Gemma Atkinson has shared that her six-year-old daughter Mia has been diagnosed with epilepsy following episodes of absence seizures.
The television host and former actress, who shares two children with Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez, revealed on her podcast, Just As Well, The Women’s Health Podcast, that Mia was experiencing periods of loss of awareness and zoning out, leading to her epilepsy diagnosis.
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that results in seizures affecting the brain. While it is not curable, treatment options are available to help manage the condition. Absence seizures, like those Mia experiences, involve a temporary loss of awareness of surroundings.
Speaking on the podcast, Gemma mentioned that Mia is undergoing treatment for epilepsy, specifically for her absence seizures, which have shown improvement over the past year. Additionally, a doctor suggested implementing a keto diet to aid in rewiring brain function, a method historically used to support epilepsy patients.
Gemma also delved into the history of the keto diet as an epilepsy treatment, citing its discovery in the 1930s. She recounted a setback in research when the doctor pioneering the diet lost all related documentation in a fire.
Aside from discussions on Mia’s health, Gemma reflected on her relationship with Gorka, whom she met during her time on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017. The couple, engaged since February 2021, disclosed their plans to wait until their son Thiago is older before tying the knot, considering various wedding venue options and involving their children in the celebration.
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