Ketogenic diet - a method of treating epilepsy

For centuries, there were virtually no effective treatments for epilepsy. The progress of medical science in this century has led to the emergence of drugs that can help most patients to some extent, but scientists are still searching for new anticonvulsants (the so-called anticonvulsants) that would be safer than existing ones. Indeed, all antiepileptic drugs have side effects, such as lethargy, drowsiness, intestinal disorders, and allergic reactions. In addition, drugs have relatively rare but severe side effects, such as damage to the liver and pancreas, the hematopoietic system with the development of anemia, and thrombocytopenia. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that cases of epilepsy resistant to drug treatment are increasingly observed, while doctors are forced to prescribe several drugs, which means the likelihood of toxic side effects increases. Sometimes such patients may undergo surgical treatment. Meanwhile, there is a method of treating severe forms of epilepsy, which can provide an additional positive effect in some patients when most medications have been ineffective. This is the so-called ketogenic diet, which is widespread today in Europe and America.

Why do you need a ketogenic diet?

Typically, the ketogenic diet is used for severe, difficult-to-treat forms of epilepsy, including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The diet was invented in the 20s of this century in the USA, when nutritionists and pediatricians drew attention to the special biochemical processes occurring in the human body during fasting, which ultimately lead to a decrease in the number of epileptic seizures.

It is known that with the help of fasting they tried to treat epilepsy at the beginning of our era and in the Middle Ages (then it was called “treatment by prayer and fasting”), and sometimes this practice actually led to an improvement in the condition of patients. Nowadays, scientists have found that during prolonged fasting, the body “rebuilds” the metabolism in such a way that the brain begins to function with a greater “margin of safety” and attacks develop less frequently under such conditions. However, the ketogenic diet does not require long-term fasting, especially since it would be extremely difficult for a small child to abstain from food for at least a day (such experiments were carried out at the beginning of this century, but due to the severity and danger, the treatment of epilepsy by fasting was not used). The main content of the new treatment method is a specially calculated diet for the child, in which the amount of carbohydrates (sugar) is reduced and the bulk of the food consists of fats. When food is digested, fats are converted into specific metabolic products, so-called ketone bodies, which enter the brain and provide an anticonvulsant effect.

There are over 50 million people in the world with epilepsy. Some people got the disease as a hereditary factor, some became its owner due to a head injury, and others developed the disease due to a tumor formed in the brain. Today there are communities of epileptics who communicate in reality and via the Internet. Among the sick people there are many bright and extraordinary personalities. Anyone can find help and support. Tips, recommendations, stories of successful treatment - all this ceases to be a sealed secret! Look for useful information on our website and be sure that the fight against epilepsy gives excellent results!

Description of epilepsy - signs of manifestation of the disease

Children and adolescents most often suffer from epilepsy. It is believed that the disease occurs in 1% of people under the age of 18 years from the total population of this age group. Epilepsy occurs in adults and older people. However, in this case, it more often acts as a complication after strokes, injuries and other vascular pathologies. In Russia, the development of epilepsy is progressing at a pace similar to the world level.

When most of us hear about the disease, we imagine a fallen person convulsing. Foam appears at the mouth, he makes inarticulate sounds, and, tired from the attack that has been ongoing for a long time, he falls silent and slowly falls asleep, exhausted. This is a classic manifestation of epilepsy, medically called a generalized tonic-clinical seizure. Often the disease is accompanied by other symptoms, including loss of consciousness, inappropriate reactions to others, and withdrawal.

The attack time can be minimal and take only a few seconds. Doctors say that this condition is often invisible from the outside; it can be mistaken for absent-mindedness or inattentiveness. However, if such symptoms tend to recur with a certain frequency, loved ones notice alarming phenomena and consult a doctor. In medicine, these cases are called absence seizures.

During an absence seizure, you will not notice the patient convulsing, but will only see a person falling out of reality for no more than 30 seconds. He will not react to the people around him, show attention to them, or be distracted by questions and extraneous irritants. At this time, he seems to be given to himself and is alone with his own thoughts. It is important to pay attention to the manifestation of this behavior in time, since in the future the frequency of these attacks increases. They can occur up to several dozen times a day, which frightens others.

Children also experience nocturnal attacks, which are not similar to a traditional epilepsy attack. During sleep, a child tends to take unusual positions, in which increased tension in certain parts of the body clearly appears. You can notice how the mouth twists, how the awakened baby tries to say something, but cannot do it due to the tension spasms that arise. It is important not to make the mistake that disturbances of consciousness are related to epileptic seizures. In the case of epilepsy, seizures always occur spontaneously, without a specific cause. It is difficult to predict their appearance, since in most cases they appear out of nowhere.

Causes of epilepsy - where does the attack come from?

WHO groups the causes of the disease into several main forms, including:

Ideopathic form - the disease is genetic in nature and is inherited, sometimes after several dozen generations, which does not make it possible to immediately identify the root cause of the disease. In this form, there is no organic brain damage, but a specific reaction of neurons to external stimuli is observed. The course of the attacks is unstable, seizures occur for no reason.
Symptomatic form - trauma, tumors, intoxication of the body, and developmental defects have a significant impact on the development of the disease. The attack has a sudden onset and can be caused by even the slightest irritant from the outside (injection, insult, severe frustration).
The cryptogenic form - the cause of the manifestation of pulsed foci has not been precisely identified.

Why does the disease occur? What are the causes of epilepsy that cause terrible seizures? It is believed that there are a great many forms of the disease and the causes that cause it. The cause may be a difficult pregnancy, pathological childbirth, mechanical injuries to the pregnant woman and the baby. In these cases, epilepsy occurs early and manifests itself in the first or second years of a child’s life.

