Epilepsy is the repeated occurrence of seizures, which result from uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy action is the working name of british epilepsy association, a registered charity in england and wales no. For a more comprehensive evaluation of each treatment, readers are directed towards epilepsy. Aeds are the most commonly used treatment for epilepsy.
Use of complementary and alternative medicine and adherence to. Unlike antiepileptic drugs aeds, many cat therapies have not been rigorously tested for. Although the most commonly used therapeutic approach to control seizures is pharmacological, nonpharmacological therapies, including complementary and alternative medicine, are often used by people with epilepsy. Cam is generally used as an umbrella term to refer to any treatment that. Some people tell us that they find complementary treatments can help their epilepsy.
There are many varied symptoms and widely differing degrees of severity. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Definitions of what constitutes a complementary or alternative medicine cam vary, but. Alternative approaches to epilepsy treatment springerlink. For this reason, many sufferers choose to rely on or incorporate complementary and alternative medicine cam into their treatment regimens. In those whose seizures do not respond to medication, surgery. Dietary therapies for epilepsy johns hopkins university. Other alternative treatments that some people with epilepsy have tried include stress reduction techniques, yoga, herbs, and vitamin supplements. Epilepsy health, alternative complementary treatments and therapy for epileptic seizures. When a person starts a new epilepsy drug, according to the ninds, its important to tailor the dosage to achieve the best results. This makes them an attractive alternative for those needing more than one antiseizure medication. Nonpharmacological treatments for epilepsy epilepsy society.
Complementary and alternative medicine is considered and used by many people with. Nurses have a unique opportunity to provide services that facilitate wholeness. The ketogenic diet was developed for controlling seizures, particularly in children with poorly controlled epilepsy. Despite the advent of antiepileptic drugs aeds and surgical management of epilepsy, 30 40 % of patients do not become seizure free, develop resistance to their aeds, or experience major aedrelated adverse events nagai et al. Cultural perception and traditional or alternative medicine. Alternative therapy for partial epilepsy with a twist.
Neuroprotective and antiepileptogenic approaches have been extensively explored for preventing and treating epilepsy. The modified atkins diet is a less restrictive diet that also seems to help with seizure control. Some complementary and alternative therapies for epilepsy are based on the principle that relaxation may reduce seizures. Use of complementary and alternative medicine in epilepsy. Factors contributing to the use of complementary and.
I know from experience that the disorder of epileptic seizures can be cured. Perception and use of complementary and alternative medicine. Experimental and clinical findings from physical exercise. Epilepsy is a group of neurological disorders characterized by recurrent epileptic seizures. Epilepsy alternative treatment, diet, vitamins, supplements june 15 2019 by ray sahelian, m. Many people with epilepsy find that the use of alternative therapies helps to manage their epilepsy, although comprehensive research has not proven this fact. Acupuncture for epilepsy pros and cons epilepsy talk. In our study in 2014, 19% n398 of children with epilepsy used traditional korean medicine tkm acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine. Complementary and alternative medicine cam has become much in vogue, and cam practitioners have increased in tandem with this. Grand mal dog collapses, moves limbs and often loses bowel and bladder control. The most common reason for inadequate aed therapy and higher dependence on cam was the patients belief that epilepsy had a spiritual or. Kossoff1, hueishyong wang 2 since their introduction in 1921, highfat, lowcarbohydrate ketogenic diets have been used worldwide for refractory childhood. Use of complementary and alternative therapies in epilepsy.
Other alternative treatments include the ketogenic diet, vagusnerve stimulation, hormonal therapy in women, behavioral therapy, and a number of new and still experimental therapies. Alternative therapy epilepsy treatment intractable. The name of one doctor stood out prominently in this regard because he was widely advertised, even in leading newspapers, as a specialist in the treatment of epilepsy, having treated more than 25,000 patients over the last 15 years. In a previous study on factors affecting the use of complementary and alternative therapies in adults with epilepsy, 31% of patients were receiving such therapies and 19. It is also important to discuss any alternative therapies with your neurologist as there are some that have been shown to be detrimental when used in conjunction with anticonvulsants. Authored by three distinguished epileptologists, this b. This prompted the patients relatives to consider alternative modes of therapy. There have been some studies of alternative treatments for epilepsy including biofeedback, melatonin, or large doses of vitamins biofeedback. Holistic alternative medicine acupuncture epilepsy. Complementary and alternative medicine cam is a diverse group of health care practices and products that fall outside the realm of traditional western medical theory and practice and that are used to complement or replace conventional medical therapies. Although initially very popular, as new anticonvulsants such as phenytoin became introduced, the popularity of the dietary therapies for epilepsy eric h. New research into epilepsy and complementary treatments. Alternative therapies in treating epilepsy introduction.
