Understanding Epilepsy And Understanding Epilepsy And its Homeopathic Answer.....its Homeopathic Answer.....

By Dr. Sandeep Anwane (BHMS)By Dr. Sandeep Anwane (BHMS)

EpilepsyEpilepsy

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes people to have Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes people to have recurring seizures. The seizures happen when clusters recurring seizures. The seizures happen when clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain send out the of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain send out the wrong signals. People may have strange sensations wrong signals. People may have strange sensations and emotions or behave strangely. They may have and emotions or behave strangely. They may have violent muscle spasms or lose consciousness.violent muscle spasms or lose consciousness.

Epilepsy means a tendency to have seizures and is a Epilepsy means a tendency to have seizures and is a symptom of brain disease rather than disease itself.symptom of brain disease rather than disease itself.

However the recurrence rate is about 70% after first However the recurrence rate is about 70% after first attack.attack.

Ancient Belief About Epilepsy:Ancient Belief About Epilepsy: Epilepsy, the so-called Sacred Disease, was known as the Epilepsy, the so-called Sacred Disease, was known as the

disease of Hercules because Hercules reportedly suffered from disease of Hercules because Hercules reportedly suffered from epilepsy when he went mad. Julius Caesar is believed to have epilepsy when he went mad. Julius Caesar is believed to have had epilepsy. Alexander the Great, Socrates, Caligula, and had epilepsy. Alexander the Great, Socrates, Caligula, and Saul, king of the Israelites, may also have suffered seizures. Saul, king of the Israelites, may also have suffered seizures.

Derek Collins, in Derek Collins, in Magic in the Ancient Greek WorldMagic in the Ancient Greek World, devotes , devotes much of his second chapter to the Sacred Disease and its much of his second chapter to the Sacred Disease and its magical or divine connections. When Hercules suffered an magical or divine connections. When Hercules suffered an epileptic seizure, Lussa, a goddess of madness, entered his epileptic seizure, Lussa, a goddess of madness, entered his body, according to the ancient stories. This made epilepsy a body, according to the ancient stories. This made epilepsy a type of possession. Purification was the preferred method of type of possession. Purification was the preferred method of treating such defilement as possession, although not all treating such defilement as possession, although not all possessions were considered dirty: Apollo "possessed" the possessions were considered dirty: Apollo "possessed" the Pythian priestess when she uttered her predictions; however, Pythian priestess when she uttered her predictions; however, the Pythian priestess was simply enhanced, not defiled. the Pythian priestess was simply enhanced, not defiled.

In the third chapter of his book on ancient In the third chapter of his book on ancient Greek magic, Collins quotes Plutarch about Greek magic, Collins quotes Plutarch about infant exposure, the practice of letting an infant exposure, the practice of letting an unwanted infant lie outside in the elements and unwanted infant lie outside in the elements and so die. Plutarch says the Spartans bathed so die. Plutarch says the Spartans bathed infants in wine in order to induce epileptic infants in wine in order to induce epileptic convulsions, if the newborns were so inclined. convulsions, if the newborns were so inclined. If they convulsed, they would be exposed at If they convulsed, they would be exposed at the foot of a mountain at the the foot of a mountain at the ApothetaiApothetai (the (the exposure place).exposure place).

Famous Quotes About Epilepsy:Famous Quotes About Epilepsy:

"There is no evidence... that either epileptic seizures "There is no evidence... that either epileptic seizures or a predisposition to epilepsy is capable of or a predisposition to epilepsy is capable of engendering exceptional talents. Rather, the engendering exceptional talents. Rather, the occasional concurrence of epilepsy and genius most occasional concurrence of epilepsy and genius most likely reflects the probability that a common disorder likely reflects the probability that a common disorder will at times afflict people with uncommon potential."will at times afflict people with uncommon potential."

"Sometimes the same things that cause epilepsy result "Sometimes the same things that cause epilepsy result in giftedness. If you damage an area [of the brain] in giftedness. If you damage an area [of the brain] early enough in life, the corresponding area on the early enough in life, the corresponding area on the other side has a chance to overdevelop."other side has a chance to overdevelop."