Despite the long period of study of the disease, there is no certainty that epilepsy in most cases occurs due to the presence of a genetic predisposition. According to statistics, 40% of epileptics have a history of relatives with a similar illness, but this does not give the right to say that unfavorable heredity is always passed on from generation to generation. Among the most common causes of the disease are:

history of traumatic brain injury;
diseases of parasitic or viral origin that give complications in the form of epileptic seizures;
insufficient blood supply to the brain and resulting oxygen starvation;
emerging tumors, abscesses and formations of unknown etiology in various parts of the brain.

Medicine is unable to determine the exact causes of epilepsy in 70% of cases. However, specially organized studies have shown that the sensitivity of brain tissue in people with epilepsy is several times higher than in healthy people to the same stimuli. If a healthy person does not notice the influence of a certain signal from the outside, then the patient’s response is an epileptic seizure.

By nature, an attack is the result of synchronous excitation of brain neurons. Nerve cells of a certain area of the cortex are excited - the so-called epileptogenic focus, which gives a reaction. The causes may be meningitis, stroke, alcoholism, drug addiction, multiple sclerosis. It has been proven that every 10th alcoholic is susceptible to epileptic seizures. Another interesting trend is that more than 60% of people suffering from epilepsy experienced their first attack of the disease before the age of 18 years.

It is easy for a person unfamiliar with the problem to confuse hysteria with epilepsy. The seizures are similar in many ways, but have clear differences. A hysterical attack is a consequence of a strong stress-generating effect on the psyche. It occurs as a response to frustration, severe resentment, grief, and can be a consequence of fear or other experiences. Typically, hysteria occurs in the presence of other people, it can last from 15 minutes to a couple of hours, and may be accompanied by convulsive body movements.

A person in this state screams, falls, and performs spectacular actions in public. But if you look closely, he does not seek to harm himself with careless movements, does not try to cause serious damage and is in a state of consciousness. Having woken up from hysteria, a person does not experience the stupor and drowsiness characteristic of epilepsy. He quickly comes to his senses and begins to control his own behavior.

In cases of mild epilepsy, a seizure may appear as a brief loss of connection with the outside world. The patient's eyelids twitch slightly, his face trembles convulsively, and there is a slight pulsation of the muscles. From the outside, this state looks like absorption in one’s own thoughts or deep thoughtfulness. People around you may not even notice the attack. Moreover, a seizure may go unnoticed by the patient.

A distinctive feature that signifies the approach of an attack is the presence of an aura - a special reaction of the body. Warning symptoms may include fever, dizziness, unreasonable anxiety and fussiness. During an attack, the patient does not understand anything, does not feel pain or discomfort. The attack lasts several minutes, so it often goes unnoticed by others.

Benign and malignant epilepsy

The disease epilepsy is divided into benign and catastrophic (pathological) forms. The first is characterized by rare attacks that do not have a detrimental effect on personality development. It is recognized that this form of the disease can go away on its own without specialized treatment or medical intervention. However, this type of disease is typical exclusively for children.

Catastrophic forms of epilepsy have another name - epileptic encephalopathies. The disease is also observed only in childhood, but unlike benign epilepsy, it is very severe and is accompanied by disturbances in speech and neuropsychic functions. The disease has a significant impact on personality development and can cause mental illness.

Living with epilepsy - the struggle for health

To neutralize the manifestations of epilepsy, doctors prescribe medications that differ in strength and intensity of action, depending on the general clinical picture of the disease. Their use is lengthy and requires great responsibility from the patient. It is strictly forbidden to skip taking medications recommended by your doctor. Even a benign form of epilepsy can be treated for several years before its symptoms subside.

In the case of a complex form of the disease, medications have been taken for decades. It is not always possible to cure a harmful condition, but you can achieve control over it, which greatly simplifies life and improves its quality. For the patient, the absence of seizures is an opportunity to live a full life. A person with epilepsy, in the absence of sudden attacks and fits, can play sports, have various hobbies, travel the world, learn the traditions of different countries and cultures. Physical and intellectual stress, as well as emotional stress, rarely become triggers for an attack. Therefore, you should not significantly limit yourself if the course of the disease is favorable.

Abroad, people with epilepsy who have not had seizures for a long time are given a driver's license and a permit to drive a vehicle just like everyone else. However, after getting rid of seizures for a long time, you should be careful about your health. It is required to maintain a balanced regime of sleep and wakefulness, rest and exercise. You should absolutely not drink alcohol. You should choose your activity with caution, trying to avoid extreme activities. Although the likelihood of an attack can be reduced with the help of medications, the risk of its reoccurrence in the future cannot be ruled out.

Pregnancy and epilepsy - a factor of caution

The period of gestation is a particularly important time in the life of every woman. Therefore, great attention must be paid to all possible risk factors that could pose a threat to the mother and the child developing in the womb. If a pregnant woman suffered from epilepsy as a child, which subsequently went away, there is no reason to worry about the safety of the child. The situation is different when the conversation turns to a future mother suffering from an illness during pregnancy. She must be monitored by an epileptologist. Pregnant women suffering from epilepsy are monitored in accordance with the standards of the International League Against the Disease.

It is believed that taking medications prescribed by a doctor and strictly following the recommendations of a specialist provide a 95% guarantee that a healthy child will be born, and the birth process will not cause a negative reaction from the body. Moreover, there is a well-known opinion of professional doctors who claim that pregnancy in some situations can soften the course of epilepsy and make seizures less common.

