Ketogenic Diet Gains Popularity in Treating Epilepsy

Related articles: Health > Western Medicine

HIPPOCRATES: He cured epilepsy with diet and fasting. (Engraving by Peter Paul Rubens, 1638, courtesy of the National Library of Medicine.)

The ketogenic diet, a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, is regaining popularity to treat difficult-to-control epilepsy, particularly in children.

The classic ketogenic diet contains a 4:1 ratio by weight of fat to combined amounts of protein and carbohydrate. The diet has proven to be effective in half of the patients who try it and very effective in one-third of the patients. It has given new hope to parents whose epileptic children status couldn’t be improved by anticonvulsant medication.

After stroke, epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. It is estimated that if affects 50 million people worldwide. Most people with epilepsy can successfully control their seizures with medication. However, 20 to 30 percent fail to do so despite trying different drugs. Particularly for them, the diet is proving valuable in epilepsy management.

Knowledge about this diet isn’t new. Ancient Greek physicians treated diseases, including epilepsy, by altering their patients’ diets. In the book “Epidemics,” Hippocrates describes the case of a man whose epilepsy was cured with drastic diet and fasting.

Erasistratus, a Greek anatomist and royal physician under Seleucus I Nicator of Syria, stated, “One inclining to epilepsy should be made to fast without mercy and be put on short rations.”

In modern times, the first study of fasting as a treatment for epilepsy was conducted in France in 1911. A few years later, an osteopathic physician named Hugh Conklin from Battle Creek, Michigan, treated his epilepsy patients with fasting and obtained very good results.

Because he believed that epilepsy was caused by a toxin produced in the intestines, he recommended a fast lasting 18 to 25 days and a “water diet” to allow the toxin to be eliminated from the body.

In 1921, Dr. Rusell Wilder, at the Mayo clinic, coined the name ketogenic diet, based on previous research, to describe a diet that produced a high level of compounds called ketones in the blood through a diet consisting largely of fat and lacking in carbohydrate.

During the 1920s and 1930s, when there were only a few effective anticonvulsant drugs, this diet was widely used and studied to treat epilepsy. In 1938, with the discovery of phenytoin, an anticonvulsant drug, the focus changed to the development of new compounds of this kind.

The ketogenic diet has had a revival in recent times after it was found that children with difficult-to-treat epilepsy were more likely to find relief with the ketogenic diet than to benefit from trying a different anticonvulsant drug.

There is now evidence that adolescents and some adults can also benefit form this diet. However, children with a focal brain lesion are more likely to become seizure-free with surgery than with the ketogenic diet.

Although it can be very effective, the ketogenic diet may have complications. About 1 in 20 children on the ketogenic diet will develop kidney stones, which can be prevented to a certain extent by providing some specific supplements. In adults, common side effects include weight loss and constipation.

In addition, the diet can present some difficulties to caregivers and to the patients due to the time commitment involved in planning meals and measuring the ingredients, particularly because a strict adherence to the dietary plan is required.

However, since the diet can provide a cure to children without the use of dangerous drugs, it is an approach worth taking when dealing with this serious disease.

Dr. César Chelala is an international public health consultant.

.

Hundreds Take Epilepsy Test In Gulu Tuesday, 19th April, 2011 (By Chris Ocowun) HUNDREDS of people, including children and elderly patients with signs of epilepsy, have flooded Gulu regional mental health unit for neurological examination. The tests will be done by five neurological doctors from Germany and Austria. The doctors hope to examine over 1,000 epileptic patients in Gulu, Moyo, Adjumani and Kitgum districts. Neurocysticercosis is a leading cause of seizures and epilepsy in the developing world. The head of the neurological doctors, Andrea Winkler, yesterday told journalists at the health unit that they would spend two weeks conducting tests in northern Uganda. “We are here to examine patients and decide on the treatment. About 300 of those found with epilepsy fits will be taken to Mulago Hospital for Computerised Tomography (CT) scan,” she said. Winkler said the prevalence of neurocysticercosis was high in sub-Saharan African countries like Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia. “We want to know the prevalence of those who suffer from neurocysticercosis, which is caused by the pork tapeworm in the brain of a person. You can get cysticercosis from infected pigs, poor hygiene and undercooked pork,” Winkler explained. “The symptoms of this illness are caused by the development of characteristic cysts, which most often affect the central nervous system (neurocysticercosis), skeletal muscle, eyes, and skin. Many individuals with cysticercosis never experience any symptoms,” Winkler added. According to Winkler, cysticercosis is caused by the dissemination of the larval form of the pork tapeworm, taenia sodium. She said when the eggs of taenia sodium are ingested by humans, they hatch and the embryos penetrate the intestinal wall and reach the bloodstream. The formation of cysts in different body tissues leads to the development of symptoms, which vary depending on the location and number of cysts. Winkler disclosed that humans are the host for taenia sodium, saying they may carry the tapeworm in their intestine, often without symptoms. She said neurocysticercosis is treatable using anthelmintic drugs. Winkler added that they are working in collaboration with Gulu University faculty of medicine to carry out neurological examination of patients with epilepsy. She said cysticerrcosis can be prevented through public education, avoidance of raw or undercooked pork and good personal hygiene among other ways. Paul Aluma, a psychiatric at Gulu regional mental health unit blamed the high rate of epilepsy attacks in the region to the LRA war. .

