EPILEPSY
It is disease of the brain characterized by unconsciousness, convulsive fits etc. Hands and feet begin to tremble and there is frothing at the mouth.
The patient regains consciousness after some time. During the attack of epilepsy there is an excessive flow of current from nerve cells and there are contractions in the body resulting in the imbalance of the brain.
Epilepsy is related to the brain. Countless cells of the brain release innumerable directive waves. Another part of the brain contracts these directive waves and ensures the compliance of only the right directions. When as imbalance occurs in this function, epilepsy takes place. Other factors causing epilepsy include brain injury high fever, meningitis, brain cancer, etc. This disease can strike any one at any age.
Symptoms: Epilepsy cam be categorized in several ways according to its symptoms. The two main categories are the ordinary one i. e., petit-mal.
The patient usually suffer from a convulsive fit when he is physically or mentally stressed. Any situation which can create excitement—great height, depth or very rapid flow of water—can start an epileptic fit. Usually, the patient can feel that it is coming. It may start with headache, giddiness and restlessness and the patient seeks support. Then soon he collapses. There is a sharp Contraction i his hands and feet and he begins to froth at the mouth. Sometimes, the tongue is cut and injured as it comes between the contracting teeth and jaw. The colour of the face and the size of the pupils can also undergo a change. Sometimes the patient passes stool and urine in his clothes.
The grand- mal epileptic fit can last from a few minutes to an hour. Afterwards the patient is overcome by weakness and exhaustion. The ordinary or petit-mal epileptic fit lasts only for a few seconds. It is characterized by momentary impairment of consciousness and amnesia. The patient suddenly becomes quiet, stares and comes back to what he was doing as if nothing had happened.
Things to Remember: Epilepsy is not caused by ghosts and evil spirits or bad wind but is a disease and is curable.
If the disease lasts for a long time, it affects the behavior of the patient and he can become short-tempered, intolerant and peevish. Do not quarrel or argue with him.
Do not allow the patient to go to great height or depths, sights of fire or water and fighting.
Such a patient should not be allowed to drive in public places.
The patient should carry an identification card with details of his ailment. It will help in his treatment and contact with his relatives.
Primary Treatment: As soon as the patient has an attack of epileptic fit, insert some clean object between his jaws. It will protect the tongue from getting cut and injured. If the teeth are tightly contracted do not insert any thing forcibly because it can hurt the teeth or gums.
Make the patient lie down on one side. Loosen his clothes. Remove his belt, tie, shoes, etc.
If the patient finds it difficult to breathe, give him artificial respiration. Do not give him anything to eat until he becomes normal.
If the patient is a child, rush him to a hospital because such a fit can be the fit of meningitis also. It is also a serious disease.
If a person who is prone to epileptic fits in marriageable, make it sure before marriage that the fiancé does not suffer from the same disease. After marriage, giving birth to a child should be with the advice of the physician and the treatment should not be discontinued without his permission.
Symptoms showing that the disease is incurable: If there is excessive convulsion of the muscles, the body has become very weak, there is a movement of eye brows, according to Ayurvedic system of medicines the disease is incurable.
Food: The patient should be given vitamin and protein- rich food. Lesser the quantity of salt, the better it would be. It increases the possibility of recovery of the patient. Vegetarian food and milk will make the best diet for the patient. Do not give him stimulants like coffee, peppermint and meat. For some days it is better to give him only fruit, vegetables and milk. The patient should avoid situations of fear, grief and anxiety. The patient should not be left alone because the epileptic convulsions start all of a sudden without any warning signals.
Lemon: Sucking a lemon with a pinch of asafoetida is beneficial.
Onion : Drinking 3 Oz. onion juice mixed with a little water in the morning prevents epileptic attack making the patient smell onion juice brings quick relief.
Garlic: (1) Pound garlic cloves and make the patient smell it. It will bring him back to consciousness. Boil ten cloves of garlic in milk and let the patient take it. It cures epilepsy. It should be continued over a prolonged period.
(2) Eat garlic cloves fried in oil daily.
(3) Grind three parts sesame seeds and one part garlic. Take a dose 30 gms. daily. It is beneficial in epilepsy caused by the humour of wind.
Orris root: Mix 10 gms. Of orris root powder with a tsp. of honey and lick it or take it with a cup of milk regularly. It is beneficial.
Karaunda: Grind about 50 karaunda leaves and mix the paste in butter milk. It prevents the occurrence of epilepsy. This treatment has proved to be particularly effective in bile generated epilepsy. The attack of this kind of epilepsy take takes place in about 15 days.
Henna: Giving 60 ml. of the juice of henna leaves mixed with 250 ml. of milk brings relief beyond expectation.
Mustard: Grind mustard seeds and make the patient smell it during an attack of epilepsy. It will bring him back to consciousness.
Red chilli: Put a few drops of homeopathic medicine mother tincture Capsicum Anum into the nostrils of the patient. It will bring him back to consciousness.
Black pepper: Putting a few drops of ground black pepper in water into the nostrils bring the patient back consciousness.
Basil Leaves: Grind basil leaves into a fine paste and massage the body of the patient of epilepsy with it daily. It is beneficial.
Nutmeg: Putting a 21-nutmeg string around the neck is beneficial for an epileptic patient.
Pomegranate: Boil 100 gms. Pomegranate leaves in½ litre of water. When the water is reduced to one-fourth, strain it and add 60 gms. each of clarified butter and sugar. The patient should take it twice daily in the morning and evening. He will soon recover from epilepsy.
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