"A temporal lobe focus in the superior individual may "A temporal lobe focus in the superior individual may spark an extraordinary search for that entity we spark an extraordinary search for that entity we alternately call truth or beauty."alternately call truth or beauty."

Brief View On EpilepsyBrief View On Epilepsy

EpilepsyEpilepsy means a tendency to have seizures means a tendency to have seizures preceded by an AURA(a subjective sensation before preceded by an AURA(a subjective sensation before an attack of a disease.)an attack of a disease.)This disease affects 6-7 individual out of 1000.This disease affects 6-7 individual out of 1000.

Role/achievements of modern Role/achievements of modern medicine:medicine:

Modern medicine, scientist, neurologist can do much Modern medicine, scientist, neurologist can do much for proper diagnosis and treatment of an epilepsy. for proper diagnosis and treatment of an epilepsy. Modern imaging technique(MRI, CT scan), scientific Modern imaging technique(MRI, CT scan), scientific knowledge and dedication can help to diagnose the knowledge and dedication can help to diagnose the proper pathological causes of epilepsy in brain.proper pathological causes of epilepsy in brain.Over all they do the good job......... Over all they do the good job.........

On the basis of study epilepsy can be classified as:On the basis of study epilepsy can be classified as:Generalized epilepsyGeneralized epilepsyPartial epilepsy Partial epilepsy

There are many Causes of epilepsy:There are many Causes of epilepsy:

HereditaryHereditary PsychologicalPsychological InjuryInjury PathologicalPathological PhysiologicalPhysiological

Trigger factors:Trigger factors:

AlcoholAlcohol DietDiet Infection and IllnessInfection and Illness Lack of sleepLack of sleep MenstruationMenstruation Photo sensitivityPhoto sensitivity Severe change in temperatureSevere change in temperature Stress. Stress.

Management:Management:

Modern medicine can able to deal with the Modern medicine can able to deal with the acute state by giving anticonvulsant drug and acute state by giving anticonvulsant drug and others.others.Surgical treatment is one of the solution if any Surgical treatment is one of the solution if any pathological cause is present.pathological cause is present.

But in spite of the over all study and modern But in spite of the over all study and modern scientific highly valuable investigation can not scientific highly valuable investigation can not answer the possible or permanent treatment of answer the possible or permanent treatment of an epilepsy. an epilepsy.

Homeopathic Treatment: Homeopathic Treatment:

Absinthinum:Absinthinum:Congestion of the cerebral meninges and the medulla Congestion of the cerebral meninges and the medulla ane even produces a fibrinous exudates under ane even produces a fibrinous exudates under duramater.duramater.Epilepsy followed by obtuse state of the mind.Epilepsy followed by obtuse state of the mind.Epilepsy after fright and when numerous attacks Epilepsy after fright and when numerous attacks follow one another rapidly.follow one another rapidly.

Argentum nitricum:Argentum nitricum:For days or hours before an attack the pupils are For days or hours before an attack the pupils are dilated.dilated.After the attack, the patient is very restless and has After the attack, the patient is very restless and has trembling of the hands.trembling of the hands.Epilepsy during menstruation. Epilepsy during menstruation.

Arsenicum album:Arsenicum album:Before the attack the patient has spells of vertigo and Before the attack the patient has spells of vertigo and intense aching in the occiput.Great anguish and intense aching in the occiput.Great anguish and restlessness. restlessness. Changes place continually. Fears, of death, of being Changes place continually. Fears, of death, of being left alone. Great fear, with cold sweat. left alone. Great fear, with cold sweat. Thinks it useless to take medicine.Its general Thinks it useless to take medicine.Its general symptoms often alone lead to its successful symptoms often alone lead to its successful application. application. Among these the all-prevailing debility, exhaustion, Among these the all-prevailing debility, exhaustion, and restlessness, with nightly aggravation, are most and restlessness, with nightly aggravation, are most important. important.

