SEIZURE
Disorder
A seizure is the response to an abnormal electrical discharge in the brain.
Anything that irritates the brain can produce a seizure. Two thirds of people who
experience a seizure never have another. One third go on to have recurring seizures (a
condition called epilepsy).
Precisely what happens during a seizure depends
on what part of the brain is affected by the abnormal electrical discharge. The
seizure discharge
may involve a tiny area of the brain and lead only to the person noticing an odd smell or
taste, or it may involve large areas and lead to a convulsion--jerking and spasms of
muscles throughout the body. The person may also have brief attacks of altered
consciousness; lose consciousness, muscle control, or bladder control; and become
confused.
Subscribe to a free Supplement Research Update newsletter at Physician Formulas. Twice a month we email a brief abstract of several studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics, including seizure treatment, and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Cause of
Seizure disorders
High fever due to infections. Most of the time, these types of febrile
seizure are temporary. Brain infections from a number of viruses and bacteria
are a cause of seizure. Antibiotic or antiviral therapy can treat the infection
and hence prevent the seizure from reoccuring.
Seizure can occur due to heatstroke.
Exposure to toxic drugs and substances such as excess alcohol, amphetamines, and cocaine
can certainly lead to seizures.
Withdrawal after heavy use of alcohol, sleep aids, tranquilizers.
Adverse reaction to prescription drugs.
Metabolic disturbances such as high levels of sugar or sodium in the blood, low levels of
sugar, calcium, magnesium, or sodium in the blood, kidney or
liver failure.
Insufficient oxygen to the brain from
strokes or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Destruction of brain tissue form head injury or brain tumor.
In rare cases, excessively high doses of certain nutrients and
herbs may cause a
seizure or make it more likely to occur.
Natural therapy for seizures
The ketogenic
diet may be helpful in reducing the frequency of seizures.
Improvement of sleep patterns
can help reduce the frequency of seizures.
Improvement in diet. A high-fat, low
carbohydrate diet can drastically cut seizures in children with severe epilepsy and could
reduce the need for medication.
Fish oils may be helpful,
see study below.
Melatonin has been found to be helpful in children
taking valproate (see study below)
Add calcium and
vitamin D since patients on medications often lose bone mass.
Bacopa has been used in
India for epilepsy however research on this herb regarding seizures is very
limited.
Carnosine has been looked into, see study below, but no human studies are
available.
Scutellariae radix water extract has anticonvulsant activity against tonic seizures in
mice. Its role in humans is not clear.
Yoga is helpful.
Supplements that may have an
adverse effect on seizure
Reduce or eliminate any kind of supplements that have a stimulant effect such as
tyrosine,
ephedra, caffeine,
guarana,
ginkgo, and teas that have caffeine.
Carnosine and Seizures
Carnosine, a precursor of histidine, ameliorates pentylenetetrazole-induced
kindled seizures in rat.
Neurosci Lett. 2006 May 29;400(1-2):146-9. Wu XH, Ding MP, Zhu-Ge ZB,
Zhu YY, Jin CL, Chen Z.
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou
310031, China.
Carnosine (beta-alanyl-l-histidine) has been characterized as a putative
neurotransmitter. However, so far, understanding of the role of carnosine in the
brain is very limited. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of
carnosine on the development of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) kindling seizures and
protection against the PTZ kindled seizures in rats. Injection of carnosine
(200, 500 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly decreased seizure stage, and prolonged the
latencies for myoclonic jerks, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In the
seizure development process, 500 mg/kg carnosine also significantly delayed the
onset of PTZ kindled seizures. In addition, carnosine significantly reversed
decreased histamine levels induced by PTZ kindled seizure in the hippocampus.
These results indicate that carnosine can protect against PTZ-induced seizures
in both the development of kindling and the challenge process in rats. The
results suggest that carnosine might be an endogenous anticonvulsant factor in
the brain and can be used as a new antiepileptic drug in future.
Anti Seizure medication
Type of seizure
Absence seizure - During an absence seizure it can appear to others that
the person is daydreaming, something we all do when we are bored or distracted.
However, during the absence seizure the person cannot be woken up since they are
temporarily unconscious.
Complex partial seizure
Focal seizure
Grand mall
Myoclonic
Partial seizure
Petit mal seizure - some people misspell this as petite mal seizure
Tonic clonic
Seizure symptom
Symptoms of seizures depend on the type of seizure, ranging from a hardly
noticed few second mental distraction to a total full blown epileptic seizure
involving all extremities and muscle groups leading to loss of consciousness. A
diabetic seizure can occur due to a sudden drop in blood sugar from insulin
overdose.
