Seizure Disorders: The Natural Path

Seizure disorders are becoming more frequent and less effectively treated. I am seeing patients being treated for depression, anxiety, ADD, memory issues, headaches, back pain and even hormonal issues when in fact there is an unresolved seizure disorder that is preventing healthy brain function. Seizures can occur without notice, often simply being labeled dizziness, a headache or even narcolepsy. In fact a seizure is simply a "time out" for the brain which normally can multi-task better than Data and even leave room for a sense of humor. But there are a number of things that can occur that can cause the brain to partially suspend this subconscious stream of information and function which carries over into our conscious world, creating gaps in time, the inability to speak or function, repetitive motion or in the old vernacular, "a swooning feeling". Seizure disorders can begin days, weeks or even months after the initiating factor has dissipated. Let’s look at what initiating factors may create this pattern as these are also the keys to resolving it.

Stealth pathogens including viruses, bacteria or even funguses can live in our body throughout our lives and can be present in any body tissue. Often we are unaware of their presence and many of them are actually beneficial and even essential to life. However, if our immune system is depressed or burdened then these insidious pathogens can evade our body’s natural defenses creating neural seizures of the brain.

Nutritional deficiencies are a very common reason for seizures. Modern processing of foods has created a deluge of indigestible fibers, toxic additives and artificial ingredients that can challenge our digestive system and trigger immune responses while increasing histamine levels that can affect delicate brain tissue. This is especially true of artificial sweeteners since the majority of all sugar derivatives that we ingest are used by the glucose metabolism of the brain. Gluten is another typical nutritional allergen for many people even when Celiac Sprue is not present. One of the most common nutritional imbalances that triggers seizures is whole Vitamin D deficiency. This is especially true if seizures are more common in the winter or at night.

Many people may receive a blow to the head and think nothing of it but surprisingly head injury can occur even when a concussion is not evident. Just the shearing effect of movement that is sudden can shift the normal position of brain tissues, nerves, the pituitary gland and cranial bones. This can create a wave of responses that can cause the brain to short circuit in its effort to recover. Sometimes seizures begin as the result of chronic unnoticed inflammation after injury, or excessive fluid accumulation in the area of impact under the skin.

A single acute exposure to a toxic substance such as ammonia or a chronic exposure over time to something more insidious such as black mold can lead to the development of seizures. When we look at symptoms of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity we can see similarities with symptoms of seizures, which supports the idea that brain toxicity is a major factor. This can often be the case when seizures occur during the night or very early in the morning because during the night the brain will shrink up to 60% in order to excrete toxic substances. This release of toxins can cause seizures by overloading the fluid pathways of the brain and lymph systems.

Biochemistry is one of the most common reasons for seizure disorders. Mineral levels, side effects of both prescription and over the counter medications, allergy treatments, even hormonal shifts can lead to seizures. This is true with cluster migraine sufferers who may have physical congestion at the atlas of the skull as a precipitating factor. It is also true of many insomniacs who turn to pain medications as a sleep remedy. This may also explain why many seizure disorders occur with hormonal changes during puberty, post-natally or at menopause.

Whatever the factors for an individual's seizure disorder, it is important to get them under control to prevent damage from being done to delicate nerves and circulatory tissues, as well as the senses that are dependent on these tissues such as vision, smell and taste. Natural therapies can reduce the viral load, decongest the lymph, rebalance minerals and even detoxify the brain tissues. By focusing on the center of reason in the body we can find the real reason for chronic debilitating symptoms.