Homeopathy for Epilepsy

- D. Sowndharya
- M.D Ranjini
- T. Durga
- K. Abinayasri
AGENDA
› Journal Presentation
› Introduction
› When are seizures not Epilepsy?
– First Seizures
– Febrile Seizures
› Diagnosis
– Medications
– Side effects of antiepileptic drugs
› Homeopathic Remedies for Epilepsy
JOURNAL PRESENTATION
INTRODUCTION
Few experiences match the drama of
a convulsive seizure. A person having
a severe seizure may cry out, fall to
the floor unconscious, twitch or
move uncontrollably, drool, or even
lose bladder control. Within minutes,
the attack is over, and the person
regains consciousness but is
exhausted and dazed. This is the
image most people have when they
hear the word epilepsy. However, this
type of seizure - a generalized tonic-
clonic seizure -- is only one kind of
epilepsy. There are many other kinds,
each with a different set of
symptoms.
THE WORD "FIT" IS SOMETIMES USED TO MEAN A CONVULSION OR
EPILEPTIC SEIZURE.

› Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sometimes signal abnormally
causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior, or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of
consciousness.

› Epilepsy has many possible causes, from illness to brain damage to abnormal brain development. Genetics may also
play a role.

› Epilepsy can also develop as a result of brain damage from other disorders including brain tumors, alcoholism,
Alzheimer's disease, strokes, and heart attacks. Epilepsy is also associated with a variety of developmental and
metabolic disorders.

› Other causes include head injury, prenatal injury, and poisoning.

› Triggers for seizures include lack of sleep, alcohol consumption, stress, or hormonal changes associated with the
menstrual cycle.

› There are many types of divided into two major categories: focal seizures and generalized seizures.
› Focal seizure symptoms include unusual feelings or sensations that can take many forms, such as
sudden and unexplainable emotions, nausea, or hallucinations.

› Generalized seizure symptoms may cause loss of consciousness, falls, or massive muscle spasms.

› Seizures themselves are not necessarily epilepsy.

› There are many different kinds of epilepsy syndromes, which are frequently described by their
symptoms or by where in the brain they originate. Each has its own characteristic set of symptoms.

› There are many different ways to treat epilepsy including medications, surgery to treat the epilepsy
or to treat underlying conditions, implanted devices, and diet.

› Most people with epilepsy lead full, active lives, but they are at risk for two life-threatening
conditions: status epilepticus (when a person has an abnormally prolonged seizure or does not fully
regain consciousness between seizures), and sudden unexplained death.
WHEN ARE SEIZURES NOT EPILEPSY
While any seizure is cause for concern, having a seizure does not by itself mean a person has epilepsy. First seizures,
febrile seizures, nonepileptic events, and eclampsia are examples of seizures that may not be associated with
epilepsy.

› First Seizures - Many people have a single seizure at some point in their lives. Often these seizures occur in
reaction to anesthesia or a strong drug, but they also may be unprovoked, meaning that they occur without any
obvious triggering factor. Unless the person has suffered brain damage or there is a family history of epilepsy or
other neurological abnormalities, these single seizures usually are not followed by additional seizures.

› Febrile Seizures:- Sometimes a child will have a seizure during the course of an illness with a high fever. These
seizures are called febrile seizures (febrile is derived from the Latin word for "fever") and can be very alarming to
the parents and other caregivers. However, most children who have a febrile seizure do not develop epilepsy, and
long- term use of anticonvulsant drugs in children may damage the developing brain or cause other detrimental
side effects.

› Non epileptic Events :- Sometimes people appear to have seizures, even though their brains show no seizure
activity. This type of phenomenon has various names, including non epileptic events and pseudo seizures. Both of
these terms essentially mean something that looks like a seizure but isn't one. Non epileptic events that are
psychological in origin may be referred to as psychogenic seizures. Psychogenic seizures cannot be treated in the
same way as epileptic seizures. Instead, they are often treated by mental health specialists.Other non epileptic
events may be caused by narcolepsy, Tourette syndrome, cardiac arrhythmia, and other medical conditions with
symptoms that resemble seizures. Because symptoms of these disorders can look very much like epileptic
seizures, they are often mistaken for epilepsy.
› Eclampsia :- Eclampsia is a life-threatening condition that can develop in pregnant women. Its symptoms
include sudden elevations of blood pressure and seizures. Pregnant women who develop unexpected seizures
should be rushed to a hospital immediately.
MEDICATIONS AND SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUGS:-
› By far the most common approach to treating epilepsy is to prescribe antiepileptic drugs. However, severe
and life-threatening side effects such as allergic reactions can occur. Epilepsy medication also may predispose
people to developing depression or psychoses.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE SOMEONE HAVING A SEIZURE:-
› Roll the person on his or her side to prevent choking on any fluids or vomit.

› Cushion the person's head.

› Loosen any tight clothing around the neck.

