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Epilepsy Diet

My friend is suffering from epilepsy. Do recommend some epilepsy diet and foods used to cure epilepsy
(July 24, 2011)

Can smoking marijuana cause epilepsy?    


Epilepsy and marijuana go a long way back. Cannabis has been used for the treatment of disorders such as epilepsy since ages. When consumed in small quantities, marijuana does not cause epileptic seizures. In fact, smoking marijuana in moderate quantities can only help you treat the condition and get rid of the seizures. Marijuana is known to have soothing and sedating properties, and it also slows down the electric impulses in your brain, lowering them well past your seizure threshold.




Medicinal marijuana and epilepsy, due to the therapeutic nature of the former, are interrelated. However, when consumed in large quantities, marijuana may cause the condition to get worse. In large quantities, marijuana causes the nerve endings to misfire and causes heavy electrical activity. This is one of the reasons why an overdose of marijuana can be lethal.

The effects of medicinal marijuana are well known among the medical community. However, since weed and epilepsy have an ambivalent relationship, doctors advise people to be prudent in its use. Marijuana, in limited quantities, is used to treat depression, psychosis, epilepsy, headaches, and chronic pain. It is widely used as a sedative for those who are suffering from chronic illnesses or are terminally ill.
Submitted by N on July 24, 2011 at 11:58

 

Does cannabis help epilepsy?    


Cannabis, also commonly known as marijuana, is used for the treatment of various different medical conditions. It is often used as sedatives in patients who are suffering from terminal illnesses like cancer. Since there are many drugs that have extremely negative side effects, doctors prefer to use cannabis for treatment of conditions such as anemia, depression, headaches, psychosis, and hair loss. Marijuana helps lower the electrical activity in the brain, thereby bringing it much below the normal seizure threshold.

For a lot of people, epileptic seizures can be delayed with the use of cannabis. These seizures can also be completely treated with the help of these drugs. Recent studies, especially those performed in the UK, have shown that cannabis strains for epilepsy can be successfully used for the treatment of partial epilepsy. The effects of cannabis on epilepsy are mostly positive because of the lowering of electrical activity in the body. For these reasons, medical cannabis and epilepsy treatment are interconnected.

Cannabis also helps in preventing the misfiring of the neurons in the brain, which is another cause of epileptic seizures in people of all ages. While marijuana itself is not completely helpful for this condition, there are compounds contained in it that can help relieve seizures.
Submitted by N on July 17, 2011 at 11:57

 

Can I drink if I have epilepsy?    


Our brain is a network of electric impulses, and the body is made in such a way that each individual has something known as the seizure threshold. This is a natural way of our body to absorb the electrical impulses. If you have a low seizure threshold, it causes your body to succumb to the normal or increased electrical impulses in the brain. Ultimately, it causes you to have epilepsy and other seizure related disorders.

There are certain foods that cause a natural lowering of the seizure threshold, and though this lowering is only temporary, it can cause severe effects on the body. Alcohol is one such thing, the consumption of which could induce seizures. Epilepsy and drinking alcohol, therefore, are related. Since epilepsy and alcoholism have such a deep-rooted relationship, most doctors and clinicians advise epileptics against consuming too much alcohol.

Different people have different tolerance for alcohol, and since the seizure threshold for different people is also different, there is no way to determine how much alcohol would cause an epileptic fit. Further, since temporal lobe epilepsy and alcohol are related, alcohol should be completely avoided if you are epileptic. If you do want to drink alcohol, make sure you only consume very small quantities of it.
Submitted by N on July 11, 2011 at 11:56

 

Injury in the brain is a typical cause of epilepsy. Any underlying condition results in electrical activity in the brain, which in turn causes seizures. Increase in sodium leakage in certain areas of the brain results in epilepsy. The signals from the neuron are sent through the brain, which in turn results in seizures. The seizures are generalized or particular. It does not result in loss of consciousness, during every attack. Anti epilepsy or anti convulsant drugs are the most commonly used drugs for treatment. Change in the dosage of drugs is based on the comfort levels of the individual. These drugs improve the functioning of the neurotransmitters.

They also result in certain side effects, such as vomiting, irregular hair growth, nausea and loss of appetite. Research reveals a decrease in seizures, in majority of individuals on a ketogenic diet. This diet involves a heavy serving of fat, a protein source and small portions of vegetables and fruits. Such a diet proves beneficial in majority of individuals with epilepsy. Control of seizures and other related symptoms necessitates the termination of the ketogenic diet. This is done under the guidance of your physician. A gradual change in the diet is brought over. Worsening of the seizures is possible, with a sudden and erratic change in the dietary pattern.

The ketogenic diet is helpful, in individuals with epilepsy. It is a low carbohydrate and high fat diet, which provides relief from seizures. Such a diet provides about three to four grams of fat per gram of protein and carbohydrate. A 4:1 ketogenic diet ratio is recommended. The ratio of the fat to the protein and carbohydrate grams in combination is indicated by a ketogenic diet ratio. Fat in a ketogenic diet is obtained from mayonnaise, butter, oils and whipped cream. Careful diet modification with restriction in protein and carbohydrate is necessary. Certain side effects of a ketogenic diet are constipation, renal stones, bone fractures, decrease in bone density, menstrual irregularities, behavioral changes, pancreatic inflammation, poor growth associated with deficiency of nutrients, weight gain, high cholesterol and dehydration.

Foods that are a complete 'no-no' are pasta, fluids, fruits, bread and vegetables. Such a diet fails to provide all the essential minerals and vitamins. The right quantity of food intake is important. This demands the supplementation of these nutrients, in the form of pills. Supplements of folic acid, iron, calcium and vitamin D are recommended. Vitamin D and calcium supplements help in the prevention of demineralization of bones. High levels of cholesterol in the blood are possible with a ketogenic diet. Seek the guidance and recommendations of your physician.
Submitted by M S on March 16, 2009 at 12:10

 

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