WEDNESDAY, Oct. 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Eating a low-carb, high-fat diet could help control epilepsy that is difficult to treat, according to new research. A review of five studies found that a ketogenic, or modified Atkins diet, that focuses on foods like bacon, eggs, heavy cream, butter, fish and green vegetables, could help reduce seizures in adults whose condition doesn't improve with medication. "We need new treatments for the 35 percent of people with epilepsy whose seizures are not stopped by medications," study co-author Dr. Pavel Klein explained in an American Academy of Neurology news release. "The ketogenic diet is often used in children, but little research has been done on how effective it is in adults." In conducting the review, the researchers analyzed five studies on the ketogenic diet involving 47 people. The ketogenic diet consists of a ratio of fat to protein/carbohydrate of three or four to one. The researchers also reviewed five more studies on the modified Atkins diet, which included 85 people. The modified Atkins diet has a one-to-one fat to protein/carbohydrate ratio by weight. The researchers found that 32 percent of the patients on the ketogenic diet and 29 percent of those following the … Continue reading →

By Danielle Ryan, Special to CNN updated 2:46 PM EDT, Thu October 30, 2014 Genetic research has been used to treat all kinds of disorders and diseases. STORY HIGHLIGHTS (CNN) -- Researchers have found dozens of new genes that may play a role in causing autism, according to two studies published Wednesday in the medical journal Nature. Scientists identified 60 genes with a greater than 90% chance of increasing a child's autism risk. Previous research has yielded only 11 genes that had been confirmed with this level of certainty. Though other studies have shown the importance of genetics in the development of autism, experts say these new studies zero in on the exact nature of the genetic mutations that cause the disorder. The researchers say these genes appear to be clustering around three sets of key biological functions. The first set focuses on the development of synapses in the brain, which are responsible for all kinds of communication between nerves. The second set is responsible for the creation of genetic instructions, and the third is responsible for DNA packaging within cells. Each of these functions could have an effect on the individual that would cause the traits commonly associated with … Continue reading →

In the last few years, important new advances have been made in stroke treatment. However, these new treatments must bestarted within a few hours of the onset of symptoms in order to be effective. That's why it's so important to recognize the warning signs of a stroke as soon as they appear and call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number for immediate medical assistance. There are three main emergency treatments for stroke: tPA, surgery and non-surgical procedures. The treatment youreceive will depend onthe type of stroke you have, howserious your stroke was, your age and general health, and how soon you arrive at the hospital. Whatever treatment you receive, remember that making healthy lifestyle choices to change your risk factors for stroke is an important part of your treatment and recovery. tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) Thrombolytic drugs such as tPA are often called clot busters. tPA is short for tissue plasminogen activator and can only be given to patients who are having a stroke caused by a blood clot (ischemic stroke). It can stop a stroke by breaking up the blood clot. It must be given as soon as possible and within 4 hours after stroke symptoms start.* Receiving tPA … Continue reading →