The facts and conclusions presented may have since changed and may no longer be accurate. We evaluated the use of alternative treatment methods, in various forms, by epileptic patients who had used these forms of treatment before seeking hospital treatment. We give advice, improve healthcare, fund research and campaign for change. You should talk to your doctor if you are considering trying any alternative treatments for your epilepsy, no matter how simple or basic the alternative treatment seems. Using alternative and complementary therapies with epilepsy. N2 complementary and alternative medicine cam is increasingly being used for a multitude of medical problems, one of them being seizures. Other people with epilepsy want to try complementary treatments for things not related to epilepsy.
Are there alternative treatments for seizure disorders. Publications of the pan american health organization are available on the. In people with this condition, brain cells create abnormal electricity that causes seizures. Although there are many pharmacological treatments for epilepsy, some patients. Acupuncture, traditional chinese herbal medicine, flower remedies, color therapy, homeopathy, reflexology, yoga and meditation are some of therapies that may help those who suffer epilepsy. The use of complementary and alternative medicine in children with. Alternative therapies for epilepsy by orrin devinsky. We feel that we have to try out new ways becouse time is pasing by and the brain develops its most important high ways the. Summary people with epilepsy may consider complementary and alternative medicine cam for many reasons. Complementary and alternative medicine use in a pediatric neurology clinic. Complementary and alternative therapies for epilepsy.
I have tried diverse alternative, but i have never stopped taking my medication. Finally, many people with epilepsy, and their families, are compromised or disabled by the psychological and social consequences of epilepsy. The use of cam has increased over the past two decades, and surveys have shown that up to 44% of patients with epilepsy are using some. Epilepsy action is a charity that improves the lives of everyone affected by epilepsy. Complementary, alternative therapies for neurological. Others are based on the idea that the person with epilepsy has less of some vitamin or mineral in his body than is normal. Feeney adds that patients react to medications in different and sometimes unpredictable ways. Children with epilepsy may benefit from alternative therapies to control seizures, study finds. Stress management many adults with epilepsy report they have more seizures at times of increased or prolonged periods of stress. Although i havent finished reading it completely, the authors appear to give an unbiassed view of alternative therapies that. Approximately half of the children have at least half their seizures. Natural treatments for epilepsy, such as herbs, biofeedback, and acupuncture, may complement traditional treatment options.
Treatment epilepsy action australiaepilepsy action. This information explains what some of the most used complementary treatments are, and whether there is any evidence about their usefulness in treating epilepsy. The literature describes the use of cam in individuals with neurological diseases such as dementias, multiple sclerosis, neuropathies, spinal cord injury, and epilepsy. Use of alternative medicine by patients with epilepsy. This article discusses the prevalence of cam use for seizures and epilepsy. Parental knowledge and attitudes towards epilepsy a study from. A ketogenic diet kd and epilepsy surgery are alternative treatments for people with. Read about the treatments for epilepsy, including the different types of medicines and. Deep brain stimulation more than 6 partial or secondarily generalized seizures per month seizures refractory to more than 3 aeds 4 phases.
Epilepsy, symptoms, causes, natural, complementary and. Dietary therapies ketogenic and modified atkins diet. Alternative treatments often help a dog without relying on expensive, potentially harmful medications. In some cases, seizures cause only a loss of consciousness, a period of. This book provides really useful information for people who suffer from epilepsy exploring alternative therapies within a medical context.
Cat therapies for epilepsy include specialized diets, nutritional and herbal supplements, massage, mindbody practices, medical marijuana, energy therapies, hormones, and acupuncture. Complementary and alternative treatments for epilepsy the. The trend of using cam for treating epilepsy does not differ from that in other medical conditions, with nearly one half of patients. Epilepsy is a difficult illness to control up to 35% of patients do not respond fully to traditional medical treatments. The position of the epilepsy foundation landover, md is that alternative therapies are acceptable as long as the patient continues with the traditional therapies, and the alternative and traditional therapies do not conflict. Still others focus on avoiding certain types of food. Request pdf use of complementary and alternative therapies in epilepsy the use of complementary and alternative medication cam in the united states has skyrocketed in the past decade. The trend of using cam for treating epilepsy does not differ from that in other medical conditions, with nearly one half of patients using cam. Complementary and alternative therapies for epilepsy tuberous sclerosis.
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