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
