Epilepsy.

Epilepsy is defined as a condition whereby an individual is prone to recurrent epileptic seizures. These can be defined as a change in motor function or behaviour, resulting from a change in electrical activity of the brain.

There are many types of seizure which mean that the symptoms will vary. These seizures can occur without warning. The cause of epilepsy is unknown but it may be linked to:

• Damage to the brain either through malformation or injury.
• An illness like meningitis where the body temperature can rise above 39 C.
• Tumours in the head.
• Drug or alcohol abuse.
• Low blood glucose levels.
• Flashing lights: individuals who are photosensitive.

Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological condition, affecting at least 350,000 people in the UK, with a prevalence rate 10 fold higher than of multiple sclerosis and 100 times higher than that of motor neurone disease. About 30,000 people develop epilepsy every year and the condition will affect about 1 person in 20 at sometime during their lives. It affects approximately 0.5 to 1% of all children through the age of 16 years. It is the third most common of all serious neurological disorders in childhood.

Epilepsy is often difficult to diagnose, and it is not always clear if a child has had a seizure.

Epilepsy is often difficult to diagnose at the early stages, it usually takes place after one or more seizure episodes. As a parent or carer it is always helpful to describe what happens during a seizure to the GP: paying particular attention to their frequency and length. The final diagnosis is usually made by a neurologist or epilepsy specialist. They will usually undertake brain scan using MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT (Computer Tomography). Alternatively an EEG (electroencephalogram) to monitor the electrical activity of the brain cells.
There is no cure for epilepsy, but there are a number of therapies available:

• Drugs, which can cause side effects.
• Ketogenic Diet: a high fat low carbohydrate diet.
• Surgery: usually offer to very severe cases.
• Complementary therapies.
• Vagus Nerve Stimulation sends electric impulses via a stimulator to the left vagus nerve in the neck using a lead implanted under the skin
  

The rest of this website is dedicated to the Ketogenic diet.

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