Epilepsy killed celebrity polar bear Knut

Knut (above), the celebrity orphan polar bear who drew thousands of visitors to Berlin zoo, died after an epileptic fit, according to neurologists quoted by Focus magazine. -- PHOTO: AFP

FRANKFURT - KNUT, the celebrity orphan polar bear who drew thousands of visitors to Berlin zoo, died after an epileptic fit, according to neurologists quoted by Focus magazine.

A CAT scan had revealed abormalities in the brain of the bear, who may have inherited epilepsy from his father Lars, also a sufferer.

Four year-old Knut, who won global fame as he grew from a cute cub but grew into a 200kg predator, died in front of horrified visitors at the zoo last weekend.

Neurologists said the fit was triggered by a brain disorder yet to be identified. The magazine said Knut's brain is now being studied at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wild Animal Research (IZW). Knut shot to fame when he was rejected by his mother and was hand-reared instead by his keeper Thomas Doerflein.

Visitors came to watch keeper and cub playing together. The German post office produced a stamp in Knut's honour and the bear appeared on the cover of numerous publications, including the German edition of Vanity Fair. -- REUTERS

.

A COLORFUL LIFE WITH EPILEPSY

"I shuddered at thoughts of having to take anti epilepsy drug (AED) to control seizures for a lifetime. The side effects of all these chemically produced drugs with some toxic levels would destroy my health into crumbles beyond repair or even kill me first before seizures could. That being the case, I'd prefer a seizure filled life without AED." These were my thoughts and fears when I was told to take AED for life at an age of 18. Today, 33 years down the road, I am still alive and reasonably healthy after taking AED.

By now, needless to say, any possible side effects of AED could have taken toll on my health. Some friends have been advising me to watch out for my colon, kidneys, heart and liver. With so much toxicity in my body, they said I ought to go for some detoxifying course, engaging in chi exercises, taking more supplements like calcium and multi-vits, etc, etc.

In my opinion, I think it is not only me, a person with epilepsy at my age who has to guard my health in all ways. Taking good care of our health is something everyone should do regardless of age and state of health. And also, whether one has epilepsy or any other illnesses, one must always seek proper treatment and follow doctors' advices.

My advice to newly diagnosed people with epilepsy is never fail to keep up with neuro's appointments and always remember to take AED as prescribed. Adopt positive attitudes and outlooks of life. Live life as normal as you can and challenge yourself to always live life to it's fullest.

My life with epilepsy has been purposeful, meaningful, artful and beautiful. What about yours? Care to share it here with me?







.

Epilepsy man's 'thank you' for help during fit

By Stephanie Jones-Berry
November 10, 2010

A PENSIONER who had an epileptic seizure in Guildford town centre while waiting for a bus now wants to thank the people who came to his aid.

Graham Block, 71, had been visiting the RHS Wisley gardens to see the autumnal colours when a delay meant he arrived at the Friary bus station at 4.15pm last Wednesday (November 3), with an hour to wait for his next connection.

By 5.30pm, Mr Block’s usual bus had not arrived and the seizure hit as he was asking a member of staff what was happening. Mr Block said: “The lights were very bright, so I had a blackout. Bright lights, stress and camera flashes can bring on my blackouts. When this one came on I couldn’t get outside in time. I felt it coming on and got out my special card that I carry in different languages explaining my condition. A young lady and a bus inspector who were there were very concerned. The bus inspector arranged a bus to take me home to Wood Street. I just want to thank them both.”

The former insurance clerk has suffered with epilepsy since the age of 24 but said that in recent years the condition had become more manageable. He said: “I have had epilepsy for the past 47 years and in the last few years it has faded away. I used to have big fits, preceded by blinding flashes but I have learned to read the signs and now can usually get out in time to stop it happening. I still can’t go out in the evening – even a church hall has lights that are too bright.”