Perception of a patient with epilepsy in society

Russian society has not yet become accustomed to the normal perception of sick people on the streets, in schools, in state companies and commercial structures. Therefore, a sudden epileptic attack in full view of passers-by can become a serious psychological trauma for a sick person. Most people suffering from an illness try to hide their own illness, keep silent about it, and not make it known to colleagues at work, housemates, or business partners. Unfortunately, epilepsy is perceived as some kind of shameful stigma, inferiority, inferiority. What can we say about ordinary people, when even some doctors believe that the disease in any of its manifestations has a serious impact on the patient’s level of intelligence, disrupting and deforming it. In reality, everything is different.

The majority of patients with epilepsy do not have any mental disorders or personality disorders. These are ordinary people, among whom there are quite a few professionals in one industry or another. The more offensive is the cruelty of others who refuse to admit an epileptic to kindergarten, school, or work.

Since ancient times, little has changed in the everyday perception of epileptics, when they were spoken of as people endowed with demonic powers. It was believed that they were capable of infecting by simply touching or inhaling the same air in a room with healthy people. However, not everyone shared this point of view. There is another opinion, according to which epilepsy is a disease of the elite. Napoleon, Gaius Julius Caesar, and Alexander the Great suffered from it. These great personalities made history, conquered continents and cities, and shaped destinies.

Comparing the level of social support for sick patients abroad and in Russia, it should be noted that in our country there is no legislative framework defending the rights of epileptics. Abroad, the presence of public organizations that lobby for the interests of patients is considered normal. Active information work is carried out with them, within the framework of which specialists explain the rights, interests and characteristics of the lives of these people. In European countries, epileptics are not perceived by society as outcasts; they are not labeled as inferior.

Symptoms of epilepsy - learning to distinguish an attack

The disease may look different in different forms of the disease. This depends on the manifestation of a pathological discharge in a specific area of the brain. The consequence of its influence can be speech disorders, failure in coordination of movements, changes in muscle tone (increase and decrease in muscle tension), and mental deviations from the norm. Symptoms can manifest themselves either in individual reactions or in their complex. Let's look at several types of epilepsy in more detail to study the symptoms of the disease.

Jacksonian attacks - since a clearly localized area of the brain is irritated, the symptoms are specific in nature and affect a specific muscle group. A sudden psychomotor disorder is short-lived and usually lasts a few minutes. The patient experiences confusion and loss of contact with people around him. He does not realize that he has suffered an epileptic attack, so he refuses help offered from outside. Mild cramps or slight numbness begin to appear in the extremities - hands, legs, feet. If the spasms spread throughout the body or involve a large part of it, a generalized or grand mal seizure occurs, which is characterized by:

Precursors in the form of a state of anxiety and restlessness that arise several hours before the onset of an attack. The patient's nervous excitement is increasing.
Tonic convulsions, when the patient's head is thrown back, the muscles of the body tense, the body is stretched into a kind of arc, reminiscent of a bow in shape. Stopped breathing blocks the access of oxygen to the lungs, and the patient’s face takes on a bluish tint. The phase lasts no more than 30 seconds, in rare cases reaching a minute.
Clonic convulsions, in which there is a rhythmic contraction of the muscles of the body. Salivation increases and foam comes out of the mouth. The phase lasts no more than 5 minutes, after which the cramps go away. Breathing is restored, swelling in the face and the swelling caused by lack of oxygen disappears, and the bluishness of the skin disappears.
Stopper - a sharp relaxation of the muscle corset, possible involuntary discharge of urine and feces. The patient may lose consciousness and faint. The duration of the phase reaches half an hour. There are no reflexes at this time.
Dream.

After a seizure, the patient may experience headaches and dizziness for several days. At this time, muscle weakness is typical.

Minor attacks have a milder manifestation. During their course, there is a twitching of the facial muscles, a sharp relaxation or, on the contrary, a toning of the muscular corset of the body. Consciousness is not lost, absence is possible. The patient may roll his eyes and freeze for a short time. These attacks most often occur in preschool age. After their completion, patients cannot remember what happened recently.

Status epilepticus is the most terrible condition in which immediate medical attention is required due to increasing brain hypoxia. The sequential manifestation of a whole series of attacks is accompanied by a lack of consciousness, decreased muscle tone, and the absence of reflex manifestations of the body.

It should be noted that any epileptic seizures begin spontaneously and also end suddenly.

What examinations need to be completed

Before diagnosing the disease, the doctor examines the patient, fills out his health card, and identifies risk factors associated with a history of relatives with epilepsy. Systemic and chronic diseases of the patient are identified, the symptoms of the attacks that appear are checked and carefully studied. The frequency of seizures, their strength, intensity and duration are studied. To do this, the patient himself and people close to him are interviewed. This helps to reconstruct the picture in detail, since in most cases the patient does not remember what happened to him. In addition to the specified set of measures, the epileptologist refers the patient to electroencephalography, which results in a pulse recording of brain activity and neuron activity. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging may also be used.

Prognosis map of the disease

Provided that epilepsy was detected in a timely manner and received proper treatment, life without seizures is observed in 80% of cases. These people are active, social, fully developed. Many of them adhere to drug therapy for the disease throughout their lives according to the schedule recommended by the doctor. They take special medications, neutralizing the possibility of attacks. The list of drugs, as well as the dosage of the drugs, are determined by the attending physician depending on the form and nature of the disease. Patients with generalized tonic-clonic seizures need constant care and monitoring from close relatives, since if a seizure develops, there is a high probability of death under unfavorable circumstances.

