Homeopathy in acetonemic vomiting in children

Acetonemic vomiting in children is also called “periodic ketosis” because vomiting is contingent. Hyperketonemia is the consequence of a transient disturbance of lipid metabolism when there is a momentary lack of glucose availability following an insufficient intake or an excessive expenditure of carbohydrates:

Diet deviations (abuse of fatty substances, simple fasting, carbohydrate fasting, diabetes )
Febrile reaction to an infectious or inflammatory process
Intestinal parasitosis
Exaggerated physical exertion
Tired journey, change of climate or altitude
Asthmatic disease, neurological or endocrine diseases
Emotions or upsets

What is hepatic ketogenesis?

Normal fate of acetylcoenzyme A, hepatic ketogenesis becomes too important. Acetylacetic acid, β-hydrobutyric acid and acetone accumulate in the blood, ketonemia can reach several grams per liter (physiological level: 15 to 20 mg per liter). They are eliminated in the urine although ketonuria does not necessarily follow ketonemia. We will consider in this article only the homeopathic treatment of the simple attack of acetonemic vomiting and we will eliminate from the question the diseases in which the exaggeration of ketogenesis is only one side of the problem: diabetes, hyperthyroid…

Clinically, vomiting of variable abundance but often containing bile, is accompanied by abdominal pain , moderate metabolic fever , depression , a certain pallor with dark circles on the eyelids and an aromatic odor on the breath reminiscent of apples. The diagnosis of hyperketonemia is confirmed by the demonstration of ketone bodies in the urine objectified by a colored indicator.

Acetonemic vomiting occurs mainly in crises, most often in prepubescent children, presenting a particular terrain : thin, tired and emotional individuals, with a capricious appetite, attracted by salty or spicy foods, cold meats and cheeses, disdaining sweets with the exception of chocolate, willingly prone to verminosis, from migraine or dyspeptic parents. This pathology is rarely observed in North America because of dietary habits. The homeopathic treatment of the crisis must be associated with a medical prescription.

The main homeopathic medicines

Senna :

Senna is the main drug because it experimentally causes digestive disorders perfectly similar to those observed during the crisis of acetonemia:

Aromatic breath odor
Nausea, vomiting, colic and flatulence
Rapid exhaustion with paleness of the face

Dosage : It should be taken almost systematically, in 5 C, by taking 5 granules repeated every half hour or every hour depending on the acuity of the case.

It is possible to alternate taking with one or more of the following drugs depending on the reaction of the patient:

Lycopodium clavatum :

Generally used as a long-term medication in this type of condition, Lycopodium is used as an acute crisis medication in lean patients, with a sallow complexion, usually presenting rumbling with often painful intestinal flatulence, aggravated by starchy foods, eggs and chocolate. . Patients requiring medication are also often nervous, prone to eczema, and have frequently presented with diaper dermatitis before potty training has been achieved.

Dosage : take in 5, 7 or 9 CH, by 5 granules, 2 to 3 times a day.

Phosphorus :

Food vomiting is profuse and burning for the mouth and esophagus. They often contain bile. There is moderate fever, sweating, prostration. The thirst for cold water is very strong, but the drinks are quickly rejected. The tongue is dry and red.

Dosage : Take in 9 CH, by 5 granules alternately with Senna.

IPECA :

This medicine is used in the case of profuse vomiting with a clean or slightly loaded tongue , hypersialorrhoea and an absence of thirst .

Dosage : Take 5 pellets in 7 or 9 CH, at the rate of vomiting.

Antimonium crudum :

This medicine is taken in the case of profuse food vomiting, with a coated tongue with a white coating like chalk and an intense thirst especially for acidic or carbonated drinks. This table is observed most of the time in acetonemic vomiting following overeating.

Dosage : Take 5 pellets in 7 or 9 CH, at the rate of vomiting.

Some naturopathic dietary advice

There is a glucose deficiency as well as a loss of water and electrolytes. It is therefore necessary to provide the patient, in abundance :

Some water
carbohydrates _
Electrolytes (sodium chloride especially to fight against hypochloremia)

For this, we recommend plenty of sweet drinks (herbal teas, fresh fruit juices, lemonades, sodas) and salty vegetable broths. They will be ingested cold, lukewarm or hot, in small, frequently repeated quantities, according to the patient’s wishes and tolerance. It is also essential to remove lipids and proteins from the diet , including dairy products, until the ketonuria disappears, which is monitored with a colored indicator.

Solid food will consist until then of bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, carrots, water flours, compotes and jams.