Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Epileptic Encephalopathies

Epileptic encephalopathies comprise an epileptic condition in which affected individuals exhibit severe forms of convulsions associated with progressive cerebral dysfunction.  This group comprises of 8 age-related syndromes, which are usually refractory to standard anti- epileptic drugs.  These include, Early Myoclonic Encephalopathy, Ohtahara Syndrome, West Syndrome, Dravet Syndrome, myoclonic status in non-progressive encephalopathies, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Landau-Kleffner Syndrome, and epilepsy with continuous spike waves.

Excessive epileptiform activity caused by bursts of electrical impulses is believed to damage the brain during its maturation stage.  This leads to severe cognitive, behavioural and neurological deficits and may also cause early death.  Symptoms of epilepsy gradually reduce in individuals who survive to their teens; however, there may be significant residual neurological and cognitive deficits.

Most of these syndromes need to be treated aggressively with a combination of new anti-epileptic drugs; however, the overall prognosis in most individuals is extremely poor.  Ayurvedic herbal medicines can be utilised in the supportive management of such individuals in order to reduce the severity of convulsions, as well as reduce the severity of cognitive, behavioural and neurological deficits.  Herbal medicines need to be given in high doses - depending upon the age of affected individuals - for periods ranging from 1 to 2 years, in order to bring about significant improvement in the overall condition of the affected patient.

Herbal medicines have the capacity to reduce severe epileptiform discharges in the brain and gradually reduce the tendency to convulsions.  Herbal medicines also strengthen brain cells and help reduce brain damage and improve overall functioning of the nervous system.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously utilised in order to significantly control symptoms, improve quality of life, as well as improve the lifespan of affected individuals suffering from epileptic encephalopathies.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Rett Syndrome

Rett syndrome is a rare neuro- developmental disorder which exclusively affects girls.  A genetic defect causes an abnormal expression of genes, leading to defects in brain development.  This syndrome is characterized by an early normal growth, followed by a slowing of development, loss of purposeful use of hands, distinctive hand movements, slowing down of brain and head growth, problems with walking, convulsions, and intellectual impairment.  Apraxia caused by this disease leads to severe disability of motor function causing a dysfunction of body movements, especially eye control and speech coordination.  The severity and course of this disease may vary considerably from person-to-person.  Treatment is supportive and involves a multidisciplinary approach.

The Ayurvedic herbal treatment for Rett syndrome involves the long-term use of herbal medicines which help in brain development and improve the functioning of different parts of the brain to the maximum extent possible.  Herbal medicines have a direct action on brain cells as well as on the chemical neurotransmitters which transmit messages to and fro between the brain cells and from nerves to muscles in different parts of the body.

Medicines are also given which act on the metabolic activity of different tissues at the cellular level so as to normalize the abnormal expression of genes to the maximum extent possible.  This allows for normalization of tissues at the cellular level and thereby helps in normal growth and development of the brain, the entire nervous system, as well as the body tissues.

Since this is a lifelong medical condition, aggressive treatment involving high doses of herbal medicines can be given for the first 18 to 24 months so as to bring about a medical reversal of the condition to the maximum extent possible, without causing any serious adverse effects.  After this period, low dose herbal therapy can be given as maintenance in order to continue bringing about improvement as well as stabilizing the results obtained with the previous treatment.

Medical intervention by different professionals is necessary in order to handle all the disabilities and day-to-day problems resulting from this syndrome.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment can help to considerably reduce symptoms, improve quality of life, and improve overall survival in individuals affected with Rett syndrome.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com