Louise Whalley, from charity Epilepsy Action, said: “We’re delighted to hear that people in the local community assisted someone who was having an epileptic seizure in public. It’s clear that the epilepsy awareness information this man was carrying was vital in getting him the help and support he needed. Carrying medical ID lets people know what to do in case of a seizure and informs medical professionals that a person has epilepsy. We would recommend that all people with epilepsy carry a medical awareness card with them. They may also want to consider wearing identity jewellery.”

Mr Block believes his condition may have been triggered by playing lacrosse as a young man. His wife, Janet, helps him to manage his medical condition as she is able to read the signals as well. Mr Block said: “She makes me go outside. Every Saturday we go to the supermarket and I often have to stand outside.”

Epilepsy Action provides a range of epilepsy awareness cards free of charge from www.epilepsy.org.uk/shop.

source :www.getsurrey.co.uk/news

.

CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY

Parents often feel frightened when they hear that their child had epilepsy. However, anticonvulsant drugs can prevent the occurrence of seizures in 75 percent of epileptic children. In the past, those diagnosed with epilepsy were thought to need lifelong drug treatment to prevent their seizures. The treatments used often had adverse side effects that precluded them from participating in normal social activities. However, new treatments and therapy protocols are available today. Ask your child's physician about any new options available for treatment.

Not Necessarily a Life Sentence

Today, pediatric physicians encourage children taking anticonvulsant medications, who have not experienced seizures for two years or beyond, to gradually reduce the dosage of medication to zero. Seventy-five percent of these experience indefinite freedom from seizures. Of these, a few have a chance of never having another seizure, while others have a 50 percent chance of having a future epileptic event. Only your child's physician can determine whether it's safe to taper off anti-epileptic medication, but if your child has been seizure free for over two years, ask your physician about this option.

Effective Treatment for the Most Common Type of Epilepsy

While childhood epilepsy occurs in many forms, the most common is absence epilepsy. With absence epilepsy, the child exhibits frequent episodes in which he will stop his current activity and stare blankly for 30 seconds or less. He then resumes the activity with no confusion and no recollection of the event. Until recently, physicians were uncertain as to which anti-epilepsy drug worked best to control this type of the disorder. The results of a clinical trial, managed by NIH Childhood Epilepsy Study Group, were released in March 2010. The study revealed that the drugs Zarontin and Depakote, ethosuximide and valproic acid respectively, are significantly more successful in controlling the seizures associated with absence epilepsy than others.

When Anticonvulsant Therapies Fail

Although anticonvulsant therapy can successfully control the seizures of 75 percent of epileptic children, this leaves a significant number of children for whom medication is not effective. These children continue to have several seizures on a daily basis despite medications, or suffer from debilitating side effects from the anticonvulsant drugs. While not new, treatment approaches do exist for these patients. One option involves surgery, which inactivates or removes the area of the brain that causes the seizures. The other requires that the child adhere to a high-fat diet that highly restricts carbohydrates for two years. After two years, the child can begin to gradually add carbohydrates back into his or her diet without the occurrence of seizures. While neither of these approaches is new, they represent valid options when others fail. Your child's doctor can determine whether he or she is a good candidate for these therapies.

Prognosis for Children With Epilepsy

Children with idiopathic epilepsy, epilepsy of an unknown cause, have a better chance of controlling their seizures with medication and going into remission as they approach adulthood. Approximately 40 percent of those with absence and benign epilepsy types outgrow the disorder. Even those with more severe classifications of epilepsy, which they are unlikely to outgrow, can often live active, normal lives with consistent and appropriate treatments.

Researchers and scientists regularly conduct clinical trials investigating new therapies and treatments for both children and adults with epilepsy. These include pharmacological treatments as well as investigations into possible environmental and genetic causes of the various classifications of epilepsy.

A Parent's Role in Seizure Management

Parents play a significant role in helping their epileptic child attain success in controlling seizures. Certainly this involves making certain medications are taken on schedule and in prescribed amounts. But parents must also provide moral and emotional support for their epileptic child. They can achieve this by educating the child about the disorder and helping him participate in appropriate social and physical activities to promote a feeling of normalcy and belonging.

.

8TH ASIAN & OCEANIAN EPILEPSY CONGRESS
Melbourne, 21st till 24th October 2010

The 8th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress (AOEC) which will take place in the exciting city of Melbourne, Australia from October 21st - 24th, 2010. This Congress has been organised by the regional organisations of the International League Against Epilepsy and the International Bureau for Epilepsy.

Read more at http://www.epilepsymelbourne2010.org/








.