Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic condition in which electrical transmission via the nerve cells is improperly communicated, passed, and/or traveled. Hence, Unani Tibb views this condition to be due to an obstruction in the passage of the psychic (mental) faculty (energy). The obstruction is caused by an accumulation of 'morbid matter' -  the term morbid is used to depict the matter residing there as disturbing and unpleasant, which it is (1).

How does the morbid matter accumulate in the brain?

Several ways lead to an accumulation of morbid matter - diet, emotional stress, and sleeping habits all play a factoring role. The most dominant factors, however, would be injuries to the brain, genetics, and/or infections in the brain/nervous system (2).

Symptoms  

• Seizures
• Convulsions
• Muscle jerking
• Confusion/forgetfulness (especially during a seizure)
• Starring spells
• Low mood/emotional dysregulation
• Stiffness in the muscles

NOTE - to be diagnosed with epilepsy, one would have to have multiple seizures as a single seizure can be a temporary disturbance - not a chronic condition which epilepsy, without doubt, is.  

Accompanying the seizures, problems in the different areas of the nervous system of epileptic individuals may also be affected. This can be seen in their walking skills, reflexes & coordination, senses, and thinking ability (3)

Treatment

Patients are often given anti-epileptic drugs such as Tegretol and lacosamide. Anti-epileptic drugs host a range of therapeutic actions such as sedating, tranquilizing, and blocking certain neurological actions to slow down brain activity, which is assumed to be when they are abnormally fast onset epileptic seizures (4). Common side effects are upset stomach, dizziness, and blurred vision. As these drugs affect the way the brain functions, the drugs can have undesirable cognitive effects as well, such as problems with mood and concentration (5).

Unani practitioners would aim to cleanse the brain of the obstruction to allow easier and safer passage of electrical communication. Many formulations are used to facilitate this cleansing, such as:

• Ayaraj-i Rofas
• Dawa al-Misk Hulw
• Habb-i Sar'
• Khamira-i Gaozaban Ambari Jadwar ood Salib Wala
• Majoon-e Najah
• Majoon-i Zabeeb
• Sekanjabin Unsuli
• Tiryaq Arbaa
• Tiryaq Samaniya

In addition to this, close attention would be paid to the diet and other lifestyle habits of the individual to maintain smooth digestion. This is because, as per a tenet of Unani Tibb, it is believed all diseases start within the gut, and so if the digestion can be restored, the disease itself, with time, will inevitably subside.

References:

1. Waseem, Azma, et al. "Epilepsy and its Management in Unani Medicine." ACTA Scientific Neurology (ISSN: 2582-1121), vol. 3, no. 9, 2020, pp. 11-18.
2. John F. Annegers, Walter A. Rocca, W. Allen Hauser. Causes of Epilepsy: Contributions of the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Volume 71, Issue 6, 1996, Pages 570-575, ISSN 0025-6196
3. Watson, Stephanie. "Epilepsy and Seizures - Symptoms, Causes, Types, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Risk Factors." WebMD, 12 January 2023, https://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/understanding-epilepsy-basics. Accessed 28 February 2023.
4. "Summary of Anti-epileptic Drugs." Epilepsy Foundation, https://www.epilepsy.com/stories/summary-antiepileptic-drugs. Accessed 28 February 2023.
5. "Side Effects of Seizure Medicine." Epilepsy Foundation, https://www.epilepsy.com/treatment/medicines/side-effects. Accessed 28 February 2023.

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