1. Drugs: The Default Epilepsy Treatment
Of all the different types of epilepsy treatments available, drugs are most neurologists' first choice. Many come with a great number of side effects, but some are well tolerated and have been on the market for decades, like Dilantin. Considerable amounts of research already completed on these drugs make the potential side effects well known. Discuss with your doctor the type of seizures you are having and which medication might be right for you.
2. Surgery Can Be Risky
When drugs don't work, there is an alternative. Considered a last line of epilepsy treatments, mainly because of the risks involved, surgery doesn't always successfully reduce or eliminate the seizure activity. Expect to go on long term EEG monitoring to help determine the exact part of the brain that is causing the seizures. This will help your neurosurgeon determine where to perform the surgery.
3. Consider Alternative Epilepsy Treatments
Epilepsy treatments that are considered "alternative" include bio-feedback, serotonin, melatonin and mega dose vitamin therapy. All of these treatments could be helpful in some instances. For example, bio-feedback can be helpful in seizures triggered by stress. Because of the dietary connection with epilepsy, vitamin therapy may be helpful in those suffering with undiagnosed celiac disease or certain other bowel and mal-absorption issues. Serotonin and melatonin have also reduced seizure activity in some individuals, and this helps explain why some epilepsy patents have fewer seizures during the summer months.
4. Ketogenic Diet: The Choice for Children
The Mayo Clinic has used the ketogenic diet since 1921 to treat childhood epilepsy. This diet is successful in treating seizures in 50 percent of the patients who try it. The diet basically puts your body in starvation mode by cutting the carbohydrates completely out, severely reducing the amount of protein and getting most of your body's calorie needs from fats. Due to the high fat content and perceived increase in cardiovascular problems, doctors generally won't prescribe this treatment to adults.
5. The Gluten Connection
Some doctors have tried putting their patients on a low glutamate and aspartate diets. These items are found a in a great number of foods, but limiting them seems to help some people reduce or even eliminate seizure activity. Gluten grains, such as wheat, barley and rye, and casein (found in dairy products) contain higher amount of glutamate. Soy, which has other chemicals detrimental to your health, and corn are also carriers of glutamate. MSG is glutamate in its pure form and aspartame is the pure form of aspartate. Both are neuro-toxic and seizure patients should avoid products with these ingredients.
