Febrile Seizures (Pittaja Apasmara)

स्मृतेरपगमंप्राहुरपस्मारंभिषग्विदः|
तमःप्रवेशं बीभत्सचेष्टं धीसत्त्वसम्प्लवात्||

Febrile Seizures-Pittaja Apasmara

Febrile Seizures is clinical condition described as seizures in children triggered by fever present in children below 5 years of life. They are the commonest provoked seizures affecting 3-5% children. They occur during fever in between 6 months and 5 years age in absence of the central nervous system infection in neurologically normal child. In Ayurveda, seizures can be correlated to apasmara vyadhi. Balapsmara is Apasmara Vyadhi in pediatric age group patient; and it is observed that the symptoms mostly come under the group of pittaja apasmara since the most important one is jwara.

Dr. Gupta’s IAFA is providing proper care and treatment for febrile seizures in children. IAFA has separate wing called Ayur pediatrics for the management of various ailments in children.

Febrile seizure

Incidence – Commonest cause of convulsion in children affecting 3-5 % of Children.
Predisposing factors – Genetic & Hereditary, Immature Brain, Predisposing Illness (Viral Infections, UTI)
Clinical features – Febrile Convulsion occur in rising phase of temperature, but fever is the criteria for the convulsion and not the height or rise of fever, occurs within 24 hrs of onset of fever; maximum within 48 hrs.

Ayurvedic reference of Febrile Seizures-Apasmara

Pittaja Apasmara & Febrile Convulsion both are presented with

Fever
Face turns blue or red
Loss of consciousness
Tonic clonic convulsion may or may not be a/w with uprolling of eyeball
Frothing

Ayurvedic reference of Pittaja Apasmara

“ Dr. Gupta’s IAFA offers traditional and successful Ayurvedic management for febrile seizures in children. Institute of Applied Food Allergy® provides finest care for all health problems of your child through Ayurveda.

Worried about your child’s health?? Think about IAFA!!!

-Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFAⓇ

Diet in Febrile seizure

Pathyam or Do’s in Febrile seizure

Gently place your child on the floor or the ground.
Remove any nearby objects.
Place your child on his or her side to prevent choking.
Loosen any clothing around the head and neck.
Watch for signs of breathing problems, including bluish color in the face.
Try to keep track of how long the seizure lasts.

Apathyam or Dont’s in Febrile seizure

Do not try to hold or restrain your child.
Do not put anything in your child’s mouth.
Do not try to give your child fever-reducing medicine.
Do not try to put your child into cool or lukewarm water to cool off

Yogic therapy in Febrile seizures

Yoga is supposed to reduce the hyperactivity of the systems of the body including brain. The regular practice of Yoga may help to prevent on set of seizures and reduce the intensity in some cases. Yoga could be a best add-on treatment along with medication.

The practices which are helpful in the management includes

Kriyas(cleansing techniques): Jalneti, Sutra neti

Yogasanas: Uttanapadasana, Pawanamuktasana, Vajrasana,Vajrasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana, Gomukhasana, Bhujangasana, Tadasana, Katichakrasana, Shavasana.

Pranayama:Nadishuddi, Chandra Nadi Pranayama, Ujjayi, Sitali and Bharamari

Ayurvedic treatment of Febrile seizures

Internal medications

Panchagavya Ghrita
Mahat Panchagavya Ghrita
Brahmi ghritha
Panchagavya Ghrita
Aswagandharishta
Saraswatharishta

Chandanasava
Saraswatha churnam
Kalyanaka churnam
Mahayogaraja guggulu
Manasamritha gutika

External Medications

Bala thaila
Chandanadi thaila

Himasagara thaila
Panchagandha churna

External therapies

Nasya (instillation of medicine through nose)
Basthi(Enema therapy)

Shirodhara (Pouring medicated liquids over forehead)
Talam (Application of medicinal paste on bregma)

Single herbs used in Febrile seizures as per Ayurveda

Shankhapushpi(Convolvulus pluricaulis)
Aswagandha(Withania somnifera)

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
Jyothishmathi (Celastrus paniculatus)

Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is Febrile seizure?

Answer: Febrile Convulsions are the commonest provoked seizures affecting 3-5 % children. They are defined as Seizures during fever occurring between 6 months and 5 years age in absence of the central nervous system infection in neurologically normal child

Question: What are the causes of febrile seizure in children?

Answer: The fevers that trigger febrile seizures are usually caused by a viral infection, and less commonly by a bacterial infection and the risk factors include young age and family history

Question: What is the Ayurvedic treatment for Febrile seizures ?

Answer: Ayurvedic treatments of Apasmara as described in Ayurvedic literatures may be divided as purificatory and palliative, depending on the severity of affection of the Doshas as well as the Bala (body strength) of the patient.