Acetone & Epilepsy

Tracey - posted on 08/29/2011 ( no moms have responded yet )

Acetone in small concentrations may be helpful. But beware, acetone can also hinder…



Ever wondered why you get an instant headache when you use nail polish – or maybe you’ve found that when you’ve had a headache and cracked open the nail polish to paint your nails, suddenly your head’s as clear as can be; the headache is instantly gone. That’s what I call, an acetone fix!



Here’s a small study and it indicates some positive feedback between acetone and its anticonvulsant effects WHEN EXPOSED TO LOW CONCENTRATIONS:



Acetone has been shown to have anticonvulsant effects in animal models of epilepsy, in the absence of toxicity, when administered in MILLIMOLAR concentrations. It has been hypothesized that the high-fat low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet used clinically to control drug-resistant epilepsy in children works by elevating acetone in the brain.



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Acetone is naturally produced and disposed of in the human body as a result of normal metabolic processes. But acetone is also produced and used for its commercial benefits in solvents, sealers, hardeners, plastics, food additives, etc. Therefore most of us are continually exposed to more acetone than we realize. We are exposed to it through the items in our houses, cars, stores where we shop, and in the everyday products within our homes. And as a result, there are people with epilepsy who may be positively affected and some negatively affected; while others don’t seem to notice any affects one way or the other as a result of acetone exposure.



Since having epilepsy I know I definitely fit the term “metabolically sensitive”. Basically what this means is, sometimes people can be very sensitive to changes and imbalances within their metabolic system. So for some individuals with epilepsy, they seem to be even more sensitive than the norm. And things that may be the cause of some of these sensitivities could be individual effects from medications, seizures, or a combination of both.



Though it may seem odd, some people with epilepsy have discovered that exposure to odors from things like nail polish and low odor paints during regular use can actually be helpful in warding off headaches, nausea, or other sensations felt when a seizure begins. However, in the same regard, depending on the individual, the exact opposite can also happen when exposed to these same odors; sometimes triggering a seizure. Also, where individuals have been exposed to particularly strong or extended odors of acetone, such as those in acrylic and melamine paints and cement sealers/hardeners, even individuals with no past seizure history have been known to experience feelings of sudden headaches, nausea, and also seizures.



It is never advisable to consciously expose oneself to acetone in hopes of correcting a health problem. Therefore for questions and concerns with seizure control please see a neurologist or other trained specialist for medical advice/consultation on the best way to treat your individual situation.



For more information on acetone please go to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetone



To find a local Epilepsy Agency in Canada:

http://www.epilepsyontario.org/client/eo...



To find a local Epilepsy Agency in the United States:

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutu...



Sincerely,

Tracey Alderson, Administrator

Epilepsy Awareness 2009 http://www.facebook.com/epilepsyawarenes...

Epilepsy Awareness For All https://epilepsyawarenessforall.wordpress.com/

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