Epilepsy - Resources

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Highlights	Prognosis	Lifestyle Changes
Introduction	Diagnosis	Resources
Causes	Treatment	References
Risk Factors	Medications
Complications	Surgery

Acidosis, a build-up of acid in the blood and body
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Stomach upset
Dehydration
Lethargy

Side effects that may occur later on include:

Unhealthy cholesterol and lipid levels
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies (patients need to take supplements)
Kidney stones, which may be a complication of acidosis.
Slowing of growth (tends to occur more in younger children than older children)
Decreased bone density

Because most patients remain on the diet for only 2 years, the risks for potential long-term damage appear minimal.

Emotional and Psychologic Support

Many patients with epilepsy and parents whose children have epilepsy can benefit from support associations. These services are usually free and available in most cities.

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Tips for Helping Children. Some of the following tips may help the child with epilepsy:

Children should be treated as normally as possible by parents and siblings.
Children should be assured that they will not die from epilepsy.
Often children can be given the hope that they will outgrow the disorder.
Most children will not have seizures triggered by sports or by any other ordinary activities that are enjoyable and healthy.
As soon as they are old enough, children should be active participants in maintaining their drug regimens, which should be presented in as positive a light as possible.

Therapies for Children and Adults. Because of the risks for serious emotional consequences, psychological therapy may be helpful. Cognitive behavioral therapy offers a structured counseling program that helps people change behaviors associated with seizure triggers, such as anxiety and insomnia.

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Review Date: 01/28/2011
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).