Other medicines are:Other medicines are:

Bufo:Indigo:Bufo:Indigo: Causticum:Causticum: Cicuta virosa:Cicuta virosa: Cuprum metallicum:Cuprum metallicum: Hydrocyanic acid:Hydrocyanic acid: Hyoscyamus:Hyoscyamus: Silicea:Silicea: Oenanthe:Oenanthe:

Repertorial answer to an epilepsy:Repertorial answer to an epilepsy:Following rubrics found in Kent's Following rubrics found in Kent's

Repertory about epilepsy:Repertory about epilepsy: MINDMIND, DELIRIUM; epilepsy, during : Op., DELIRIUM; epilepsy, during : Op.

-after : Arg-m., plb.-after : Arg-m., plb.MINDMIND, delusions, epilepsy, fancies he has : Atro., delusions, epilepsy, fancies he has : Atro.MINDMIND, dullness, epilepsy, before : Caust., dullness, epilepsy, before : Caust.MINDMIND, excitement, epilepsy, before : Art-v., excitement, epilepsy, before : Art-v.MINDMIND, fear, epilepsy : Alum., arg-n., fear, epilepsy : Alum., arg-n.-in the morning : Alum.-in the morning : Alum.MIND MIND ,FOOLISH behavior epilepsy, before : Caust.,FOOLISH behavior epilepsy, before : Caust.MINDMIND,FORGETFUL epilepsy, before : Caust.,FORGETFUL epilepsy, before : Caust.MINDMIND,IDIOCY, idiotic actions : epilepsy, before : Caust.,IDIOCY, idiotic actions : epilepsy, before : Caust.MIND,MIND, IMBECILITY, epilepsy, before : Caust. IMBECILITY, epilepsy, before : Caust.

MIND, MIND, RAGE, epilepsy, after : Arg-m.RAGE, epilepsy, after : Arg-m.-with : Bell., cupr., hyos., nux-v., op., plb.-with : Bell., cupr., hyos., nux-v., op., plb.MINDMIND unconsciousness, epilepsy, after : Bufo., Op., plb. unconsciousness, epilepsy, after : Bufo., Op., plb.

VertigoVertigo; EPILEPSY, before : Ars., calc-ar., caust., ; EPILEPSY, before : Ars., calc-ar., caust., Hyos., lach., plb., sulph., tarentHyos., lach., plb., sulph., tarentVertigo;Vertigo; EPILEPTIC : Apis., art-v., bufo., calc-ar., EPILEPTIC : Apis., art-v., bufo., calc-ar., calc-s., caust., crot-h., cur., ign.,calc-s., caust., crot-h., cur., ign.,nat-m., nux-m., plb., sil., thuj., visc.nat-m., nux-m., plb., sil., thuj., visc.HeadHead, congestion, epilepsy, before : Calc-ar., congestion, epilepsy, before : Calc-ar.HeadHead, heat, epilepsy, before : Caust., heat, epilepsy, before : Caust.HeadHead, pain, epileptic attacks, after : Caust., cina., , pain, epileptic attacks, after : Caust., cina., cupr.cupr.Head, Head, perspiration, scalp, epilepsy, before : Caust.perspiration, scalp, epilepsy, before : Caust.Head,Head, TREMBLING sensation : epilepsy, before : TREMBLING sensation : epilepsy, before : Caust.Caust.EYE,EYE,PROTRUSION; epileptic attack during: hyos.PROTRUSION; epileptic attack during: hyos.EYE,EYE,TWITCHING lids :epileptic convulsions, TWITCHING lids :epileptic convulsions, before: agar.before: agar.Vision,Vision, sparks, epileptic fit, before : Hyos. sparks, epileptic fit, before : Hyos.

