DESCRIPTION
Epilepsy is a functional disorder of the brain in which neurons, the cells in the brain, send signals abnormally, triggering strange feelings, emotions, muscle spasms, convulsions, seizures, and in extreme cases, loss of consciousness. The brain requires normal communication to control all processes of the body. When the brain sends these signals too quickly, there is a kind overload of the "electrical circuitry" of the brain resulting in epileptic symptoms
The recognition of Epilepsy as a disorder dates far back in history. Hippocrates wrote about it. The Apostle Mark brought his son, afflicted with seizures to Jesus for help. Epilepsy carries a stigma to this day which comes from the old belief that epilepsy is a result of demonic possession.
Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological disorder. Today about 50 million people worldwide are afflicted with Epilepsy. Thirty percent of this number have periodic episodes of seizures. In America, about 2.5 million people are affected, although it is estimated that as much as 10% of the population will have at least 1 seizure in the course of their life. The number of people diagnosed with epilepsy comprises almost 3% of the general population.
Seizures are the most well known and most distinguishing symptom of Epilepsy. Seizures may occur several times a day, or be a rare event, happening as little as once in a year or even two. The severity of the seizures vary. Seizures may last for seconds or for as long as 20 or 30 minutes. The seizures may be mild in intensity, or could result in severe convulsions. Mild seizure have been called petit mal (French for little sickness), or grand mal (French for great sickness).
Epilepsy is more common in younger people than in adults. Many young people with Epilepsy outgrow the symptoms. Epilepsy in younger people is usually caused by genetic, congenital or developmental disorders. Epilepsy in the older population is many times caused by another unrelated event, such as a tumor, stroke, drugs, alcohol, lesions, metabolic disorders, neuro-degenerative diseases (like Alzheimer's Disease), infection, or trauma.
There are many varying degrees as to how the individual is affected with Epilepsy. There are also many classifications of Epilepsy and associated Epileptic Symptoms and types of Seizures. Epilepsy has been classified according to the cause, by the type of seizure, from the part of the brain where the seizure originates, by the medical symptoms, and by how the epileptic event is started. Some of the types are known as Jacksonian, psychomotor, simple febrile and myoclonic.
TREATMENT
Prescription medications have been increasingly used to reduce the frequency and the intensity of Epileptic seizures. Commonly prescribed drugs are diazepam (Valium) and benzodiazepam (Klonipin). As many as 20% of patients do not respond to drug therapy and may require other forms of intervention including in some cases surgery.
Dietary intervention has been used for years to control epileptic symptoms in children. The ketogenic diet forces the body to derive more of its energy from fats in the diet than from carbohydrates. Although the success of the ketogenic diet is well known, it has gradually been supplanted in practice with a medical approach. The pendulum of scientific opinion is gradually swinging back to the use of dietary intervention as the treatment of choice, especially for children. In some case aggressive, monitored use of the ketogenic diet has been successful not only in reducing the length, frequency and severity of epileptic attacks, but also in preventing their reoccurrence. Careful monitoring of the implementation of a strict ketogenic diet is recommended. Vitamin and mineral supplementation is recommended in conjunction with this diet to avoid complications.
It has been noticed that some epileptics have a higher than normal response to some allergens that non-epileptics. The allergy-epilepsy link has yet to be adequately explained.
Nutritional supplementation may be useful for all patients with Epilepsy.
Nutritional needs should be carefully evaluated for patients on prescription medications.
Bone loss, osteoporosis and anemia are but a few of the side effects resulting from the use of anti-epileptic drugs.
Below is a summary of current recommendations for epileptics:
Vitamin E: 400 IU per day
Folic Acid: 5 mg per day (consult with physician if using anti-convulsive meds)
Vitamin B6
Taurine
Omega 3 Fatty Acids: 3.25 grams per day
Melatonin 5-10 mg per day
Bupleurum
Ginger
Asian Ginsing
Licorice
This list should be reconsidered and modified depending upon drug use.
SOURCES
Wiley-Blackwell (2008, September 10). "Diet May Eliminate Spasms For Infants With Epilepsy" ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 21, 2008
Krause, M.V. & Mahan, L.K. "Food Nutrition and Diet Therapy" 1984
W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia
Gaby, A. R. The Natural Pharmacy Healthnotes 2006
"Epilepsy: aetiogy [sic], epidemiology and prognosis". World Health Organization (February 2001). Retrieved on 2007-06-14.
"Living with Epilepsy" epilepsyfoundation.org October 2008
Hendler M.D., S.S. "The Doctor's Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia" 1990
Fireside/Simon & Shuster New York
Vitamin D Levels and Bone Turnover in Epilepsy Patients Taking Carbamazepine or Oxcarbazepine
Scott Mintzer, Prashanthi Boppana, Jeanne Toguri, and Anthony DeSantis
www.epilepsy.com
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