HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR EPILEPSY

Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder (neurological disorder) in which nerve cell activity in the brain becomes disrupted, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations and sometimes loss of consciousness.

Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some people with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure, while others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs.

Causes-Epilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half of those with the condition. In the other, the condition may be traced to various factors.

Genetic influence. Some types of epilepsy, which are categorized by the type of seizure you experience or the part of the brain that is affected, run in families. In these cases, it's likely that there's a genetic influence.

Researchers have linked some types of epilepsy to specific genes, though it's estimated that up to 500 genes could be tied to the condition. For most people, genes are only part of the cause of epilepsy. 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.

Brain conditions. Brain conditions that cause damage to the brain, such as brain tumors or strokes, can cause epilepsy. Stroke is a leading cause of epilepsy in adults older than age 35.

Infectious diseases. Infectious diseases, such as meningitis, AIDS and viral encephalitis, can cause epilepsy.

Prenatal injury. Before birth, babies are sensitive to brain damage that could be caused by several factors, such as an infection in the mother, poor nutrition or oxygen deficiencies. This brain damage can result in epilepsy or cerebral palsy.

Developmental disorders. Epilepsy can sometimes be associated with developmental disorders, such as autism and neurofibromatosis.

Symptoms--Because epilepsy is caused by abnormal activity in brain cells, seizures can affect any process your brain coordinates. Seizure signs and symptoms may include:

·         Temporary confusion

·         A staring spell

·         Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs

·         Loss of consciousness or awareness

·         Psychic symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure. In most cases, a person with epilepsy will tend to have the same type of seizure each time, so the symptoms will be similar from episode to episode.

Doctors generally classify seizures as either focal or generalized, based on how the abnormal brain activity begins.

Focal seizures

When seizures appear to result from abnormal activity in just one area of your brain, they're called focal (partial) seizures. These seizures fall into two categories.

Focal seizures without loss of consciousness (simple partial seizures). These seizures don't cause a loss of consciousness. They may alter emotions or change the way things look, smell, feel, taste or sound. They may also result in involuntary jerking of a body part, such as an arm or leg, and spontaneous sensory symptoms such as tingling, dizziness and flashing lights.

Focal dyscognitive seizures (complex partial seizures). These seizures involve a change or loss of consciousness or awareness. During a complex partial seizure, you may stare into space and not respond normally to your environment or perform repetitive movements, such as hand rubbing, chewing, swallowing or walking in circles.

Symptoms of focal seizures may be confused with other neurological disorders, such as migraine, narcolepsy or mental illness. A thorough examination and testing are needed to distinguish epilepsy from other disorders.

Generalized seizures

Seizures that appear to involve all areas of the brain are called generalized seizures. Six types of generalized seizures exist.

Absence seizures. Absence seizures, previously known as petit mal seizures, often occur in children and are characterized by staring into space or subtle body movements such as eye blinking or lip smacking. These seizures may occur in clusters and cause a brief loss of awareness.

Tonic seizures. Tonic seizures cause stiffening of your muscles. These seizures usually affect muscles in your back, arms and legs and may cause you to fall to the ground.

Atonic seizures. Atonic seizures, also known as drop seizures, cause a loss of muscle control, which may cause you to suddenly collapse or fall down.

Clonic seizures. Clonic seizures are associated with repeated or rhythmic, jerking muscle movements. These seizures usually affect the neck, face and arms.

Myoclonic seizures. Myoclonic seizures usually appear as sudden brief jerks or twitches of your arms and legs.

Tonic-clonic seizures. Tonic-clonic seizures, previously known as grand mal seizures, are the most dramatic type of epileptic seizure and can cause an abrupt loss of consciousness, body stiffening and shaking, and sometimes loss of bladder control or biting your tongue.

Risk factors---Certain factors may increase your risk of epilepsy.

Age. The onset of epilepsy is most common during early childhood and after age 60, but the condition can occur at any age.

Family history. If you have a family history of epilepsy, you may be at an increased risk of developing a seizure disorder.

Head injuries. Head injuries are responsible for some cases of epilepsy. You can reduce your risk by wearing a seat belt while riding in a car and by wearing a helmet while bicycling, skiing, riding a motorcycle or engaging in other activities with a high risk of head injury.

