Epilepsy is a neurological condition, which affects the nervous system and is also known as a seizure disorder. Seizures seen in epilepsy are caused by disturbances in the electrical activity of the brain. The seizures in epilepsy may be related to a brain injury or a family tendency, but most of the time the cause is unknown.
Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Someone is said to have epilepsy if they experience two or more unprovoked seizures separated by at least 24 hours. Delayed recognition of these seizures and inadequate treatment increases the risk for additional seizures, disability, decreased health-related quality of life and, in rare instances, death.
Although epilepsy can occur at any age, the condition is more likely to begin among children less than two years of age and adults older than 65 years. As do many who live with other chronic disorders, those with epilepsy often face challenges related to managing epilepsy treatment, symptoms, disability, lifestyle limitations, emotional stress and stigma. Here are some statistics regarding epilepsy:
Treatment generally centers on medication, but if two or more medications do not work on the particular seizure type, it is called “drug resistant epilepsy.”
Dietary approach to treatment
index diet. Dietary treatment may work in people who don’t respond to medicine, but most people on a diet treatment still take seizure medicines. The most used diet for treatment of seizures is the ketogenic diet— there are a few theories about how and why the diet works, but no one knows for sure.
The ketogenic diet for epilepsy (KDE) is a very high-fat diet, with just enough protein for body maintenance and growth, and very low amounts of carbohydrate. In this state, the body generates molecules called ketones when fats are metabolized. Ketones are largely water-soluble, so they are easily transported to the brain. Whereas the brain cannot use fatty acids for energy, it can use ketones for a large portion of its energy requirements. The goal of the KDE is for the brain to use ketones for energy rather than glucose as much as possible.
Because a gram of fat has more than twice the calories of a gram of protein or carbohydrate, at least 90 percent of the calories in the KDE come from fat. This is a very strict diet, and it takes time to learn how to put together meals that fit the formula. All food must be weighed and recorded.
Studies generally show that about a third of patients on the KED will have at least a 90 percent reduction in seizures, and another third will experience a 50-90 percent reduction. This is really remarkable, considering that these results are generally from people whose seizures are not well-controlled with medications. (Note that the term "epilepsy" encompasses a group of disorders with different causes that are not all fully understood, which is part of the reason different people respond to different treatments.) Changes in neurotransmitters, gene expression, and influences on neuron receptors are some of the possibilities.
Usually weaning off the diet is attempted after two years, though some children are kept on the diet longer. Adults can also benefit from the KDE. In addition, there have been a few studies of the modified Atkins Diet in adults with seizure disorders, and the results are fairly similar to studies with children. One of the reports cited that it was more difficult to keep adults on the diet, since they have more control over what they eat. The main drawback with the KDE is the attrition rate: Both children and adults find it hard to sustain over the long-term.
Triggers
Some people may find that seizures occur in a pattern or are more likely to occur in certain situations. Sometimes these connections are just by chance, but other times they are not. Keeping track of any factors that may precipitate a seizure (also called seizure triggers) can help determine when a seizure may be coming, allowing for preparedness and even decreasing the risk of onset.
Some people will notice one or two triggers very easily. For example, their seizures may occur only during sleep or when waking up. Other people may notice that some triggers bother them only when a lot is going on at once, when it is a stressful time or when their immune systems are compromised (e.g., flu season, tax season, the holiday season, etc.) Common triggers include sleep deprivation or fatigue, fevers or other illnesses, flashing bright lights or psychedelic patterns, alcohol or drug use, hormonal changes, low blood sugar, excess caffeine and certain medications.
Exercise regularly and supplement your diet with Laminine, OMEGA+++, DIGESTIVE+++ and IMMUNE+++ to keep all the body’s systems functioning smoothly.