Ear,Ear, NOISES, epilepsy, after : Caust. NOISES, epilepsy, after : Caust.EarEar, NOISES, hissing : epilepsy, after : Caust., NOISES, hissing : epilepsy, after : Caust.EarEar, NOISES, buzzing, epilepsy, after : Caust., NOISES, buzzing, epilepsy, after : Caust.EarEar, NOISES, ringing, epileptic fit, before : Hyos., NOISES, ringing, epileptic fit, before : Hyos.EarEar, NOISES, roaring, epilepsy, after : Caust., NOISES, roaring, epilepsy, after : Caust.FACE;FACE; CHEWING motion of the jaw;epilepsy, CHEWING motion of the jaw;epilepsy, before an attack : Calc.before an attack : Calc.TEETH;TEETH; GRINDING; epilepsy : Bufo., Hyos., GRINDING; epilepsy : Bufo., Hyos., sulph., tarent.sulph., tarent.Stomach, Stomach, APPETITE, ravenous, eating, after, soon; APPETITE, ravenous, eating, after, soon; epilepsy, before : Calc., Hyos.epilepsy, before : Calc., Hyos.Stomach , Stomach , emptiness, epilepsy, before : Hyos.emptiness, epilepsy, before : Hyos.Stomach , Stomach , RETCHING, epilepsy, before : Cupr.RETCHING, epilepsy, before : Cupr.

Abdomen,Abdomen, distension, epileptic attack, before : Cupr., lach. distension, epileptic attack, before : Cupr., lach.Urine,Urine, copious, epilepsy, after : Cupr. copious, epilepsy, after : Cupr.Larynx and trachea,Larynx and trachea, VOICE, lost, epilepsy, before : Calc-ar. VOICE, lost, epilepsy, before : Calc-ar.Chest, anxiety, Heart, epilepsy, with : Lyc.Chest, anxiety, Heart, epilepsy, with : Lyc.Chest, Chest, constriction, Heart;epilepsy, before : Calc-ar., lach.constriction, Heart;epilepsy, before : Calc-ar., lach.Chest,Chest, palpitation heart, epilepsy, before : Ars., calc-ar., calc., cupr., palpitation heart, epilepsy, before : Ars., calc-ar., calc., cupr., lach.lach.Extremities,Extremities, CLENCHING ;epileptic convulsion : Lach., mag-p., CLENCHING ;epileptic convulsion : Lach., mag-p., oena.oena.Extremities, Extremities, coldness, shoulder; epilepsy, in : Caust.coldness, shoulder; epilepsy, in : Caust.Extremities, Extremities, contraction, fingers, epilepsy : Lach., mag-p., merc.contraction, fingers, epilepsy : Lach., mag-p., merc.Extremities, Extremities, CONVULSION; Upper limbs : epileptic, starting from : CONVULSION; Upper limbs : epileptic, starting from : Sulph.Sulph.Extremities, Extremities, coldness, foot,epileptic attack; before: lach.coldness, foot,epileptic attack; before: lach.Extremities,Extremities, jerking, Fingers; epilepsy : Cic. jerking, Fingers; epilepsy : Cic.Extremities,Extremities, MOUSE, upper limbs : before epilepsy : Bell., Sulph. MOUSE, upper limbs : before epilepsy : Bell., Sulph.ExtremitiesExtremities, NUMBNESS; Upper limbs; epilepsy, between attacks : , NUMBNESS; Upper limbs; epilepsy, between attacks : Cupr.Cupr.ExtremitiesExtremities, NUMBNESS; Fingers; epileptic, during : Cupr., NUMBNESS; Fingers; epileptic, during : Cupr.