› Keep the person's airway open. If necessary, grip the person's jaw gently and tilt his or her head back.

› Do not restrict the person from moving unless he or she is in danger.

› Do not put anything into the person's mouth, not even medicine or liquid. These can cause choking or
damage to the person's jaw, tongue, or teeth. Contrary to widespread belief, people cannot swallow their
tongues during a seizure or any other time.

› Remove any sharp or solid objects that the person might hit during the seizure.

› Note how long the seizure lasts and what symptoms occurred so you can tell a doctor or emergency
personnel if necessary. Stay with the person until the seizure ends.

› Call emergency
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR EPILEPSY :-
› Cicuta :- Homeopathic remedy Cicuta is one of the best medicine for Epilepsy where the attacks of convulsion are
marked by a violent, distorted body shape. The distortions are most frightful. There is present a marked
Opisthotonus which refers to the condition where the spine bends backward with the head and heels touching
the ground. The person is totally unconscious. The face may be blue and the jaw appears locked. Cicuta is also
one of the best herbal remedies for epilepsy following head injury. Cicuta can be used for convulsions occuring in
children during dentition (development of teeth and their arrangement in the mouth), in women during and after
delivery and also for convulsions due to worms. But the condition to be fulfilled for using this Homeopathic
remedy in these situations is the presence of violent body distortions. The triggering factors for using
Homeopathic medicine Cicuta are touch and noise. An auditory aura may show its presence.

› Artemisia Vulgaris: Artemisia Vulgaris is the best natural Homeopathic medicine to tackle cases of Petit Mal
Epilepsy. This Homeopathic remedy is of great help for children with Petit Mal seizures. The main symptom is
frequent brief episodes of seizures in a short time period. The triggering factor for the seizure is strong emotions,
including fear. Any subjective feeling predictive of the onset of a seizure prior to an attack is absent (absence of
aura).

› Stramonium :- Stramonium is the most suitable natural Homeopathic medicine where the convulsion arises after
exposure to bright light or shining objects. The consciousness is preserved and jerking of muscles of upper body
part is experienced by the patient.
› Cuprum Met - Cuprum Met is the top Homeopathic medicine when the seizure attack is preceded by an aura in
the knee. The symptoms marked during the attack are clonic spasm that usually begins in finger or toes and soon
covers the entire body. Jerking of muscles is also noticed. The triggering factors for the attack include fright and
anger. In females, Homeopathic medicine Cuprum Met is used for treatment of convulsion during pregnancy, after
delivery and around the menstrual period.

› Bufo Rana:- Bufo Rana is a natural Homeopathic medicine of great help in providing cure for Epilepsy seizures
where the attacks are present during sleep. The aura is felt in genital area. It also works well for females who have
attacks of seizures during menses.

› Hyoscyamus:- The best natural Homeopathic medicine when deep sleep follows an epileptic fit is Hyoscyamus.
The other symptoms include picking at bed clothes and playing with hands and muscular twitching.

› Homeopathic medicines for epileptic fits during fever (Febrile seizures): - Belladona and Nux Vomica are the
natural Homeopathic medicines that are very beneficial in cases of Febrile seizures. Belladona is the ideal mode of
Homeopathic treatment when there is fever with marked heat. The head is extremely hot with jerking of muscles.
Homeopathic medicine Nux Vomica is of great help when extreme chilliness is present with seizures.

› Homeopathic medicines for epileptic fits as per the triggering factor :- Chamomilla and Nux Vomica are the
natural Homeopathic medicines that are of great help for of epileptic fits triggered due to anger outbursts. For fits
after a fright, Homeopathic medicines Opium, Aconite are ideal remedies. In cases where alcoholic drinks trigger
the attack, the most appropriate Homeopathic medicines are Ran Bulb and Nux Vomica.
› Homeopathic medicines for epileptic fit arising from head injury:-

› Epilepsy cases that mark their origin to head injury: Hypericum, Nat Sulph and Cicuta are the natural medicines
that offer the best mode of Homeopathic treatment.

› Homeopathic medicines for epileptic fit arising from brain tumours :- Homeopathic medicines that are of help in
the treatment of fits due to tumours in brain are Plumbum, Cicuta and Conium.

› Homeopathic remedies for epilepsy during dentition:- Natural Homeopathic medicines Chamomilla, Kali
Bromatum and Aethusa have proved their worth in treatment of epileptic fits during dentition (development of
teeth and their arrangement in the mouth). Chamomilla is best suited when anger triggers a fit during dentition.
Kali Bromatum is the ideal Homeopathic remedy when there is a jerking of muscles. Aethusa is selected when the
symptoms are clenched thumbs, fixed pupils and locked jaw. Eyes are turned downwards.

› Homeopathic medicines for epileptic fits due to suppressed eruptions:- Zincum, Agaricus and Cicuta are natural
Homeopathic remedies that work well when the history of suppressing eruptions is ruled out prior to onset of
convulsion history.