Treatment of epilepsy - stages of therapy

Stable remission is achieved in 80% of cases of epilepsy treatment. About 35% manage to get rid of the disease for good with the support of doctors and close relatives. Upon initial diagnosis, a timely course of drug therapy helps to suppress seizures for several years to come or neutralize the disease completely in most cases.

The content of the therapeutic course depends on the form of the disease, the symptoms that appear, the age of the patient and his general state of health. Epilepsy is treated with conservative methods or surgical intervention. Doctors most often try to avoid the second method, since with proper prescription of medications and their timely administration, they can achieve successful results in 90% of cases. Drug treatment is based on compliance with the main stages of therapy:

Diagnosis of epilepsy with determination of the type and form of the disease for the competent selection of an effective drug.
Identifying the root causes of the disease. If a symptomatic form of the disease manifests itself, a detailed examination of the brain is carried out, aneurysms, malignant tumors, and benign neoplasms are identified.
Development of a schedule of measures to eliminate risk factors to prevent the development of attacks. It is necessary to eliminate stress factors, minimize situations of mental and physical fatigue, drinking alcoholic beverages, hypothermia and overheating of the body.
Relief of attacks by providing immediate assistance, taking anticonvulsants and other medications prescribed by a doctor.

The main task of the attending physician is to inform relatives caring for the patient about the correct behavior during periods of convulsions and epileptic attacks. Timely assistance will help protect the patient from injury and prevent death where it can be avoided.

Omega-3 treats epilepsy and reduces seizures

This is evidenced by data from a study conducted by the University of California, USA. The sample consisted of 24 people with epilepsy and prone to seizures. The result of the experiment showed that Omega-3 acids consumed daily in food help reduce the occurrence of epileptic seizures by up to 36%. The intake of useful substances into the body occurred thanks to fish oil capsules. The study lasted for 2.5 months. In addition to reducing the symptoms of epilepsy and reducing the excitability of brain cells, patients experienced normalization of blood pressure in the body.

You can take Omega-3 not only in capsule form. Eating fatty varieties of sea fish helps the body receive useful elements. These include Atlantic herring, mackerel, sardines, trout, tuna, and salmon. All kinds of dietary supplements based on the use of Omega-3 in their composition have proven themselves well.

The catogenic diet for epileptics works wonders

Doctors agree that the catogenic diet allows epileptics to improve their quality of life by softening the manifestation of seizures and making them more rare. The technique is prohibited for children under one year of age. Since food consumption follows strictly regulated standards, only a doctor can prescribe a diet after a complete examination of the patient’s clinical picture.

Long-term dietary restriction can reduce the frequency of seizures. There are cases where, after using the catogenic diet, the symptoms of eilepsy completely disappeared. However, the aggressive nature of the diet is not for everyone. The doctor must carefully monitor the patient’s condition and be sensitive to any changes in well-being. The essence of the diet is fasting. In the first three days, the patient is asked to take exclusively plain water without gases. During this period, physical activity is reduced and bed rest may be maintained.

Starting from the fourth day, the patient gradually introduces solid foods into his diet, which include chicken breast, eggs, sausages, and cottage cheese. Fasting is prohibited on these days. You need to eat in small portions, at least 5-6 times a day. Products are carefully calculated. As a result, on the “edible” days of the week you should get a menu with the following proportions: 4 shares of fats/1 share of proteins/1 share of carbohydrates. You should not eat potatoes, beets, cereals, bread, pasta, or carrots.

For children with epilepsy from one to 12 years of age, the catogenic diet is transformed. Nutritionists include milkshakes prepared according to a special recipe in the diet. The main goal of the diet is to teach patients to eat foods rich in fat. Fats have antiepileptic properties, so they help the body fight the disease more effectively.

During the catogenic diet, it is allowed to eat fermented milk and dairy products, lean turkey and chicken meat, sea fish, eggs, fatty cottage cheese, vegetables, tea and coffee with cream. It is recommended to drink a lot of water to remove toxins and decay products. On the Internet you can find many recipes for the catogenic diet, which will make it more interesting and original.

Traditional medicine recipes in the fight against epilepsy

Folk wisdom offers its own means of combating epileptic seizures. However, a passion for prescriptions can be destructive if you do not coordinate them with your doctor or neglect traditional medicinal medicine. Among the most popular folk remedies are:

Stone oil , rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements. It has pronounced antispasmodic and immunomodulatory properties. The most widely used is the “Siberian” recipe for combating the disease. According to it, 3 grams of oil are diluted in 2 liters of water. The solution is taken before meals for a month three times a day, no more than once a year in full course.

Herbal powder , for the preparation of which equal parts of dried peony, licorice and duckweed are taken. You can grind the raw materials using a blender, mortar or coffee grinder. The drug is taken in half a teaspoon along with a diphenine tablet three times a day for up to 2 weeks, followed by a week break and a repetition of the two-week schedule. A total of three courses are recommended. Since the product contains a drug, it is worth getting a doctor's recommendation to take it.

Maryin root is used in the form of an alcoholic tincture of the petals. The tincture has a beneficial effect on neurasthenia, paralysis, and epilepsy. Infuse 3 tablespoons of the solution in a bottle of vodka for a month. Take a teaspoon with meals three times a day.

On the Internet you can find many recipes that treat epilepsy and neutralize seizures. According to naturopathic doctors, herbs such as Blue cyanosis, Hogweed, Shiksha, Chernobyl, Oregano, Drupe, St. John's wort and Meadowsweet help well. However, it is better to select herbs together with your doctor on an individual basis. Incorrectly prescribed therapy can delay the time needed to correct epilepsy and have a detrimental effect on the general condition of the body.

