What are the dietary precautions for epilepsy?

Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
Updated on September 16, 2024
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People with epilepsy should avoid consuming stimulating beverages such as cola, Sprite, Red Bull, and coffee. They should eat more vegetables and fruits and less spicy and stimulating foods, paying attention to these dietary recommendations. Additionally, maintaining a regular lifestyle is important; avoiding prolonged use of electronic devices is advised as these, along with previously mentioned beverages like cola and Red Bull, can overexcite the brain and trigger epileptic seizures. It is also imperative to take anti-epileptic drugs regularly under the guidance of a doctor and not to miss any doses.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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What precautions should epilepsy patients take?

Patients with epilepsy should pay attention to establishing regular daily routines and avoid staying up late. They should not participate in potentially dangerous activities such as climbing or swimming. Also, they should minimize consumption of stimulating beverages like cola, Sprite, Red Bull, and coffee. It is advisable to eat more vegetables and fruits and reduce the intake of spicy and stimulating foods. Maintaining a regular life schedule is important, and playing electronic devices or using mobile phones for extended periods should be avoided. All sorts of exciting situations can easily trigger an epileptic seizure, so it is crucial to eat regularly without becoming too hungry or too full. Moreover, taking anti-epileptic drugs regularly and following medical guidance from doctors at the hospital is necessary.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Can children's epilepsy be effectively treated?

Can childhood epilepsy be cured? Firstly, it depends on the type of epilepsy. If the symptoms are not very severe, the frequency of convulsions is low, and comprehensive exams such as brain MRI and genetic testing show no problems, and the child's intellectual development is normal, then this type of epilepsy might be curable. Generally, after 2 to 3 years of effective antiepileptic drug treatment and then gradually discontinuing the medication if there are no further seizures, the condition can usually be controlled. However, some types of epilepsy are associated with underlying diseases, such as cerebral palsy, inherent metabolic genetic disorders, poor brain development, or organic brain lesions. The treatment outcomes for these types of epilepsy are not good, and they are generally difficult to control.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What medicine should not be taken for epilepsy?

Patients with epilepsy mainly rely on some internal medicine drugs for treatment. There are many drugs available today, many of which can effectively control the occurrence of epilepsy and improve the quality of life of the patients. However, it is also important to note that some drugs should not be taken in reduced quantities, Firstly, there are some drugs that affect the liver. Many drugs can impact the liver, and since many antiepileptic drugs are metabolized through the liver, combining them can increase the burden on the liver and even induce necrotic hepatitis, Secondly, it is necessary to choose the medication according to the type of epileptic seizures. For example, if it is a visual seizure, or a myoclonic seizure, then one should not take Phenytoin sodium and Carbamazepine, as these two drugs can potentially exacerbate myoclonic and visual seizures, Thirdly, patients with epilepsy should also avoid taking drugs that affect the metabolism of epilepsy medication. If used together, it can cause a reduction in the efficacy of the epilepsy drugs, easily triggering an epileptic attack, or even a prolonged state of epilepsy.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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What are the symptoms of epilepsy in children?

Seizures in children manifest in various forms, but they all share characteristics of sudden onset, sudden cessation, and periodic occurrence. Common types include grand mal seizures, absence seizures, and benign childhood epilepsy. During a grand mal seizure, the child suddenly loses consciousness, stops breathing, turns blue-purple, pupils dilate, limbs stiffen, hands clench into fists, followed by spasmodic convulsions, foaming at the mouth, with the episode generally lasting 1-5 minutes. Absence seizures in children present as sudden loss of consciousness, interruption of activity, staring or rolling of the eyes, but without falling down or convulsing, lasting 1-10 seconds, with consciousness quickly returning after the episode. Benign childhood epilepsy seizures often involve twitching of one side of the face, lips, or tongue, possibly accompanied by abnormal sensations in the area, inability to speak, drooling, generally with clear consciousness, with episodes occurring more frequently at night.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Care for children during epileptic seizures

During an epileptic seizure, it is crucial to control the seizure promptly by using sedative and anticonvulsant medications. While administering these drugs, it is important to closely monitor for consistent breathing. Additionally, during a seizure, it is necessary to ensure that the airway remains clear, provide oxygen, and, if required, use mechanical ventilation to maintain airway patency. Prevent biting injuries to the tongue and position the head to one side so that secretions can flow out of the corner of the mouth, preventing reflux of stomach contents and risk of choking. Protect brain function and vital organs, and prevent cerebral edema. After the seizure has stopped, long-term administration of antiepileptic drugs should be continued to prevent recurrence.