Concentration causing seizures

[linniec]

Here, from Epilepsy Ontario, are descriptions of several things that provoke photosensitive epilepsies. One of these things may be concentration...like I and others may get from Math or even focusing hard on one thing. See if any of these descriptions fit your child's seizures.

They are:

Epilepsy Ontario's Epileptic Syndromes and Visually Induced Seizures (http://www.epilepsyontario.org/client/EO/EOWeb.nsf/web/Epileptic+Syndromes+and+Visually+Induced+Seizures)


Visual reflex seizures induced by complex stimuli like patterned and flashing displays, video displays, pattern, flicker frequency,color,cognitive or action-programming activation, especially when playing video games,reading, brightness perception, screen luminance, movement, light movement, etc. (http://www.epilepsyontario.org/client/EO/EOWeb.nsf/web/Visual+Reflex+Seizures)

There are a lot of people with epilepsy who are quite good at math. There are others, like me, who don't get it.
I've also heard of people who had seizures from reading and particularly from concentrating. It just makes me wonder.

There are descriptions of other types of seizures at the Epilepsy Ontario site. It's really good.

Linnie

[apmom]

Linnie,

Thanks for this link--very timely for me. :)

[nick's mom]

good articles linnie. thanks. nick is great at math, but it can also trigger stuff for him. when that happens, he can lose even basic skills. it's good to see this on paper.

[Mom2Ava]

Interesting. In one of my low glycemic books it talks about sugar and hard mental work ( reading, studying and so forth).
For those where concentrating may be a sz trigger, is there any issues w/ sugar regulating?

[nick's mom]

hmmm, nick gets very little sugar, typically, so i don't think that's it for him. i'll have to pay closer attention to that though.

[Mom2Ava]

I don't so much mean a person getting too much sugar effecting concentration ( the sweets) ... I will look it up in a bit but I THINK it says something about the brain requiring MORE sugar for heavy concentration. It is the same with heavy physical activity ... requires more sugar ... higher GI sugar.
In general I do best wih low GI foods. But I do feel very depleted with too much studying or heavy reading. When I do heavy hiking, I absolutly need lots of high GI sugar & salts even though I know you have to be careful w/ straight sugar and hiking.

[Mom2Ava]

OK, here is what I was trying to say ... from the Glucose Rev book:

Recent medical lit shows intellectual performance is improved following the intake of a glucose load or carb rich food. Demanding mental tasks are most improved while easy tasks are not affected. Furthermore, blood glucose levels decline more during a period of intense cognitive processing. The tests include various measures of intelligence including word recall, maze learning, arithmatic, short term memory, rapid information processing and reasoning.
.....
It goes on to talk about the consequenses of sugar dropping ... course there are lots of effects of low blood sugar including seizures.

[apmom]

Interesting, Jen. I wonder if it's different for young children. I know studies have shown that for kids (I think third grade and under), they're shot after lunch, and are most productive in school with a later lunch time, and new materials presented beforehand. :confused:

[Mom2Ava]

I wonder if it's different for young children. I know studies have shown that for kids (I think third grade and under), they're shot after lunch, and are most productive in school with a later lunch time, and new materials presented beforehand.

I remember learning about this in junior high. Well that makes sense too. *confused
I am sure like anything else, everyone responds a little differently. I wonder if children and adults that have issues w/ sugar fluctuation ( having both highs and lows) are more effected by intense cog processing.

[nick's mom]

i wonder if it's how you get the sugar too. the more processed, the worse for you. if kids are eating a bunch of sugary, processed foods for lunch, they probably won't be processing as well. but a more balanced diet with natural sugars (fruits, etc.) maybe would give them a boost??

interesting. i also remember hearing that an apple in the morning gives you more of a boost that a cup of coffee. nick was in apple mode for a while. maybe i should try that with him again, especially before math.

[Mom2Ava]

i wonder if it's how you get the sugar too. the more processed, the worse for you.
In general I definately think this applies. The LGI stuff though is really interesting .. I mean in general, not just in terms of epilepsy or other health stuff, just how and way sugar effects us the way it does.. both the good an bad effects.

i also remember hearing that an apple in the morning gives you more of a boost that a cup of coffee.
No freaking way I am switching form my morning coffee to an apple!!!!
*doink

[Mom2Ava]

Hey Luanne, why don't you experiment. Shortly before math try a higher GI food ( cookies, bread etc).
Here is a link to THE glycemic index database of foods:
http://www.glycemicindex.com/

[nick's mom]

hmmm, nick can't have bread or cookies. i tried clicking on the high glycemic box but it didn't do anything. but i searched and found rice and potatoes are high. so maybe i'll try that.

lol on the coffee!! didn't mean to upset you!

[Mom2Ava]

oops ... sorry about the cookies and bread. There are a handful of high GI fruits & veggies.
Does he like parsnips?

[nick's mom]

i don't think he's ever had them. i know i haven't.

[Mom2Ava]

They are yummy ... we had to stop eating them because they are very high GI ... a 97! EEEK!
They are sweet like a sweet potato w/ sugar on it.

[apmom]

Beets are very high.