Different Types of Aggravations
In Homeopathy, there are several kinds of aggravations that one may hear about. The list includes: homeopathic aggravations, modality aggravations (also ameliorations), medicinal aggravations, and disease aggravations. According to the dictionary, the verb aggravate is defined thusly "1. to make worse; intensify, as an illness, 2. To make heavier or more burdensome, as a duty. 3. 'Informal' to provoke or exasperate." Well, this about sums it up. Aggravations can be good, or they can be bad. It all depends on which type you have and why. With these definitions in mind, we will take a look at the various types of aggravations and I will attempt to explain why you should be glad to see some kinds, but not so glad to see others.
Homeopathic Aggrivation
The phrase "homeopathic aggravation" is a term used to refer to a slight worsening of the original symptoms, as experienced by the individual. It is brought about by the introduction of a homeopathic remedy, administered according to the law of similars. Upon administering the correct remedy, an "artificial" disease is introduced to the vital force.
The artificial disease is similar, but stronger, than the original dis-ease condition. Because this artificial disease is stronger than the original disease, the vital force may react more strongly to it, thereby exciting your symptoms to the point that they appear to be worsening. Artificial diseases are curative when they are similar, but stronger. In most circumstances, homeopathic aggravations are welcomed by knowledgeable homeopaths, as most believe that this aggravation is a precursor to a cure. It is believed to be a positive sign that the chosen remedy is doing its job, and affecting a cure.
The theory behind introducing artificial disease to the vital force is a concept from Hahnemann. He believed that the human (or any other) organism could not suffer from more than one dis-ease condition at a time. The stronger dis-ease would always win out and manifest its symptoms. Some people have a bit of a problem understanding this, but it is really not that difficult. After all, when is the last time you saw someone with mumps and measles, or chicken pox and tuberculosis, at the same time. It just doesn't happen.
The ideal chain of events to see is an aggravation, followed by a steady improvement, with a re-appearance of old symptoms, occurring in reverse order...as if they were going backwards, through time. Then, we like to see the symptoms going from most important to least important, from top (head) to bottom (feet) and from the inside to the outside, or, what is commonly referred to as, "Mind first, skin last." (for further information, read "The Law of the Direction of Cure" a.k.a. Hering's Law)
An Example
I do not condone acute treatment of every little ailment, but for illustrative purposes, let's assume that you are going to your homeopath because you have a headache. You explain to your homeopath that you just spent most of the day at the beach, sitting in the hot sun (you forgot to take your beach umbrella). Now, you have a throbbing headache.
Every time you go back into the sun, your headache worsens. Jarring movement and heat also make it worse. Cool air helps, and you had a nap, which helped, too, but, you had to keep your head elevated. Lying down flat only made it worse. You homeopath nods sympathetically (after taking your entire case) and gives you an aquenous dose of Glonoine.
In a short period of time, your headache becomes worse than it was. You may be beginning to think that your homeopath gave you the wrong remedy. This one isn't helping at all...it is making things worse! What is going on here? Has your homeopath lost their mind, or turned into a sadist? Relax...chances are, you are experiencing a homeopathic aggravation.
What your homeopath has done is chosen the remedy, Glonoine, based on the law of similars. If a remedy can not cause the symptoms you are already experiencing, it can't cure them, either. The remedy has introduced an artificial dis-ease (in this case headache symptoms) to your vital force. Your vital force has reacted by exciting your original symptoms, and making them worse. In a very short time, your headache should begin to abate, and in no time at all, it should be gone, completely.
This example is a very simplistic illustration. Homeopathic aggravations are usually much more complicated and complex. But, they are a good sign, as far as a cure being imminent.
Modality Aggravations
A modality aggravation is not a symptom, but, rather, an individual qualification. Modality aggravations describe modifications of a symptom, or the whole patient, towards a worsening of their condition. Homeopaths use modality aggravations to influence the best choice between several remedies. For example, even though several remedies may be strongly indicated in your case, a modality aggravation specific to a certain remedy may point your homeopath in that direction. Hahnemann stated that general symptoms may be too universal, but modalities are amongst the "singular" or "characteristic" signs.
Modalities are divided into several classifications. The classifications include physical, (such as touch, rest, motion, sitting, etc.) temperature or climatical, (such as hot and cold, stormy weather, fair weather), time (hourly, morning, evening, etc.), dietary, (worse for specific food or drink, etc.) localised, (left arm, right side, etc.) and miscellaneous modalities (worse for noise, worse for conversation, etc.). Miscellaneous is the category into which we place modalities that otherwise defy description in the other categories.
Modalities of temperature, climate and weather are probably the most important ones in choosing the correct remedy. If you have any aggravations (or ameliorations) of this nature, you should be sure to tell your homeopath.
Some Examples
For example, if your fever/chill is worse after 1 a.m., your homeopath may look at Arsenicum Album. If the rest of your symptoms fit, that is most likely the remedy that he/she will prescribe. If your symptoms are worse between 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Lycopodium is a good remedy for consideration.
If you feel worse after you sleep, Lachesis may be indicated, whereas if standing up is bothersome to you, it may be Sulphur that you need. An aggravation from lying on your left side may indicate Spigella. If bending double aggravates your symptoms, your homeopath may consider Dioscorea villosa.
That being said, your entire case still needs to be taken. Modality aggravations, (or ameliorations) on their own, can not be used to chose a remedy. However, if there are several remedies that seem to fit your symptom picture, modality aggravations can be used to "weed out" some of the other remedies that do not possess the particular modality aggravation that you are experiencing.