Stroke and other vascular diseases. Stroke and other blood vessel (vascular) diseases can lead to brain damage that may trigger epilepsy. You can take a number of steps to reduce your risk of these diseases, including limiting your intake of alcohol and avoiding cigarettes, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.

Dementia. Dementia can increase the risk of epilepsy in older adults.

Brain infections. Infections such as meningitis, which causes inflammation in your brain or spinal cord, can increase your risk.

Seizures in childhood. High fevers in childhood can sometimes be associated with seizures. Children who have seizures due to high fevers generally won't develop epilepsy, although the risk is higher if they have a long seizure, other nervous system conditions or a family history of epilepsy.

Complications

Having a seizure at certain times can lead to circumstances that are dangerous to yourself or others.

Falling. If you fall during a seizure, you can injure your head or break a bone.

Drowning. If you have epilepsy, you're 15 to 19 times more likely to drown while swimming or bathing than the rest of the population because of the possibility of having a seizure while in the water.

Car accidents. A seizure that causes either loss of awareness or control can be dangerous if you're driving a car or operating other equipment.

Many states have driver's license restrictions related to your ability to control seizures and impose a minimum amount of time that you've been seizure-free, ranging from months to years, before you're allowed to drive.

Pregnancy complications. Seizures during pregnancy pose dangers to both mother and baby, and certain anti-epileptic medications increase the risk of birth defects. If you have epilepsy and you're considering becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor as you plan your pregnancy.

Most women with epilepsy can become pregnant and have a healthy baby. You'll need to be carefully monitored throughout pregnancy, and medications may need to be adjusted. It's very important that you work with your doctor to plan your pregnancy.

Emotional health issues. People with epilepsy are more likely to have psychological problems, especially depression, anxiety and, in extreme cases, suicide. Problems may be a result of difficulties dealing with the condition itself as well as medication side effects.

Other life-threatening complications of epilepsy are uncommon, but may happen, such as:

Status epilepticus. This condition occurs if you're in a state of continuous seizure activity lasting more than five minutes, or if you have frequent recurrent seizures without regaining full consciousness in between them. People with status epilepticus have an increased risk of permanent brain damage and death.

Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP). People with epilepsy also have a small risk of sudden unexplained death. The cause is unknown, but some research shows it may occur due to heart or respiratory conditions.

People with frequent tonic-clonic seizures or people whose seizures aren't controlled by medications may be at higher risk of SUDEP. Overall, about 1 percent of people with epilepsy die of SUDEP.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance  at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When epilepsy   is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

CICUTA VIROSA 200-Cicuta virosa is one of the excellent remedies for epilepsy. Epilepsy from errors in diet. Cicuta is best for violent convulsions. There is sudden rigidity followed by jerks and violent distortions, oppression of breathing, lock jaw, face dark red, frothing at the mouth with opisthotonos and great prostration after the attack. Fearful distortion of eyes. The epileptic fits comes with swelling of stomach. Fingers clenched. The head, neck and spine bend backwards like an arch. There is moaning and howling. The patient remembers nothing after the attack.  The fit is worse by slightest touch or jar .Convulsions from head injury.

ARTEMESIA VULGARIS 3—Artemesia vulgaris is best for Petit mal epilepsy without an aura. Artemesia is effective for epilepsy of childhood in girls at puberty. Here the fits are caused by violent emotions , the convulsions come close together and then follows a long interval of rest.Also occur after fright and after masturbation.

CUPRUM METALLICUM 30- Cuprum met. is an excellent remedy for epilepsy where the aura begins in the lower extremities and ascends to the hypogastrium , followed by unconsciousness, foaming at the mouth and falling. Another striking feature is the patient continuously protrudes and retracts the tongue during the attack. There is oppressive headache preceding the attack. Complaints worse in a warm room.

BUFO RANA 30- Bufo rana is best for epilepsy in feeble minded  children or prematurely seniles. Bufo rana is effective for epilepsy due to masturbation or sexual excesses. Seizures occur at night during sleep, more or less connected with the sexual sphere. Mouth wide open before an attack and dropping of the jaw after the attack.Urine passes involuntarily after the attack. It is best for epilepsy of females who have attacks of seizures during menses.

