Epilepsy

It is also known as falling sickness. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects central nervous system in which activity of nerve cell in brain is disturbed. In this disorder seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations and sometimes loss of consciousness is occurred. A seizure is a disturbance in the normal regulation of brain. It is the disturbance of electrical activity in brain. Seizure occurs when nerve cells or neuron send wrong message to brain. The symptoms of seizures can vary from person to person. Common feature is spreading wave of uncontrolled electrical activity.

1. GENERALIZED SEIZURES

It generally begins with sudden abnormal electrical activity throughout the entire brain. This type of seizure includes: tonic clonic convulsions (grand mal) and absence seizures (petit mal or staring seizures).

2. PARTIAL SEIZURES

It begins with abnormal electrical activity in just one part of brain. This activity can spread to other parts as well. It includes: simple partial seizure, complex partial seizure and secondarily generalized seizure.

AYURVEDIC VIEW OF EPILEPSY

In Ayurveda Epilepsy is known as Apasmara and the epileptic attacks are known as Akshpaka. According to Ayurveda, epilepsy is categorized into four types depending upon which type of Dosha is vitiated.

As epilepsy which results due to aggravation of Vata dosha is known as Vataja epilepsy, aggravation of Kapha dosha is known as Kaphaja epilepsy, aggravation of Pitta dosha is known as Pittaja epilepsy and aggravation of all three doshas is known as Sannipataja epilepsy.

Symptoms vary depending upon the type of seizure. In most cases, a person with epilepsy will tend to have same type of seizure each time. So symptoms will be similar from episode to episode. Some common sign and symptoms may include:

• Sudden jerks in arms
• Strange feeling
• Sudden blackout & fainting
• Stiffness in muscles
• Twitching or trembling of muscle
• Psychic symptoms

If you may have following symptoms occurs then you may seek a medical help:

• Seizure may last for longer duration i.e. more than five minutes
• Breathing or consciousness doesn’t recover after seizure attack stops
• Immediately second seizure follows
• Pregnancy
• High fever
• Any injury due to seizure

The clear cause of epilepsy is not known. Typically the common known cause of seizure is some injury to the brain. Some of the main causes of epilepsy include:

• Low oxygen during birth
• Brain tumor
• Infections such as meningitis and encephalitis
• Stroke
• Any type of brain damage
• Genetic conditions those results in brain injury such as tuberculosis
• Prenatal injury

Certain factors may increase risk of epilepsy:

• Age – Epilepsy is more common in early childhood or after the age of 60.
• Family History– Family history of epilepsy increased the risk of epilepsy.
• Head Injuries– Head injuries are also responsible for some types of seizures.
• Stroke and other brain infections
• Dementia

If seizures are left untreated then it may be dangerous to yourself or others:

• Falling – It may be due to head injury or bone breakage
• Drowning
• Car accidents – If seizures occurred during driving then it may leads to car accidents
• Pregnancy complications

To diagnose this condition, doctor will review symptoms and medical history of patient. There are several tests to diagnose the cause of seizures.

• • Neurological examination – It helps to review patient’s behavior, motor abilities, mental function and the type of epilepsy.
  • Blood tests – Blood tests diagnose the signs of infections, genetic conditions or other conditions that may be associated with seizures.
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG) – It is the most common test to diagnose epilepsy. In this test, doctors attach electrode to patient’s scalp with paste like substance and these electrodes record electrical activity of brain. It helps to diagnose what type of seizure you have.
  • Computerized tomography scan (CT) – CT scan is done to check the cross-sectional images of brain which helps to reveal abnormalities in brain that cause seizures.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – creates detailed view of brain which is helpful to detect abnormalities in brain that may be responsible for seizures.

• Functional MRI (fMRI) – helps to measure the change in blood flow that occur in specific part of brain. It is used to detect the exact locations of critical functions such as speech and movement.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) – includes a small amount of low dose radioactive material which is injected into vein that helps to visualize active areas of brain and detect abnormalities.
• Neuropsychological tests – helps to assess patient’s thinking, memory and speech skills. It helps to find out which area is more affected.

The good news is that Epilepsy is preventable and reversible, but can only be possible by using holistic approach, the one advocated in Ayurveda that addresses the issues from the very root.

Since ancient times, Ayurveda has defined diseases with their symptoms, causes and healing methods with nature.

If you are having any of the above mentioned symptoms, don’t assume it is Epilepsy yet without any proper diagnosis because there are other brain related diseases that comes with the same symptoms. Consult with a Doctor for accurate diagnosis to find out if Epilepsy is what you are having or any other related disease.

As a holistic health clinic, we take accurate diagnosis very seriously in order to ascertain the root cause of a particular illness. You will be consulted with our doctor to know the type of test or scan to run base on your symptoms to detect exactly the root cause of your issue to ascertain if Epilepsy is your issue or not to ensure appropriate treatment.

Accurate diagnosis is the key to the treatment of any disease.

We can really help you out of the issue!

Contact us for your accurate diagnosis or for any issues