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Not everyone who has a seizure has epilepsy. For many people all over the world who are diagnosed with epilepsy, however, seizures are a common occurrence. Seizures may be frequent and prolonged, and depending on the type of seizure and its severity, those who experience them may feel a variety of different sensations. In past decades, there was a terrible stigma with the word “epilepsy”, and today, many physicians use the term seizure disorder for this condition.
Types of Epileptic Seizures
Those with epilepsy are known to experience two different categories of seizures: partial or generalized. When it comes to partial seizures, it is just a small part of the brain that is affected. There are two types of partial seizures. Simple partial seizures can cause changes in consciousness, without the person losing consciousness. Complex partial seizures most often cause unconsciousness. For those with generalized seizures, there is more of the brain involved.
There are different types of seizures, but the most serious is the grand mal seizure. This is a generalized seizure which affects the motor systems of the brain and causes convulsions. There are two phases of a grand mal seizure: a tonic phase, which is forceful contractions of the muscles and the clonic phase, which is slower, jerky movements. There are other types of seizures that are less severe, such as the petit mal seizure. This is also known as an absence seizure, and may often go unnoticed, because it is so mild (many people think they are just daydreaming, but they are actually having an absence seizure). Many people do not even realize they have epilepsy until a correct diagnosis is made.
Symptoms of Epilepsy
Often, people with epilepsy have it because of another problem, such as a head injury, stroke, brain infection, or a brain tumor. Less than half of those who are diagnosed with epilepsy never learn the reason why they have it. It is essential that those who have symptoms get tested so that the right diagnosis can be made and treatment can begin. Without proper treatment, the condition will get worse and consequently the seizures will become stronger and more frequent. Thorough diagnostic testing needs to be done because in many cases epilepsy can mimic other conditions. It may be misdiagnosed as another condition. Physicians must rule out other conditions to make a proper diagnosis of epilepsy. Some of the symptoms of epilepsy may include:
- Falling
- Jerky or twitching movements
- Unknowingly staring off into space
- Fainting
- Loss of muscle contgrol
- Double vision
- Noticing strange smells and sounds
(Source www.aolhealth.com/conditions/epilepsy?flv=1#)
Controlling and Treating Epilepsy Through Diet
Most of the time, epilepsy can be treated with medication, and patients can go about their normal lives. Often times seizures are either reduced or controlled by the medication. Of course, just like with any drug treatment, the medications used to treat epilepsy can cause many side effects. Some may find it necessary to experiment with different types of medications until the right one is found. Another treatment that may help with epilepsy is surgery that removes the damaged brain tissue and implants a device called a vagus nerve stimulator. This device sends signals to the neck, which help to control seizures.
Another popular type of treatment for epilepsy is diet. Most physicians recommend the ketogenic diet. This is a diet that is low in carbohydrates and high in fat. In this type of diet, instead of burning carbohydrates for energy the body burns fats, which produces ketones, a carbon substance. Ketones have been used to successfully treat epilepsy and many think that they help suppress seizures. The ketogenic diet has been proven effective in 30% of the children put on it to control their seizures completely, and 40% of the young patients were able to use the diet to help control seizures. (Source: Feinstein, 1996)
In most cases, the ketogenic diet is used by patients for approximately two years before re-introducing carbohydrates and other nutrients back into the diet. While the patient is on the ketogenic diet, they will require nutritional supplements since they will not be getting all of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients they need, particularly calcium and vitamin C. Many health professionals do not like this diet because of its high fat content, but it has not been proven to cause heart disease or growth retardation in children. Because it is a high fat diet, children who have diabetes or who are obese may not benefit from this type of a diet and serious consideration should be made before using it.
It is not healthy for anyone, but those who have seizures should definitely avoid anything with aspartame in it, as it has been known to increase seizure activity. For those who have a metabolic disorder known as phenylketonuria, aspartame does cause seizures, as the disorder does not let phenylalanine (an essential amino acid found in food and supplements) be digested and used properly by the body. Another dietary factor that can bring about seizures is food allergies, including allergies to dairy, citrus fruits, food additives, and wheat. Sensitivity is different in everyone, and many people do not even realize it when they are sensitive to certain foods. This is why it is so important to have allergy tests.
Using Protein Supplements to Help Treat Epilepsy
Often physicians suggest that those with epilepsy who are on the ketogenic diet also use protein supplements. Again, just like with medication, it may be necessary to try different types of protein supplements, because there may be food sensitivities to some and not to others. For example, whey is a complete protein, but because it is a milk derivative, those who have milk allergies or who are lactose intolerant may have difficulties digesting it. When this is the case, the best alternatives are soy or rice (rice is hypoallergenic). Many people find that egg protein works well also. If protein bars are recommended by a physician, it is important to read the ingredients carefully, because many have added sugars and fats, and may not even have the right proteins.
For those who are on a low carbohydrate, high fat diets , the liquid protein shot Profect by Protica may be the answer. It provides 25 grams per three-ounce serving, with only 100 calories and no carbohydrates. Profect is also rich in vitamin C and daily B complex vitamins. Profect also tastes great with flavors to choose from such as Blue Raspberry, Grapefruit-Mango, Fresh Citrus Berry, and Cool Melon Splash.
In addition to protein supplements, physicians may also recommend having additional vitamin E in the diet as it is a powerful antioxidant that fights the damages caused by free radicals, which may actually be increasing seizure activity. Another mineral that is useful in controlling seizures is selenium, which can be found in mushrooms, cabbage, fish, garlic, onions, whole grains, and broccoli. Folic acid (the supplemental form of folate which naturally occurs in the body) is also important, because some of the epilepsy medications may actually deplete B complex vitamins. As long as the patient is not allergic to milk or milk products, or is not lactose intolerant, they may benefit from an enzyme called glutathione, an antioxidant that is necessary for the immune system. Of course, it is always important to discuss any dietary changes with a physician, to make sure that they are the right changes to make.
About Protica Research
Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm specializing in the development of protein-rich, capsulized foods (dense nutrition in compact liquid and food forms). Protica manufactures Profect protein beverage, IsoMetric, Fruitasia and more than 100 other brands in its GMP-certified, 250,000 square foot facility.
You can learn more about Protica at http://www.protica.com
Copyright - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com
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