Seizures are caused by sudden electrical impulses triggering in one or more parts of the brain, which result in changes to awareness, sensations and muscle movement. They may cause temporary awareness loss as well as sensation changes and muscle movement disturbances.
Seizures can be extremely dangerous as they interfere with breathing and heart function, possibly leading to sudden unexplained death by epilepsy (SUDEP). Treatment includes anti-seizure medication, special diets and devices designed to stop seizures.
Herbs
Epilepsy affects everyone differently, but there are numerous steps you can take to help manage seizures effectively. These include eating healthily, staying active, and practicing stress reduction techniques. Furthermore, natural treatments such as acupuncture, herbal medicines, and dietary supplements may help alleviate your symptoms; furthermore these treatments could even improve quality of life and mood; however it’s always wise to speak to a healthcare provider prior to trying any alternative remedies.
Acupuncture can help regulate abnormal electrical activity in your brain that causes seizures. Research has proven that this form of treatment can lower frequency and severity of epileptic seizures in individuals, as well as help prevent or lessen recurrent seizures altogether. Some herbs such as chamomile and passionflower may also provide support against seizures – although more research needs to be conducted into how cannabis products may help people control seizures.
Alternative therapies like yoga or tai chi may also help you relax while improving balance and relieving stress and anxiety, both of which may contribute to seizures. Exercise can also be an excellent way to relieve stress by producing mood-boosting chemicals in your body and increasing sleep quality; just make sure you notify your physician of any new exercise programs you begin and wear a medical alert bracelet as part of this approach.
Epilepsy is one of the leading causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa due to status epilepticus, falls, burns and drowning. Nonpharmacological therapies (NPTs) have become increasingly popular and may help reduce seizures in some individuals; however, their adoption in clinical practice remains limited due to factors like cost, availability, cultural and attitudinal beliefs and lack of training/resources.
Essential oils
There is no cure for epilepsy, but there are ways to decrease its risks and enhance quality of life. Antiepileptic drugs are considered one of the most effective treatments, helping 70 percent of individuals control seizures with these pills; however, side effects include fatigue and weight gain.
Natural remedies and supplements, including herbs, vitamins, yoga, meditation and acupuncture may be beneficial in managing seizures. Such therapies can relieve stress and enhance sleep, essential components in managing seizures. They may even help alleviate mood swings and depression symptoms – however it’s essential that before trying any alternative therapies you consult your physician, who can advise whether they’re safe and can work alongside your regular epilepsy medicines.
Some herbal medicines have proven their efficacy for managing seizure disorder, including those containing peony root, jujube fruit, cassia bark, prickly ash bark, Asian skullcap root and ginger root. There are also several formulations used in traditional Chinese medicine that could potentially help manage epilepsy; examples include combinations such as saiko-keishi-to and sho-saiko-to, which contain various herbs including bupleurum root, peony root pinellia root jujube fruit and licorice root.
Acupuncture may help manage some of the triggers that contribute to seizures, such as poor sleep, tension or stress. Acupuncture involves placing needles at specific points on the body in order to relieve blockages and Tui Na (massage using acupressure and unblocking of “qi” points), an ancient holistic system used for pain management and stress reduction. When visiting a massage therapist it’s important to inform them about epilepsy so they can avoid certain techniques that increase your risk of having seizures.
Exercise
Acupuncture, herbal medicine, magnet therapy and prayer are among the non-pharmacological therapies utilized for epilepsy treatment. These non-drug remedies may improve wellbeing while simultaneously decreasing stress-related seizures that often trigger seizures for people living with epilepsy. Furthermore, non-drug therapies may also help decrease medication side effects.
Regular physical activity is vitally important for people living with epilepsy, helping to boost mood and boost self-esteem while improving overall health and decreasing the risk of medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. Furthermore, exercise may reduce stress levels – potentially decreasing seizure frequency among some epileptic individuals.