Medicinal Aggravations
Medicinal aggravations are nasty little characters that we don't like to see happen to anyone. The term medicinal aggravation refers to the appearance of some new symptoms in the individual. These new symptoms have no business being there, because they have no bearing or relationship to the original disease. As long as the potency of the remedy your homeopath gave you was not too high, these distressing new symptoms should not cause too much of a problem. If the potency was high, then you need to be antidoted quickly, and, usually, antidoting is effective "damage control."
Why Did I Get a Medicinal Aggravation?
There are several reasons your homeopath will want to explore as to why you were unfortunate enough to develop a medicinal aggravation. It could be that the remedy was correct, but the potency and/or dosage was wrong. It could be that the remedy was merely partially similar to the disorder you have. You may be a highly sensitive person, who proves remedies very easily. The last reason, and most unlikely, is that the remedy is completely wrong. I say this is unlikely because it rarely happens that a homeopath is that far off base. However, it is still a possibility that needs to be considered.
Communicate With Your Homeopath
In any event, if you are unfortunate enough to suffer from a medicinal aggravation, you should contact your homeopath immediately. They will definitely want to know. He or she may need to adjust the potency and/or dosage of your remedy, antidote, or (worse case scenario) re-take your case.
Please do not try to figure out the why's and wherfore's yourself, if you do not have the experience to do so on your own. If you can not get in touch with your homeopath right away, my advise would be to stop taking the remedy until you can contact them and explain what is happening to you. Communication is very important in this regard. You will need to be very specific about what you are experiencing, so that your homeopath may, in turn, take the necessary steps to rectify the situation.
I always advise my patients, that, if any remedy makes them uncomfortable, to quit using it until they contact me. Then, I can determine whether or not to continue taking it. If you are in doubt, it is much better to quit taking a remedy, even if you have to start taking it again later. Continuing to take the wrong remedy and/or potency could be doing more harm than good.
An Example
For instance, getting back to your headache...let's assume that instead of your headache going away, you suddenly developed a pulsating toothache, and a swelling in your throat, under your ears. If you didn't have this toothache and swelling before the Glonoine was administered, then there is a very good chance that you are having a medicinal aggravation. These are two of the symptoms that Glonoine is capable of arousing. Once it is determined with certainty that this is the case, the next steps your homeopath will take are to figure out why it happened and decide the best course of action to take.
Disease Aggravations
The final type of aggravation is a disease aggravation. Disease aggravations result in an obvious, progressive, deterioration of the health of the individual. All the symptoms become progressively intensified, and the individual continues to become more ill. In the event that we see a disease aggravation, the prognosis for that individual is generally not very good.
What Causes a Disease Aggravation?
In very general terms, a disease aggravation is usually observed in cases where the remedy chosen was either totally wrong, the potency and/or dosage was wrong, or the disease is incurable
A good general rule of thumb to remember is that if a remedy gives an initial amelioration, followed by an aggravation, the remedy is palliative. This means that the remedy is incapable of curing the condition, but it mayl alleviate the symptoms somewhat and make the individual more comfortable.
In incurable disorders, it is sometimes better to use a palliative remedy. In incurable dis- ease, the simillimum may be dangerous to the individual. It is possible that a remedy based on the simillimum may accelerate the demise of the individual by causing an adverse progression of the dangerous (life threatening) symptoms to occur. However, this problem is most unlikely to arise if you are under the care of a professional. I do not know of anyone this has happened to, and in asking around, I have not managed to find any other homeopaths that have experienced it. Still. it is a possibility that needs to be broached.
An Example
Phosphorus is a remedy that may match an individual's symptom picture of Tuberculosis. It is a well known remedy for debility with serious lung congestion, and has many symptoms that "fit" well with Tuberculosis. However, the remedy may also be too similar and therefore it could result in a disease aggravation. Instead of the individual getting better, the symptoms of the tuberculosis may continue to progress and the person's general overall health may continue to decline.
This is not to say that Phosphourus should not be used for Tuberculosis. It very often is curative. But, if the dosage is too low, or repeated too frequently, it is possible that a disease aggravation could manifest.
Sulphur is a remedy that should not be used in high potency in advanced pulmonary Tuberculosis. If you look at the respiratory symptoms of Sulphur, you will understand why you would not want to see a disease aggravation happen.
However, constitutional remedies may not cause a disease aggravation because they are similar to the individual, rather than similar to the disease condition.
With all the variables to consider it is important to note that serious illness should not be self-treated. You should go to a professional who can monitor your symptoms and keep on top of any problems that may arise.
What if I Don't Have a Homeopathic Aggravation?
Not everyone will have an aggravation. This does not necessarily mean that your remedy is not working. Dr. James Tyler Kent observed that, "If the quality and the quantity of the remedy administered are in exact proportion to the quality and quantity of the sick-making force, then we have a cure with no aggravation." Some additional observations on homeopathic aggravations from Dr. James Tyler Kent are:
It bears to be repeated that aggravations may be tricky to comprehend. If you are in doubt, or suffering discomfort, please seek the guidance of a professional homeopath.
References
1. "Clinical Homeopathy" by Anton Jayasuriya, Copyright, 1987, B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd., New Delhi, India
2. "Pocket Manual of the Homeopathic Materia Medica and Repertory", by W. Boericke, M.D., Copyright B. Jain Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India
3. Funk and Wagnall's Standard Desk Dictionary, Volume #1, Copyright 1984, Harper and Rowe