Symptoms

There are many types of epilepsy, but the two most common are the grand mal and the petit mal. Grand mal seizures often begin with an abnormal feeling that is unique to the individual, and alerts him or her to an impending epileptic attack. The *seizure itself usually begins with a cry, followed by a fall to the floor where severe muscle convulsions rack the body. Control over bowel and urinary movements may be lost. Breathing stops momentarily. The seizure ends in a deep sleep, and the person is left with *headaches and dullness upon waking. There is loss of consciousness and no memory of the attack. If the seizure lasts more than three minutes, or if another seizure follows, immediate emergency care should be sought.(see also Seizures)

Petit mal seizures are much milder, since they do not produce convulsions and are difficult to recognize. Children are most prone. Blackouts, *fainting spells or attacks of *dizziness signal such a seizure. If a child seems to be in a daydream for seconds at a time several times daily, it could be a symptom of such a seizure. These petit mal seizures can significantly hinder *learning ability. Partial seizures are characterized by strange motions, such as staggering, *twitching, chewing or even visual delusions or mental confusion which last minutes or, more rarely, hours at a time. Again, after the attack there is no recollection of events.

Causes

An epileptic seizure appears to be the result of an overload of electrical current in the brain. A hereditary susceptibility to epilepsy is a factor. This tendency usually manifests itself in childhood or adolescence, spurred on by changes in the body’s electrolyte, water or hormonal systems. Infections like *meningitis, and immunizations, particularly for *measles, *mumps and diphtheria, can precipitate epilepsy. Injuries to the brain during birth or from blows to the head, especially in automobile accidents, can also result in epilepsy. Other causes for seizures in adults are *tumors and *strokes. Food *allergies, *toxic heavy metals, infection and *fevers can create imbalances which trigger attacks. Other triggers are highly individual, but include a wide variety of substances that cause stress on the body, including alcohol, drugs, low blood-sugar levels and too much liquid consumption at one time. *Stress and lack of sleep can also increase susceptibility.

Recent research has associated epilepsy with consumption of the natural sweetener aspartame. Aluminum, mercury and lead toxicity may also contribute to the problem. Laboratory testing can determine whether or not these toxic heavy metals are elevated in the body. Tests should also be considered to determine nutritional deficiencies and food allergies.

Nutrition

Rule out food sensitivities and allergies. Eating small, frequent meals will help prevent attacks. Eat plenty of whole grains, legumes and dark green, leafy vegetables for manganese-a deficiency of which has been linked to convulsions-and vitamin B6, which reduces the frequency of attacks. These foods are a good source of magnesium, which helps to suppress epileptic outbursts. Seafoods are an excellent source of magnesium. Alcohol must be strictly avoided. Include the essential fatty acids found in evening primrose, flax seed and borage oils daily.

The ketogenic diet (high fat, low protein, low carbohydrate) was popular as a treatment for seizures in the 1920s before anticonvulsant medications were available. The ratio of fats to protein and carbohydrates combined is 4:1 for children starting out on the diet; it can usually be lowered to 3:1 after the first year. Some experts claim that this diet can reduces seizures by up to seventy percent but approximately a third of those who start it do not tolerate side-effects of diarrhea and dehydration. Extreme therapeutic diets like this one should only be undertaken with medical supervision.

Nutritional Supplements

There are many reports of the benefits of certain nutritional supplements in the control of seizure disorders. These include the amino acids L-taurine, L-glutamine, L-tryptophan and L-tyrosine. Using these amino acids as supplements depends on levels determined by urine amino acid analysis.

Source: Encyclopedia of Natural Healing by Siegfried Gursche and Zoltan Rona