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 homeopathy 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 homeopathy.
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
