Welcome to HomoeoPathshala’s Case of the Week!
This week, we present a real-life homoeopathic case focusing on acute gastritis in a young adult. This case highlights how to analyze totality, identify keynotes, and justify remedies — essential skills for BHMS students and interns during OPD and viva exams.
Case studies like these bridge the gap between theory and practice, improving clinical reasoning and academic confidence.
Patient Profile
- Name: Mr. A
- Age: 28 years
- Occupation: Software Engineer
- Date of Consultation: 12th February 2026
Chief Complaint
- Acute stomach pain after spicy meal
- Nausea and bloating
- Irritability and restlessness
History of Present Illness
The patient reported:
- Pain started 2 hours post-lunch (spicy curry)
- Burning sensation in epigastrium
- Nausea worse in the morning, better with warmth
- Restlessness and impatience during discomfort
- Thirst for small sips of water
General Symptoms
- Chilly, prefers warm environment
- Appetite: craving spicy food
- Sleep: restless at night due to discomfort
- Perspiration normal
Mental & Emotional Symptoms
- Easily irritated and impatient
- Restless during pain
- Anxiety about work deadlines
Modalities
| Symptom | Better | Worse |
|---|---|---|
| Stomach pain | Warmth, bending forward | Spicy food, morning |
| Nausea | Small sips of water | Large quantity of water |
| Irritability | Distraction | Hunger, pain |
Analysis and Totality
- Keynotes: Restlessness, irritability, burning epigastric pain, worse from spicy food, better by warmth
- Generals: Chilly, small sips of water, anxious personality
- Peculiar Symptoms: Irritable and restless during pain, craving spicy food despite discomfort
Totality analysis is the backbone of remedy justification.
Repertorial Analysis
Selected rubrics:
- Stomach – burning, worse from spicy food
- Nausea – small sips better
- Irritability – restless during pain
- Desire – spicy food
Top remedies suggested:
- Nux vomica
- Arsenicum album
- Lycopodium clavatum
Materia Medica Confirmation
Nux vomica matches the patient:
- Irritable, impatient, easily angered
- Gastric complaints from spicy/overeating
- Burning epigastrium, nausea
- Better by warmth, small sips of water
- Chilly, tense personality
Remedy selection justified perfectly.
Remedy Selected
Nux vomica 30C, single dose, repeated as per response.
Follow-Up & Outcome
- 1st Follow-up (2 days later): Pain reduced by 50%, irritability improved
- 2nd Follow-up (5 days later): Complete relief, no nausea, appetite normalized
Learning Points for BHMS Students
- Observe mental and emotional state even in acute cases.
- Peculiar symptoms are often more important than general complaints.
- Modalities (better/worse factors) are key in differentiating remedies.
- Short-duration acute cases still require totality analysis.
- Remedy justification strengthens clinical confidence and academic understanding.
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