Beryllium: A neglected remedy in ENT disorders
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 2004 May / Jun VOL VI NO 3.
Dr Ajit Kulkarni
'Beryl
Introduction to Beryllium Metal
Beryllium is a very interesting metal. It is a naturally
occurring grayish metal found in compounds in mineral rock, coal, soil and
volcanic dust. In the periodic table, it is in the group IIA, series 2. Its
atomic number is 4 and atomic weight 9.
It possesses some characteristics:
- It is strong and hard
- It is light weight
- It is heat resistant
- It has a very high melting point
- It is non-magnetic
- It is a good electrical and thermal conductor
- It is less soluble in water
- It requires lipid for catalytic activities
- It is alkaline in nature
- It acts as a mediator or messenger
Beryllium’s durability, conduction and neutron moderation, make it increasingly useful in many industries, which include:
- Metal working (pure beryllium, copper and aluminum alloys, jet brake pads, aerospace components)
- Ceramic manufacturing (Semi-conductor chips, ignition modules, crucibles, jet engine blades, rocket covers)
- Electronics (transistors, heat sinks, X-ray windows)
- Atomic energy industry (heat shields, nuclear reactors, nuclear weapons)
- Laboratory work (research and development, metallurgy, chemistry)
- Extraction (ore and scrap metal)
- Dental Work (alloys in crowns, bridges, dental plates)
- Fluorescent lamp work.
Beryllium and Toxicity
Beryllium is a toxic metal. It can reduce stores of magnesium
and decrease organ function through interference with enzymes. Beryllium fumes
and dust are among the most toxic substances known. who have classified
Beryllium as a cause of cancer in humans. The environmental Protection Agency
(USA) lists Beryllium as a toxic air pollutant that needs to be controlled in
our communities which become contaminated with beryllium from nearby factories
and mines or by uncontrolled burning of fossil fuels.
Beryllium Disease (Berylliosis):
There are two forms: Acute Beryllium: Disease usually
has a quick onset and resembles pneumonia or bronchitis. Chronic one has
a slower onset and is caused by allergic reaction to Beryllium. Even brief or
small exposures can lead to this disease. Once a person is exposed to Beryllium,
there is a lifelong risk of developing the disease. Once inhaled, Beryllium is
like a time bomb in the body.
Beryllium and Environment
- Beryllium dust gets into air to the soil and water.
- It enters water from rocks and soil and from industrial waste.
- Some Beryllium compounds dissolve in water but most settle at bottom as particles.
- Beryllium particles in ocean water may take a few hundred years to settle at the bottom.
- Mostly Beryllium in soil doesn’t move up the surface or into the groundwater.
Exposure to Beryllium can occur as:
- Background levels in air, food and water are low.
- Breathing contaminated workplace air.
- Breathing tobacco smoke from leaf high in Beryllium
- Breathing contaminated air or ingesting water or food near industry or hazardous water sites.
Beryllium disease primarily affects the lungs, causing shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, weight loss and / or loss of appetite, fever, night sweats etc; granuloma develops in the lungs. On skin it produces poor wound healing and rash or wart-like bumps.
| MATERIA MEDICA : Beryllium | ||
| Region | Worse | Better |
|
Larynx Lungs Gall Bladder Kidneys Bones Joints Skin Lt. to Rt. (mastoid) |
Heat. Warm room Motion. Slight exertion Car riding Bending backwards Inspiring Sight and smell of food |
Cold Open air Warm room (cough) Eating |
Allergic. Tubercular. Lithic. Cancerous
Disturbes phosphorus metabolism through disturbed phosphatase activity.
Very acute or delayed onset. Frequent relapses; very long drawn-out recovery;
very slow resolution.(All metals are sluggish and weak).
Weakness, exhaustion, soon tired; worn out; somnolence. Lypothymia (hysterical
syncope) with weak legs.
Emaciation with sub-febrile state.
Oedema.
Sarcoid: In axillary glands, liver, spleen, lungs, skin, bones (sarcoma;
sarcoidosis).
Various growths: Granuloma; papilloma; osteosarcoma; gumma (syphilitic,
tubercular, soporotrichosic); lipomas; cysts. Nodosities, localized in
inter-digital articulations.
Granulomatous: Exposed tissues; focal lesions in lungs and liver.
Fainting: From cardiac insufficiency (Lach); hysterical.
