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Absence seizure (Petit mal) - A generalized seizure which affects whole of the brain and not any one particular part. It has mild symptoms, basically brief spells of memory and concentration loss known as 'absences', which generally do not last for more than 30 seconds but tend to be more frequent. Its various symptoms are:

› temporary loss of consciousness

› a blank stare

› slight jerking movement of the head

› blinking of the eyes on a blank face

› fluttering of eye and facial muscles

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Focal seizure – It is a partial seizure, i.e. it originates from one part of the brain and may or may not extend to others. Its symptoms vary from mild to moderately severe depending upon the part or parts of the brain affected. Its different symptoms are:

› A simple partial seizure shows symptoms of hallucinations and twitching but the person is conscious.

› A complex partial seizure causes unconsciousness for around two minutes which is followed by mental
   disorientation.

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Tonic-clonic seizure (Grand mal) – This again is a generalized seizure with moderately severe symptoms which usually last for 2-5 minutes. It generally causes the sufferer to become unconscious and have frightening looking convulsions. The symptoms include:

› Unconsciousness

› Rigidity of muscles which is followed by twitching (a sudden automatic movement)

› Eventual flaccidity and incontinence (inability to control bladder movements)

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Status epilepticus – This severest form of seizure can be fatal. It can be both partial as well as generalized and is basically nothing but a series of seizures which follow each other in so quick successions that there is practically no interval of consciousness. These attacks may last for hours, days or even weeks and may permanently impair or in some cases kill the person.

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Quite strangely, some children are found with absence seizures due to boredom in their life as their hyperactivity is no match to meager work they have in their hands.

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Emotional and physical stress or simply tiredness. Stress includes feelings of anger, depression and frustration which sometimes are due to the attitude one develops towards this disease.

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Physical experiences, mostly related to vision such as

› Flashing discotheque lights

› Swift changes in the pictures on a television screen, especially in a dim lit room

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It is believed that epilepsy is sometimes hereditary but no concrete proof or result of any research has proven this line of thinking.

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Sometimes, the events that lead to the seizure are known in an individual.

Examples include:

› Vision distortions

› Uneasiness in the stomach

› Taste of a particular flavor coming for no apparent reason

› Smell of a non existent odor

› Hearing of a non existent sound

All these events are called auras which are actually the beginning of a seizure that spread to other parts of the brain. Sometimes, a person experiences only the aura and no seizure at all.

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Low blood sugar is also associated with epilepsy.

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Brain damage resulting from an injury before, during or after the birth.

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In some cases, people suffer from seizures due to a fever they had in their childhood or also due to some infection they have had earlier which crept up to damage their brain cells to some extent.

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Allergic reactions to food have also shown to induce epileptic seizures, especially in children.

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Passiflora Incarnata (also known as Passion Flower) - This climbing shrub is native to South America but some of its 450 odd species can be found in colder climate of North and Central America as well. It grows up to a height of 10 metres clutching with the help of tendrils. This medicinal variety is some times confused with the cultivated variety that produces passion fruit. All its aerial parts; the stamen, three lobed indented leaves and bright showy flowers that have white petals covered over by pinkish violet filaments, have medicinal properties. The main constituents are maltol, ethyl maltol, indole alkaloids and various antioxidants. Mainly maltol and ethyl maltol and to some extent the antioxidants present impart the sedative property to this herb for which it is quite famous. In effect it is so effective yet gentle, that even children are given preparations based on passionflower for treating insomnia, anxiety and nervous system originated palpitations and digestive problems. It is believed that passionflower works by increasing levels of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA lowers the activity of some brain cells, resulting in relaxation.

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Scuttelaria laterifolia (Skullcap) - This is a well-known calmative and antispasmodic herb and will help to reduce over-stimulation that can lead to seizure occurrence. It is also helpful in lowering fever and regulating blood pressure.

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Cuprum metallicum (30C) - This is a homeopathic ingredient that is recommended for the control of seizures and also addresses post-ictal (after seizure) drowsiness, mental dullness and vomiting.

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Cicuta virosa (30C) - This is another homeopathic remedy that has proven results in treating seizures, especially those characterized by rigidity and/or jerking movements. This remedy is also often prescribed to relieve breathing difficulties and hypersalivation and to address the decreased level of consciousness associated with seizures.