ExtremitiesExtremities, pain, upper limbs, left : epilepsy, before : Calc-, pain, upper limbs, left : epilepsy, before : Calc-ar.ar.ExtremitiesExtremities, pain, upper limbs, epileptic, before : Calc-ar., pain, upper limbs, epileptic, before : Calc-ar.ExtremitiesExtremities, pain, upper limbs, Hand; epileptic fit, before , pain, upper limbs, Hand; epileptic fit, before (left) : Calc-ar.(left) : Calc-ar.Extremities,Extremities, pain, drawing, upper arm, epilepsy, before : pain, drawing, upper arm, epilepsy, before : Cupr.Cupr.ExtremitiesExtremities, stiffness, Upper limbs ;epilepsy, before : Bufo., stiffness, Upper limbs ;epilepsy, before : Bufo.-Lower limbs; epilepsy, before : Bufo.-Lower limbs; epilepsy, before : Bufo.Extremities,Extremities, STRETCHED OUT; Leg : epilepsy, before : STRETCHED OUT; Leg : epilepsy, before : Bufo.Bufo.ExtremitiesExtremities, trembling, Upper limbs; epilepsy, before : Sil., trembling, Upper limbs; epilepsy, before : Sil.ExtremitiesExtremities, twitching, Hand ; epilepsy in: stann., twitching, Hand ; epilepsy in: stann.Chill,Chill, EPILEPSY, after : Calc., Cupr., sulph. EPILEPSY, after : Calc., Cupr., sulph.Chill,Chill, SIDES, one-sided, left; before epilepsy : Sil. SIDES, one-sided, left; before epilepsy : Sil.

Generalities, convulsions,epileptic Generalities, convulsions,epileptic : Arg-m., Arg-n., Bar-: Arg-m., Arg-n., Bar-m., Bufo., Calc-ar,Caust., Cupr., Hyos., Oena., Plb.., Sil., m., Bufo., Calc-ar,Caust., Cupr., Hyos., Oena., Plb.., Sil., Sulph., Visc.Sulph., Visc.-aura, abdomen to head, with : Indg.-aura, abdomen to head, with : Indg.-arms, in : Calc., lach., sulph.-arms, in : Calc., lach., sulph.-cold air over spine and body : Agar.-cold air over spine and body : Agar.-coldness running down spine : Ars.-coldness running down spine : Ars.-on left side before epilepsy : Sil.-on left side before epilepsy : Sil.-drawing in limbs : Ars.-drawing in limbs : Ars.-expansion of body, sensation of, before : Arg-n.-expansion of body, sensation of, before : Arg-n.-general nervous feeling : Arg-n., nat-m.-general nervous feeling : Arg-n., nat-m.-heart, from : Calc-ar., lach., naja.-heart, from : Calc-ar., lach., naja.-heel to occiput, right : Stram.-heel to occiput, right : Stram.-jerk in nape : Bufo.-jerk in nape : Bufo.-knees : Cupr.-knees : Cupr.-mouse, running like a : Bell., Calc., ign., nit-ac., sil., sulph.-mouse, running like a : Bell., Calc., ign., nit-ac., sil., sulph.-numbness of brain : Bufo.-numbness of brain : Bufo.-shocks : Ars., laur.-shocks : Ars., laur.

-solar plexus, from : Art-v., bell., bufo., calc., -solar plexus, from : Art-v., bell., bufo., calc., caust., Cic., cupr., indg., Nux-v., sil., Sulph.caust., Cic., cupr., indg., Nux-v., sil., Sulph.-uterus : Bufo.-uterus : Bufo.-uterus to throat : Lach.-uterus to throat : Lach.-warm air streaming up spine : Ars.-warm air streaming up spine : Ars.-waving sensation in brain : Cimic.-waving sensation in brain : Cimic.

Epileptiform :Epileptiform : Agar., Arg-n., Bell., Calc., Agar., Arg-n., Bell., Calc., Caust., Cic., Cina., Cupr., Glon., Hyos., Plb.,., Caust., Cic., Cina., Cupr., Glon., Hyos., Plb.,., Stram.,Stram.,Sulph., Visc.Sulph., Visc.

conclusion:conclusion:

From the above repertorial result i am on the From the above repertorial result i am on the conclusion that the CAUSTICUM is the most conclusion that the CAUSTICUM is the most suited medicine for an epilepsy in it associated suited medicine for an epilepsy in it associated with MIND AND HEAD symptoms.with MIND AND HEAD symptoms.CUPRUM MET. is the medicine for epilepsy CUPRUM MET. is the medicine for epilepsy when it is associated with symptoms of an when it is associated with symptoms of an extremities.extremities.