There’s a concern (here, here, and here) voiced by some reputable websites that taking evening primrose oil might make seizures more likely in some people.
Here’s what we know. Continue reading Evening primrose oil and the risk of seizures
Category Archives: Epilepsy/Seizures
Safety of energy drinks
Energy drinks are consumed by 30% to 50% of adolescents and young adults. The manufacturers claim they are safe.
Researchers at the University of Miami, in Florida reviewed the evidence and came to a different conclusion. Continue reading Safety of energy drinks
Bath salts becoming illegal
This has nothing to do with taking a bath.
Researchers at the University of Florida College of Medicine, in Gainesville, tell us, “The abuse of psychoactive “bath salts” (PABS) has become commonplace, and patients with PABS overdoses are presenting to emergency departments with increasing frequency. Continue reading Bath salts becoming illegal
Effect of proton pump inhibitors on magnesium
FDA advises that prescription proton pump inhibitor drugs may cause low magnesium blood levels (hypomagnesemia) if taken, in most cases, longer than one year.
Proton pump inhibitors reduce the amount of acid in the stomach and treat conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers, and inflammation of the esophagus. Continue reading Effect of proton pump inhibitors on magnesium
Consumer Alert: Rising Sun Health
The FDA is taking action to prevent Rising Sun Health and The Center for Complimentary and Alternative Health of Livingston, Montana, from manufacturing and selling unapproved new drugs and adulterated or misbranded dietary supplements in violation of the law.
Rising Sun manufactured and distributed a variety of unapproved new drugs under names such as Black Salve, Cancema, and Can-Support. Continue reading Consumer Alert: Rising Sun Health
The professor’s view of CAM and epilepsy
Dr. Steven Schachter (photo) is Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School.
He voices his view and challenges for CAM for the treatment of epilepsy in a recent issue of Current Opinion in Neurology. Continue reading The professor’s view of CAM and epilepsy
Treating infantile spasms with the ketogenic diet
Infantile spasm (West Syndrome) is a specific type of seizure in infants and early childhood. The ketogenic diet is a high fat, adequate protein, low carbohydrate diet.
Researchers from the John M. Freeman Pediatric Epilepsy Center at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutes in Baltimore, Maryland — the leader in this form of treatment in infants — report their experience over 12 years. Continue reading Treating infantile spasms with the ketogenic diet
EEG biofeedback in treating epilepsy
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, Texas reviewed the evidence on neurofeedback and epilepsy. Continue reading EEG biofeedback in treating epilepsy
Psychological methods to treat epilepsy
Cochrane review evaluates the evidence for treating epilepsy by using psychological methods to reduce seizure frequency and improve quality of life.
Here’s what was found with respect to seizure frequency. Continue reading Psychological methods to treat epilepsy
More tainted weight loss products
Here’s an updated list of 69 contaminated products identified by the FDA.
What’s a consumer to think? Continue reading More tainted weight loss products
Consumer Alert: More tainted weight loss products
 Some of the weight loss products listed below claim to be “natural†or to contain only “herbal†ingredients.
The FDA found they actually contain potentially harmful ingredients not listed on the product labels or in promotional advertisements. Continue reading Consumer Alert: More tainted weight loss products
Lack of support for acupuncture in epilepsy
 That’s the conclusion by reviewers from the University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital in China in this Cochrane review. Continue reading Lack of support for acupuncture in epilepsy
Arsenic toxicity from Ayurvedic
Lead, mercury, and (oh yeah) arsenic intoxication have been associated with Ayurvedic herbal medicines.
Here’s an account of one patent’s experience. Continue reading Arsenic toxicity from Ayurvedic
The flow and ebb of tobacco over 7 centuries
Today, it’s widely agreed that tobacco is highly addictive and linked to a long list of diseases.
It wasn’t always so. Come with me down memory lane.
Continue reading The flow and ebb of tobacco over 7 centuries
First annual Yoga Week
On May 19th, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) premiered its first annual Yoga Week.
Others have held yoga weeks in the past. What’s different is the involvement of the NIH. Continue reading First annual Yoga Week
Ketogenic diet improves drug-resistant epilepsy
Researchers from the Institute of Child Health in London tested the ketogenic diet in a randomized controlled trial. Continue reading Ketogenic diet improves drug-resistant epilepsy
The need for vitamin D in people with epilepsy
During the First North American Regional Epilepsy Congress, researchers from the University of Texas reported that men with epilepsy who take enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have lower levels of vitamin D and calcium, plus higher parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels.
The AEDs involved included the following.
Continue reading The need for vitamin D in people with epilepsy
ACT and yoga for drug-refractory epilepsy
In patients with epilepsy that does not respond to drug therapy, researchers from the University of Uppsala in Sweden reported, “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and yoga decrease seizure index and increase quality of life.” Continue reading ACT and yoga for drug-refractory epilepsy
Acupuncture for children
Researchers from Los Angeles reviewed the literature and found acupuncture holds promise but,… surprise … more research is needed.
Here’s what we know today. Continue reading Acupuncture for children
The risk of vitamin D deficiency in people with epilepsy
Research presented during the American Epilepsy Society 61st Annual Meeting shows that almost half of all people with epilepsy are vitamin D deficient. Continue reading The risk of vitamin D deficiency in people with epilepsy