EPILEPSY
One in every hundred people
has Epilepsy at some point in their life. It is a chronic neurological disorder
characterized by recurrent seizures. Seizure is a condition of temporary
disturbance of motor, sensory or mental function due to bursts of electrical
activity in the brain. These bursts are caused by a chemical
(Neurotransmitters) imbalance, responsible for the transmission of impulses. In
other words, brain function requires an orderly, organized, co-ordinated
discharge of electrical impulses or small electrical messages. These electrical
impulses enable the brain to communicate with spinal cord, nerves and muscles
as well as within itself. Seizures are caused by disruption of these electrical
activities of the brain.
The specific area of brain
affected by disruption or abnormal activity may result in a particular type of
seizure i.e partial or focal seizure. In these types of seizures the abnormal
electrical activity starts in and stay in only one part of the brain therefore,
patient tends to have localised (focal) symptoms. Different part of the brain
control different functions, so symptoms depend on which part of brain is affected.
Partial seizure may not affect consciousness but may affect sensations,
emotions, behaviour, muscles or combination of these. If all areas of the brain
are affected by the abnormal electrical activity, a generalised seizure may
result. This means consciousness is lost or impaired.
AYURVEDIC OVERVIEW OF EPILEPSY
In Ayurveda, epilepsy is
tearmed as ‘Apsamara’ caused by vitiation of Vata dosha. Vata represent the
air, responsible for physical movement and sensory perceptions of the body.
Hence, a vitiation of the Vata dosha, especially the ‘prana vata’ which look
after the normal functioning of the brain and the nervous system, can cultimate
into epilepsy. According to Charak samhita – Ancient Ayutvedic literature,
epilepsy is a neurological disease characterized by derangement of mind and
memory.Therefore, patient suffering from this disease experience loss of
consciousness and undergo all kind of convulsive movements. In some
pathological conditions, epileptic attack may also be caused by vitiation of
Pitta or even Kapha dosha.
The food we eat is digested
by our digestive fire (jatharagni) to produce nutrient juice. These nutrient
juice absorbed by our intestine and mixed with plasma, which nourishes all
Dhatus or body tissues of nervous system, during circulation through various
channels (Srotasa). In case of impared digestion, toxins or Ama created by
improperly digested food mixes with plasma and makes it sama (combined with
Ama) or heavy. As a result, the blood thus produces also becomes heavy or
sticky. When heavy blood with impurities circulates through various channels,
starts accumulating in weaker channels or vascular system of the body including
nervous system. The accumulation of toxins and impurities in the vascular
sustem block the path of Vata dosha partially and make it aggravated. The
quality of Vata dosha are dry, rough,
light, cold, subtle and mobile. Due to dry nature, Vata starts degeneration of
nervous tissues leading to the localised or general atrophy (decrease in size)
of the brain resulting in seizures. The atrophy of brain can be seen through
various modern imaging rechniques such as CT-scan, MRI and PET-scan.
In few case there have no
deformities or atrophy found in brain but as we all know there can be no
seedling without water or rain. In the same manner, there can be no attack
(seizure) of epilepsy without particular cause.
In these types of epilepsy case, there may be psychological factors as
per Ayurvedic concept of Triguna of mind or three qualities of mind:-
·
Satva (commonly interpreted as purity,
goodness and truth)
·
Raja (interpreted as activity, passion and
desire) and
·
Tama (ignorance, darkness and inertia)
When the range of proportion
of above mentioned Trigunas remains within the limit or normalcy or
equilibrium, it is called optimal mental health. When these doshas lose their
equilibrium and become imbalanced, they lead to mental illness.
Therefore, on basis of above
facts of epilepsy, doctors at ARUN AYURVEDA helps you to restore the balance of
all doshas along with reawaken you body’s natural healing mechanisms.we
provides world’s best treatment for epilepsy under three classical way of
authentic Ayurveda.
1.
Daiva
Vyapashraya
2.
Satvavajaya
3.
Yukti Vyapasraya
Daiva Vyapashraya
This is a first line of
treatment with an aim to create a motivational spirit in patient to take
participate in religious or social activities. It play a major role to balance
the equilibrium of three qualities (Triguna) of mind and to promote healthy
state of mind and body.
Satvavajaya
This is also Known as
Psycho-behavioral therapy incorporating with the prociples of assurance therapy
(Ashvasana), replacement of emotions and psycho-shock therapy. This is the
essential part of treatment for epileptic patient to maintain the equilibrium
state of the three qualities of mind.
Yukti Vyapasraya
It consists of proper use of
Medicines and diet. In this part of treatment we recommend authentic classical
(Shastrokta) Ayurvedic medicines including ‘Medhya Rasayana’ to pacify the
aggravated dosha and to remove toxins from the body. Medhya Rasayana are the
combination of herbs used to strengthen the nervous system, revitalise the
brain and to keep it calm. During treatment, patient will also be adviced to
take ‘Satvic’ diet through special Ayurvedic diet advices.