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Ferrum phosphoricum (Ferrum phos. D6) is a homeopathic biochemic tissue salts which supports the absorption of iron in the body. The protective myelin sheath which surrounds all nerve tissue needs iron to supply this vital nutrient to the nerve cells it encases. Iron in hemoglobin also helps to keep all body tissue, including the brain, supplied with oxygen. Regular use of Ferrum phos. can help to prevent dizziness, headaches and restlessness and is of great benefit for those who tend to feel irritable, tense and tired.

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Kalium phosphate (Kali. phos. D6) is a homeopathic brain and nerve tonic par excellence as well as an amazing nerve nutrient. Used regularly it helps to calm and uplift the spirit and soothe common nervous tension and everyday stress. Kali. phos. is the most widely recommended tissue salt for soothing worry and distress.

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Magnesium phosphate (Mag. phos. D6) is well-known as a homeopathic painkiller, Mag. phos. is also of great benefit to the health of the nerves. It acts as a natural anti-spasmodic and a nerve and muscle relaxant and is also frequently recommended for stress headaches.

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A diet rich in fats but low in carbohydrate - sugars and starches, is most suitable for most of the epilepsy patients, especially children. This is called ketogenic diet as it produces ketosis, in which blood levels of chemicals called ketones increases. This is said to decrease the number and intensity of seizures drastically.

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As lack of vitamin B₆ and D is supposed to sometimes prompt epileptic attacks, their intake becomes imperative in such cases. Vitamin B₆ is easily supplied by pulses, meat, bananas, fish, beans and whole grains. Oily fish (mackerel, sardines, salmon) along with some dairy products like cheese and milk fortified with vitamin D should provide you with enough vitamin D. Vitamin B₆ has actually being used to treat infants and small children who have seizures related to a genetic enzyme defect.

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Minerals like magnesium, zinc and calcium have been reported to help prevent convulsions in some people. This varies from person to person and needs to be checked by your doctor in your case. Same holds true for manganese, deficiency in which in mother’s diet, it seems triggers congenital seizures. Foods rich in the above minerals are:-
- Magnesium ~ Whole grains, leafy green vegetables, millet, figs, meat, fish, Soya beans, bananas, apricots, milk, pulses
- Zinc ~ Meat & offal, eggs, milk, oysters, lentils, wheat germ, nuts, crab, chicken
- Calcium ~ Dairy products, oily fish like sardines and salmon (with bones), dark leafy green vegetables
- Manganese ~ Nuts, whole grains, rice, wheat germ, buckwheat, lima beans, cockles, sardines, blackberries, figs, pineapple, coffee, green and black tea

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As the person who has a grand mal seizure often throws himself around and hits nearby objects, any and all hard and sharp objects in the near vicinity should be removed.

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A pillow, a folded jacket, blanket, bet sheet or anything soft and flat should be placed below his head so that he doesn’t bang his head against the floor.

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Never restrict his movements as many people do, thinking that controlling those automatic movements will calm the person down. On the contrary, this might harm him. Yes, you can turn the victim sideways to allow him to breathe easily.

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For making him breathe even more easily, loosen up his clothes a little bit. Don’t panic if you feel he is having great difficulty in breathing as it is normal. Breathing even stops momentarily. If the victim doesn’t breathe even after the seizure, try to give him artificial respiration and check if his airways are clear.

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As soon as the patient has an attack, insert some clean object between his jaws. It will protect the tongue from getting cut and injured. But remember, if the teeth are tightly contracted, do not any thing forcibly because it can hurt the teeth and gums.

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It is very important for people around the victim to stay calm and comfort him after the seizure. Call an ambulance if the fits recur or consciousness doesn’t come shortly after the fit.

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If you are the victim for the first time, see a doctor as soon as possible.

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Biofeedback – It is both an ancient as well as a modern medical tool. In this, you learn to influence body processes which were once thought to be beyond conscious control. It is an ancient Indian art and has of late been discovered by Western doctors. You need to ask your doctor about this as it beyond the scope of this piece of information.

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