|
Epilepsy is a chronic disease of the nervous system characterised by
fits or seizures.
What to look for
Seizures (episodes of abnormal mental or
muscular activity) are the basic indicator of epilepsy. They vary widely…
Staring straight ahead and lapsing into
complete immobility for a few seconds.
Loss of consciousness, rhythmic jerking
motions, and incontinence are among the signs
Repetitive lip smacking, fiddling, and a
sense of detachment from surroundings may indicate a temporal lobe seizure.
Rhythmic twitching of a hand, a foot, or
the face, often followed by a period of weakness or paralysis, indicates a Jacksonian
seizure.
Convulsions in an already ill child three
months to three years old, resulting from a sudden climb in fever, indicate a febrile
seizure.
Epilepsy is an neurological disorder. There
are many varied symptoms and widely differing degrees of severity. In all cases, however,
it results from electrical activity in the brain. This produces epilepsy's characteristic
seizures.
Epilepsy is
divided into two categories:
Generalised -
where there is a disordered electrical
activity over the whole brain. The two types of seizures experienced by this person are grand
mal seizure and the petit mal.
The grand mal seizure begins with the
smelling of something odd or unreal or having another type of sensation. They can also
experience deja vu. The next stage is when the muscles contract and the person falls to
the ground often injuring themselves in the process. The person may shout and the limbs
may twitch and they will hold their breath. They also may bite their tongue and become
incontinent.
With the petit mal seizure, the person
usually does not fall down but may lose touch with reality for a very short time. This
seizure usually happens in childhood and does not usually persist into adulthood. The
child may not even be aware of the attacks.
Partial - electrical activity in
only one area of the brain.
Among the partial seizures are temporal
lobe seizures, which may be preceded by a vague feeling of abdominal discomfort, sensory
hallucination, and distorted perceptions such as déjà vu;
Causes
Most experts do not know what causes this
disorder. It has been reported that it can be genetically passed down, or due to birth
trauma, lead poisoning, head injury,
alcohol or drug addiction, or the effects of organ disease.
There may be triggers for the attacks such
as certain chemicals or foods, sleep deprivation,
stress,
flashing lights, menstruation, some prescription and over-the-counter medications, and
possibly oral contraceptives.
Traditional Treatment
This disorder can be controlled by certain
medications. It is also advisable for epileptics to wear Medic Alert bracelet so that
other people can quickly recognise what is happening during a seizure and help
appropriately.
Alternative/Natural
Treatments
If you suspect you have epilepsy, you must
seek traditional medical advice. Never treat yourself as certain drugs and treatments may
be incompatible.
Homoeopathy - Go to
a qualified and experienced Homoeopath who can advise on which treatments to use, he or
she will need to get permission from your Doctor to be able to treat your illness.
Go to
a qualified and experienced Homoeopath who can advise on which treatments to use, he or
she will need to get permission from your Doctor to be able to treat your illness.
Personal care
Prevention
Watch for potential allergens,
environments, or physical and emotional signs that precede attacks. It's not uncommon, for
example, to ‘feel’ something immediately before the attack, to become aware of a
warning sign.
When to seek further
professional advice
you or someone without a prior history of
epilepsy experiences a seizure for the first time.
one seizure follows another without a
return to consciousness; the brain could be deprived of oxygen,
call 000
immediately.
|
