Epilepsy Talk
Stress and Seizures…
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Let’s be honest, you probably didn’t plan on having epilepsy.
But here we are.
And we all know that stress is #1 in the hit parade of seizure triggers.
Endless surveys prove the fact.
Most people think of stress as being related only to unpleasant or sad times in their lives.
However, even “happy” stress can trigger seizures!
Tags: #1 trigger, anticipation, cortisol hormone, emotions, fight or flight, negative feelings, relaxation, seizures, stress, vicious cycle
Foods That Fight Stress…
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I worked as a writer in the health and wellness field for more than ten years. So I know a thing or two about this stuff. (And stress!)
But I also know from personal experience that epilepsy is a very unique condition.
Between all the different types of seizures, and triggers, and meds…there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
The same goes for de-stressing your diet.
What works for one might not work for another. And it certainly doesn’t take the place of meds.
However, I do believe that although living a healthy lifestyle won’t cure you…it can certainly help you.
So, here’s some information for sensible stress-busting eating…
Tags: anxiety, calm, cortisol, de-stress, depression, Folic Acid, foods, nervous system, panic, physical endurance, seizures, serotonin, stabilize, stress, vitamin B6
Syncope or Seizure?
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Studies have now confirmed what some doctors have long suspected — many young people who are given the diagnosis of epilepsy (or seizure disorder) apparently don’t have epilepsy at all.
Instead, they have a condition known as syncope.
Syncope (sing’-koe-pee), the medical term for fainting, is the sudden loss of consciousness and physical collapse due to lack of blood and oxygen to the brain. It can occur with or without warning — as an isolated event — or frequently, over time.
Since syncope can mimic the symptoms of some epileptic seizures — such as muscle twitching, shaking, convulsions and physical collapse — the confusion begins.
The Trouble with AEDs
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At the very best, finding the right anti-epilepsy drug is a crap shoot. There’s always the hope that this one will do it.
Or maybe adjunct therapy will work. Or, sigh, the side-effects derail you and you’re on to the next.
Is asking for seizure control too much?
Tags: anti-epilepsy drugs, benefits, dangers, seizures, side effects, uses
Epilepsy and Diabetes — Confusion or Common Cure?
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You might be surprised to hear it, but according to recent research, epilepsy and diabetes have more in common than we thought.
The key commonality is fluctuating blood sugar.
People with hyperglycemia tend to have focal or local seizures.
And those who are hypoglycemic, tend to have tonic-clonic seizures…
Tags: blood sugar, common, diabetes, Epilepsy, Glucophage, seizures
What’s Sweeter than Sugar and Good for You Too?
12 Comments
For many, high sugar intake can cause seizures…along with emotional instability…dizziness…depression…food allergies…diabetes…and osteoporosis…to name just a few.
Even worse, aspartame interacts with anti-seizure medication.
And over the years, various reports have implicated aspartame in headaches, memory loss, seizures, vision loss, coma, and cancer.
It also appears to worsen or mimic the symptoms of such conditions as fibromyalgia, MS, lupus, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, chronic fatigue, and depression.
And, after receiving some 10,000 consumer complaints, the FDA compiled a list of 92 symptoms linked to aspartame — including death.
But there are two healthy alternatives…
Tags: 53 healthy ingredients, aspartame, death, good health, recipes, safe, seizures, stabilizes, stevia, sugar, supplements, therapeutic, win-win, xylitol
Sodium and Seizures
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You may think that sodium is a “bad guy” to be avoided or reduced at all cost, because too much is linked to high blood pressure.
But sodium is actually an essential electrolyte, and a deficiency can trigger seizures.
Tags: balance, blood panel, coma, death, high sodium, low sodium, monitoring, seizures, sodium
Updated — 40+ Different Kinds of Seizures
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When I was first diagnosed with epilepsy, there were two kinds of seizures. Grand Mal and Petit Mal. (Can you guess how old I am?)
Now, things are much more different and difficult. No more cut and dried.
So, please, if you have any additions, subtractions or corrections, feel free to chime in.
Because I don’t pretend to be an expert. In fact, this has certainly been a learning experience, from start to finish.
Here, to the best of my knowledge, are the 40+ different types of seizures.
Is Epilepsy Inherited?
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Just because you have a parent, sibling, cousin or aunt who has epilepsy doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have it also.
In fact, if you have a close relative with epilepsy, the chance of you having epilepsy is only about 2-5%, depending on the specific type of epilepsy.
The risk in the general population is about 1-2%.
On the other hand, there is a 92-98% chance for the close relative of someone with epilepsy to NOT have the same condition!
Tags: Epilepsy, family risk, genetic abnormalities, genetic testing, Research, seizure threshold, seizure-free, seizures
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