Ailments & ConditionsYour Health

Dravet Syndrome – Treatments and Therapies

Keto

Another second-line treatment for Dravet syndrome and epilepsy is the keto diet, which is low in carbs and high in fats. It is recommended for those patients with symptoms that are challenging to control. Scientists have found that the majority of patients respond well to this treatment. They reported lower frequency of seizures or even no flare-ups when following a keto diet. Another benefit is that it tends to cause fewer side effects than medication treatments.

In general, this diet requires you to get around 90 percent of the daily calories intake from fat rather than carbs. Fat sources for a keto diet may include olive oil, canola oil, mayonnaise, whipping cream, or butter. Because this is a very strict diet, it is important to consult a dietitian to make sure you get sufficient calories from suitable sources. The consumption of proteins and carbs should be regulated very carefully. Possible side effects of this treatment may include high cholesterol, kidney stones, constipation, vomiting, and nausea.[10]