” I have practiced homeopathy for 40 years. 5 years ago, I accepted the mission to treat patients at the EHPAD Les Landiers de Bron, just near Lyon. The very old people found in nursing homes often combine several pathologies and take a lot of medication. I found it interesting to combine their treatments with alternative medicine to reduce side effects and limit the use of medication. », shares the Dr Frédéric Rérolle, homeopathic physician.
In a context where doctors seek to reduce medication which are not considered essential, the practice of Dr. Rérolle has its place. Combining antibiotics, anxiolytics, analgesics and antidepressants is not without Side effects. ” Treating certain pathologies of EHPAD residents with homeopathy makes it possible to avoid adding other drugs “explains the doctor.
As a result, in this EHPAD, taking antibiotics, anxiolytics, analgesics and antidepressants has decreased between 30% and 50%.
Top Santé: What have you treated with homeopathy?
Dr. Rerolle: There are many indications in nursing homes for homeopathy. So I removed some non-compulsory treatments and combined current drugs with homeopathy. Homeopathic treatments are particularly interesting against respiratory and psychological pathologies (mourning, anxiety, etc.) and pain, such as digestive disorders. In EHPAD, we are regularly faced with people who go through difficult times and chain bereavements and separations. They are also particularly prone to digestive disorders and kidney problems. Many of them are also in the process of fracture healing. Homeopathy works very well on these problems.
Top Santé: After how long were the benefits visible?
Dr. Rerolle: The benefits were visible in the first year. There was a decrease in anxiety and less pain in all residents. We have also succeeded in reducing their medication by 20 to 50% (analgesic, antibiotic, anxiolytics, etc.). Patients suffered fewer side effects. Fewer drugs with side effects, means less nausea, fewer periods of bed rest, fewer falls, an improvement in the general physical and psychological state of patients as well as greater autonomy.
Top Santé: Can homeopathy be prescribed to everyone?
Dr. Rerolle: Admittedly, we are not going to help a patient affected by Alzheimer’s disease to regain his memory thanks to homeopathy. But if this same patient is subject to anxiety, it will be a question of combining his treatment for Alzheimer’s with homeopathy, rather than administering additional anxiolytics, conducive to falls and confusion. So, yes homeopathy can help everyone. And in particular because its prescription is very personalized and individualized on the basis of an interrogation. It is for this reason that within the EHPAD, close observation of caregivers is important. They observe behaviors, habits, changes… And this is what will allow the homeopathic doctor to find the appropriate medicine to treat each patient.
