Epilepsy in Children- A Mirror View from Homoeopathy - homeopathy360

Epilepsy in Children- A Mirror View from Homoeopathy

 

 Epilepsy awarenessAbstract: In the present scenario epilepsy is one of the common condition child faces during the period of development. Many different disorder of the brain may be associated with epilepsy. The epileptic disorder can be congenital in few children where as in few it is acquired due to brain damage occurred after birth. For a better prognosis and management homeopathy is one of the commonly used alternative system .

Definition

            Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate seizures and by the neurologic, cognitive, psychologic and social consequences of this condition. It is the clinical manifestation of an abnormal excessive paroxysmal electrical discharge from the brain, and thus the electrical discharge is conducted to the body & produces a seizure.

 

Epidemiology

            In India, prevalence rates for epilepsy are 5.59 per 1000 population. Males & females are equally affected, and these rates are the same on different geographical areas.

 

Etiology

            It is of multi-factorial, and almost any insult to brain can result in seizure. It can be of brain injury, genetic or metabolic causes, malformation of brain etc.

 

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Exact cause of epilepsy is not known.

It is produced, when there is an abnormality in the:

  1. Neurotransmitter Level
  2. Iron Channels
  3. Receptors

 

Investigation

  1. EEG
  2. Neuro Imaging
  3. Genetic, Metabolic tests

 

Diagnosis

The clinical diagnosis of epilepsy usually requires the occurrence of at least 1 unprovoked epileptic seizure with either a second such seizure or enough EEG and clinical information to convincingly demonstrate an enduring predisposition to develop recurrence.

            Epilepsy is considered to be present when 2 or more unprovoked seizures occur at a time frame of longer than 24 hours.

 

TYPES OF EPILEPSY

  1. PARTIAL SEIZURE

The term partial seizures and focal seizures can be used interchangeably. Because a seizure discharge can arise from nearly any location on the cortical surface, partial seizure has a wide range of potential clinical manifestation.

            It can be sub-divided into simple and complex partial seizures.

  1. GENERLIZED SEIZURES

It includes absence seizures, myoclonic seizures, clonic seizures, tonic seizures, generalized tonic-clonic (GTC) seizures, and atonic (astatic) seizures.

INFANTILE SEIZURES / WEST SYNDROME

It is a severe epilepsy syndrome composed of triad of infantile spasms, an interictal EEG (hypsarrhythmia) and mental retardation.

 

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

  1. Counselling

– Of patient and the family

  1. Normal life style
  2. Ketogenic diet
  3. Vagal nerve stimulation

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

Some of the rubrics are

  • In Kent’s Repertory,In chapter Generalities, under convulsions,Children:

ART-V, BELL, CINA, HELL, OPIUM, STRAM, VERAT, ZINC

 

  • In William Boericke,Pocket manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica & Repertory,

Nervous system, Brain: Epilepsy – (Grand Mal)

Abisnth,Agar,Art.v,Bell,Bufo,Calc.ars,Caust,Cic,Cocc,Cupr.m,Ferr.cy,Hyos,Ign,Kali.brom,Lach,Nux.v,Salam,Sil,Solan,Stram,Sul,Verb.

 

Remedies and Indications

 

AETHUSA CYNAPIUM

Back feels as if in vise, weakness of lower extremities.

 Fingers and thumb clenched.

Numbness of hands and feet

violent spasms.

Squinting of eyes downwards.

 

BELLADONA

 Shooting pains along limbs.

 Joints swollen red, shining with red streaks radiating

Tottering gait.

 Shifting rheumatic pains

Jerking limbs. Spasms involuntary limping, cold extremities.

 

ARTEMISIA.VULG

Epileptic, convulsive diseases of childhood and girls at puberty.

 Petit mal.

Epilepsy without aura: after fright and other violent emotions and after masturbation.

 Several convulsions chose together.

HELLEBORUS

 Automatic motion of one arm and one leg.

 Limbs heavy and painful.

Stretching of limbs. Thumb drawn into palms

 Vesicular eruption between fingers & toes.

 Rolls head day & night. Bores head into pillow. Beats with hands.

 

BUFO RANA

 Excitemet, with epiceptic attacks.

Epilepsy at the time of menses

Numbness of limb

 Cramps, staggering gait.

 

Conclusion

         

Every parent are concerned about their child’s health.So when a child suffer from epileptic attack,it makes the family panic.Epileptic attacks are not easy to be treated like other illness.The chance of becoming seizure free is best in children who do not have a known cause of epilepsy,do not have a family history of epilepsy and are developmentally normal with a neurological exam and EEG. Medication which is used by the other system of medicine can itself cause more serious effects to child’s normal development. So reason out the cause and treat the child .Homoeopathy can reduce the attacks of epilepsy and can provide a normal development to the child.

 

Bibliograhy

(1) Parthasarathy A., IAP Textbook of Paediatrics. 5th Edition. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers(P)Ltd; 2013

2) Anjaiah B., Clinical Paediatrics. 4th Edition. New Delhi:Paras Medical Publishers;2009.

3) Bhat S.R., Achars Textbook of Paediatrics. 4th Edition.Hyderabad:Universities Press(India)Ltd;2009..

(4) Nash E.B., Leaders In Homoeopathic Therapeutics With Grouping and Classification; 6th Edition.New Delhi: B.Jain Publishers(P) Ltd;2009.

(5) Kent J.T., Lectures On Homoeopathic Materia Medica; Reprint Edition.New Delhi: B.Jain Publishers(P)Ltd;2007.

6) Choudhari N.M.,A Study On Materia Medica; 8th Edition.New Delhi: B.Jain Publishers(P)Ltd;2011.

(7) Boericke W.,Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica& Repertory;9th Edition.New Delhi: B.Jain Publishers(P)Ltd;2012.

(8) Allen H.C.. Allen’s Keynotes Rearranged And Classified With Leading Remedies Of The Materia Medica And Bowel Nosodes. 9th Edition.New Delhi: B.Jain Publishers(P) Ltd;2008.

(9) Kent J .T., Repertory Of The Homoeopathic Materia Medica; Reprint 6th Edition.New Delhi: Indian Books and Periodical Publishers; 2012.

 

 

Guide

 Dr JYOSHNA SHIVAPRASAD,MD

PROFESSOR & HOD OF PAEDIATRICS,FMHMC,MANGALORE

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