Role of homoeopathy in treating migraine in children after conventional medicine fails: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Paediatric migraine is the most common neurological disorder and the primary cause of headaches in children, resulting in poor quality of life. A migraine episode is characterised by a single episode of headache that increases with physical activity and is often associated with photophobia, phobias, nausea, vomiting and skin allodynia.^[1,2]

Epidemiological studies show that 7.7% of children develop headaches; amongst 11-13-year-old children, the prevalence of all types of headaches is estimated to range between 5.9% and 88%.^[3,4] The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying migraine in children differ from those in adults due to the continuous neural development in the former.^[5] The criteria provided by the International Headache Society are used to diagnose paediatric migraine.^[6] Recent epidemiological data suggest that 10–20% of school-age children and older adolescents may have chronic migraines.^[7,8]

Prophylactics such as beta-blockers, calcium channel antagonists, serotonin antagonists, antidepressants and antiseizure medications have been reported to prevent migraines in children successfully.^[9] However, a survey found that approximately 50% of people with migraine are extremely dissatisfied with their current control over their disease and report a range of emotions like frustration (39%), exhaustion (29%), stress (19%) and anxiety (15%).^[10,11] Conventional therapies, including painkillers, often yield unsatisfactory outcomes and are poorly tolerated.^[11-13] There is a strong need for alternative approaches in acute episodes and preventive treatment.

The aim of homoeopathy is not only to treat migraine but also to address their underlying cause in terms of correcting individual susceptibility.^[14] Symptom relief is achieved when a similarity is established between the natural and drug disease. Several well-proved homoeopathic remedies can be used to treat migraine.^[14,15]

CASE REPORT

• Name: SD

• Age: 13 years

• Sex: Male

• Education: 7^th standard.

Selection of remedy

Predominant delirious state, fright with clinging and shrieking for help were the characteristics. A peculiar type of loud weeping with no tears indicates exaggeration pointing toward affectation. All behavioural expressions indicated Stramonium. Other remedies shown in Figure 1 such as Veratrum album, Platina are grandiose and arrogant in expression; hence, it does not correspond with the essence of the case. In repertorisation the numbering & color indicated the remedy coverage for particular symptoms.

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Figure 1:

Repertorisation.

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Stramonium

His state was similar to the feeling of being left alone in the wilderness. He perceives his pain or illness as wilderness; he is alone to face the danger, so he tries to cling to others. He is so terrified that he cries for help, begs, and prays in his panic.^[16,17]

DISCUSSION

This case study highlights the significance of observation in comprehending the mental state and formulating an acute totality when managing an acute migraine episode using homoeopathy. The patient’s parents were general physicians who were worried, as the child did get the required response with conventional medicine and spiritual treatment, so they opted for homoeopathy. Predominant delirious state, fright with clinging and shrieking for help indicated Stramonium as an acute medicine, which provided relief to the patient. To avoid recurrence, the deep-acting constitutional medicine Calc Carb 200C was administered as per the totality of symptoms. This case provides the following insights:

1. Managing our sensitivity, stoic attitude and sensible interrogation helps conduct an appropriate intervention.

2. Observation is essential to understand a patient’s physical as well as mental expression to formulate acute totality with appropriate rubric selection.

3. Understanding susceptibility and knowledge of posology is essential for managing such acute cases.

CONCLUSION

This case report highlights the effectiveness of homoeopathic medicine in treating a migraine when conventional treatments failed. It also emphasises the significance of careful observation in managing acute episodes in homoeopathic practice.