Epilepsy-Homeopathic Management

Epilepsy

(Symptom, Causes and  Homeopathic Management)

Recently I happened to see many cases of epilepsy in succession and wondered why the number of epilepsy cases is increasing these days? Therefore, decided to write a detailed article on epilepsy and more importantly the homeopathic approach to a case of epilepsy. Let’s begin-

Definition- 

Epilepsy is a disorder that results due to the surges in the electrical signals inside the brain causing recurring seizures. It is a common and diverse set of chronic neurological disorders characterized by seizures. This results in sudden alterations in the behavior or motor function caused by an electrical discharge from the brain.

But all the people who have seizures need not have epilepsy. Epilepsy is a group of related disorders characterized by a tendency for recurrent seizures. One must know about non-epileptic seizures too. These are also called pseudo-seizures, which are not accompanied by abnormal electrical activity in the brain but are caused mostly due to some psychological issue or stress. Therefore, distinguishing between the two is important before case-evaluation is started.

Incidence- About 2 out of 100 people in United States experience at least one unprovoked seizure once in life. However, for a diagnosis of epilepsy to be made, one has to have at least 2 unprovoked seizures. Shortly, one can say that about 0.5 to 1% of the total population is affected by epilepsy and the incidence is sadly increasing. About 30% of cases occur in children. Children and elderly adults are most often affected.

Provoked Seizures- Provoked seizures occur due to some or the other reasons like low blood sugar, trauma, low blood sodium, drug abuse, alcohol, high-grade fever, etc. fever-related or febrile seizures usually start in infancy and the child outgrows on its own by 6 years of age.

Causes of Epilepsy-

As with many neurological disorders, in most cases of epilepsy, the definite cause (from the conventional point of view) cannot be ascertained. Typically however, the known causes of seizures involve some or the other injury to the brain. Here are enlisted some such causes-

1. Low oxygen during birth (asphyxia neonatorum)

2. Head injuries during childhood or infancy or birth of the baby

3. Brain tumors

4. Viral / bacterial meningitis / encephalitis

5. Stroke or any other damage to the brain

6. Abnormality in sodium or sugar levels, etc

However, in majority of the cases, the cause cannot be found.

Risk Factors that may provoke seizures –

1. Heavy alcohol consumption

2. Cocaine or any other drug used for ecstasy

3. Absolute lack of sleep

4. Other drugs that interfere with the seizure medication that the patient is already on

5. Menses- 1 in every 2 women having epilepsy, seizures occur around menstruation perhaps owing to hormonal surges

Clinical Features of Epilepsy-

Epilepsy is divided into 2 basic types- 1. Generalized and 2) Focal

1. Generalized Seizures-

These seizures usually occur without any warning because of abnormal electrical impulses in the brain. Of this, 6 types have been recognized-

(1) Grand-mal (Tonic-Clonic) seizures- The patient often loses consciousness in this type of seizure and may collapse. During the tonic phase, the body becomes stiff and during the clonic phase, body jerks. The patient’s jaw is tight shut and he even might bite his tongue. Due to repeated contractions of the bladder, the patient might have involuntary urination and later falls into a deep sleep. All these symptoms may last for as little as 1 to 2 minutes or sometimes longer.

(2) Petit-mal (Absence) seizure- These are briefer episodes during which classic symptoms are absent but the patient might lose awareness for mere 5 to 10 seconds and stare blankly. However, these kinds of seizures usually occur several times in a day.

(3) Clonic Seizure- In this type, there is rhythmic jerking motion of the arms and the legs, sometimes on the both sides of the body.

(4) Tonic Seizure- Suddenly a group of muscles stiffens in this type making the patient to fall if he is standing. It also lasts for short durations like about 20 seconds.

(5) Myoclonic Seizure- In this type, very brief seizure occurs, due to which your body jerks as if shocked by electricity, for a second or two. The jerks can range from a single muscle jerking to involvement of the entire body.

(6) Akinetic or Atonic Seizure- In this type, the seizure makes the muscles to lose strength or relax. It especially occurs in arms or legs. These seizures are often referred to as “drop-attacks”, because though the patient may remain conscious, it can cause him to fall suddenly and injure himself.

2. Focal Seizures-

They are also termed as local or partial seizures. They are caused by abnormal activity in a specific smaller area of brain. That area is called as seizure focus. They can be of three types again- Simple focal, complex focal, and secondarily generalized seizures.  

