Changes

All psychiatric and psycho-somatic diseases find their roots in the two chapters of ''unmada'' and ''apasmara''. These diseases are caused by similar etiological factors and both manifest as ''manasika vikara'' (psychiatric diseases). Therefore these two chapters are placed in succession. ''Mana'' (mind), ''buddhi'' (intellect), and ''smriti'' (memory) are integral parts combined with ''atma'' (self) in understanding Ayurvedic psychiatry. The series of pathological events that take place to occlude consciousness in heart and loss of memory is distinctive feature of ''apasmara''. As mentioned earlier in [[Apasmara Nidana]], first the aggravation of ''doshas'' at somatic level occurs by improper and impure/foul food and excess affliction of negative emotions like worries, passion, fright, anger, grief etc at psychic level. The disease precipitates in the form of paroxysmal attack, then the negative psychological emotions occlude the consciousness at heart and thereafter leading to loss of memory.

All psychiatric and psycho-somatic diseases find their roots in the two chapters of ''unmada'' and ''apasmara''. These diseases are caused by similar etiological factors and both manifest as ''manasika vikara'' (psychiatric diseases). Therefore these two chapters are placed in succession. ''Mana'' (mind), ''buddhi'' (intellect), and ''smriti'' (memory) are integral parts combined with ''atma'' (self) in understanding Ayurvedic psychiatry. The series of pathological events that take place to occlude consciousness in heart and loss of memory is distinctive feature of ''apasmara''. As mentioned earlier in [[Apasmara Nidana]], first the aggravation of ''doshas'' at somatic level occurs by improper and impure/foul food and excess affliction of negative emotions like worries, passion, fright, anger, grief etc at psychic level. The disease precipitates in the form of paroxysmal attack, then the negative psychological emotions occlude the consciousness at heart and thereafter leading to loss of memory.

   

   

There is always a possibility of food contamination as a causative factor for epilepsy. A case in point is of endrin-laced taquitos causing seizures in the US<ref>

There is always a possibility of food contamination as a causative factor for epilepsy. A case in point is of endrin-laced taquitos causing seizures in the United States<ref>

Waller K, Prendergast TJ, Slagle A, Jackson RJ. Seizures after eating a snack food contaminated with the pesticide endrin. The tale of the toxic taquitos. Western Journal of Medicine. 1992;157(6):648-651.</ref>. In the same way, balance between ''sattva, rajas'' and ''tamas'' is important by avoiding the stressors that precipitate the ''apasmara'' attack. Various animal products like ghee processed with medicinal herbs are utilized for medicine preparation.  

Waller K, Prendergast TJ, Slagle A, Jackson RJ. Seizures after eating a snack food contaminated with the pesticide endrin. The tale of the toxic taquitos. Western Journal of Medicine. 1992;157(6):648-651.</ref>. In the same way, balance between ''sattva, rajas'' and ''tamas'' is important by avoiding the stressors that precipitate the ''apasmara'' attack. Various animal products like ghee processed with medicinal herbs are utilized for medicine preparation.