Epilepsy is known as ‘Apasmara’ in Ayurveda. This disorder happens because of abnormal electrical activity in the brain leading to seizures or fits in which the patient convulses violently and may become unconscious or very confused. By an estimate, about 5 – 10% of the world’s population above the age of 80 undergo an epileptic seizure at least once, but they do not necessarily have epilepsy. At Jiva Ayurveda, Epilepsy treatment is personalized according to the body type and root cause of every individual.
Ayurveda categorizes epilepsy into four types, depending upon which particular Dosha is vitiated. Accordingly seizures are classified as Vataj, Pittaj, Kaphaj&Sannipatik in Ayurveda. Vataj seizures (caused mainly by vitiated Vayu) last relatively for shorter time, increase respiratory rate, cause more secretion of foam from mouth and abnormal body movements during fits. Pittaj seizures (caused mainly by vitiated Pitta) cause yellowish or reddish tint on body, lot of sweating, the foam coming from mouth is also yellowish, patients experiences hotness in body and severe thirst after the seizure. Kaphaj seizures (caused mainly by vitiated Kapha) last for relatively longer time, the foam is whitish in colour while patient experiences heaviness in body. Sannipatik seizures are caused by vitiation of all three Doshas and therefore have mixed characteristics. Ayurvedic treatment for all of these different classifications is different and Jiva doctor plans the treatment differently.