Diagnosis of Epilepsy-

In the diagnosis of epilepsy, for both conventional therapists and homeopaths, history of the patient and the clinical examination of the patient are crucial. Most of the times, if the symptoms are of classic variety, diagnosis can be made clinically. But in cases of partial or singular variety seizure, one has to do certain investigations like CT scan and/or MRI of the Brain and EEG (Electro-Encephalogram) to find the abnormal brain activity.

Homeopathic Approach to a Case of Epilepsy-

Dealing with epilepsy patient homeopathically is a challenge. The homeopath has to be on his toes while dealing with an active case of epilepsy. However, it can be said that homeopathy can very well deal with these cases, provided the entire case history of the patient (child or adult) is studied carefully. As we often say, constitutional homeopathic treatment is the right option for epilepsy cases. I have always found that even though with our acute remedies act wonderfully well to control the acute epilepsy attacks and avert the recurrence, only apt constitutional and miasmatic study is the way out to CURE the patient.

How History is Important?

Finding out the cause of epilepsy (if existent) like any kind of birth injury or other sort of head injury is absolutely crucial. The cases in which we can trace out the exact cause, further work is comparatively easier. If such external cause cannot be found, one has to go to the core details of the conception of the child, any history during pregnancy of mother and most importantly family history.

Miasm-

The miasmatic study depending upon the family history of the patient is very important. Many theories have been published at many places. But after studying many cases of epilepsy, I have found that though Psora can be called as the basic miasm behind such abnormal brain activities, sycotic dominance in the families is often noticed. Certainly being a generalized variety of disorder, all miasms overlap each other at different periods of time. Even hyperactivity of brain can go under tubercular miasm, especially when the patient has very short duration spells and twitching of different groups of muscles. I can say that while making miasmatic study of epilepsy, one should not generalize but individualize it in every case separately, considering all the aspects that lead to apt miasmatic diagnosis.

Homeopathic Treatment of Epilepsy-

Here comes the most important part of the article. As with any other case, classical homoeopathy believes in holistic approach for every case of epilepsy. Considering the physical, mental and emotional picture of every patient (whether child or adult) is must while dealing with epileptic cases. If you base your prescription merely on physical symptoms of epilepsy and seizure type, the recovery may be temporary. However, this does not mean every case of epilepsy is begun with constitutional remedy. Rather. Going for the constitutional remedy in the beginning can prove disastrous, if we do not prepare our patient first to receive the constitutional dose well. Yes, it is true of every chronic case that the patient must be in the right time-frame when we administer the constitutional remedy. And also during the treatment, all acute phases should be handled deftly with apt acute prescriptions.

Do not stop anti-epileptic drugs suddenly-

This is a very crucial thing to know for homeopaths as well as parents of the children suffering from epilepsy. Beginning on homeopathic regime does not warrant canceling the drug dosages of earlier anti-epileptic remedies the child may be on. Give the patient enough time to respond positively to the new homeopathic regimen while retaining the earlier dosages. Once the epileptic episodes are decreased with proper homeopathic treatment, we can taper off the dosages after consulting the seizure expert and finally stop the anti-epileptic drugs if patient starts responding very much positively to Homoeopathy..

Now, herewith we will discuss some of such acute and chronic epilepsy medicines, which can prove extremely helpful in managing the cases of epilepsy—

1) Absinthium-

·         One of the best remedies for infantile and hysterical spasms

·         The child suffers from nervous tremors before the attack

·         Sleeplessness in the child is the striking concomitant symptom

·         The child or the adult suffers from severe giddiness suddenly, has varied hallucinations and loss of consciousness ensues

·         The child suffers from frightful visions and striking loss of memory

·         Kleptomania- tendency to steal things is one of the characteristic symptom of this drug

2) Artemisia vulgaris-

·         Have seen this drug act extremely well in nervous teenage girls that suffer from epileptiform seizures

·         Girls suffering from petit mal seizures after some emotional breakdown or fright

·         Masturbation leading to epilepsy

·         There is a convulsive episode in these children, as several convulsions run together

·         Epilepsy without any significant aura

·         Somnambulism- walks in sleep at night

·         Head drawn backwards during seizure with spasmodic twitching

·         Mouth drawn to left

·         Profuse sweating that smells like garlic is a classic concomitant found most of the times

3) Cuprum metallicum-

·         This is one of the best remedies for epilepsy, recommended by the stalwart in homeopathy- Dr Schwart

·         Very useful in reducing the frequency of attacks

·         Obstinate cases of epilepsy are well-treated by this metal remedy

·         Jerking and twitching of muscles of extremities

·         Cramps in calves can be a very useful concomitant symptom, along with weariness in the legs

