Epilepsy is a non-communicable disease of the brain which is normally characterized by recurrent seizures. Seizures occur as a result of excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells. The sudden discharge of electrical impulses can lead to involuntary movements of certain body parts or the entire body leading to loss of consciousness and loss of control of bowel or bladder function. The frequency of seizures may vary from less than 1 in a year to several seizures in a day. Epilepsy is generally found to affect people at a very young age or in their late 50s. It is also important to understand that epilepsy is not a form of mental disorder or intellectual dysfunction.
Symptoms of Epilepsy
The signs and symptoms of seizures vary depending upon which part of the brain the disturbance occurs first. Some of the common symptoms of epilepsy are listed below.
- Loss of consciousness
- The disturbance of movement
- Uncontrollable jerking of the body
- Body becoming stiff or even collapsing
- Loss of sensation like taste, vision, and smell
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General Classification of Seizures
Seizures are generally classified into three different groups
(i) 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.
(ii) Focal Onset Seizures: Focal seizures can occur in one specific area of the brain or group of cells only on one side of the brain. Focal onset seizure is further classified into:
- Focal Onset Aware Seizure: At the time of seizure, the person will be awake and aware.
- Focal Onset Impaired Seizure: When a person is not completely aware or conscious during the seizure period, they are classified as impaired seizures.
(iii) Unknown Onset Seizures: When the actual commencement of seizure is not at all identifiable through senses or visually seen by others (during sleep), they are classified as unknown seizures.
Causes for Epilepsy
The exact reason for epilepsy is yet not clear. The disease, as we know, is triggered by a sudden burst of electrical impulse in the brain cells. The various reasons for such a condition to occur can be
- Brain damage from prenatal or perinatal causes.
- Genetic or Hereditary conditions leading to malformations of the brain cells
- Head injury
- Brain Tumor
- Lack of oxygen to the brain cells
- Infection of the brain, such as meningitis, neurocysticercosis
Even though epilepsy is a non-contagious, a total of about 5 million people are diagnosed with this disease condition every year around the world. Some of the common factors which increase the risk of people getting epilepsy are
- Birth-related injuries
- Higher road accidents
- Poor medical infrastructure
- High risk of endemic conditions, such as malaria
Diagnosis of Epilepsy
Epilepsy can be diagnosed by trying to understand the history of seizures, a physical check-up to look for possible external damage to the brain, and undergoing a few tests, such as EEG (Electroencephalogram), CT scan, or MRI of the brain.
Homeopathic Remedies for Epilepsy
Homeopathy, over the years, has found excellent remedies for epilepsy. A few of the medications recommended by the homeopathic practitioner are
(i) Cicuta: When the symptoms of seizure include physical change of the body (body taking odd shapes) with violent behavior leading to unconsciousness, the face may turn blue with frothing from the mouth, and the occurrence of a series of shock from head to body wherein the patient’s jaws may get locked and may lead to biting of the tongue, Cicuta is normally recommended.
(ii) Artemisia Vulgaris: This homeopathic remedy is best-prescribed when a patient is noticed with frequent seizures or seizures that occur in a rapid succession followed by unconsciousness. The attack may occur post some mental emotion due to a sudden shock. Profuse sweating may also be noticed before a seizure attack.
(iii) Bufo Rana: Bufo Rana is recommended as a remedy when the patients are observed suffering from the attacks during the sleep. The attacks may be felt around or at the genital area or at the time of menses in women.
(iv) Nux Vomica: When the patients exhibit rigidity of all muscles during attacks that may become relaxed after a certain interval of time, Nux Vomica may help. The patient may not lose consciousness during the attack in this condition. The body may go into opisthotonos positions, such as throwing the back of head and body getting drawn in sideways position. These conditions can be best treated with the prescription of Nux Vomica.
(v) Stramonium: Stramonium is recommended as the best treatment for children suffering from epilepsy. Symptoms, such as frequently waking up in the night, feeling terrified, loud screaming, and jerking or twitching movement of the muscles indicate this homeopathic remedy.
(vi) Cuprum Met: Cuprum Met is usually prescribed for cases where convulsions may be triggered due to damage to the brain. The patient may feel contractions and jerking of fingers, knee, and toes. They may pass urine and feces during the seizure period.
(vii) Belladonna: When symptoms of seizure include fits of short duration which may recur several times in a day, excessive rage, furiousness, biting of teeth and tongue, etc. Belladonna is found to be an excellent remedy in such cases.
Now that you know how effective homeopathy is for treating epilepsy, opt for it without a second thought if you happen to suffer from it anytime.
