Homoeopathy — Page 402
Iodum 402 A special symptom of Iodum is that the glands throughout the body become swollen and hard. However, in women, the mammary glands shrink to a thin membrane. This symptom is an exception, otherwise generally, when the body is wasting, the glands enlarge in size. A patient, whose body is wasting while the glands are enlarging, needs Iodum. In Iodum, the glands and the body do not enlarge simultaneously. Usually, the glands inside the abdomen become markedly swollen and hard. The glands in the armpits (axilla) also become swollen and indurated. Iodum being a hot natured remedy, its cough aggravates in hot weather. On entering a heated room, the patient starts coughing but this symptom alone is not enough for making the diagnosis of Iodum. Other symptoms also need to be present. In Iodum, the liver, spleen and throat are inflamed. Generally, such inflammation and glandular affection results in diarrhoea. In Iodum, there is throbbing all over the body. This sign is common to Belladonna and Iodum both. Iodum being a remedy of hot nature resembles Apis. Both Apis and Iodum also affect the kidneys. Like Apis, in Iodum, the swelling appears under the eyes. However, the swelling is not restricted to the area under the eye; the eyelids also swell. If the entire eye becomes swollen , Phosphorus is also found to be very effective. The swelling of only the eyelids is a symptom of Kali Carb. The patients who become weak and anaemic due to chronic illnesses develop bags under the eyes, which make them look prematurely old. For this condition, Chininum Ars and Sarsaparilla, etc. can be benificial. The diagnosis should, however, be arrived at carefully. A distinctive feature of an Iodum patient is his excessive appetite. In all the Iodum ailments, the increased appetite is disturbing and aggravates the symptoms. The intensity of appetite and illness are closely related in Psorinum also, but in Psorinum the appetite increases at night and its patient is usually cold. Therefore, it is not difficult to distinguish between the two remedies. Iodum plays an important role in kidney disorders also. Due to the kidney dysfunction, the hands and feet become swollen (oedema). Timely administration of Iodum will safeguard against numerous incurable and painful diseases. Kali Iodide is also useful in the treatment of kidney diseases, but in Kali Iodide, there is a tendency towards the formation of ulcers that is absent in the case of Iodum.