·         Aura begins in knees and ascends to hypogastrium or clonic spasms beginning in fingers and toes

·         Patient becomes unconscious with foam at mouth and falls

·         Periodicity is marked

·         Fright can be predisposing factor for beginning of spasm

·         Nausea is a frequent concomitant

·         Worse before menses

4) Kali bromatum-

·         Seizures occurring at new moon

·         Seizures caused by sexual abuse in men

·         Seizures occurring during or around menstrual periods in women

·         Headache almost always follows the attack

·         As moon phase is clearly mentioned in this remedy, most homeopaths regard this remedy as a great prophylactic for epilepsy

·         Extremely fidgety patient, especially fidgety hands; busy twitching of fingers, along with jerking of muscles of hand

·         Better when occupied physically or mentally

5) Cicuta virosa-

·         Violent seizures with frightful distortions

·         Sudden rigidity followed by jerking

·         Followed by oppressive breathing, locked jaw and dark red face

·         Frothing at mouth and great prostration follow the attack

·         Convulsions from concussions of brain

·         Epilepsy from suppressed eruptions

6) Bufo-

·         Seizures due to masturbation or sexual excesses

·         Fit may return during coition

·         The patient may talk incoherently or get extremely irritable before the attack

·         Attacks during sleep

·         Before the attack, the pupils are largely dilated and unaffected by light

·         Dr Kent says, if several epileptic spasms occur during the menstrual period and the patient has no realization until told, she needs Bufo

7) Silicea-

·         Epileptic attacks around full moon

·         Ill effects of vaccination leading to epilepsy

·         Prostration of mind and body

·         Lack of vital heat

·         Patient is oversensitive to all impressions- physical and/or mental

8) Oenanthe crocata-

·         Epileptiform seizures worse during pregnancy and menses

·         Uraemic convulsions

·         Convulsive facial twitching

·         Livid expression with fixed eyes, dilated pupils, locked jaw, foaming at mouth etc

·         May be associated with spasmodic, stertorous breathing

·         Child gets into opisthotonos posture

9) Calcarea ars-

·         Before the attack of epilepsy, there is rush of blood to head

·         Aura is felt by the patient in the region of heart with some strange flying sensation

·         Wants someone with him always

·         Depression of spirits due to disease

·         Worse from slight exertion

10) Ignatia-

·         When any kid of mortification or vexation bring on the attack of spilepsy, even during acute phase, Ignatia can be thought of

·         Rather Ignatia can be used in a chronic epileptic as a prophylactic when she undergoes any such emotional turbulence in life

·         Contradictory symptoms

·         Hysterical epilepsy

·         Hyperaesthesia of all senses

·         Twitching of muscles of face and lips

·         Coffee and smoking aggravate almost always

मधुमेह रोगियों को हो सकते हैं कई और रोग

 मधुमेह रोगियों को हो सकते हैं कई और रोग

भारत में मधुमेह रोगियों की संख्या में चिंताजनक वृद्धि हुई है। आंकड़ों की यह बढ़त आधुनिक जीवन शैली और आहार की अनियमितता की वजह से विकराल हो रही है। डॉ. संजय गुजराती दे रहे हैं पाठकों के प्रश्नों का जवाब। डॉ. गुजराती जानेमाने फीजिशियन और कॉर्डियोलॉजिस्ट हैं। मधुमेह पर उन्हें विशेषज्ञता हासिल है। 


प्रश्न : क्या यह सच है कि मधुमेह रोगी को अन्य रोग होने की संभावनाएं ज्यादा होती है? 


डॉ. गुजराती : जी हां, काफी लंबे समय तक रक्त शर्करा के उच्च स्तर दीर्घ अवधि में जटिलताएं पैदा कर सकते हैं - 

आंखें- रेटिनोपैथी, मोतियाबिंद और एक्स्ट्राऑक्युलर पाल्सीस 


कान- गहन शोथ, ‍वर्टिगो 


मुंह- गिन्गीवाइटिस, दांतों में ज्यादा वाहक, पेरियोडेन्टल रोग और पायरिया


हृदय- एंजाइना पेक्टोरिस, इश्चेमिक हृदय रोग की संभावना 6 गुना ज्यादा है। 


फेफड़े- अनियंत्रित मधुमेह के रोगियों को क्षय रोग होने की संभावना अधिक है। 


गर्भावस्‍था- बच्चे का विकृत आकार, मृत शिशु या गर्भपात, मिसकैरेज़, गर्भावस्था की रक्त विषाक्तता। 


