Epilepsy

Ayurvedic Name – ‘Apasmara’

Epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder, in which brain activity becomes abnormal causing seizures or provide of unusual behavior, sensation, and sometimes loss of awareness. Epilepsy may occur as a result of a genetic disorder or an acquired brain injury, such as a trauma or stroke.

In general, epilepsy is a condition in which a person has recurrent seizures. A seizure is defined as an abnormal, disorderly discharging of the brain’s nerve cells, resulting in a temporary disturbance of motor, sensory, or mental function or episodes of abnormal electrical activity within the brain resulting in seizures.

There are two main types of seizures, generalised seizures affect the whole brain. Focal, or partial seizures, affect just one part of the brain. A mild seizure may be difficult to recognise. It can last a few seconds during which you lack awareness.

Stronger seizures can cause spasms and uncontrollable muscle twitches and can last a few seconds to several minutes. During a stronger seizure, some people become confused or lose consciousness. Afterward, you may have no memory of it happening.

Possible causes of Epilepsy are…….

• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Scarring on the Brain after a brain injury (Post-Traumatic Epilepsy)
• Serious illness or very high fever
• Stroke, which is a main cause of epilepsy in people over age 35
• Other Vascular Diseases
• Lack of oxygen to the Brain
• Brain tumor or Cyst
• Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease
•  Maternal Drug use, Prenatal injury, Brain-malformation, or Lack of oxygen at birth
• Infectious Diseases such as AIDS and Meningitis
• Genetic or Developmental Disorders or Neurological Diseases

Common Symptoms like ……

• Sudden Jerks in Arms
• Strange Feeling
• Sudden Blackout & Fainting
• Stiffness in Muscles
• Twitching or Trembling of Muscles
• Tonic Seizures cause muscle stiffness
• Repeated, Jerky muscle movements of Face, Neck, and Arms, called ‘Colonic Seizure’
• Stiffening of Body, Shaking, and loss of bowel control
  Biting of Tongue with Loss of Consciousness

Ayurvedic Concept with Management

In Ayurveda literature, Epilepsy is referred to as “Apasmara”. As per Ayurveda, Epileptic Seizures are categorized into four types-

Vataj (occur due to vitiation of Vata, seizures last relatively for a shorter time, increase respiratory rate, cause more secretion of foam from mouth and abnormal body movements during fits.)

Pitta (vitiation of Pitta, causes yellowish or reddish tint on the body, a lot of sweating, the foam coming from the mouth is also yellowish, patients experience hotness in body and severe thirst after the seizure.)

Kapha (vitiation of Kapha, Seizures last for a relatively long time, the foam is whitish while patient experiences heaviness in the body)

Sannipataj (vitiation of all three Dosha, called ‘Tridoshaj’, therefore have mixed characteristics).

So, Epilepsy is a disease that results in seizures associated with loss of consciousness.

Ayurveda believes that two basic factors have been implicated in the etiology of Epilepsy.

Endogenous factors like Genetic, Congenital, Constitutional, Enzymatic Disturbances, and Idiopathic factors)

Exogenous factors like intake of unwholesome and unhygienic foods, Aggravation of Vata Dosa due to Trauma.

The only first-aid measure recommended in Epilepsy is Blood-Letting (“Siravedha”) from the Veins of the Temples. Cauterisation of both the parietal bones with needles (Called ‘’Soochivedha’’) has also been mentioned.

In Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic, the Ayurvedic Medicines are prepared with natural organic ingredients and Herbs. These Ayurvedic medicines have zero side effects, we give our patients Ayurvedic Medicines prescribed as per the need and severity of the illness.

At Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic, we use ancient Ayurvedic wisdom blended with the latest scientific research to provide immediate and long-term relief to epilepsy patients. We focus on balancing the Doshas which are the root cause of epilepsy. Our Ayurvedic line of treatment significantly reduces the severity and frequency of the seizures. Our research-based Ayurvedic products and natural treatment protocols for epilepsy have been the cornerstone of our success in giving the best treatment to epilepsy patients globally.

Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic provides proper screening of patients, Our Ayurvedic methods target the root cause of epilepsy which is the imbalanced Doshas. Ayurvedic treatment supports the desired coordination of various parts of the brain with the help of Herbs, Minerals, and Classical Drugs.

When the above-mentioned medications are given to the patients, there is a significant reduction in seizure frequency from the very first dosage. Further, the ‘’Akshepashaman’’ (Means Antidote) medications act similar to the Modern Anticonvulsants, however, without any side effects.

Additionally, Medhya Rasayana Varga(Nootropic Drugs classification i.e. Medhya means Intellect and Rasayana means Therapeutic) and Sangya Sthapan Varga of Ayurveda help improve the coordination of the right vs. left brain.

The herbs like Mandukaparni (Centella Asiatica), Yashtimadhu Churna (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) are given in a specified dosage with Akshepshaman medicines (anti-epileptic) that result in effective outcomes. Also, medicated Ghrita is often used for the treatment of Epilepsy as it works quickly by crossing the blood-brain barrier.

Ayurvedic treatment for all above mentioned different classifications is different and Doctors of Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic plan the treatment differently. Our Ayurvedic treatment for epilepsy can be given alone and also along with allopathic therapy, depending upon the condition of the patient.