Epilepsy

Epilepsy means a tendency to have seizers and a symptom of brain disease where there are periodical changes in the neurological function, which is often accompanied by alterations in consciousness due to excessive, abnormal, electrical impulses from the nerve cells within the brain.The epileptic seizures are divided into generalized seizures or partial seizures.In generalized seizures ( grand mal) the patient gets an aura that is followed by loud crying, biting of his own tounge, increased salivation or deveops froth at mouth, there may be violent jerking of limbs he , he may urinate or defecate and there can be resultant sudden loss of consciousness with total loss of memory for the attack. The petit amal type of eilepsy is the one that is usually seen in small children with complaints of cessation of mental activity for a few seconds, without loss of consciousness and without the patient realizing what had happened. These are also termed as absence attacks, where the person or the child becomes absent from his surrounding for a brief period of time and any movements of the lid, lip and tounge are possible. Continuous convulsive movements without any epileptic free Periods and without the patient regaining awareness between the attacks, usually lasting for more than twenty four hours is called as status epilepticus.
The patient usually comes with a history of involuntary urination and defecation, head injury, high fever labor, metabolic disorders ( hypoglycemia, hypocalcaemia, hyponatremia, hypomagnesemia, renal failure) certain drugs ( Pencillin isoniazid. Antimalarial, cyclosporin , phenothiazine, tricyclics, lignocaine etc) tumor, hydrocephalus infections ( menigitis, encephalopathy) cerebrovascular accidents multiple sclerosis SLE or excessive intake of alcohol.
An epileptic patient is not allowed to drive, cycle or swim and not allowed to work near fire, machinery or water, since the patient can get an attack at any time And any place. The patient should take only a shallow bath, without locking the door of and that too when someone is present in the home. The patient should be assured that a normal life is possible, along with medications.
During an attack, put the patient in a semi prone position with head low and roll the patient onto any side to the secretions flow out of the mouth, instead of it getting aspirated into the lungs and leading to further complications. Ensure that the airway is clear. Pressing the tounge down with the help of a spoon is necessary to prevent a tounge bite and is also useful to prevent the Fallin back of the tounge ( leading to respiratory obstruction) . For convulsions that occur in small children immerse the legs of the Child in hot Water for five to ten minutes after which if the attack goes away, the child should be wiped dry. If the child is not better or if the attack occurs again, follow the same procedure again and also apply some cold water simultaneously to the head of the Child.
The person who had an epileptic attack may occasionally be drowsy and confused for about half an hour to one hour and should not be left alone until he has recovered completely. If the convulsions continue for more than five minutes or if it recurs without the person getting conscious, one needs immediate medical attention.
Treatment
In case of sudden seizures hot red skin glaring eyes Belladonna 30 c potency
Absinthium 30 C Potency is useful remedy for petit and grand mal epilepsy where the nervous tremors precede the epileptic attack also sudden giddiness with hallucinations followed by loss of consciousness.
For epileptic convulsions that are worse during pregnancy worse during menses foaming of the mouth and locked jaw Oenanthe crocata 200 Potency.
Artemisia vulgaris 200 Potency for petit mal type especially in children and in young girls after fright or other violent emotions worse at puberty and during menses.
Concussion of brain with head turn or twisted to one side and also bending of the head neck and spine backwards and the patient is violent with moaning and howling Cicuta Vir 200 Potency.
For convulsive and spasmodic affection brought on by fright where the patient complaints of nausea and an aura in the knee that ascends upwards followed by uncounciousness foaming at mouth convulsions begins in the fingers and toes Cuprum met 200
Chamomilla 30 potency useful convulsive jerking of limbs twitching of the facial muscles and eyelids with constant moaning and motion of head from side to side drowsiness loss of consciousness redness of one cheek and paleness of the other.
Trembling of the whole body loud screaming during the fits and constipation Opium 30 potency
Bufo 30 potency tendency towards masturbation at a very early age getting seizures in sleep or during menses.
Fright in stammering the upper extremities and isolated groups of muscles are affected Stramonium,30 potency
Attacks in deep sleep person cries and sabs without waking Hyoscymus 200 Potency.