chalazion /stye

Chalazion

The term chalazion (pronounced Kuh-LAY-zee-un) comes from a Greek world meaning small lump.

A chalazion is an enlargement of an oil-producing gland in the eyelid called the meibomian gland. It forms when the gland opening becomes clogged with oil secretions. It is not caused by an infection from bacteria, and it is not cancerous.

What is the difference between a chalazion and stye?

A chalazion is sometimes confused with a stye, which appears as a lump on the eyelid. A stye is a red, sore lump near the edge of the eyelid caused by an infected eyelash follicle. Chalazia tend to develop farther from the edge of the eyelid than styes.

How is a chalazion treated?

About 25% of chalazia have no symptoms, and will disappear without any treatment. Sometimes, however, a chalazion may become red, swollen and tender. A larger chalazion may also cause blurred vision by distorting the shape of the eye. Occasionally, a chalazion can cause the entire eyelid to swell suddenly.

Symptoms are treated with one or more of the following methods:

Warm compresses: Warm compresses help to clear the clogged gland. Soak a clean washcloth in hot water and apply the cloth to the lid for 10-15 minutes, three or four times a day until the chalazion is gone. You should repeatedly soak the cloth in hot water to maintain adequate heat. When the clogged gland opens, you may notice increased discharge from the eye. This should improve.

frequently asked questions in homoeopathy

Whether other medicines can be taken in emergency?

Yes. If in a patient under homoeopathic treatment, an emergency arises, warranting immediate attention, the patient can take other non-homoeopathic medicines. Once the emergency condition is over, he can resume homoeopathic treatment after consulting his physician.

frequently asked questions in homoeopathy

Can homoeopathy treat anything and everything?

Like any other system of medicine, homoeopathy has its own limitations. By homoeopathy, any ailment-acute or chronic, local or general can be treated except the diseases where surgery is absolutely necessary. Furthermore, some so-called surgical diseases can also be treated by homoeopathy, like enlarged tonsils, nasal polyps, kidney stones, warts, piles, anal fissure/fistula, tumors of uterus, ovary, breast etc.

frequently asked questions in homoeopathy

Are Laboratory Investigations required for Homoeopathic Treatment?

Although Homoeopathic medicines are prescribed on the basis of symptoms of the patient, laboratory investigations are essential for the purpose of diagnosis of disease, general management of the case (viz. restricting sugar intake in case of Diabetes, high cholesterol diet in case of hypertension, use of collar in cervical spondylitis, change of lifestyle etc.) and for assessing the future course of the disease (prognosis). In certain cases, the laboratory investigations are also helpful in selection of medicines e.g., Worm infestations, Kidney/Gall bladder Stone, fracture etc.

frequently asked questions in homoeopathy

Is it true that tea, onion, garlic etc. are prohibited during Homoeopathic treatment?

It is not true that onion, garlic, tea, coffee, paan, alcohol, tobacco, perfumes etc. are prohibited under homoeopathic treatment. But, the substances which may antidote the effects of a particular medicine should be stopped. For example, tea and raw onion may neutralize the actions of Thuja occ., Coffee affects while taking Psorinum and use of camphor is contra-indicated for most of the homoeopathic medicines. So, these items are to be prohibited during use of the respective medicines. But, it goes without saying that homoeopathic medicines would act better in those patients who are non-addicts and when taken in clean mouth, without the influence of any strong smelling substance.

frequently asked questions in homoeopathy

Does Homoeopathy first aggravate the disease?

After taking Homoeopathy medicines, the patient�s complaint sometimes may aggravate in certain rare conditions. Firstly, if the patient has taken non-homoeopathic medicines (prior to the administration of homoeopathic medicines), then those medicines might have suppressed the ailments and after application of homoeopathic medicines, some of those suppressed complaints may reappear. In such case, the patient blames homoeopathy for such aggravation. Secondly, when the homoeopathic medicines rightly chosen for a patient, is employed in slightly higher potency (than required), or the patient is basically hypersensitive, then there may occur a transient intensification of the existing symptoms of the patient (Homoeopathy aggravation). But this aggravated condition does not persist for a long time and is followed by cure.

frequently asked questions in homoeopathy

Is Homoeopathy slow acting?

The pace of action of homoeopathic medicines depends upon many factors. If the disease is of recent origin, the cure should be achieved within a short period. In such cases, if the selection of the medicine, its potency and repetition schedules are correct, then homoeopathic medicines also work quickly. In chronic cases, it takes more time for complete cure. Homoeopathic medicines, if correctly chosen, will never palliate the disease, rather it eradicates the disease permanently and completely, for which it is quite natural that more time is required. Moreover, the duration of treatment is likely to be prolonged if there is negligence on the part of the patient in controlling his diet and habits etc.