OENANTHE CROCATA Q-Oenanthe crocata is prescribed for epilepsy where sudden and complete unconsciousness with terrible convulsions.Epilepsy after non appearance of menses in young girls, worse at the time when menses should have appeared. There is vomiting , tympanitis and semipriapism during the attack. The face is swollen and red with frothing of the mouth .

HYOSYAMOUS NIGER 200-Hysocyamous is another effective medicine for epilepsy where epileptic fit due to fright . There is hunger previous to attack. Before the attack there is vertigo , ringing in the ears, spark before the eyes and gnawing hunger. During the fit face is purple , eyes protruding , shrieks , grinding of teeth and enuresis followed by deep sleep and snoring.Epilepsy from suppressed chicken pox.

HYDROCYANIC ACID 30-Hydrocyanic acid is considered to be a specific remedy for epilepsy.

STRAMONIUM 200- Stramonium is best for epilepsy where it arises after exposure to bright light or shining objects. Epilepsy occurs in stammering people on account of fright. The patient raises head frequently from the pillow.

PLUMBUM METALLICUM 200-Plumbum metallicum is an excellent remedy for epilepsy where there is cerebral sclerosis, or tumors. The patient have unhealthy skin, mental depression and obstinate constipation. There is heaviness and paralytic sensation before the attack and there is paralysis and prolonged snoring thereafter .

KALI BROMATUM 30-Kali bromatum is the best remedy to start treatment. Kali brom is prescribed when the fit comes at the new moon and headache follows the fit. There is mental dullness , and slowness of expression.

ABSINTHIUM Q- Abinthium is considered a palliative remedy for epilepsy. There is nervous tremors precede attack. There is sudden and severe giddiness , delirium with hallucination.Loss of memory after the attack.

CAUSTICUM 200-Causticum is prescribed for epilepsy which occurs due to menstrual irregularities or suppression of eruptions or due to fright, worse during new moon.  During the attack the patient falls left. There is involuntary urination. Better by drinking cold water.

NUX VOMICA 200-Nux vomica is best for epilepsy which is worse from anger, touch, emotion, moving, indigestion. There is convulsions with titanic rigidity, red face, opisthotonos, and closed eyes.Involuntary urination and defecation in fit. Deep sleep follows the attack. Worse in open air.

OPIUM 200-Opium is best for epilepsy with screaming. During the attack the patient falls back. The fits usually come at night in constipated persons. There is much drowsiness , before and after the attack. Epilepsy due to fright.Convulsion of child when mother is frightened .

SILICEA 200-Silicea is prescribed for epilepsy in slender, tall , dark, chilly, arrogant , thirst less  persons. There is much nervous irritability. Feeling of coldness before an attack. The person is usually constipated with clammy, sweaty palms and unhealthy skin. Night attack occurring about  new and full moon.

ARGENTUM NITRICUM 200- Argentum nitricum is prescribed for hysterical epilepsy. Epilepsy from fright or at the time of menses.Fits brought on by taking sweet fruits. There is dilatation of pupils for days or hours before the attack and restlessness and trembling of hands after the attack . A sharp cry with attack. There is violent muscular twitching , especially of the throat. Complete unconsciousness with frothing at mouth, then a deep sleep for about three hours.

BELLADONNA 200-Belladonna is best for febrile convulsions. There is spasm followed by nausea and vomiting. The face flushed and skin is hot.

CHAMOMILLA 200- Chamomilla is prescribed for convulsions after punishment from teacher.

IGNATIA  AMARA  1000- Ignatia is best for hysterical convulsions. Epilepsy from emotional disturbances . Epilepsy fro grief and worry.

ZINCUM METALLICUM 200-Zincum met is effective for epilepsy after suppressed chicken pox.

ZINCUM PHOS 30-- Zincum phos is best for removing the mental weakness in epileptics

NATRUM SULPH 1000-Natrum sulph is best for epilepsy after trauma of head.

CONIUM MACULATUM 200-Epilepsy from brain tumors .

PSORINUM 1000- Psorinum is a miasmatic remedy so it is given as an intercurrent remedy.