Minutus

Has anyone on the list had experience treating pneumothorax, either acutely
or where there is a tendency to recurrent pneumothorax? (This is for a
potential future case, so I have no details yet to provide, except the Px
also has a history of back injuries and pot-smoking -- and a
never-well-since pertussis as a child.)

Peace,
Cinnabar

Yes, but only surgically or by careful watching.
It is a mechanical problem with potential death through mediastinal shift,
not to be played around with when it happens.
Dr. J. Rozencwajg, MD, PhD.
"The greatest enemy of any science is a closed mind"

Hi, Dr. J:

I'm aware of the seriousness of pneumothorax, but surprised at the very few
mentions of it in homeopathic literature. My suspicion, without having
taken the case yet, is that it may arise from coughing fits. I've also seen
(but did not treat) recurrent pneumothorax in someone who developed asthma
as a result of chemical exposures.

My question would be how does one address this apparent weak link in the
constitution?

Peace,
Cinnabar

Can be traumatic or ?/2ndary to emphysema,[rare] or from the bursting
of a bullae [? congenital] in an otherwise healthy person. I had such a
case once.[before homeopathy] I imagine preventive treatment would be
whatever the person needed and perhaps some thought given to whatever
would improve the elastic qualities of connective tissue.
It is a medical emergency and one in a distressed person would check
for deviation of trachea, Jean

Through general, constitutional, miasmatic treatment with some organotherapy
to focus on the weak link (Lung 4c) .... at least that is what I would do.

I guess it is not in MM and repertories the same way you will not find any
remedy that aligns a broken bone, you have to do it manually, then go to
treat the callus formation and the possible bone fragility.

Makes sense????
Dr. J. Rozencwajg, MD, PhD.
"The greatest enemy of any science is a closed mind"

Found this which is a reasonably good synopsis with suggestion for treatment
at end - reference in EH from
Paige, H.W. Diseases of the Lungs Bronchi and pleura

from the bottom of this post:
"Treatment
The remedies and methods to be employed are the same as in pleurisy with
effusion. When the dyspnoea is great, the respiration and pulse rate high
and cyanosis and pain are present, the effused air may be aspirated with
great relief and good effect."

Two rems that come to mind are Bryonia and Kali carb
If the info below is correct, then the break in the lung tissue needs to
heal itself, so this condition is likely to be one that will be amenable to
assistance from homoeopathy in order to keep the person alive whilst this
process goes on.

Best

Robyn

------------------------------------------------------------
Pneumo-thorax
Definition
The entrance of air into the pleural cavity. This accident is most frequent
in male adults and is usually rapidly followed by pleural inflammation and
effusion, which results in hydro-pneumo-thorax or pyo-pneumo-thorax.
Etiology
This condition arises from a variety of causes, the most common being the
rupture of a tuberculous focus or cavity during the course of pulmonary
phthisis, less frequently by the perforation of the pleural sac by abscess,
gangrene or malignant disease either of the lungs or adjacent organs. Wounds
and injuries to the chest or the strain during violent physical effort or
severe coughing may be the cause.

Physical signs
Pneumo-thorax is a unilateral condition. Inspection shows the intercostal
spaces of the affected side obliterated with decided enlargement and
immobility. The heart impulse, the liver and spleen are displaced according
to the side affected. Palpation, vocal fremitus is diminished or abolished.
Percussion over the accumulated air is tympanitic to the line of fluid which
yields flatness, varying with the position of the patient. Auscultation
reveals absence of vesicular breathing and a faint, distant inspiratory
sound of amphoric quality. The rales heard during cough or inspiration are
metallic in sound. The metallic tinkle and a splashing sound may be heard by
agitating the patient.
The bruit d'airain of Trousseau, known as the "coin test," is strongly
diagnostic. It consists in tapping one coin against another placed against
the chest wall while the auscultator holds an ear over the air-distended
area. A clear ringing metallic sound is very conclusive as a diagnostic
test.
Symptoms
If the opening into the pleural cavity is large so that air may pass in and
out with each respiration the symptoms may develop slowly, but usually there
is a valvular action at the opening so that all the air inspired does not
pass out with the subsequent expiration and symptoms of an urgent and
alarming nature develop at once, i.e. , dyspnoea, pain, faintness,
orthopnoea, cyanosis, feeble, rapid pulse, and the patient may die in a few
hours from obstructed respiration and collapse. If not so severe,
inflammation soon develops with fever, pain, etc., followed by effusion, and
the patient dies from pulmonary oedema, cyanosis and the general effects of
combined fluid exudate and air pressure.
Prognosis
This depends upon the history of the case. In healthy individuals there is
good hope of recovery if the patient outlives the first few days. The
perforation heals, the air is absorbed and the case remains as one of simple
pleurisy with effusion or empyema. In cases occurring during the course of
phthisis or malignant disease there is but little hope, the patient usually
survives only a few days.

Treatment
The remedies and methods to be employed are the same as in pleurisy with
effusion. When the dyspnoea is great, the respiration and pulse rate high
and cyanosis and pain are present, the effused air may be aspirated with
great relief and good effect.

A not for profit yoga of immunity -- www.immunics.org Immunics - "the
conscious, immediate, & intentional control of the physiological &
psychological aspects of your immune system and the use of your control to
do methodical immunological actions that effect cure" (Dr. Robert Casola)

Jean,

When you refer to "the bursting of a bullae" do you mean a bleb (which this
Px has)? Are blebs only congenital, or can they be caused by disease?

Peace,
Cinnabar

Thanks, Dr. J. What you say makes about broken bones makes sense, but
recall that intussusception is mentioned in the MM -- and that's a
mechanical problem, too!

Peace,
Cinnabar

Thank you, Robyn. This is very helpful. Wonder if any docs know how to do
the "coin test" these days?

Peace,
Cinnabar

Yes but intussusception can and does resolve itself if recognised and
treated in time, which is not the case for fractures and pneumothorax; there
is no element of dynamic evolotion in those ones.
Dr. J. Rozencwajg, MD, PhD.
"The greatest enemy of any science is a closed mind"