Herbalists say that medicinal plants can give good results, but they need to be used for a long time. The cumulative effect of the positive effects of herbal components promotes long-term use. Sometimes homeopathic treatment lasts several years.

In addition to herbs, manual techniques for treating epilepsy are also known, which came to us from recipes of folk wisdom. During an attack, it is recommended to press the epileptic’s left hand to the floor, while simultaneously stepping on the patient’s left little toe. This is easy to do when the patient is in a supine position during an attack. In addition to these recipes, there are techniques based on smell. It is recommended to constantly place myrrh resin in the epileptic’s room, which can be bought in the church. Priests used this miraculous substance to heal in ancient times. Resin calms the nervous system, has a beneficial effect on mood and harmonizes the emotional background.

Drug therapy for epilepsy - mandatory compliance with conditions

Taking medications in strict accordance with the dosage and schedule allows you to bring epilepsy attacks under control. Skipping pills and lack of consistency in treatment create significant risks for the occurrence of epileptic seizures. During conservative treatment, the following conditions must be observed:

Follow the medication schedule and exact dosage recommended by your doctor;
Avoid self-medication and the use of any medications without the consent of your doctor. If your friends recommended the drug or the pharmacist at the pharmacy praised the new drug, discuss the possibility of taking it with the specialist treating you;
Therapy should not be stopped when lasting results have been achieved. An independent decision to discontinue the drug can provoke an attack. Only an epileptologist or neurologist can cancel the appointment.

The patient is obliged to notify the doctor supervising the treatment about the manifestation of non-standard reactions of the body to external or internal stimuli. If previously unusual symptoms appear, you should notify your doctor immediately.

The majority of people with epilepsy successfully cope with seizures by taking medications prescribed by a doctor. A correctly selected drug and its proper dosage can stop the development of the disease for many years, forcing the patient to forget about previously manifested attacks. According to standard practice, the doctor initially prescribes a minimal dose of an antiepileptic drug and then monitors the patient. If it is impossible to prevent attacks with small doses, the dosage is increased. As soon as stable remission occurs, the successfully selected dosage is fixed in the patient’s medication schedule.

Prescribed medications include carboxamides, valproates, phenytoins, and phenobarbital. Wherein

How it's done?

When prescribing a ketogenic diet, the diet for each child is calculated only by a doctor strictly individually, taking into account the diagnosis, age and weight of the child, and his nutritional needs. The diet is calculated in accordance with special programs developed in leading clinics in the world (Johns Hopkins University Clinic in the USA, a number of clinics at leading universities in Europe and America). The content of basic nutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates) in food is selected in a certain ratio, which is determined by the doctor. During treatment, this ratio may change, so constant monitoring of the patient by the attending physician is necessary, who, if necessary, makes dietary adjustments. The patient's diet includes various types of fatty foods - bacon, heavy cream, vegetable oils, such as flaxseed. In countries where the use of the ketogenic diet has become widespread, the food industry produces many specialty products that can provide a varied and nutritious menu. For those starting a course of treatment, nutritionists have developed special milkshakes with a lot of fat, which children can not only drink, but also eat frozen like ice cream. This helps the child get used to fatty foods and creates the necessary biochemical changes in the body that provide an antiepileptic effect. During treatment, the doctor requires great skill in drawing up a menu, otherwise the child will quickly get tired of the monotonous diet, and he may refuse to eat altogether. During various diseases, such as a cold, metabolism always changes. This may make the ketogenic diet less effective. During such conditions, you should definitely consult with your doctor so that he can adjust the menu.

Institute of Child Neurology and Epilepsy

For many centuries, the search for various methods of treating epilepsy has continued. Antiepileptic drugs are highly effective for epilepsy, but they have a variety of, sometimes very serious, side effects. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that during severe attacks, doctors are forced to prescribe several medications at the same time, which means that the likelihood of toxic effects increases.

Scientists are constantly striving to create new effective and safe treatments for epilepsy. There is a method for treating severe forms of epilepsy that has almost no side effects and can be comparable in effectiveness to modern medications. This is the so-called ketogenic diet, which is widespread today in Europe and America. Typically, the ketogenic diet is used for severe, difficult-to-treat forms of epilepsy, including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and partial forms of epilepsy. The diet was developed in the 20s of the last century in the USA, when nutritionists and pediatricians drew attention to the special biochemical processes occurring in the human body during fasting, which ultimately lead to a decrease in epileptic seizures.

They tried to treat epilepsy with the help of fasting back in the Middle Ages (then it was called “treatment by prayer and fasting”), and sometimes this practice actually led to an improvement in the condition of patients. The ketogenic diet does not require prolonged fasting, especially since it would be extremely difficult for a small child to abstain from food for even a day. The main content of the new treatment method is a specially calculated diet for the child, in which the amount of carbohydrates (sugar) is reduced and the bulk of the food consists of fats. When food is digested, fats are converted into specific metabolic products, so-called ketone bodies, which enter the brain and provide an anticonvulsant effect. When prescribing a ketogenic diet, the diet for each child is calculated only by a doctor strictly individually, taking into account the diagnosis, age and weight of the child, and his nutritional needs. The content of basic nutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates) in food is selected in a certain ratio, which is determined by the doctor. During treatment, this ratio may change, so the patient must be constantly under the supervision of the attending physician, who, if necessary, makes dietary adjustments.

