Epilepsy
Description
Epilepsy takes many forms, but all based on a neurological communication problem in the brain. Proper neurological communication is by weak electrical pulses. In the epileptic, the signalling is abnormally strong, so strong neighboring nerves and tissues are overwhelmed by electricity. It is this electrical overload which causes the epileptic seizure, the basic symptom of epilepsy, and also commonly called a convulsion or fit. The two major forms of epilepsy are petit mal and grand mal.
Petit mal epilepsy is a childhood disease which does not usually persist past adolescence.
Grand mal epilepsy is characterized by dramatic seizures, a common complication being post-traumatic death if the person sustains a compound wound. Many people in the United States have some form of epilepsy with males and females being equally affected.
If epilepsy is properly treated, the epileptic is often able to lead a normal life. Treatment may include moderate drugs, abstinence from ethanol, and eating a proper diet. A physician should always be consulted and it is recommended an identification bracelet or card be carried.
Causes
Primary Factors
The primary cause of the misfiring mechanism which produces epilepsy is unknown. According to the American Medical Association, extensive scientific research has shown roughly two out of three epileptics have no identifiable structural abnormalities. The remaining third can usually be traced to such diversified causes as congenital brain damage, severe head injury or brain tissue infection.
Predisposing Factors
Altered brain chemistry; brain tumor, especially if diagnosis is in adulthood; birth trauma; infectious diseases such as perinatal infection, meningitis, encephalitis or brain abscess; ingestion of toxins such as mercury, lead, or carbon dioxide; inherited disorders or degenerative diseases such as phenylketonuria (PKU) or tuberous sclerosis; metabolic disorders such as hypoglycemia or hypothyroidism; cerebrovascular accident such as hemorrhage, thrombosis and embolism; and heredity.
Signs & Symptoms
The primary symptom of epilepsy is a brief, abnormal phase of purposeless behavior commonly known as an epileptic seizure. It is important to note, however, a single episode of seizure does not indicate epilepsy. A diagnosis of epilepsy requires recurrent seizures.
Petit mal
Sudden blank stares in the midst of activity, producing an appearance of daydreaming; this usually lasts about 30 seconds and there is lack of realization afterwards the seizure has occurred
Blinking or rolling of eyes
Slight jerking of the head or arm
Grand mal
Certain strange sensations called auras may appear before the seizure; these are often recognizable by the individual, giving him or her time to seek help and/or safety. Auras may be:
Distorted vision
Undefinable vague feeling
Impression of smelling a specific odor
Impression of hearing specific sounds
Odd bodily sensations, especially nausea, indigestion-like sensation, or a rising or sinking feeling in the stomach
Seizures may also be preceded by:
Glassy stares
Picking at one's clothes
Lip smacking or chewing motions
Unintelligible speech
An attack occurs as follows:
Epileptic falls to the ground unconscious; this may be precipitated by a loud cry
The entire body then stiffens and twitches or jerks uncontrollably - including tongue biting, labored breathing, loss of bladder control, and cyanosis
A period of deep sleep and/or mental confusion ensues
Nutritional Supplements
Structure & Function:
Multi Vitamin/Multi Mineral Formulas
Nutrients for Brain Support &
Circulatory Support
---------------------------------
General Supplements
---------------------------------
| Adult | Child/Adolescent | ||
| Lecithin* | |||
| Magnesium | 200 - 800 mg | 100 - 600 mg | |
| Manganese | 5 - 20 mg | 5 - 10 mg | |
| Taurine | 500 - 1,000 mcg | 100 - 800 mcg | |
| Vitamin B-12 | 500 - 1,000 mcg | 200 - 500 mcg |
* Please refer to the respective topic for specific nutrient amounts.
Notes: It has been stated that Evening Primrose Oil is contraindicated for this condition.
Herbs with significant levels of salicylates e.g. Meadowsweet , Poplar and White Willow Bark (or aspirin, for that matter) may potentiate phenytoin therapy. (Newall)
Herbs with folic acid may reduce the plasma concentration of phenytoin. (Newall)
Note: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.
Dietary Considerations
There are two diets specifically formulated to treat preschool children who do not respond to conventional Epilepsy medicinal therapy: Traditional The Ketogenic Diet and the Medium Chain Triglyceride Based Diet. The exact mechanism by which these diets are effective is unknown, but their efficacy has been proven by several groups of researchers.
Detailed description and procedures for the diets are beyond the scope of this program as there are many variables which must be considered in developing them and these considerations should be left to the individual's physician and registered dietician. The reader is advised there are possible adverse reactions and contraindications, and the individual will find the diets highly unpalatable and monotonous.
