INFORMATION
In an effort to educate and empower families effected by Epilepsy, we post papers, booklets, just about anything that we find to be quality, relevant information. If you have an item that will benefit the community, please contact us by email - brad@eegtogo.com
Diagnosis
The first and most important step in providing a personalized optimal outcome is to reach an accurate diagnosis.
While this sounds quite simple, oftentimes it is not. Seizures are a manifestation, a result of an underlying brain disorder, and additional personal information is critical to determining personal information is critical to determining the cause of epileptic seizures.
"When did your seizures begin?
Do you have a warning before your seizures?
What happens to you during your seizures?"
Answers to these questions help us better understand the cause of epilepsy in each patient. For some patients, it may be necessary to directly observe seizures in order to provide an accurate diagnosis or to determine the region of the brain where seizures originate. During monitoring, patients are continually observed and the brain's electrical activity is constantly monitored.
Treatment
Anticonvulsant medications can successfully control seizures in a majority of patients with epilepsy. With more than two dozen anticonvulsants to choose from, however, it is important to select the right medication for the right patient. To achieve optimal results, our team works closely with each patient to review the side effects of anticonvulsant medications, including impact on other conditions such as depression, anxiety, migraine and sleep disorders.
Treatment options include:
- Anticonvulsant Medications
- Epilepsy surgery
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy
- Dietary Therapy
- Immunotherapy
In approximately one third of patients, anticonvulsant medications cannot adequately control seizures. For many patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, epilepsy surgery is a highly successful treatment, resulting in long-term seizure freedom. While surgery was previously considered a treatment of last resort, development of minimally invasive surgical techniques and recent evidence for improved quality of life suggests that surgery should be considered after two or more medications have failed to control seizures.
Some patients may benefit from other treatment options, including: neurostimulation with vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), or responsive neurostimulation (RNS) systems, immunotherapy, and holistic approaches such as dietary therapy.