इंद्रिय- मोटर, संवेदी और ऑटोनोमिक न्यूरोपैथी। 


रक्त अंग- हायपरटेंशन, कार्डियोवैस्क्युलर दुर्घटनाएं, तंत्रिका के गंभीर रोग, माइक्रो एंजियोपैथी और गैंगरीन

त्वचा- फुंसियों और कार्ब्राकल्स की संभावनाएं ज्यादा होती हैं। 


गुप्तांग- बेलेना‍इटिस, नपुंसकता, प्रुरिटो वल्वर 


संक्रमण- 

संक्रमण के खिलाफ कम प्रतिरोधकता, श्वसन प्रणाली में उच्च संक्रमण, सामान्य जुकाम, न्यूमोनिया, कार्बुन्कल, मूत्रीय प्रणाली में संक्रमण, बार-बार क्षय रोग आदि ज्यादा होता है।

Breast Feeding and their profits.....

Breastfeeding Tips

A humble relation make between mother and baby by the help of Breast Feeding, in which baby  familiar with their mother smell and taste of mother milk.

Breast milk is the best and most important that you can give to your newborn and there`s no better alternative, to nourish and protect your baby from the hostile elements of diseases, than breastfeeding your baby, at least for the initial six months of your baby`s life. During these six months of his or her life, your baby will get prepared for other types of foods including the solid ones. And if needed or desired you can go on breastfeeding your baby until baby reaches the 3rd year of his or her life. Breastfeeding the Babies is the best option to give the babies the nutrition they require.

Breast milk is produced in mothers spontaneously and exclusively- by every mother for their babies. Breast milk offers protection to your baby from the unknown allergenic elements as it contains a number of immune elements and antibodies that makes your baby stronger and immune. Breast milk has the adequate quality and sufficient amount of nutrients that conforms to the basic requirements of food for the babies and also gets easily digested into the digestive system of the babies.


While Breastfeeding the Babies, the mother should eat different types of nutritious foods and at the same time avoid controlling their weights by dieting. Mothers should normally feed their babies on their demand, usually after a time gap of two to three hours which totals up to 8 to 12 times in one day. Breastfeeding the Babies should be done from either of the breasts as long the babies demand and the breasts should be alternated mothers start with at each of the feedings. This lets both the breasts to produce sufficient and same quantity of milk.

At times babies can want to be fed more often than usual and for shorter time spans. This is known as -cluster feeding- and occurs frequently during the evening hours. This means that the babies are going through a sudden phase of growth which occurs normally when the babies are at their 2nd, 4th, and 6th months.

Mother can know that their babies are happy with feeding when they can listen to short sounds of swallowing, which eventually becomes long and deep. The jaw muscles of the babies and the areola, the portion that surrounds the nipples, move uniformly, the movement of the jaw muscles being seen up to their ears, when your babies are fed well. But if the babies are not fed well the mothers would be able to hear lip smacking sounds and not those of swallowing. The nursing process also hurts the mothers if the babies don-t feed well. And if the breasts get inflated the babies can face problem to latch on. So it`s recommended for the mothers to massage or pump out the milk with breast pump to help the babies grip on to the nipples. If the mothers face any problem regarding they are advised to consult their doctors, or any experienced person who is a close friend or relative. 

Most of site such as www.sitageeta.com gives you exceptional information on Breastfeeding the Babies. For obtaining complete knowledge about the Health of Your Baby,

My Baby is suddenly refusing to nurse. Should I give the bottle?

A baby who is truly ready to wean will almost always do so gradually, over a period of weeks or months. If your baby or toddler has been breastfeeding well and suddenly goes on a `nursing strike`, be patient. Most nursing strikes are over in a couple of days, with the baby back to breastfeeding.

Nursing strikes happen for many reasons. They are usually a temporary reaction to an external factor, although sometimes their cause is never determined. Here are some of the most common triggers of nursing strikes:

·         You`ve changed your deo, soap, perfume, lotion, etc., and you smell `different` to your baby.

·         You`ve been under stress (such as having extra company, travelling, moving, dealing with a family crisis).

·         Your baby or toddler has an illness or injury that makes nursing uncomfortable (an ear infection, a stuffy nose, thrush, a cut in the mouth).

·         Your baby has sore gums from teething.

·         You`ve recently changed your nursing patterns (started a new job, left the baby in a creche).