The patient's diet includes various types of fatty foods - bacon, heavy cream, vegetable oils (for example, flaxseed). In countries where the use of the ketogenic diet has become widespread, the food industry produces many specialty products that can provide a varied and nutritious menu. For those starting a course of treatment, nutritionists have developed special milkshakes with a lot of fat, which children can not only drink, but also eat frozen like ice cream. This helps the child get used to fatty foods and creates the necessary biochemical changes in the body that provide an antiepileptic effect.

During the treatment process, the doctor requires great skill in creating a menu, otherwise the child will quickly get bored with the monotonous diet and may refuse to eat altogether. Typically, the ketogenic diet is used in children from 1 to 12 years of age, but there is evidence of its effectiveness in adults, as well as in children in the first year of life, starting from 4 months of age. At an early age (up to 1 year), it is difficult to choose the necessary products that would allow the child to grow and develop normally.

The use of a ketogenic diet can reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures (in some cases, achieve complete remission), improve the memory and attention of patients. In addition, an important advantage of the ketogenic diet is the ability to reduce the dose of antiepileptic drugs taken, thereby avoiding their side effects. In some patients, the effect of the ketogenic diet may be so pronounced that it allows the drug to be discontinued completely.

The effect of the ketogenic diet occurs gradually during the first 3 months after starting its use. Typically, long-term treatment is required (for several years, usually 2-3 years), after which a stable improvement is generally observed, which persists even with a normal diet. Thus, there is no need to follow a ketogenic diet for life.

The ketogenic diet has few side effects. Basically, these are temporary dysfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract (constipation) and a lack of certain vitamins, which can be easily corrected with the help of modern vitamin-mineral complexes. Inconveniences include the need for daily monitoring of the child’s nutrition, the selection of special foods and the exclusion of sugar from food, which causes particular protest from patients.

Concerns are sometimes expressed that the use of high-fat foods increases the likelihood of atherosclerosis. Apparently, such phenomena can be observed in people with a hereditary predisposition, but manifestations of atherosclerosis in children receiving a ketogenic diet have not yet been found, especially since after completing the diet, all biochemical processes quickly return to normal.

Currently, more and more new centers dedicated to the ketogenic diet are being created in different countries of the world. Once again, it should be emphasized that the prescription and administration of the ketogenic diet is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor specializing in the field of this treatment method.

Our Center does not treat epilepsy using the ketogenic diet method. This method has not been developed in Russia. The first experience of using the ketogenic diet was obtained at the Scientific and Practical Center for Medical Care for Children in Solntsevo (Aviatorov Street 38).

A consultation is possible in France (Dr. O. Dulac) to select a ketogenic diet.

Who can follow the ketogenic diet?

Typically, the ketogenic diet is used in children from 1 to 10-12 years old, but there is evidence of its effectiveness in adults, as well as in children starting from 4 months of age. But at an early age, i.e. Before 1 year of age, it is difficult to choose the necessary products that would allow the child to grow and develop normally. In adults, the use of a ketogenic diet is more difficult than in children. This is due to the fact that the child’s body is more able to adapt to new conditions, while the metabolic processes in adults and children are somewhat different. The exact mechanism of action of the ketogenic diet has not been discovered to date, however, numerous scientific studies show its high effectiveness in various, including severe forms of epilepsy, except in cases with organic brain damage (for example, the diet is ineffective for epileptic seizures that occur after brain injury ).

Innovative medicine Treatment of epilepsy

Russian Medical Server / Treatment of epilepsy / Ketogenic diet for epilepsy

The ketogenic diet is one of the old methods that is used to treat epilepsy. It is designed to change the patient's metabolism so that fats, rather than carbohydrates, are used as energy fuel. This leads to an increase in the level of so-called ketone bodies in the blood. It was found that in some patients with epilepsy, with this type of metabolism, the number of epileptic seizures decreases or they stop altogether.

The point of the ketogenic diet is to sharply reduce carbohydrates in food and increase the amount of fat. At the same time, when fats become the main source of energy, the level of their breakdown products – ketone bodies – increases in the blood. The patient must strictly follow this diet, since its violation reduces its effectiveness and the whole point of the diet. Typically, children on such a diet do not gain weight well. However, gradually, the child grows and weight gain should be carefully monitored.

With a ketogenic diet, the ratio of fat to protein and carbohydrates is usually 4 to 1, or sometimes 3 to 1. The latter ratio is most often used in cases where the patient requires a higher content of carbohydrates and proteins in food.

The ketogenic diet is used primarily in children with generalized seizures when drug treatment is ineffective, such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. This type of epilepsy is characterized by generalized seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, and falls with convulsions, and is common in children with other neurological disorders, such as cerebral palsy or mental retardation. It is also characterized by low effectiveness of drug therapy. It is in these patients that the ketogenic diet can be effective. Most often it is used in children aged 2 to 12 years with generalized types of epilepsy, when antiepileptic drugs are ineffective. Recent studies have also confirmed that this diet may be effective for partial seizures.

Typically, a ketogenic diet begins with a period of fasting until the body begins to synthesize ketone bodies. During this period, the patient must remain in the hospital so that the doctor can monitor the side effects of such a diet (vomiting, nausea, decreased blood sugar, dehydration and seizures). In addition, the doctor may adjust the dose of antiepileptic drugs at this time to prevent sedation.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet in a patient with epilepsy, 2 months are allotted. If the diet is effective in reducing the frequency and severity of attacks, the patient continues to follow it for two years. During this period, the dose of antiepileptic drugs may be reduced.

The ketogenic diet can reduce the number of epileptic seizures by half in half of the children with this disease. Much less often - 10-15% - complete remission may occur.

Patients following a ketogenic diet should be supervised by a nutritionist and a neurologist or epileptologist who specializes in the ketogenic diet.

