A seizure happens when electrical communication in your brain misfires, causing one or more physical or behavioral symptoms. Causes of a seizure range from one of the many types of epilepsy to traumatic brain injury or chemical imbalance. A cavernoma, described as a cluster of dilated, abnormal blood vessels in the brain, can cause seizures. Cavernomas are usually managed medically; a ketogenic diet is unlikely to alleviate seizures associated with a cavernoma. Consult your doctor before making any significant changes to your diet.
Cavernoma Symptoms
Cavernomas, also known as cavernous malformations, cause seizures in roughly one-third of cases. According to the Toronto Brain Vascular Malformation Study Group, cavernomas are often discovered for the first time after a patient manifests with seizure symptoms. However, some 12 percent of patients with cavernomas have no noticeable symptoms. Headache or unexplained bleeding are other common symptoms of cavernomas. A cavernoma is not cancerous, and cannot spread to other parts of your body.
Cavernoma Treatment
Surgery is the main method of treatment for cavernoma. A surgeon can remove the cluster of abnormal blood vessels, which resembles a raspberry in appearance. As an alternative to surgery, a wait-and-see approach may be adopted, with the hope that the cavernoma will resolve itself without surgery. Alternative treatments and complementary therapies for cavernoma should be discussed on a case-by-case basis with your own doctor. You should not attempt to self-diagnose or self-treat this condition.
The Ketogenic Diet
The ketogenic is a high-fat diet that severely limits your intake of carbohydrates, overall calories and fluids. The diet is usually initiated with a hospital stay and a 24-hour fast under medical supervision. During the early stages of the diet, more seizures may occur. The diet functions by forcing your body to burn stored fat for energy. This process produces ketones, which may have an anticonvulsant or anti-seizure effect on the brain.
Ketogenic Diet Effectiveness
According to doctors Robert Fisher and Maslah Saul, the ketogenic diet will not effectively reduce seizures for most people with epilepsy. Since the early 20th century, the ketogenic diet has been used successfully in some individuals with certain types of seizure disorder. The diet is most effective for children younger than 12 who experience drop-type seizures. A ketogenic diet is most commonly used for children with the type of epilepsy known as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. An adult with seizures caused by cavernoma is unlikely to find the ketogenic diet effective in reducing her seizures. Possible side effects of the diet include raised cholesterol and weakened bones. The ketogenic diet should never be attempted without medical supervision.
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