·         You reacted strongly when your baby bit you and the baby was frightened.

Getting over the nursing strike and getting your baby back to the breast takes patience and persistence. Get medical attention if an illness or injury seems to have caused the strike. See if you can get some extra help with your household chores and older children so that you can spend lots of time with the baby. Stop and comfort your baby if he or she gets upset when you try to nurse.

Remember that your baby isn`t rejecting you, and that breastfeeding will almost always get back to normal with a little time.

The advantages of Breastfeeding

It`s easy. The milk is always available to the baby. The mother doesn`t have to worry about sterilizing a bottle when her baby is ready to eat. She doesn`t have to worry about keeping milk warm or cold when going out. And best of all, a mother can feed her baby in bed at night, allowing her to get as much rest as possible. 

It`s best for the baby. Breast milk has antibodies, which pass from the mother to the baby and help protect the baby against illness and allergies. 

Breast milk is easily digested. Mothers don`t have to worry about their babies being constipated or thirsty, because babies get an adequate amount of water from breast milk. 

Sucking at the breast helps with good oral development. Breastfed babies have fewer speech impediments. Breastfed babies have good cheekbone development and jaw alignment. Consequently, there is less chance of needing braces and other orthodontal work. 

Breastfeeding also is good for the mother. The baby`s sucking at the breast causes uterine contractions right after birth. The contractions lead to less bleeding for the mother and return the uterus to its pre-pregnancy shape much faster. 

Breastfeeding burns calories. A breastfeeding mother can lose much of her pregnancy weight faster than if she were bottle feeding her baby. 

Breastfeeding creates a bond between mother and baby. This bond helps the mother learn her baby`s cues and signals faster. This makes mothering the baby easier.

Breast Feeding

-A disappearing practice

Friends have you noticed that though there is so much of encouragement towards breastfeeding, you rarely get to see women practicing it nowadays.... everyone is busy bottle feeding their kids with formula. Though there is enough evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding for the child as well as the mother and enough documentation of the ill-effects of bottle feeding formula yet women knowingly do the wrong thing for their babies?????

I for one have experienced both the situations.

For my 1st child I tried breastfeeding but as expected the beginning few days are difficulty in many ways- new mom with tiny baby at hand, trauma of child birth, the usually initiation of lactation difficulty, etc, and I gave up breastfeeding in a month s time and resorted to bottle feeding with formula (but I still feel guilty of depriving my 1st born of the unlimited benefits of Breast milk- giving her my antibodies so that she can fight effectively against common illnesses, low risk for asthma, low risk for obesity, diabetes...)

With my 2nd baby I was determined to breastfeed come what may (!). And I did stick to that promise. But guys it was not an easy task!!!! NO SIR NOT AT ALL....

Breast feeding though a natural process has its own share of hiccups- it takes a minimum of 1-2 days to almost 10-15 days for one to properly start producing milk, during this period you see your tiny baby trying relentlessly to fill its tummy by constantly suckling, crying, not sleeping, etc. all this can disgust you and you can easily move to bottle feeding; then there is out of the world pain discomfort due to nipple cracking, milk let down, engorgement, etc. this can further more discourage you.

But believe me once you get past these initial hurdles there is nothing like breast feeding as it is clean, safe, immediate, convenient, healthy, wholesome,….

With my 1st born there was this huge set of bottles, formula containers, hot water to be carried everywhere. Then the washing sterilization of bottles; disturbed night sleep for both the child and me as I had to prepare the feed the child had to wait and then there was this spending good amount of funds on formula, bottles...

But now with my 2nd child once I got past those difficult initial 3 months I find that my child and I are in a very comfortable and happy situation with breastfeeding. Whenever the child demands he gets his feed, when he is cranky he calms down with feeding, when he is sleepy he easily drifts into sleep with feeding. In the night I don’t even have to sit up to feed, while lying down he takes his feed and drifts of into sleep and I also fall back into sleep right away, which helps both of us get enough sleep.

Not to mention he is healthy, happy and falls less ill. More over now if I plan to go out I can just pick him up and leave with an extra set for change and some wipes. You know how convenient it is to breast feed babies in public places nowadays! Every big market, shop, mall has a secluded place or a designated place for women with little babies and all of us have cars so we can even feeds babies on way to our destination due to which the child remains calm for at least 2hrs.

Hence, my friends I urge you to practice breast feeding your baby for the 1^st year of his/her life by this was you would have given the most precious gift ‘A Healthy Start To Life’ to your child.