Changes

===== ''Sharira dosha'' vitiation =====

===== ''Sharira dosha'' vitiation =====

The second important factor is imbalance of doshas at the somatic level. There are three terms used to indicate the state of doshas which predisposes apasmara. First is udbhranta (moving upwards in vitiated state). The upward direction of flow of doshas may indicate the pathway of apasmara from the heart to the brain. The pathology starts from the abode of consciousness i.e. heart, spreading upwards afflicting sense organs. In Chikitsasthana, the term vibhranta is used to denote this condition. The second state is vishama, meaning a state of disequilibrium. Imbalanced doshas create a favorable environment for apasmara. The third state is bahu (excessive), meaning that the imbalance is excessive enough to affect the brain-mind system. This suggests that the doshas are in an aggravated state of imbalance and predispose to the disease. The condition also points towards manifestation of apasmara as a result of other somatic disease pathologies. The disease condition is a result of combination of the above states of doshas with the rajas-tamas affliction. These are sanchaya (accumulation), prakopa (aggravation) and prasara (spread) stages of the disease - important somatic factors for causation of apasmara.

The second important factor is imbalance of ''doshas'' at the somatic level. There are three terms used to indicate the state of ''doshas'' which predisposes ''apasmara'':

The cumulative presentation suggests the psychosomatic nature of the disease where the psyche and soma are equally involved in the pathogenesis. This is important while treating apasmara, because this indicates that only administering anti-epileptic drugs is not enough in treating apasmara. The treatment of underlying psychological factors shall also be given due emphasis.

*First is ''udbhranta'' (moving upwards in vitiated state). The upward direction of flow of ''doshas'' may indicate the pathway of ''apasmara'' from the heart to the brain. The pathology starts from the abode of consciousness i.e. heart, spreading upwards afflicting sense organs. In [[Chikitsa Sthana]], the term ''vibhranta'' is used to denote this condition.  

3. Role of diet:

*The second state is ''vishama'', meaning a state of disequilibrium. Imbalanced ''doshas'' create a favorable environment for ''apasmara''. *The third state is ''bahu'' (excessive), meaning that the imbalance is excessive enough to affect the brain-mind system. This suggests that the ''doshas'' are in an aggravated state of imbalance and predispose to the disease. The condition also points towards manifestation of ''apasmara'' as a result of other somatic disease pathologies.

 

The disease condition is a result of combination of the above states of ''doshas'' with the ''rajas-tamas'' affliction. These are ''sanchaya'' (accumulation), ''prakopa'' (aggravation) and ''prasara'' (spread) stages of the disease - important somatic factors for causation of ''apasmara''.

 

The cumulative presentation suggests the psychosomatic nature of the disease where the psyche and soma are equally involved in the pathogenesis. This is important while treating ''apasmara'', because this indicates that only administering anti-epileptic drugs is not enough in treating ''apasmara''. The treatment of underlying psychological factors shall also be given due emphasis.

 

===== Role of diet =====

 

The third key factor is the role of quality of diet in the causation of the disease. Charaka uses terms like samala (impure), vikrita (deformed/altered), upahita (mixed), and ashuchi (unclean/unhygienic) as adjectives to describe food articles that cause apasmara. Sushruta uses terms like viruddha (incompatible or of contradictory/antagonistic nature) and malina (bad) for the same factors. Besides providing nutrition to the body, diet plays a great impact on the mind as well. It is mentioned in the texts that the nutrition of soma and psyche occurs through food and food habits. Yogic texts narrate the role of food in nourishing five sheaths of the body, called annamaya kosha, pranamaya kosha, vijnanamaya kosha, manomaya kosha and anandmaya kosha. Therefore, diet is not only important for proper functioning of the three doshas, but also for nourishment of the mind and the soul. Charaka as well as Sushruta have acknowledged the role of unclean, unhygienic, unwholesome, incompatible diet in the causation of apasmara. Dallhana commented that this includes the diet that is dwishta (disliked by mind or taken with hatred feeling), amedhya (not satisfying mind) and paryushita (stale). All these types of diet can cause disturbance in the body and mind. As per conventional medicine, a diet that is deficient in certain vitamins and minerals and that which increases neurotoxins may lead to neurological disorders. Therefore, biochemical changes in the above mentioned causative foods may lead to deficiencies of important nutrients and cause increase in neurotoxins resulting in apasmara like disorders. Moreover, some gastrointestinal symptoms have been described further as premonitory symptoms of apasmara. The role of diet and food habits as a cause of apasmara needs to be further researched. These factors are to be avoided during the treatment of apasmara. Not following /proper dietary rules is one of the key causes for the formation of ama. Ama produces free radicals leading to excessive oxidative stress and tissue injuries. Therefore, following proper dietary habits is important in preventing the pathogenesis of the disease. Furthermore, this suggests the possibility of food contamination as a causative factor for epilepsy. A case of endrin-laced taquitos causing seizures in the US is an example of food contamination causing epileptic seizures .   

The third key factor is the role of quality of diet in the causation of the disease. Charaka uses terms like samala (impure), vikrita (deformed/altered), upahita (mixed), and ashuchi (unclean/unhygienic) as adjectives to describe food articles that cause apasmara. Sushruta uses terms like viruddha (incompatible or of contradictory/antagonistic nature) and malina (bad) for the same factors. Besides providing nutrition to the body, diet plays a great impact on the mind as well. It is mentioned in the texts that the nutrition of soma and psyche occurs through food and food habits. Yogic texts narrate the role of food in nourishing five sheaths of the body, called annamaya kosha, pranamaya kosha, vijnanamaya kosha, manomaya kosha and anandmaya kosha. Therefore, diet is not only important for proper functioning of the three doshas, but also for nourishment of the mind and the soul. Charaka as well as Sushruta have acknowledged the role of unclean, unhygienic, unwholesome, incompatible diet in the causation of apasmara. Dallhana commented that this includes the diet that is dwishta (disliked by mind or taken with hatred feeling), amedhya (not satisfying mind) and paryushita (stale). All these types of diet can cause disturbance in the body and mind. As per conventional medicine, a diet that is deficient in certain vitamins and minerals and that which increases neurotoxins may lead to neurological disorders. Therefore, biochemical changes in the above mentioned causative foods may lead to deficiencies of important nutrients and cause increase in neurotoxins resulting in apasmara like disorders. Moreover, some gastrointestinal symptoms have been described further as premonitory symptoms of apasmara. The role of diet and food habits as a cause of apasmara needs to be further researched. These factors are to be avoided during the treatment of apasmara. Not following /proper dietary rules is one of the key causes for the formation of ama. Ama produces free radicals leading to excessive oxidative stress and tissue injuries. Therefore, following proper dietary habits is important in preventing the pathogenesis of the disease. Furthermore, this suggests the possibility of food contamination as a causative factor for epilepsy. A case of endrin-laced taquitos causing seizures in the US is an example of food contamination causing epileptic seizures .   

4. Improper methods – lifestyle factors:   

4. Improper methods – lifestyle factors: