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Types of Seizures

Cameron started having Complex Partial Seizures at age 18 mos. He could have started before that but we recognized his first one at around that age. There are different kinds of seizures and different ways to help you child.

A seizure occurs when the brain functions abnormally, resulting in a change in attention, level of awareness and movement.

Partial Seizures:  Involve only a part of the brain and only a part of the body.

Complex Partial Seizures: The child is not aware of what is going on. Children with this type of seizure repeat an activity throughout the seizure. Chewing movements with the mouth, picking at or fumbling with clothing, mumbling and performing simple, unorganized movements over and over again.  They are disoriented afterwards.  http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/types/types/complex.cfm

Other Seizures types include: Simple Partial, Generalized Seizures, Status epilepticus

For more information on TYPES of Seizures and SAFETY

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/answerplace/Medical/seizures/types/

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/seizures_in_children/article_em.htm

Ways to Control Seizures

Medication: Cameron is has been taking Tegretol  and Depakote Sprinkles.  He has been seizure free for 2 years.

http://www.epilepsynse.org.uk/pages/info/leaflets/child_drug.cfm  anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) for children web site. Types, how to take, side effects.

Ketogenic Diet: Cameron has not tried this. But it something to look into when medication is not working or not an option for your family.

This was copied from: http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/neuro/seizep.html

What is a ketogenic diet?
The ketogenic diet is sometimes offered to those children who continue to have seizures while on seizure medication. When the medications do not work, a ketogenic diet may be considered. No one knows exactly how the diet works, but some children do become seizure-free when put on the diet. However, the diet does not work for everyone.

 

What does the diet consist of?
The ketogenic diet is very high in fat (about 90 percent of the calories come from fat). Protein is given in amounts to help promote growth. A very small amount of carbohydrate is included in the diet. This very high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet causes the body to make ketones. Ketones are made by the body from protein. They are made for energy when the body does not get enough carbohydrates for energy. If your child eats too many carbohydrates, then his/her body may not make ketones. The presence of ketones is important to the success of the diet.


High-fat foods:


 

  • butter
  • heavy cream
  • oil
  • mayonnaise
  • cream cheese
  • bacon
  • cheese

High-carbohydrate foods:


 

  • fruit and fruit juice
  • breads and cereals
  • vegetables (corn, peas, and potatoes)
  • beans
  • milk
  • soda
  • snack foods (chips, snack cakes, crackers)
  • sweets

Your child's physician will determine if this diet is right for your child. When the ketogenic diet is started, your child will be admitted to the hospital. It may take four to five days in the hospital to get the diet started and for you to learn how to plan the diet.


 

While in the hospital, your child may not be able to eat for one to two days until ketones are measured in the urine. Once ketones are present in the urine, special high-fat, low-carbohydrate shakes may be started. These are sometimes called "keto shakes." After several meals of keto shakes, your child will be started on solid foods.


 

You may also be taught how to check your child's urine for ketones. The dietitian will help determine how much fat, protein, and carbohydrate your child is allowed to have, usually divided into three meals a day. The ketogenic diet can by very challenging to prepare and requires that all foods be weighed using a food scale. The ketogenic diet is not nutritionally balanced, therefore, vitamin and mineral supplements are needed.


 

Some medications and other products, such as toothpaste and mouthwash, contain carbohydrates. It is important to avoid these products if your child is on the ketogenic diet. Your child may not make ketones in their urine if too many carbohydrates are included in the diet. Your child's physician and dietitian can give you a list of medications, and other products, that are free of carbohydrates.


 

How long is the diet used?
Children usually stay on the diet about two years. The diet is then slowly changed back to a regular diet.

 


 

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