EPILEPSY

EPILEPSY

Referred to as `Apasmara' in Ayurveda, epilepsy, more popularly known as the falling disease, is a serious disorder of the central nervous system that affects both children and adults alike. Afflicting infants and early teenagers the most, it is categorized into two main types – Petit Mal & Grand Mal. Depending on the dominance of the three dashes and their combined effect it can come in four types – a fifth type, called Yoshapasmara, denotes hysteria which is more prevalent among women.

Causes

Petit Mal results from a strained nervous condition.

Grand Mal is due to hereditary influences, serious shock or injury to brain or nervous system and diseases like meningitis and typhoid.

Allergic reaction to certain food substances.

Circulatory disorders.

Chronic alcoholism.

Lead poisoning.

Use of cocaine.

Mental conflict.

Deficient mineral assimilation.

Symptoms

In case of petit mal, there is momentary loss of consciousness with no convulsions except a slight rigidity. In this case, the attack stops within a few seconds.

Grand mal, on the other hand, has a dramatic effect. Violent convulsions accompanied by a sudden loss of consciousness, twitching of the muscles, biting of the tongue, distorted fixation of limbs, rotation of the head and deviation of the eyes continues for much longer.

Herbals

Brahmi (Bacopa monniera)

Shankha Pushpi (Evolvable alsinoides)

Malkagni (Celastrus paniculatus)

Jatamansi (Nardastachys jatamansi)

Diet

Avoid pungent, fried & greasy food, sugar & sweets, strong tea & coffee, alcoholic beverages, condiments & pickles.

Adopt the following well-balanced diet
Seeds: Alfalfa seeds
Vitamin B 6: Rice,milk,brewer's yeast, cereals, legumes, carrots, peanuts, green leafy vegetables. Fruits: Oranges, grapes, grapefruits, peaches, pears, pineapples and melons.

Don't get yourself overstuffed .Go for frequent small meals rather than an elaborate one.

Lifestyle

Should follow a daily routine . Try to keep tensions at bay. Keep yourself busy so that you get no time to brood.  Avoid excitements of all kind.  Go for an invigorating head and soles of the feet massage with sesame oil daily.

Yoga

Meditation

More Details

www.atharvayurveda.com