Exercise can also help relax and improve sleep quality, both of which have been linked to reduced seizure frequency. Before embarking on any fitness regime, however, it is vitally important that a qualified fitness professional assess your epilepsy condition as well as any potential other medical concerns before prescribing an exercise regime.
When beginning exercise for the first time, it is wise to begin slowly and increase intensity gradually. You should also remain aware of any possible triggers and activities which might put you at risk of seizure, such as cycling, skating or downhill skiing. When participating in team sports such as team baseball or softball, make sure your coach and teammates know if you have epilepsy and what actions should be taken in case a seizure arises.
Holistic treatments for epilepsy also include acupuncture and yoga. Yoga combines exercise with deep breathing and meditation to strengthen and calm both body and mind, according to studies; further research may help reduce seizures with yoga; however more investigation needs to be done. Acupuncture involves inserting needles at specific points on the body in order to affect electrical signals in the brain, while studies show its beneficial effect.
Meditation
Studies have demonstrated how meditation can significantly enhance quality of life for those living with epilepsy. Meditation reduces stress levels – often considered one of the main risk factors for seizures – while helping cultivate emotional equilibrium, potentially aiding with seizure control.
Seizures are caused by an imbalance between neurotransmitters, including glutamate (a stimulant neurotransmitter) and GABA (an inhibitory neurotransmitter), and their levels in the brain. GABA provides a soothing effect, slowing electrical transmission between neurons, which may counterbalance glutamate’s stimulating effects. Studies have demonstrated that meditation may increase endogenous GABA production in the brain thereby potentially preventing or treating epileptic episodes.
People living with epilepsy face many challenges, from social isolation and fear of seizure attacks to difficulties finding work or driving. As these challenges can substantially diminish quality of life, finding therapies to support epilepsy patients is vital. Natural treatments, including diet changes, vitamins, herbs, acupuncture, biofeedback and vagus nerve stimulation may reduce symptoms alongside traditional antiseizure medication – though there’s limited scientific evidence confirming their safety or effectiveness for all.
Although meditation may aggravate or cause epilepsy, naturopathic doctors have found it to be an effective treatment option for many. Although you may need time to experiment with different therapies available to you if they improve your quality of life. Please remember that natural treatments should never replace anti-seizure medication; speak to your neurologist or naturopathic doctor first before beginning a new therapy and discuss all medications you are currently taking as they will advise the best course of action for your situation.
Diet
Epilepsy sufferers frequently rely on prescription medication to manage seizures; however, this approach may result in side effects or none at all; alternative methods may provide relief without using drugs as much.
Studies indicate that certain diets may help prevent or reduce seizures among some individuals with epilepsy. The ketogenic diet–a high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating plan–has proven successful for some children with refractory epilepsy and adults alike, as well as more recently modified Atkins diet and medium chain triglyceride diet (MCT). All such plans must be monitored by both your doctor and nutritionist to be effective.
As well as making changes to their diet and lifestyle, many people with epilepsy are also exploring herbal medicines and alternative therapies, with herbal remedies becoming increasingly popular among epilepsy sufferers. Unfortunately, however, not much research exists regarding such approaches, yet some of them are becoming popular treatments among them.
Acupuncture is an effective form of complementary therapy that may reduce pain and anxiety that often trigger seizures for those living with epilepsy. Acupuncture works by changing how the brain signals pain. Other complementary therapies include acupressure, yoga and meditation as potential solutions.
Homeopathy is an alternative form of holistic therapy that uses small doses of natural substances to aid the body in healing itself. There is no evidence to show that homeopathic treatments directly help epilepsy; however, they may help alleviate stress and depression, both of which can trigger seizures for those living with the condition.
Some herbs – such as skullcap, lobelia, lady’s slipper and valerian–are thought to act as nervines, helping relax muscles that could potentially trigger seizures. Unfortunately, other sedative herbs could prove hazardous when combined with anticonvulsant medication.