THE KETOGENIC DIET
Anticonvulsant medications and, even surgical intervention, have been the traditional treatments for epilepsy. Some sufferers are still left with their disease. Today, some patients are, once again, benefiting from a third option -- the ketogenic diet.
Developed originally in the 1930s at Johns Hopkins, the ketogenic diet fell into disuse due to its rigid structure and lack of dietitians willing to work intensively with patients and their families.
What is the ketogenic diet?
The diet is described as a ratio (by weight) of fat to protein / carbohydrate. The most common ratio is 4:1 that’s four times as many grams of fat as the total of carbohydrate and protein. A 4:1 ratio works out to 90 percent of calories derived from fat. And every time the patient eats, he has to eat this ratio.
By consuming the diet, a patient’s body enters a state of ketosis, in which the body burns fat for fuel instead of glucose. Ketones, a product of fat breakdown, accumulate in the blood in greater quantities during ketosis. Their presence seems to have an anticonvulsant effect — that is, they reduce seizures.
High concentrations of ketones in the body control the frequency and severity of seizures, although the biochemical mechanisms for this phenomenon are not yet known.
Recent clinical studies, including the 1992 Johns Hopkins report published in Epilepsia, attest to the effectiveness of the diet.
Most patients remain on this diet for at least two years, during which time medications may be reduced and even discontinued. Although the diet is high-fat, patients do not gain weight because their caloric intake is restricted to 75 percent of their required daily allowance. The diet is supplemented with vitamins and calcium, so patients do not suffer from any nutritional imbalance.
It sounds almost like a "Fast food junkie's" dream diet. Just pull up to the window and order anything you want, it will conform to the high fat requirement! There have been reports of hypercholesterolemia.
After two years on the strict regimen, many patients remain seizure-free and no longer require anticonvulsant drugs or the diet. Others demonstrate great gains, but may need to continue their medications and the diet indefinitely.
The usefulness of the diet has been mostly seen in children, although some adults have been desperate enough to give it a try. Some anecodtal reports indicate some reduction in the severity of attacks, as well as the number of seizures, over time, say after several (e.g. 4) months on the diet.
Anticonvulsant therapy sometimes causes folacin deficiency by stimulating liver enzymes to break down the vitamin or by making the gut more acidic, thereby interfering with folate absorption. This may result in megaloblastic anemia during long-term use. On the other hand, excessive folate supplementation may precipitate seizures in epileptics. The convulsions are caused by reduced cerebrospinal fluid and brain levels of the anticonvulsant, presumably resulting from a competition between the medication and the vitamin.
Anticonvulsants block the hydroxylation of vitamin D to 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol. Over prolonged periods (usage greater than two years), anticonvulsants raise serum alkaline phosphatase levels, and result in bone changes resembling rickets or osteomalacia. Supplementation with vitamin D or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol may be needed.
Homeopathic Remedy
| 1.* Cuprum metallicum | - 15C |
| 2. Tarantula hispanola | - 30C |
| 3. * Crotalus horridus | - 15C |
Treatment Schedule
Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.
Legend
X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency
Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.
References
Boericke, D.E., 1988. Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Coulter, C.R., 1986. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines.
Kent, J.T., 1989. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Koehler, G., 1989. Handbook of Homeopathy.
Shingale, J.N., 1992. Bedside Prescriber.
Smith, Trevor, 1989. Homeopathic Medicine.
Ullman, Dana, 1991. The One Minute (or so) Healer.
Herbal Approaches
----------
Herbs
-----------
Hyssop
Milk thistle (Silymarin)
White Willow Bark (Salix alba)
Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.
Discussion:
Milk thistle is considered essential to detoxify prescriptions (e.g. Dilantin or Depakote) in the liver.
There is a proviso for White Willow Bark (Salix alba) (see below).
Several herbs have been identified as possibly increasing the risk of seizure and are also contraindicated in epilepsy:
Borage, Evening Primrose Oil, Ground Ivy and Sage.
