"The cause of many types of epilepsy is unknown and there is no available cure - treatment therefore focuses on reducing the frequency and severity of seizures.  Many people with epilepsy report that Alternative therapies have helped to improve their condition but it is always important to check on the qualifications of any practitioner before starting any new treatments.  Complimentary therapies for epilepsy seem to be those that act to relieve stress and promote relaxation - stress, excitement and anxiety can be triggers for a seizure in many people with epilepsy.  It has never been reported that holistic therapies have ever provoked the onset of epilepsy although there is a theoretical risk to be considered in that deep relaxation or over stimulation could provoke an attack (although this has never been proven in practice)."

• Traditionally Acupuncture is a holistic approach to the management of disease as well as the maintenance of health.  The focus is on improving the overall well-being of a patient rather than the isolated treatment of specific symptoms.  By inserting fine needles into the channel of energy, an Acupuncturist can stimulate the body’s own healing response and help restore the natural balance. 

• While it has been known to help many people, there has been little research into the use of Acupuncture in epilepsy but there appears to be no harmful side effects of Acupuncture treatment relating to epilepsy. 

• Aromatherapy has been practised since the beginning of civilisation and is the art and science of using oils extracted from aromatic plants to enhance health, relaxation, and emotion well-being.

• There are a number of essential oils which can provoke an epileptic-type seizure in people who are susceptible, so it is extremely important to be certain that a person does not suffer from epilepsy before beginning any treatment.  A properly trained aroma therapist will always include this in the questions asked before the first treatment. If using essential oils at home, the oils to avoid are Sage, Fennel, Hyssop, Wormwood and Rosemary although classical aromatherapy literature often states that an extremely small amount of Rosemary may be beneficial to epilepsy sufferers. 

• It is always advisable to consult a qualified and registered Aroma therapist before commencing any home use of essential oils. Anti-convulsive oils include Lavender, Linaloe, Rosewood, Clary and Sage.  (Alcohol should be avoided if using Clary as it can have a narcotic effect and exaggerate both the drunkenness and the hangover!)

• With Biofeedback a person is able to watch the activity of their brain on a computer screen and through various methods alter their brain activity. 

• Biofeedback works on the principle that people can learn to control body processes previously thought to be entirely involuntary.

• It is a therapy that is helpful for some people but one that takes time, money, and dedication to learn.

• Allergic reactions to food have been reported to trigger epileptic seizures in individual cases.  One report found that people with epilepsy had significantly more biochemical evidence of allergy than people without epilepsy.  A study of children who suffered from both epilepsy and migraine headaches found that a diet low in potential food allergens reduced seizures in the majority of cases.  However, children who had epilepsy alone without migraines did not respond to the diet.

• The Ketogenic diet was developed in the early 20th century when few drug treatments for epilepsy were available; until recently, it had been used only when drug therapy was ineffective.  The dietary approach was based on the observation that ketosis (increased blood levels of chemicals called ktones) is associated with reduction of seizures. 

• Ketosis can be produced by a diet high in fat and very low in carbohydrate and protein.  According to a 1996 review, the ketogenic diet appears to be very effective in one-third to one-half of epilepsy cases in children and partially effective in another one-third of cases. There is little research on the effects of the ketogenic diet in adults.

• The diet is usually imitated by fasting under close medical supervision, often in a hospital, followed by introduction of the diet and training of the family to en sure successful maintenance.  Possible side effects of the ketogenic diet include gastrointestinal upset, dehydration, anaemia, low blood protein levels, high blood levels of fat and acidity, kidney stones and signs of liver toxicity. 

• Vitamin and mineral supplements are necessary due to the many deficiencies of this diet.

• The ketogenic diet should not be attempted without the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.

• Herbal medicine remains the most used form of medicine on the planet today and the modern herbalist may utilise plants used traditionally by such groups as American Indians, Aboriginals and Maori.

• There has been research in China and Japan into traditional eastern herbal medicine and this suggests that, when used to treat people with epilepsy, this can be effective for some people in reducing the frequency of their seizures. 

• The Chinese herb bupleurum is included in two similar Chinese herbal formulae known as sho-saiko-keishi-to;  these combinations contain the same herbs but in different proportions.  The other ingredients are peony root, pinellia root, cassia bark, ginger root, jujube fruit, Asian ginseng root, Asian scullcap root and liquorice root.  Both formulas have been found in preliminary trials to be helpful for people with epilepsy. 

• No negative interactions with a variety of anticonvulsant drugs were noted in these trials. 

• People with epilepsy should not use either formula without first consulting with a healthcare professional.

• Homeopathy is a holistic form of medicine that considers the whole person, not just the illness suffered.  Homeopathic medicines or remedies are derived from vegetable, animal and mineral sources. 

• Homeopathy is the second most widely used system of Medicine in the world and the fastest growing. 

• Queen Elizabeth II has a Homeopathic Physician and several other members of the British Royal Family use Homeopathic medicine. 

• Over the years Homeopathy has done much work on the problem of epilepsy and there are a number of remedies with an emphasis on treating the condition.  As there are many different types of epilepsy, and people’s experiences during a seizure are all very different, so Homeopathy has specific remedies for the variations and manifestations of the condition, for example, whether a seizure occurs during sleep or during the day, and at what time of day. 

• Everyone has a right under the National Health Service (U.K.) to ask their Doctor to refer them to the nearest Homeopathic Hospital for a consultation. 

• Indian Head Massage is a deeply relaxing and uplifting massage that involves massage of the upper back, shoulders, arms, neck, head and face. 

• A referral to the Doctor would be necessary to obtain permission for treatment depending upon the severity and type of epilepsy and any medication that was being taken. 

• If on controlled medication, the chances of a seizure are minimal, however as head massage involves stimulation of the brain caution is advised due to the complexity of this condition.

• Vitamin E has been studies as a possible add-on to conventional drug treatments for epilepsy.  Some trials have found that adding 400IU per day of Vitamin E reduced seizure frequency in children. Trials found no effect of Vitamin E supplementation on adults with epilepsy 

• Folic acid, in a small number of cases, has resulted in an increase in the frequency/severity of seizures although there are reports that in some cases it can reduce epileptic seizure activity.

• People taking anti-epileptic drugs should consult with the prescribing physician before deciding to use folic acid. 

• Taurine is an amino acid that is thought to play a role in the electrical activity of the brain; deficits of taurine in the brain have been associated with some types of epilepsy.  Short term studies have suggested that taurine supplementation may reduce seizures in some people but the result appears to be only temporary.

• Evening Primrose oil may worsen symptoms in people with temporal lobe epilepsy and should be avoided until more is known.

• Melatonin (5 to 10mg per day) improved sleep in a small preliminary trial and provided “clear improvement of the seizure situation” in children with one or two rare seizure disorders.  More research is needed. 

• St. John’s Wort:  This treatment is used by many people to help depression but it can interfere with some prescribed anti-epileptic medication.  Research is ongoing but it is important for a person with epilepsy to get medical advice before taking St. John’s Wort 

• Many people with epilepsy have incapacitating anxiety and depression which are known to exacerbate seizures and Yoga has been clearly shown to reduce stress.  A six month clinical study by New York University School or Medicine is evaluating whether Yoga can reduce the number of seizures in people with epilepsy and improve their emotional well-being.  “Yoga is about connecting the mind to the body”.

Copyright © by EpilepsyInfo All Right Reserved.

Published on: 2007-05-17 (3413 reads)