Seizures may occur at any stage in life from
newborn to old age. But the etiology or
underlying cause may vary from patient to
patient. Rare causes are organic brain
diseases.
For the child who develops seizures such
conditions may be ruled out by
elector-encephalogram, (EEG) computerized
tomography (C.T.) scan or magnetic resonance
imaging (M.R.I.).
Another causative factor may be trauma, a
head injury following a car accident, bicycle
accident, football or other high speed sports
mishaps, a fall from a tree, or even an upper
bunk especially if there is a door knob or
hard table obstructing the fall and causing a
focal blow to the head.
Such injuries will be identified in the
course of history-taking and confirmed in many
instances by X-ray (C.T. or M.R.I.). A far
more common traumatic factor, and far less
easily identified injury may have occurred
during the process of birth.
The nine months of pregnancy is arranged
anatomically and physiologically to provide
the utmost protection to the developing baby
within the mother's abdomen.
The process of labor whereby the baby is
delivered into this world is also designed to
bring the baby into this world without
injury.
However modern "civilization" with
high heeled shoes, refined, processed
flavored, colored foods, chemical solutions in
place of wholesome healthy drinks of spring
water, exposure to toxic chemicals in the
workplace as well as the stresses on the job
may all bring detrimental influences to the
developing baby within mother's
body.
The period of pregnancy may be a healthy,
happy, joyous experience until the expected
date of delivery draws near. Labor begins, or
at least the contractions seem like labor.
Contractions continue, somewhat erratically
for a few hours or days only to reveal
themselves as false labor. The baby in the
womb has been compressed by the uterine
contractions on his buttocks and sacrum (the
large bone at the base of the spine), and his
head may have been compressed as it was pushed
into the pelvis before the birth canal opened
to permit an easy passage.
On the other hand there may have been no
false labor, and the real labor begins
according to expectation. Then mother
experiences severe back pain, which suggests
that the baby has turned face forward instead
of face backward.
Progress is retarded because this position
makes passage through the birth canal more
difficult. This is but one of the possible
traumatic events that can occur during the
birth process and affect the delicate
musculoskeletal mechanism of the baby.
Perhaps you can see that your baby has a
crooked or asymmetrical head, perhaps your
baby throws his head back forcibly and
screams. This is like a cramp in the neck, and
it hurts! But these are indications that the
delicate nervous system within the skull and
spine has suffered some degree of
trauma.
There are many degrees and varieties of
trauma that may occur during the birth
process. Ten percent of babies may suffer
visible, obvious trauma. Ten percent of babies
may be perfect with free physiological motion
and function throughout. But about 80% of new
born babies may have less visible, but
nevertheless significant strain factors within
their body mechanism.
Some of these produce microscopic injuries to
areas of the brain which may manifest
exteriorly as jerking of muscles, spasms in
parts of the body with or without changes in
consciousness, and even full seizures
affecting the whole body.
Other children may vomit after many feeds or
they may have been slow to learn to suck
effectively, they may cry inconsolably, their
muscle tone may be markedly increased, and
tense or limp or flaccid. There are other
signs that may appear later in childhood that
indicate that microscopic injury may have
occurred during the birth process, but in
areas of the brain that do not come into full
function at the time of birth.
The osteopathic physician is trained to
identify these subtle changes in the
musculoskeletal system and apply gentle
manipulative skills to correct them.
In many instances the neurological problems
can be profoundly benefited by such treatment.
The earlier in life the treatment can be given
the better the results.
The magnitude of the brain injury is also a
factor in the degree of response. When a child
is diagnosed as having a seizure disorder
various diagnostic tests will be performed and
in many instances anticonvulsant medication
will be prescribed. Progress under osteopathic
treatment will be measured by reduction in
intensity and frequency of seizures and in
positive changes in the EEG.
However the objective of treatment regardless
of the intensity or severity or the problem is
to enable this child to function at the
maximum of his/her potential.
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