epilepsy treatment

    treatment of epilepsy


Diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy

The first step to living with epilepsy is to go to the doctor and start a treatment plan. Before determining a treatment, it is necessary to identify which are the factors that could have produced it and the type of crisis.

For a person to be diagnosed with epilepsy he must have suffered at least two unprovoked seizures.

At present the treatments for epileptic seizures are very effective. In some cases the causes can be eliminated and in the majority the crises can be controlled. In almost all cases, the quality of life of people suffering from epilepsy can be improved.

Treatments for epileptic seizures include:

    Medicines.
    Surgery.
    Ketogenic diet
    Stimulation of the vagus nerve.

It is essential that a neurologist treat the disease and advise on the best procedure to follow according to each case.
Pharmacotherapy

It is the basic treatment for all patients with epilepsy and includes the so-called antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). These drugs seek to eliminate the onset of seizures with the minimum possible side effects. They are designed to restore the chemical balance of neurons and taken regularly can reduce, control or even eliminate epileptic seizures. The drugs achieve crisis control in approximately between 70 and 80% of people.

Normally the treatment starts with medication to stop epileptic seizures. The drugs for seizures are antiepileptic drugs, they are the most common treatment for seizures. They have been an effective form of treatment for many years.

Although medications may not cure epileptic seizures, if taken regularly, they can help control them, reducing or eliminating seizures. Antiepileptic drugs can control seizures, at least temporarily, by approximately 70-80%.
What should you know about medications for epileptic seizures?

Here are some things you should know about medications for epileptic seizures:

    It is very important to take the medicines on time.
    Blood and urine tests may be done to make sure the dose of the medication is correct. This is also done to check that the medications are causing you no harm.

Not all medicines work the same for everyone. Most people do not have serious side effects with AEDs. Many people experience mild side effects or they disappear a few days after they start taking the treatment. There are different medicines for the different types of epileptic seizures.

The doctor may tell you to stop taking the medication if you do not have a seizure for several years. You should not stop taking the medication or change doses without first talking to your doctor.
What you should know when taking any medication

Use this list when you receive a new medication. Do what each question asks. Then check the adjacent box.

    Did you tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the medicines you take?
        For sale with prescription.
        Over-the-counter (without prescription).
        Vitamins or herbal supplements.
    Did you tell your doctor your complete medical history?
    Did you mention any allergies you may have?
    Did you understand how much medication you should take and when?
    Can you follow the doctor's instructions.
    Did you ask your doctor what to do in case you miss a dose of medication?
    Did you talk to the doctor about side effects and other problems that the medication may cause?




Checklist

Did you ask your doctor to tell you how to take the medication? For example, should you take it with or without food?

 Did you ask your doctor if you should avoid certain foods for the duration of the treatment? These foods may include:  

Grapefruit or other citrus fruits.
  Alcohol (such as beer or whiskey)  
Some infusions or herbal supplements.

Did you ask your pharmacist to explain how to keep the medication? (for example, store it in the refrigerator or protected from light)

Do not stop taking your medication or change doses without talking to your doctor. Surgery Some patients fail to remit their epileptic seizures through pharmacological treatments so that neurologists decide to resort to surgical interventions. After trying several antiepileptic drugs, the doctor may recommend an operation. With surgery, it is intended to find and eliminate the area of ​​the brain where the seizures originate, causing the least possible brain damage.

 You may need an operation for other reasons. It is also possible to have surgery to eliminate something that is causing the crises, for example a brain tumor. Usually only epilepsy is operated when:

   Several antiepileptic drugs have been tested in correct doses. 

 The crises are focal and originate in a part of the brain that can be located and removed. 

 The part of the brain that causes the crises does not control important functions such as memory, language or sight.

     Epilepsy manifests as severe crises, often with a fall, which can cause more brain damage. Surgical interventions in epilepsy Type What is done Result Lobectomy or lesionectomy A small fragment of brain that is the cause of the seizures is eliminated. Seizures are eliminated in 7 out of 10 patients in whom the brain area that originates the seizures can be removed. It is usually necessary to continue taking medication, at least for a few years Section of the corpus callosum (callosotomy) The junction connecting the two cerebral hemispheres is cut.
It is usually performed in children in which the crises begin in one half of the brain and extend to the other. It is performed in the case of tonic, atonic or myoclonic epileptic seizures that cause falls. It can eliminate falling attacks or other generalized attacks, but it may increase the number of focal or partial seizures. Normally it is necessary to continue taking medication, at least for a few years Ketogenic diet

 The purpose of this diet is to take foods that can help control crises. It is often used in some complicated cases during childhood and consists of a meal plan that causes a chemical change in the body. The diet is based on a high level of fats (oils, butters, mayonnaise ...), few proteins (egg, fish, meat ...) and practically nothing of carbohydrates (pasta, bread, sweets ...)

The purpose of this diet is not to control weight but to provide food that can help control the crisis. It consists of a feeding plan that causes a chemical change in the body. This change can help reduce epileptic seizures in children. Ketogenic diets include foods that are:     Very rich in fat, such as cheese.

  Very low in carbohydrates, which means eating very little food such as bread or pasta.     Very low in protein, so you should eat minimal amounts of meat or fish. 

 Lower in calories. The ketogenic diet is usually used in children, when they have already tried medication without benefit. Controls or reduces crises in 2 out of 3 children. The diet must be strictly followed, it must be done by a dietitian and the patient periodically checked by his doctor. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) This type of treatment is used in cases of focal seizures that can not be controlled with medication and where there is no evidence of brain injury.
   
        It consists of sending information to the brain through mild electrical pulses issued on a regular basis. Normally the patient must continue taking their medication. It can be treated in people older than 12 years.

The vagus nerve stimulator:

    It is placed by an operation.
    The electrode that stimulates the nerve is placed under the skin of the neck and the generator re-pulses electrical under the skin of the left chest region. The cable that connects the generator with the neck electrode goes through a tunnel under the skin.
    The ENV helps to reduce the number of crises between 20 and 40%, approximately.

What other things can you do to help control the crisis?

Some of the things you can do to help control your crises are:

    Take the medication as directed by your doctor.
    Get enough sleep and maintain a regular sleep schedule.
    Avoid consuming alcohol.
    You should not use drugs like marijuana, cocaine or hashish.
    Try to reduce the level of stress in your life.
    Try to take an adequate diet and exercise.

How can you handle your feelings about crises?

Having epilepsy can affect your feelings. Some questions that are asked about the emotional aspects of epilepsies are:

    Do you feel sad or depressed?
    Do you feel bad about yourself?
    Do you sometimes feel sad, angry or scared for no reason?
    Have you ever had an epileptic seizure when you were stressed?

If the answer to any of these questions is positive, you may need help. Some of the things you can do are:

    Tell your doctor how you feel. You may need a medication change.
    Do something to reduce your stress level, such as learning relaxation techniques.
    Learn ways to improve memory, such as making lists of things you should do each day.
    Get help from support services, social assistance whenever you need it.