Mr. D. S., a 34 yr. old businessman’s respiratory symptoms started 20 years ago but they had increased over the past 3 years. When he came to us, he had daily attacks of breathlessness. He had been hospitalized on two occasions in the past for the treatment of Status Asthmaticus.
He catches cold easily from every change of weather. This starts with a thin, watery nasal discharge, sneezing and lachrymation. The colds would result in a nose block, which was relieved in the open air and from walking about. Whenever he was on business trips to the drier regions of the country, he was asymptomatic. These symptoms would be a run up to his breathlessness, which had now become a daily problem.
The breathlessness was worse eating sour things, Sweets, sugar, and at 2 a.m. He was better sitting bent forward and after eating.
He craves sweets and fried food. He cannot tolerate the cold. He sweats profusely on the slightest exertion and in summer.
He is addicted to tobacco chewing and enjoys his alcoholic drinks.
The previous illnesses that he had suffered from were chicken pox in childhood, Lt. hydrocele (operated), measles as a young adult, ringworm.
Family history:
- Father: No history of medical illness
- Mother: Bronchial Asthma, Pulmonary TB, Lung abscess, Aspergillosis of the lungs, Bronchiectasis, Appendicectomy
- Sister: Bronchial asthma (died during an acute attack)
- Brother: Obesity, Diabetes mellitus, Hypertension
- Maternal Great Grand mother: Bronchial Asthma
- Maternal side: Colds/ Asthma
Examination findings:
Skin- warts on the nose, neck and abdomen; Chest: Rhonchi (wheeze) He was given a homeopathic medicine called Thuja on the basis of the past illnesses and the family medical history. This was later followed by a remedy called Ars. album