The ketogenic diet is rarely used in adult patients with epilepsy, although there are some studies that have found the diet to be effective (though to a lesser extent). Today, studies are still ongoing to evaluate the effectiveness of a modified ketogenic diet, in particular the Atkins diet, for epilepsy.

The ketogenic diet itself may also have some side effects. In particular, at the very beginning the patient may experience some lethargy and weakness, which is associated with adaptation to a decrease in carbohydrates in food.

With a ketogenic diet, there is some risk of kidney stones, increased blood cholesterol, dehydration, decreased baby weight gain, constipation, and bone fractures due to decreased levels of vitamins and calcium consumed.

Therefore, during a ketogenic diet, the patient must take vitamin-mineral complexes to compensate for the deficiency of micro- and macroelements and vitamins that are not supplied with fruits and vegetables.

When stopping a ketogenic diet, it is important to do so gradually, usually over several months. Canceling the ketogenic diet, as well as canceling drug therapy for epilepsy, may be accompanied by a deterioration in the patient’s well-being, as well as an increase in the frequency of epileptic seizures.

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When does the diet take effect?

The effect of using the ketogenic diet occurs gradually during the first 3 months after its start. Typically, long-term treatment is required (for several years, usually 2-3 years), after which a stable improvement is generally observed, which persists even with a normal diet. Thus, there is no need to follow a ketogenic diet for life. In many cases, the positive effect is noticeable already in the first or second week of treatment. However, sometimes within one or two months of using the diet no effect is noticeable - in this case it is too early to draw conclusions about the ineffectiveness of the treatment; perhaps the doctor needs to more carefully calculate the biochemical parameters.

How effective is the ketogenic diet?

According to various data, in approximately 60-80% of cases, the use of a ketogenic diet reduces the number of attacks by more than 50%, of which 40% of patients showed a reduction in the number of attacks by more than 90%. As with all treatments, a positive effect cannot be expected in all patients. Thus, in at least 20-30% of patients, the ketogenic diet is ineffective. Some doctors compare the effectiveness of the diet with the effectiveness of many commonly used anti-epileptic drugs, but we should not forget that the ketogenic diet is not an independent method of treating epilepsy, it is rather an additional way to combat seizures, allowing you to try to reduce the dose of drugs and avoid severe side effects which occur when taking certain antiepileptic drugs used in the treatment of severe forms of epilepsy.

Side effects and problems when using the ketogenic diet

The ketogenic diet has very few side effects, mainly temporary dysfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract (constipation) and a lack of certain vitamins, which can be easily corrected with the help of modern vitamin-mineral complexes. Inconveniences include the need for daily monitoring of the child’s nutrition, the selection of special foods and the exclusion of sugar from food, which causes particular protest from patients. But with appropriate training, the patient’s parents can learn to diversify the menu in such a way as not to cause rapid “boring”, and the deficiency of sweets can be compensated for by the use of special sugar substitutes, which are now available in a large assortment. Concerns are sometimes expressed that eating high-fat foods increases the likelihood of atherosclerosis. Apparently, such phenomena can be observed in people with a hereditary predisposition, but manifestations of atherosclerosis in children receiving a ketogenic diet have not yet been found, especially since after completing the diet, all biochemical processes quickly return to normal. In many countries, parents of children on the ketogenic diet band together to exchange literature, information and recipes.

Diet for epilepsy

The ketogenic diet (or keto diet) is a special menu consisting primarily of fats and proteins, while the list of permitted components also includes carbohydrates, but in limited quantities. Approximate proportions of fat and protein are 3:1 and 4:1.

What is the essence of such a diet:

The brain absorbs only glucose (it comes from carbohydrates), which saturates, nourishes and gives strength. Having received energy, the brain activates all its capabilities, spreading impulses along the nerve fibers. Impulses become provocateurs of active neurological actions, epileptic seizures.
A large amount of fats and proteins entering the body triggers the process of their breakdown, during which the liver actively secretes ketone. At the same time, there are so few carbohydrates that they cannot harm.
Ketone is an organic substance that completely replaces glucose, while being harmless to the body. The brain spends enormous resources on burning sugar, which leads to fatigue, weakness, and neurological disorders. Ketone becomes the very energy that is needed to maintain health.

Thus, fatty foods become a source of energy and at the same time inhibit nerve impulses. Now the keto diet is popular as a way to lose weight, but doctors do not recommend using it unless absolutely necessary.

What foods can you eat?

Despite the food restrictions, the list of permitted foods is quite extensive:

butter and vegetable oil;
fat cottage cheese, cream;
sour cream, mayonnaise;
milk, sour milk;
fried and boiled yolks;
sea fish and seafood;
fatty meat, chicken;
fresh fruits;
avocado;
greens, vegetables;
meat bacon;
hard cheese;
rich broth;
green tea.

Soups, salads with mayonnaise, and meat cutlets are recommended. In the morning it is advisable to eat scrambled eggs, you can add cream or sour cream.

Peculiarities of nutrition in children

The keto diet was originally developed for children with epilepsy. You can follow a low-carbohydrate diet from the age of 1 year - before this it is not recommended to limit nutrition due to the risk of delayed physical and mental development, as well as hypoglycemia (a sharp drop in blood sugar levels). A doctor's supervision is required.

In the first 1-3 weeks, rapid weight loss, fatigue and overwork, and mood swings are possible. A lack of carbohydrates in children can lead to a decrease in growth rate, so you will have to take additional vitamin and mineral complexes (calcium, magnesium, folic acid, vitamins B and D). In addition, at the beginning of the diet, the child is given ultra-fat drinks to prepare the body for the intake of large amounts of fat.