Seizure Research Update
After a seizure, early intervention with
anticonvulsant drugs appears to have little effect on the long-term prognosis of
epilepsy. When to begin treatment with antiepileptic drugs in patients with few
or infrequent seizures is a difficult decision. Doctors and patients must weigh
the risk of seizure recurrence against the risk of medication side effects.
Researchers evaluated the outcomes of patients who had single seizures and early
epilepsy whose doctors were uncertain whether to proceed with treatment. The
researchers randomly assigned 722 patients to start treatment immediately and
721 to defer treatment until the doctors and patient agreed that seixure
treatment was necessary. In the deferred-treatment group, 332 started treatment
during the course of the trial.
Patients who deferred treatment had a shorter time until the first or second
recurrent seizure. However, the two groups did not differ in time to a fifth
seizure. By the two-year follow-up, 32 percent of those in the
immediate-treatment group had a recurrent seizure versus 39 percent of those in
the deferred-treatment group. There was no greater improvement in quality of
life among those assigned to immediate treatment versus deferred treatment.
Immediate treatment was associated with more adverse events that were believed
to be treatment related. After three years, 74 percent of the
immediate-treatment group and 71 percent of the deferred-treatment group were
seizure-free. At 5 years, 76 percent and 77 percent were seizure free.
Screening of plants used in Danish folk medicine to treat
epilepsy and convulsions.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Nov 14;
Department of Medicinal Chemistry, The Danish University of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, 2 Universitetsparken, 2100 Copenhagen O, Denmark.
Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of 42 plants used in Danish folk medicine for the
treatment of epilepsy and convulsions, or for inducing sedation, were tested for
affinity to the GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptor in the flumazenil-binding assay.
Ethanolic extracts of leaves of Primula elatior and Primula veris and aerial
parts of Tanacetum parthenium exhibited good, dose-dependent affinity.
Vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine appears to increase a child's risk of having a seizure from a high fever -- a usually harmless event. However, the increased risk appears to be small and short-lived, Danish researchers report. Moreover, like other febrile seizures, those arising after vaccination were not associated with an increased risk of developing epilepsy.
Diet enriched with omega-3 fatty acids alleviates
convulsion symptoms in seizure patients.
Epilepsia. 2002 Jan;43(1):103-4.
We examined whether a dietary supplement containing omega-3 polyunsaturated
fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) can alleviate and/or reduce the frequency of epileptic
seizures in patients with central nervous system (CNS) diseases treated with
anticonvulsive drugs. A special spread containing 65% n-3 PUFAs was added to the
daily diet. The patients consumed 5 g of this spread at every breakfast for 6
months. RESULTS: Five patients completed the study. In all of them, a marked
reduction in both frequency and strength of the epileptic seizures was recorded.
CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of the dietary supplement containing n-3 PUFAs may be
beneficial in suppression of some cases of epileptic seizures.
Herbal Medicines and Epilepsy: The Potential for Benefit and Adverse Effects.
Spinella M. Epilepsy Behav. 2001 Dec;2(6):524-532.
The widespread availability and use of herbal medicines raise the potential
for seizures. Herbal sedatives (kava, valerian, chamomile, passionflower) may
potentiate the effects of antiepileptic medications, increasing their sedative
and cognitive effects. Despite some anti seizure effects in animal models, they
should not be used in place of standard seizure medications because efficacy has
not been established. Anecdotal, uncontrolled observations suggest that herbal
stimulants containing ephedrine (ephedra or ma huang) and caffeine (cocoa,
coffee, tea, mate, guarana, cola or kola) can exacerbate seizures in people with
epilepsy, especially when taken in combination. Ginkgo and ginseng may also
exacerbate seizures although the evidence for this is similarly anecdotal and
uncertain. St. John's wort has the potential to alter medication
pharmacokinetics and the seizure threshold. The essential oils of many plants
contain epileptogenic compounds. There is mixed evidence for evening primrose
and borage lowering the seizure threshold. Education of both health care
providers and patients is the best way to avoid unintentional and unnecessary
adverse reactions to herbal medicines.
Add-on melatonin improves quality of life in epileptic children on valproate
monotherapy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi, India.
Epilepsy Behav. 2004 Jun;5(3):316-21.
