Ketogenic diet
Dietary modification is an additional non-invasive method of treating refractory epilepsy. The ketogenic diet consists of approximately 90 percent fat. Proteins and carbohydrates are significantly less abundant. The diet must be rigorously managed by a dietician for it to be effective.
A diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates induces a state of deprivation in the body, which has anticonvulsant effects that are only partially explained by science.
Due to its restrictive nature, the technique is only simple to implement in young infants with uncontrolled epilepsy. About fifty percent of adolescents receiving this treatment report a seizure reduction of at least fifty percent. In certain instances, it may be just as effective as eliminating seizures.
After a brief period of fasting, hospital-based treatment may be instituted for a number of epileptic syndromes in children. The dietician then regulates caloric based on the child’s body mass. It may still be necessary to administer medications. However, diet therapy is reported to be effective and may result in a decrease in drug dosage. However, diet compliance is an absolute necessity. Its unpalatable nature disqualifies it as a treatment option for adults and the elderly, but modifications are being made to make the therapy more palatable and more effective.
To avoid potential long-term side effects, vitamins and minerals must be kept in cautious balance.
