole body. The limbs may feel cold and weak with above indications. It is also helpful when chorea affects limbs crosswise i.e. left arm and right leg.

4. Cina – For Chorea Affecting Face and Upper Limbs

Cina is a helpful remedy for chorea affecting the face and upper limbs. The involuntary movements on the face are marked around the eyes. Another feature is throwing of arms from side to side. The limbs are distorted with jerking and trembling. A weakness of the hand is also present, making it difficult to hold things. Complaints usually appear on one side. Few general symptoms like irritability, screaming, striking and restless sleep may also be present.

5. Causticum – For Right-Sided Chorea

Causticum is the next prominent medicine for managing chorea. Causticum is most indicated in cases of chorea when the right side of the body is more affected. The face, tongue, arm, and leg get affected. There is a marked twisting and jerking of limbs. An unsteady gait is present with involuntary body movements. A weakness of muscles is also present with the above symptoms. Worsening of symptoms may be noted during the night. Causticum is also indicated for chorea during pregnancy.

6. Cuprum Met – For Left-sided Chorea

Cuprum Met is a valuable medicine for chorea affecting the left side of the body. There is jerking of arms and legs. The arms and legs also feel weak, weary and lame. There may be muscle contractions. Jerking of hands is also present. The person can hold nothing in hand and the objects fall to the ground. Speech is also affected with trembling of the tongue.

7. Magnesia Phos – For Chorea when Symptoms are Better During Sleep

Magnesia Phos is an important medicine for chorea when symptoms are better during sleep. Involuntary shaking of limbs, face, mouth, and head is present. Involuntary movements of limbs along with contortions may also appear. A sudden forward motion of the head is well-noted. There is jerking of the mouth and speech is also very defective. The symptoms appear only during waking hours.

8. Veratrum Viride – For Chorea when Symptoms are Worse during Sleep

Veratrum Viride is a well-indicated medicine for cases of chorea where symptoms are worse during sleep. The symptoms present are involuntary motions of facial muscles (face turned into horrible contortions), jerking/continual nodding of the head, jerking of arms and legs. Constant movement of the lower jaw may also be present. The speech also gets affected, with the dropping of words when speaking. All of the above movements continue to occur during sleep.

9. Secale Cor – For Chorea when Symptoms Start from the Face

Secale Cor is used in cases of chorea when the chief indication is symptoms beginning in the face and then spreading all over the body. The symptoms may become severe and rise to dance and jumping. The arms and legs are in constant motion. Head movement from side to side is present. The trunk also appears to be in constant motion. The tongue jerks out and speech becomes difficult and indistinct.

10. Kali Bromatum – For Violent Chorea from Fright

Kali Bromatum is a significant medicine to treat violent chorea that arises from fright. Great trembling of hands is noted. Legs and arms are affected. The gait is unsteady, irregular, and staggering (similar to a drunk person walking). The muscles of the face are affected, the tongue protrudes with a jerk, and the person can barely speak. All the movements are violent.