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Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, which are sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain. These seizures can vary widely in severity, duration, and symptoms, depending on the areas of the brain affected. Common types of seizures include generalized seizures, which affect both sides of the brain, and focal seizures, which originate in specific regions of the brain.
Epilepsy can develop at any age and can be caused by several factors, including genetic predisposition, brain injuries, infections, developmental disorders, or unknown causes. While epilepsy usually cannot be cured, it can often be effectively controlled with medications, lifestyle modifications, and sometimes surgery or other interventions.
Yoga is one of the holistic ways to control epilepsy and seizures.
“Yoga helps activate the vagus nerve. Stimulation of this nerve reduces the frequency of seizures and epileptic seizures in about 30-40% of cases. It works by altering brain waves, limbic system and autonomic nervous system activity,” says Dr Ansu Sen, consultant neurologist, Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata.
Dr. Sen explains that yoga also promotes relaxation and reduces tension in those suffering from epilepsy. Pranayama, like onulam and bilam, calms the nervous system. As a result, pranayama and yoga serve to reduce the frequency of seizures by activating the vagus nerve and altering the activity of many areas of the brain, including the epileptic zone and brain waves. People who practiced yoga had a 50% lower risk of epilepsy and seizures.
“Apart from yoga, frequent sessions of cardiovascular exercise such as running, walking and jogging help epilepsy patients reduce the frequency of seizures. Many people have resistance to medications, so practicing yoga improves patients’ quality of life by reducing the need for antiepileptic medications. Thus, practicing yoga reduces stress and tension while reducing the frequency of seizures. The actions of the brain are also highly controlled, particularly by modifying the activity of the limbic and autonomic nervous system, which reduces the frequency of seizures in epileptics,” explains Dr. Sen.
Epilepsy can develop at any age and can be caused by several factors, including genetic predisposition, brain injuries, infections, developmental disorders, or unknown causes. While epilepsy usually cannot be cured, it can often be effectively controlled with medications, lifestyle modifications, and sometimes surgery or other interventions.
Yoga is one of the holistic ways to control epilepsy and seizures.
“Yoga helps activate the vagus nerve. Stimulation of this nerve reduces the frequency of seizures and epileptic seizures in about 30-40% of cases. It works by altering brain waves, limbic system and autonomic nervous system activity,” says Dr Ansu Sen, consultant neurologist, Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata.
Dr. Sen explains that yoga also promotes relaxation and reduces tension in those suffering from epilepsy. Pranayama, like onulam and bilam, calms the nervous system. As a result, pranayama and yoga serve to reduce the frequency of seizures by activating the vagus nerve and altering the activity of many areas of the brain, including the epileptic zone and brain waves. People who practiced yoga had a 50% lower risk of epilepsy and seizures.
“Apart from yoga, frequent sessions of cardiovascular exercise such as running, walking and jogging help epilepsy patients reduce the frequency of seizures. Many people have resistance to medications, so practicing yoga improves patients’ quality of life by reducing the need for antiepileptic medications. Thus, practicing yoga reduces stress and tension while reducing the frequency of seizures. The actions of the brain are also highly controlled, particularly by modifying the activity of the limbic and autonomic nervous system, which reduces the frequency of seizures in epileptics,” explains Dr. Sen.