Treating epilepsy with diet is not a new idea, but the question is when and why to try it. Many physicians suggest that it be tried with a child who has had no significant response to at least two medications. There are few cases in which it is the first choice for treatment against seizures. With the statistics that show how successful the Ketogenic diet can be, it begs the question as to why it wouldn't be a first choice in treatment.

The Ketogenic diet is a high fat, low carbohydrate diet that has proven successful for many children in helping prevent seizures. The success rates vary by clinic, but it is believed that approximately 33% of children who try the diet become seizure free, while another 33% have a significant decrease in seizures. For the other 34% there seems to be no change. If the diet is working for a child, results are typically seen beginning around the 10th week. If the diet begins to work, a child will generally stay on the diet for anywhere from 2-3 years.

How lifestyle affects epilepsy appears to be closely related to how lifestyle affects health overall. The general rule of thumb is that the better you treat your body, the better it will work for you. If we don't take proper care of ourselves by getting enough sleep, drinking in moderation, abstaining from recreational drugs, or eating a proper diet, our body acts in accordance. While some of the effects can be seen immediately, others can take years to appear.

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, but for those living with the disorder or a caregiver, making others aware is not an activity that only takes place in November. Making people aware of the disorder can help those who are unfamiliar with it know the true causes and symptoms, and help to eliminate negative viewpoints or stereotypes. Epilepsy has been around most likely since the beginning of man. It is referred to in both Babylonian tablets as well as the Bible. Even though the disorder has been affecting people for thousands of years, there are still many misconceptions and stig

There is a new study being done on the NeuroPace implant for epilepsy. This device aids in sensing seizures through small leads or wires placed where the seizures begin. The system works continually, reading the brain's electrical activity. If something out of the ordinary happens, such as the onset of a seizure, the unit will give a small pulse to the area of the brain where the seizure is starting. This pulse helps the brain to avoid the seizure.

In an interview with Dr. Martha Morrell, Chief Medical Officer for Neuropace and Professor of Neurology at Stanford University, she talks about RNS treatment for seizures and says the unit was designed for people who have partial onset seizures.

Epilepsy safety should be a concern for anyone who experiences seizures. A goal for anyone with epilepsy should be to live life as fully as possible, while knowing there are simple ways to increase safety when having a seizure. Special care should always be taken when around water, including bathtubs. It may prove safest to shower sitting on a stool while using a hand shower. If you go swimming, it is important to have someone with you who knows of your condition.

What actually happens during a seizure? According to Dr. Karen Parko at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center, an electrical discharge happens in the brain. The brain uses electrical and chemical discharges to communicate with itself and the body.

If you are concerned about your epilepsy and employment, there are some things that you should know. There is two times an increase in unemployment rates among those with epilepsy, but it does not need to be that way. A person with epilepsy can be productive at a lot of different jobs. Many people with epilepsy who want to work are confronted with employers who are afraid of the potential effects of a seizure on the job. The potential employer can be worried about liability, missed work, or a customer witnessing a seizure. While the potential of one of these things happening is th