Changes

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

===== 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:    

   

The fourth etiological factor of epilepsy is not following the prescribed rules of diet and lifestyle. The upayoga vidhi lists improper dietary habits, lifestyle and code of conduct that lead to disturbances in soma and psyche. Sushruta has elaborated the role of incorrect or excessive indulgence in activities of sense organs and locomotor organs as the foremost causative factor for apasmara. This is suggestive of disturbances in the knowledge coordination chain leading to lack of attainment of knowledge. This factor also indicates role of unhealthy regimens and behaviour in patho-physiology of epilepsy. The factor underlies ignorance towards proper dinacharya (diurnal regimen), ratricharya [night regimen] and ritucharya [seasonal regimen]. The lifestyle and behaviour of a person is important for achieving normalcy in the psychic plane and for avoiding psychological disorders. This also suggests the inclusion of prajnaparadha (intellectual blasphemy) described in Sharira sthana. Achara rasayana (code of conduct) should be followed as a therapeutic regimen in the management of apasmara. The psycho-neuro-biological basis of etiopathological factors causing neurological disorders is being extensively researched with positive outcomes. Psycho-social distress is an important underlying factor for such disorders through impairment of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. The preventive measures to be included are correct and productive indulgence in the sensory and locomotor activities as per capacity of an individual. Psychotherapy is believed to be effective in the management of apasmara.     

===== Improper methods – lifestyle factors =====

    

The fourth etiological factor of epilepsy is not following the prescribed rules of diet and lifestyle. The ''upayoga vidhi'' lists improper dietary habits, lifestyle and code of conduct that lead to disturbances in soma and psyche. Sushruta has elaborated the role of incorrect or excessive indulgence in activities of sense organs and locomotor organs as the foremost causative factor for ''apasmara''. This is suggestive of disturbances in the knowledge coordination chain leading to lack of attainment of knowledge. This factor also indicates role of unhealthy regimens and behavior in patho-physiology of epilepsy. The factor underlies ignorance towards proper ''dinacharya'' (diurnal regimen), ''ratricharya'' (night regimen) and ''ritucharya'' (seasonal regimen). The lifestyle and behavior of a person is important for achieving normalcy in the psychic plane and for avoiding psychological disorders. This also suggests the inclusion of ''prajnaparadha'' (intellectual blasphemy) described in [[Sharira Sthana]]. ''Achara rasayana'' (code of conduct) should be followed as a therapeutic regimen in the management of ''apasmara''. The psycho-neuro-biological basis of etiopathological factors causing neurological disorders is being extensively researched with positive outcomes. Psycho-social distress is an important underlying factor for such disorders through impairment of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. The preventive measures to be included are correct and productive indulgence in the sensory and locomotor activities as per capacity of an individual. Psychotherapy is believed to be effective in the management of ''apasmara''.     

5. Improper techniques:  

5. Improper techniques: