How is epilepsy treated

Epileptic seizures Seizure types Diagnosing epilepsy Epilepsy treatment Anti-seizure medication Medication Sodium valproate First aid for epileptic seizures Information for carers Information for parents Teaching children with epilepsy Personal stories Living with epilepsy Living with epilepsy Travel and holidays What help is available?

What treatment options are there? Medication for epilepsy. Find out more. Types of treatment. Anti-epileptic drugs AEDs Anti-epileptic drugs AEDs are the main type of treatment for most people with epilepsy that aims to stop seizures from happening. Ketogenic diet The ketogenic diet is one treatment option for children or adults with epilepsy whose seizures are not controlled with AEDs. Vagus Nerve Stimulation Vagus nerve stimulation therapy is a treatment for epilepsy that involves a stimulator or 'pulse generator' which is connected, inside the body, to the left vagus nerve in the neck.

Epilepsy surgery Brain surgery or neurosurgery is one way of treating epilepsy. Deep Brain Stimulation Deep brain stimulation therapy is a surgical treatment which aims to reduce seizures not controlled with medication, and where surgery to treat the cause of seizures is not possible. Cannabis oil for epilepsy With talk in the media about the use of cannabis products to treat epilepsy, generating interest and confusion, we outline the different forms of cannabis, their legality and their safety.

Your rights and choices. Read the document. Anti-epileptic drugs booklet. Download the booklet. Making the most of your pharmacist Pharmacists play a key role in helping to manage healthcare for people in the community. Your appointment or review Medical appointments can be very important, but time is often limited, so it is useful to prepare beforehand. Managing your treatment Managing your treatment is an important part of managing your epilepsy, and seeing whether your medication is working.

New to epilepsy treatment The decision whether to start taking anti-epileptic drugs AEDs can be difficult, and there is a lot to think about. Coming off treatment If someone has not had a seizure for two or more years then they may think about withdrawing coming off their AEDs.

Want to know more? Download our medication leaflet Visit our shop for printed copies. Please support us. Five pounds. Twenty pounds. Treatment will depend on the nature of the problem. You might also benefit from individual therapy, family therapy, or joining a support group to help you cope.

Because you never know when a seizure will occur, many everyday activities like crossing a busy street, can become dangerous. These problems can lead to loss of independence. In addition to regular doctor visits and following your treatment plan, here are some things you can do to cope:. Uncontrolled or prolonged seizures can lead to brain damage.

Epilepsy also raises the risk of sudden unexplained death. Two types of brain surgery can cut down on or eliminate seizures. One type, called resection, involves removing the part of the brain where seizures originate. When the area of the brain responsible for seizures is too vital or large to remove, the surgeon can perform a disconnection. This involves interrupting the nerve pathway by making cuts in the brain.

This keeps seizures from spreading to other parts of the brain. Recent research found that 81 percent of people with severe epilepsy were either completely or almost seizure-free six months after surgery. After 10 years, 72 percent were still completely or almost seizure-free. Dozens of other avenues of research into the causes, treatment, and potential cures for epilepsy are ongoing. Learn more about the long-term outlook for people with epilepsy ». Worldwide, 65 million people have epilepsy.

That includes about 3 million people in the United States, where there are , new cases of epilepsy diagnosed each year. As many as genes may relate to epilepsy in some way. For most people, the risk of developing epilepsy before age 20 is about 1 percent. Having a parent with genetically linked epilepsy raises that risk to 2 to 5 percent.

For people over age 35, a leading cause of epilepsy is stroke. Between 15 to 30 percent of children with intellectual disabilities have epilepsy. Between 30 and 70 percent of people who have epilepsy also have depression, anxiety, or both. Sudden unexplained death affects about 1 percent of people with epilepsy.

Between 60 and 70 percent of people with epilepsy respond satisfactorily to the first anti-epilepsy drug they try. About 50 percent can stop taking medications after two to five years without a seizure. Half of adults who try a modified Atkins diet have fewer seizures. Learn more facts and statistics about epilepsy ».

Natural treatments for epilepsy, such as herbs, biofeedback, and acupuncture, may complement traditional treatment options. Learn more. Temporal lobe epilepsy is one of 20 different kinds of epilepsy. It causes seizures that stem from the medial or lateral temporal lobes of the brain.

Epilepsy isn't funny. Neither are seizures. But when you blackout, sometimes you do hilarious things you just have to laugh about. Giving your child a substance you've been led to believe is harmful and addictive is cause for concern.

But what if it can help them? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Jeanne Morrison, Ph. Epilepsy symptoms Epilepsy triggers Heredity Causes of epilepsy Diagnosing epilepsy Epilepsy treatment Epilepsy medications Surgery for epilepsy Epilepsy diet Epilepsy and behavior Living with epilepsy Epilepsy cure Facts and statistics What is epilepsy?

There are several reasons you might have a seizure. These include: high fever head trauma very low blood sugar alcohol withdrawal Epilepsy is a fairly common neurological disorder that affects 65 million people around the world.

What are the symptoms of epilepsy? What triggers an epileptic seizure? Is epilepsy hereditary? What causes epilepsy? How is epilepsy diagnosed?

How is epilepsy treated? Medications for epilepsy. Is surgery an option for epilepsy management? Dietary recommendations for people with epilepsy. Epilepsy and behavior: Is there a connection? Living with epilepsy: What to expect. Is there a cure for epilepsy? Facts and statistics about epilepsy. Read this next. Other complications include suffering permanent damage to the brain due to lack of oxygen during a seizure. Medications used to treat epilepsy may cause complications or uncomfortable side effects.

If you're pregnant, some of these drugs may lead to serious birth defects. Because a seizure can strike at any time, do your best to be prepared.

Ask your doctor about wearing a medical alert bracelet that identifies you as having epilepsy so that people will know what to do if you have a seizure. And if you're pregnant or trying to become pregnant, remember to check with your doctor about the safety of your medications.

Health Home Conditions and Diseases Epilepsy. Symptoms of epilepsy The primary symptom of epilepsy is a seizure. These are some symptoms of seizures: Slight twitching of all or parts of the body, including arms, hands, and legs Convulsions that affect the entire body Loss of consciousness Twitching of the face Affected speech Sudden stillness with a blank stare Temporary loss of control of your bladder or bowels Most seizures only last for a few minutes or even just a few seconds.

Diagnosis A doctor may perform a neurological exam and a complete physical exam to pinpoint the cause of the seizures and diagnose epilepsy.

Tests used to diagnose epilepsy include: An electroencephalogram EEG to measure the electrical activity of the brain A spinal tap to collect spinal fluid for analysis Imaging tests, like an MRI or CT scan, of the head These blood tests are also commonly used to help diagnose epilepsy or rule out other disorders: Tests of liver and kidney function Blood glucose tests Complete blood count and chemistry of the blood Tests to diagnose or rule out any infectious diseases Treatment Epilepsy can be treated through multiple strategies.

Calling the doctor If you have a seizure for the first time, you should see a doctor right away to try to pinpoint the cause. Prevention Although there is no way to prevent epilepsy, you can take steps to help prevent seizures: Don't drink alcohol, use illegal drugs, or smoke. Get plenty of sleep every night.

Do your best to avoid getting a cold or the flu. Always take all of your epilepsy medications as prescribed. Find healthy ways to cope with stress. Complications Epilepsy can lead to emotional and social problems, particularly in children.