Diet and seizure increase?

[Lujais]

Hi everyone,

My lovely husband and I have been having a few weeks of a few to many food fun days, in other words eating food which is not good for us at all. Ive noticed that my seizure activity has increased over the last few days could this be from the bad diet? Has anyone else experienced this? :bigmouth:op:

 

[BrandiBrat]

Yesssss, your brain needs nutrition. Crawl out of that bag of chips and make a salad!! haha jk.... eating junk food is fun every once in a while and we all do it sometimes but its taxing to the entire body, including the brain. It's primarily the lack of vitamins/minerals that are in junk food.

 

[Cint]

Yesssss, your brain needs nutrition. Crawl out of that bag of chips and make a salad!! haha jk.... eating junk food is fun every once in a while and we all do it sometimes but its taxing to the entire body, including the brain. It's primarily the lack of vitamins/minerals that are in junk food.

:agree: Junk food is very taxing to the brain and can bring on seizures or diabetes. For more info:

http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/provoke_nutrition
Can low levels of minerals in the body affect seizure activity?

Minerals are essential nutrients. Low levels of the minerals sodium, calcium, and magnesium can alter the electrical activity of brain cells and cause seizures.

What factors cause low levels of minerals in the body?

Mineral deficiency is rare unless there is severe general malnutrition, but the following factors may affect mineral levels in the body:
Low sodium levels may be caused by medications such as diuretics (water pills) or carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, Trileptal), by excessive water intake, or by hormonal disorders.

Low calcium levels most often result from kidney disease or hormonal disorders. They also may be linked to low magnesium levels.

Low magnesium levels can be the result of chronic abuse of alcohol and poor nutrition. Low magnesium levels can lead to seizures and also can cause low calcium levels.

 

[BrandiBrat]

Great post, Cint!

 

[Lujais]

Thank you Cint & BrandiBrat, it just makes sense doesn't it. I will pull myself out of this junk food rut and get back to being a healthy eater again its just to much of a correlation that once my diet changed my seizure activity increased substantially. I suppose it takes time to understand how this will work for me. Thankyou your wisdom and support its a lifeline at the moment for many.

 

[BrandiBrat]

And it does turn into a "rut", doesn't it? I find that when I start eating poorly ie: fast food, that I actually start to crave it. My daughter and I changed our diet to vegetarian last year so that eliminated a lot of fast food eating for us but I used to eat out a lot. My weakness is chips I love them!!

 

[Cint]

I, too, had to change my eating habits because I developed Type 1 diabetes as an adult years after suffering from epilepsy. Plus I also have a thyroid issue. So eating a healthy diet certainly plays a big role in my health. I watch my carbs and sweets. Now that I don't eat sweet and fast foods like I once did, I find that when I do on special occasions, those things are now too sweet or salty. Or they just don't taste good any more, IMO. I don't consider it a rut, just a way of life.

 

[Lujais]

The rut becomes way to easy my husband and I both work fulltime and with 4 kids it becomes easier after a long day to just "pick something up". But I believe my increase in seizure activity is a direct link to this change in eating. I just dont want to be a bad role model for my kids they handle my seizures like troopers now but i still feel like im burdening them some days. Because E is pretty new for me and my family Im still learning...all in good time as they say. Maybe i should keep a diary to try to connect the dots better?

 

[BrandiBrat]

That's a great idea, Lujais! Don't beat yourself up It's especially difficult when you are a busy mom.