Nutritional features in adults

Dietary restrictions in adults can cause some disorders and complications, since the body is already accustomed to a certain diet. This is why doctors recommend starting ketogenic treatment in a hospital hospital - here the patient will be under the supervision of specialists who will promptly provide medical assistance in case of complications.

The keto diet begins with fasting - for the first 3-4 days the patient drinks only plain water without gas. It is also undesirable to eat later than 3 hours before bedtime. This is necessary in order to painlessly rebuild metabolic processes and not harm the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Any products are introduced gradually and the person’s condition is monitored. If positive results appear, the diet is continued; if side effects occur, the diet is suspended or the menu is changed.

Diet duration

The duration of dietary treatment depends on age, type and stage of the disease, and the body’s reaction to the new menu. To fully get used to a low-carb diet, children will need 2-4 weeks, adults - 1-3 weeks. The duration of the course is determined only by the attending physician. On average, you need to stick to a diet from 6 months to 2 years, but during this time the patient gets used to eating fatty and protein foods subconsciously. Periodically you will have to take tests and undergo instrumental diagnostics so that the doctor can monitor the dynamics of recovery.

What's driving the surge of interest in the ketogenic diet?

In the United States, until the 80s, the diet was used only in some university clinics, since most doctors did not have sufficient information about the principles of using the diet. The discovery of new antiepileptic drugs each time brought hope for an increasingly complete cure for a wide variety of patients, but over time, scientists began to look for an additional drug that could be effective in various forms of epilepsy and not cause severe side effects characteristic of some drugs used in treatment severe forms of epilepsy. At this time, reports began to appear in the press about the effectiveness of a forgotten method of treatment, invented at the beginning of this century. New centers dedicated to the ketogenic diet began to be created, and a large number of scientific publications on this topic appeared in leading medical publications. Today, ketogenic diet centers are located all over the world, including in former socialist countries - Poland, the Czech Republic, as well as in Latin America.

Alternative methods in the treatment of epilepsy

Publication date: April 21, 2021. Category: News and announcements.

At least 5% of the world's population has suffered an epileptic attack at least once in their life. Today, in the Shuryshkarsky district, 57 people suffering from the disease “Epilepsy” are registered with a neurologist at the dispensary.

Among these people, including 15 children. Some of them will be able to “outgrow” this disorder, but most will be forced to fight the disease throughout their lives. Every patient with epilepsy knows how important it is to observe some restrictive measures in their daily actions, so as not to harm themselves, wittingly or unwittingly. The same applies to strict control over the intake of antiepileptic drugs. BUT! Even correctly selected therapy, in at least 30% of cases, does not provide complete cessation of epileptic seizures. In this regard, alternative approaches to the treatment of epilepsy are relevant today throughout the world.

Phytotherapy.

Medicines based on medicinal plants are used, as a rule, as part of complex treatment (addition to antiepileptic drugs). A number of medicinal plants: chamomile, passionflower, valerian, due to their calming effect, can help increase the effectiveness of basic therapy. According to some reports, St. John's wort extract also helps reduce the frequency of seizures in epilepsy. However, when using medicinal plants, you should be careful and consult a doctor.

Fighting hypovitaminosis.

Vitamin B6 deficiency may contribute to the development of seizures. As part of the complex treatment of epilepsy, multivitamins containing vitamin B6, vitamin E, magnesium, and folic acid are often used. Long-term use of anticonvulsants, in itself, can contribute to a decrease in the blood plasma levels of various vitamins, including vitamins D and E.

Diet therapy: ketogenic diet.

The ketogenic diet is low in carbohydrates, high in fat and moderate in protein. Consumption of such food promotes the production of ketones, an increased level of which leads to a decrease in the frequency of epileptic seizures. The keto diet shows optimal results when used in children and young people with severe epilepsy. 50% of patients following a keto diet experience a decrease in the number of epileptic attacks, and the effect remains even when switching to a standard diet. The classic ketogenic diet is unbalanced. It contains very small portions of fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and calcium-rich foods. In addition to the keto diet, it is recommended to introduce vitamins B, calcium, and vitamin D into the diet as part of multivitamins.

Atkins diet.

The Atkins diet features high-protein and low-carbohydrate foods. The most common side effect of this diet is constipation, which is associated with a decrease in fluid volume in the body. The Atkins diet allows meat, including pork and beef, as well as fatty fish, seafood, eggs, full-fat dairy products, nuts, and olive oil. Prohibited foods include sugar, including in drinks, cakes, sweets, wheat and rice, low-fat foods and legumes. People following the Atkins diet are contraindicated in fruits and vegetables high in carbohydrates - bananas, apples, grapes, carrots.

Relaxation technique.

It is known that stress and anxiety increase seizure activity, so a number of alternative techniques in the treatment of epilepsy are aimed at improving the emotional state. There are many practices that help you relax, calm down, and normalize sleep. One of the popular techniques is yoga, based on breathing exercises and the use of various methods of meditation.

Other alternative methods.

Some studies have shown the effectiveness of correcting epilepsy using hypnosis in combination with aromatherapy. One third of the 100 participants in this study were seizure-free at 12 months. The experiment was quite labor-intensive, since it is necessary to take into account that some essential oils can provoke seizures, for example, eucalyptus, lavender, and rosemary oils. Another popular method is acupuncture. Acupuncture does not reduce the number of attacks, but it does help the patient feel better.

In any case, do not forget that folk remedies are not a method of treatment. Treatment is prescribed only by the attending physician!

Neurologist, MCRB Kholgova Irina Vladimirovna