Metabolism & Seizures

Seizures are triggered by abnormal activity in the brain, and metabolism can play a big role. Your body's metabolism regulates the various chemical processes that take place throughout major organ systems. If a metabolic disorder is present, there's a very good chance that it could be worsening or perhaps even causing seizures.

What is Metabolism?

• Metabolism is a term that refers to all of the chemical and physical processes that the body uses to create and use energy. Breathing, blood circulation, digestion, muscle contractions, brain and nerve function and waste elimination are all examples of metabolism at work.

What are Seizures?

• A seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures come on suddenly, and typically last 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Convulsions and uncontrollable body shaking are two hallmarks of many seizures, but other seizures may have more mild effects.

  While seizures do not generally cause any lasting harm, a seizure that lasts longer than five minutes or a person that does not wake up between multiple seizures indicates a medical emergency.

  There are two basic types of seizures. Epileptic seizures have no apparent cause, and tend to occur repeatedly. Nonepileptic seizures are caused by high fevers, head injuries, medications and certain diseases that can irritate the brain.

Managing Seizures

• Seizures can be managed with medication. According to epilepsy.com, there are many medications that can be used to prevent seizures in individuals with epilepsy. It's important to know that these medications do not resolve the cause of the seizures. Instead, the medications work by stopping the seizures themselves.

  Seizures also can be managed with a ketogenic diet. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, a ketogenic diet is one that is very high in fats and very low in carbohydrates. It has been around for almost 80 years, and is designed to make the human body use fat for energy instead of glucose. The diet is a serious type of treatment and should be monitored by a medical team familiar with seizures and its use. When implemented correctly, two out of three children will have their seizures reduced, and one out of three may find that they are seizure-free.

The Link Between Metabolism and Seizures

• Metabolism plays a vital role in seizures. According to MedlinePlus, there is a link between epilepsy and metabolic disorders. The Kennedy Kreiger Institute reports that because metabolic disorders create congenital errors of the body's chemistry, the way that the body assimilates food, generates energy and grows tissue are all affected.

  In most cases, a metabolic disorder is caused by a genetic deficiency within an enzyme. Enzymes are often needed to convert one type of chemical into another, and in a metabolic disorder, those enzymes are often genetically deficient. Metabolic disorders can cause movement disorders, muscle weakness, poor growth, fasting intolerance and seizures.

Controlling Metabolism to Decrease Seizures

• If your physician suspects that your seizures are being caused by a metabolic disorder, the first course of treatment is to get the disorder under control. High blood levels of sugar or sodium, kidney or liver failure, underactive parathyroid gland and low blood levels of sugar, sodium, calcium or magnesium can all trigger seizures.

  Metabolic disorders can be controlled using supplements and nutritional therapy. Balancing out deficiencies can cure or at least manage metabolic disorders. Ensuring that the chemical reactions in the brain are normal and in balance, can mean reducing the frequency and number of seizures that an individual experiences.