What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a long term (chronic) disease of brain where nerve cells don’t signal properly, which causes seizures. Seizures are uncontrolled bursts of electrical activities that change sensations, behaviors, awareness and muscle movements.
Causes of Epilepsy
Epilepsy has no known cause in about half the people with the condition. In the other half, the condition may be traced to various factors including: –
- Developmental conditions – People with autism are more likely to have epilepsy than are people without autism.
- Genetic Influence – Certain genes may make a person more sensitive to environmental conditions that trigger seizures.
- Head Trauma – Head trauma as a result of a car accident or other traumatic injury can cause epilepsy.
- Infections – Meningitis, HIV, viral encephalitis and some parasitic infections can cause epilepsy.
- Certain Conditions in the brain – Brain tumours and people with blood vessels conditions such as arteriovenous malformations and cavernous malformations can have seizures.
- Injury before birth – An infection in the mother, poor nutrition or not enough oxygen before birth can cause brain damage which can result in epilepsy or cerebral palsy.
Triggering Factors for Seizures
- Hormone changes during the menstrual cycle.
- Alcohol.
- Flashing lights.
- Lack of sleep.
- Stress.
- Skipping doses of anti-seizure medicines or taking more than prescribed.
- Skipped meals.
- Dehydration.
- Illness.
Signs of Epilepsy
Early warning signs of epilepsy are:-
- Involuntary movements.
- Confusion.
- Staring spell.
- Uncontrolled jerking.
- Temporary confusion.
- Anxiety.
- Hallucinations.
- Repetitive Behavior.
- Auras Like stomach feelings, unusual smells, or flashing lights.
Symptoms of Epileptic Attacks Are: –
- Losing awareness of what’s around you- you may stare into space and not be able to respond normally.
- Your body becoming stiff or floppy.
- Suddenly falling to the floor.
- Jerking or twitching movements in your body.
- Peeing unintentionally.
Types of Epilepsy
- Focal onset seizures – Focal seizures can start in one area or group of cells in one side of the brain. This type includes simple partial or complex partial seizures.
- Generalized onset seizures – These seizures affect both sides of the brain or group of cells on both sides of the brain at the same time.This type include generalized tonic-clonic, absence or atonic seizures.
Ayurvedic View of Epilepsy
In ayurveda, Epilepsy is known as “Apasmara”, a term derived from the Sanskrit apa (loss of) and smara (consciousness of memory).
According to ayurvedic principles the root causes of epilepsy are multifaceted involving physical, mental and spiritual factors.
- Lifestyle and diet – An irregular lifestyle, poor sleep and a diet of unhealthy incompatible or stale foods are seen as contributing factors. The accumulation of toxins (ama), in the body and brain tissues is also considered a cause.
- Imbalance of doshas – An aggravation of vata dosha which governs nerves impulses is considered the primary culprit. Imbalances in pitta can cause inflammation while kapha can create blockages in the body’s channels.
- Mental and Emotional factors – Mental stress(chinta), worry (udvega), grief (soka), and other psychological factors can disturb the mind and triggers seizures.
Diagnosis for Epilepsy
- Positron emissions tomography (PET).
- Neurological examination.
- Blood tests.
- Electroencephalogram(EEG).
- CT scan.
- MRI/FMRI.
Herbal Remedy for Epilepsy
Boolchand ayurveda provides the effective herbal formulation for the treatment of epilepsy as “Brain Care Pack”. All the herbs are 100% pure, natural and vegetarian. These are free from any chemicals additives and preservatives. These are safe to use as are free from any side effects.
Brain Care Pack
Product Description
1) Brahmi Capsule
Brahmi specifically, Bacopa monnieri, is a traditional ayurvedic herb long used to manage epilepsy and other neurological conditions. It protects brain cells from damage and also contains antioxidant that can reduce oxidative stress in the brain which is thought to play a role in seizures activity.
Dosage – 2 capsules with plain water in morning time after meals.
2) Brain Care
This tablet is the combination of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Ustakhaaus, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Malkangini, Saunf, praval pishti and moti-pishti. This herbal formulation used as a brain tonic for supporting overall mental well- being. It enhances cognitive functions, reduces stress and improve sleep quality.
Dosage – 2 tablet with warm milk at night before bed time.
3) Saraswatarishta
It is a classical ayurvedic herbal tonic useful in treating central nervous system disorders. According to ayurvedic, it is rich in vata balancing properties which aid in managing anxiety related problems. It is also known to have Medhya (improves intelligence) property. Along with that excess buildup of ama (toxins remains in the body due to improper digestion) is digested by Saraswatarishta due to its Deepan (appetizer) and pachan (digestion) properties.
Dosage – 15-20 ml of liquid mixed with equal amount of lukewarm water to be taken twice a day within an hour after meals.
4) Mucuna Power Dopa
Mucuna Power Dopa is the excellent herbal product of Boolchand ayurveda which mainly consists of Kaunch beej (Mucuna Pruriens) used for various nervous system disorders, including epilepsy kaunch beej helps strengthens the nervous system and calm the mind. Its seeds protect hippocampal neurons and may abrogate seizures indices. It has anti-convulsant activity due to mechanisms related to GABAergic expression (GABA is a neurotransmitter that help regulate nerve activity)
Dosage – 1 scoop of powder with plain water in morning before meals.
5) Detox Powder
Detox powder mainly balances the tridoshas of the body (vata, pitta and kapha) which is considered as the root cause of epilepsy.
Dosage – 1 scoop of powder with lukewarm water at night before bed time.
6) Nasal Drop
Nasal drop is an ayurvedic herbal oil used for the procedure called Nasya treatment. Ayurveda believes that nose is the door way to brain, so nasya with this oil is good for all type of brain disorders like mental stress, migraine, memory loss, Parkinson’s, depression, Epilepsy and dementia. It keeps all the 3 doshas (Vata, Pitta, and kapha) in balance thereby bringing harmony in the body.
Dosage – 3-4 drops in one nostril once or twice a day.