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in epileptic children
aged 3-12 years evaluated the effects of add-on melatonin administration on the
quality of life of these children on sodium valproate (VPA) monotherapy using a
parental questionnaire. Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy is a questionnaire
designed to assess a variety of age-relevant domains such as physical function,
emotional well-being, cognitive function, social function, behavior, and general
health. Of the 31 patients, 16 randomly received add-on melatonin (MEL), whereas
15 received add-on placebo (P). The questionnaire had good internal consistency
reliability, because for most of the multi-item scales Cronbach's [Formula: see
text] reliability exceeded 0.5 (range: 0.59-0.94). To our knowledge, this is the
first study assessing quality of life in epileptic children with add-on
melatonin administration in the form of a randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial. The study suggests a potential use of melatonin as an
adjunct to antiepileptic therapy due to its diverse spectrum of action as an
antioxidant, neuroprotector, and free radical scavenger, thus offering the
advantage of reducing oxidant stress and subsequent damage. The beneficial
effects of melatonin on sleep, its wide safety window, and its ability to cross
the blood-brain barrier have the potential to improve quality of life in
pediatric epilepsy.
The results of a
small study confirm previous findings that treatment with the anti-seizure drug
valproate tends to increase body weight. The results also show that patients
treated with the drug appear to have an increased risk of developing
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Ginkgo may induce seizures in
certain individuals in rare cases.
The fruit essential oil of Pimpinella anisum (
anise ) exerts anti -
seizure effects in mice.
J Ethnopharmacol. 1999 Aug;66(2):211-5.
This study investigates anti - seizure effects of an essential oil of the
fruits of anise, a folkloric remedy in the Iranian traditional medicine, against
seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) or maximal electroshock (MES) in
male mice. Anise essential oil suppressed tonic convulsions induced by PTZ or
MES. It also elevated the threshold of PTZ-induced clonic convulsions in mice.
Anise essential oil produced motor impairment. However, this effect was not
observed at the doses and time courses needed for anticonvulsant activity. seizure seizure natural therapy seizure vitamins herbs for seizures
Seizure emails
Q. I have epilepsy and last year in January 2005 I started taking Ginkgo
Biloba (120mg One a day), as I believed it would improve my poor circulation and
there was nothing stated on the packaging to suggest I shouldn't take it. One
month later I had a seizure. My usual recovery time is a maximum of 2 days ,
however I had to take two weeks off work due to residual effects, predominately
severe disorintation. The unexpected long duration of my initial recovery was
very destressing and I have only recently felt 100% again. I researched the
supplement after the incident, as this was the only change to my lifestyle and
was horrified that the risk of seizures although not 100% founded at present was
stated in several sources. Nothing was mentioned on the packaging of the
supplement and although I have sent and received various letters from the
company who is responsible, nothing could come of my misfortune due to the lack
of legislation relating to herbal supplements. The conclusion taken not only by
myself but also by my Neurologist was the supplement had triggered my seizure,
with my consent a medial case report has been compiled. The purpose of my email
is simply to pass the message on, and hope somewhere along the line suitable
changes to packaging and awareness are made.
Q. I have been taking 500mg a day of L-Tyrosine
since June 2006 in combination with 500 mg of Para Thyrolate, and vitamin B (as
prescribed by a nutritionist.) Also, I have high blood pressure and have been
taking hydrocholorathiazide for the past two years. On Friday December 22 I had
a Grand Mal Seizure followed by a second one 5 hours later. I have never had a
seizure before in my life and I am 36 years old. The day of the seizure I had
been feeling like I was coming down with a cold or flu and barely ate anything
all day. I have been reading up on the side effects of L-Tyrosine and realized
that I have been experiencing side-effects for quite some time; heart
palpitations
and what appeared to be mini panic attacks. Has L- Tyrosine ever been documented
to cause seizures? At the hospital they ran lots of tests and could not seem to
find anything wrong with me so the seizure remains unexplained.
A. Although we have not come across any published studies regarding
the role of l tyrosine on seizure inducement, we can not rule out the
possibility, that, in some people, it is possible that high doses of l tyrosine
could reduce the threshold for a seizure to occur. This is just speculation
since we have not seen actual research blaming l tyrosine supplement use and
seizure occurrence.
Q. My husband was placed on Keppra for a mild seizure problem after a stroke, he is 75 years old. The cure was worse than the disease. Keppra gave him agitation, dizziness, no balance, runny nose and a whole list of other side effects. He is so much better after stopping the Keppra. I told his doctor I refuse to give it to him.