Herbs with significant levels of salicylates e.g. Meadowsweet , Poplar and White Willow Bark (or aspirin, for that matter) may potentiate phenytoin therapy. (Newall)
Herbs with folic acid may reduce the plasma concentration of phenytoin. (Newall)
Herbs with sedative action should also be avoided. (Newall) The following is a comprehensive list.
| Herb | Effect | |
| Calamus | Potentiates barbiturate sleeping time | |
| Celery | In vivo | |
| Chamomile, German | Human | |
| Couchgrass | In vivo | |
| Elecampane | In vivo | |
| Ginseng | CNS depressant and stimulant | |
| Goldenseal | In vivo | |
| Hops | In vivo | |
| Hydrocotyle | In vivo | |
| Jamaica Dogwood | In vivo | |
| Nettle | CNS depression, in vivo | |
| Passionflower | In vivo | |
| Sage | In vivo | |
| Skullcap | Reputed action | |
| Shepherd's Purse | Potentiates barbiturate sleeping time | |
| St. John's Wort | Traditional use, bioflavonoids | |
| Valerian | Human, in vivo | |
| Wild Carrot | In vivo | |
| Wild Lettuce | In vivo, related species |
Reference:
Hoffmann, D: The New Holistic Herbal. Element, 1983. Third edition 1990.
Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
Aromatherapy - Essential Oils
| Basil Essence, | Cajeput Essence, |
| Rosemary Essence, | Terebinth Essence, |
| Thyme Essence. |
Related Health Conditions
Cerebrovascular disorders
Congenital brain damage
Hemorrhage
Infection
Hypoglycemia
Phenylketonuria (pku)
Stroke
Thrombosis
Thyroid disorders
Tuberous sclerosis
Tumor
References
American Cancer Society. Facts on Prostate Cancer.
Autret A et al., Sleep and the epilepsies. Clinique Neurologique, H“pital Brettonneau, Tours, France. J Neurol, 1997 Apr, 244:4 Suppl 1, S10-7.
Bland, Jeffrey. Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1983.
Botez, M.I. et al: Thiamine and Folate Treatment of Chronic Epileptic Patients: A Controlled Study With the Wechsler I.Q. Scale. Epilepsy Research, 1993;16:157-163.
Chicago Dietetic Association and the South Suburban Dietetic Association of Cook and Will Counties. 1981. Manual of Clinical Dietetics. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadephia.
Gurevich, V.S. Taurine and the Function of Excitable Tissues. Fiziol. Zh USSR, 70. 1984.
Hals J et al., Studies on nutrition in severely neurologically disabled children in an institution. Acta Paediatr, 1996 Dec, 85:12, 1469-75.
Hamilton, H.K. ed. 1982. Professional Guide To Diseases Intermed Communications Inc. Pub, Springfield, Massachusetts. 1323 pp.
Heinerman, John. 1982. Herbal Dynamics. Root of Life, Inc.: Publ.
Hunt, S.M., J.L. Groff & J. M. Holbrook. 1980. Nutrition: Principles and Clinical Practice John Wileyand Sons, N. Y. 506 pp.
Kirschmann, J.D. 1990. Nutrition Almanac: Nutrition Search. McGrew-Hill: New York.
Kunz, J.R.M. 1982. The American Medical Association Family Medical Guide. Random House Pub, New York. 832 pp.
Levy, S. L. et al: The Anticonvulsant Effects of Vitamin E: A Further Evaluation. Canadian Journal of Neuroscience, 1992;19:201-203.
Liporace JD: Women's issues in epilepsy. Menses, childbearing, and more. Postgrad Med, 1997 Jul, 102:1, 123-4, 127-9, 133-5 passim.
Meldrum, B. Gabaergic Agents as Anticonvulsants. Neuroscience Letters. 47. 1984.
Nebeling LC & Lerner E: Implementing a ketogenic diet based on medium-chain triglyceride oil in pediatric patients with cancer. J Am Diet Assoc, 1995 Jun, 95:6, 693-7.
Pennington, J. 1978. Nutritional Diet Therapy. Bull Publishing Co., Palo Alto, Ca. 106 pp.
Rao, A. Taurine Excretion in Epilepsy. Acta Neurologica Scand. 68. 1983.
Roach, E.S. & Carlin, L. Dimethylglycine and Epilepsy. 1982.
Robbins, S.L. & R.S. Cotran. 1979. Pathologic Basis of Disease. 2nd ed. Saunders Pub Co., Philadelphia. 1598 pp.
Valentinuzzi ME et al., Bioelectrical impedance techniques in medicine. Part II: Monitoring of physiological events by impedance. Crit Rev Biomed Eng, 1996, 24:4-6, 353-466.
Wyngaarden, J.B. & L.H. Smith. 1985. Cecil's Textbook of Medicine. Saunders Pub Co., Philadelphia. 2341 pp.
Zeman, F.J. 1983. Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics. The Collamore Press;Lexington, Mass. 682 pp.
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