There is no specific cause of epilepsy but rather there are certain incidents that can lead to epilepsy, for example heard injuries, stress, etc.
People living with epilepsy are normal people, so they can get jobs, date, find love and live normal lives.
No! Epilepsy could be hereditary but never contagious.
AED’s are meant to manage epilepsy. This normally depends on the cause of epilepsy; it’s always advisable to consult your health care provider.
Absolutely any one can develop epilepsy, no matter their ages or class
Epilepsy individuals are normal individuals with no signs that they live with epilepsy, except for when they are experiencing epilepsy seizures.
Women with epilepsy can have a healthy normal baby. The drugs used to treat epilepsy can change effectiveness of Family Planning Methods, but not the fertility of women.
Prior to a seizure, you may have vague complaints, such as an odd smell or a funny feeling in their stomach. This is called an aura. Certain types of auras can tell where the seizure is coming from in the brain. During a seizure, a person may bite their tongue or wet themselves. Afterwards, they are tired and drowsy and may even fall into a deep sleep.
Depending on how serious the seizures are, the doctor may need to add a second or a third AED. An AED, also known as an anticonvulsant, is a medicine that is used to treat seizures. As a rule of thumb, “The correct AED dose is the lowest dose that keeps one free of seizures.” Over 30 types of AEDs are available. All have some side effects, such as, but not limited to:
AEDs can also be costly. Your doctor will choose the medicine that is best suited for the type of epilepsy and take into account other considerations, such as age, weight, and other health conditions. The medicine is gradually increased until the seizures are stopped or the maximum dose is reached, as long as the patient can tolerate the AED. A second AED may need to be added. After a third medicine is added, the chances that the seizures will be cured only by medication declines significantly. Your doctor will then talk with you about a few other treatment options.
Epilepsy surgery, vagus nerve stimulator (VNS), and ketogenic diet are some treatment options available if medications have failed. Since epilepsy is a very serious condition, treatment is generally covered by insurance companies, even though it can be very expensive.
If a particular area of the brain seems to be repetitively causing the seizures, the doctor may refer you for epilepsy surgery. This requires extensive workup with detailed brain imaging and EEGs. A neurosurgeon will then surgically remove the area of the brain that is causing the seizures. This is called epilepsy surgery.
If the seizures are not adequately treated by medication or surgery, then the doctor will discuss placing a VNS or starting a ketogenic diet. A VNS is a programmable magnetic devise that is placed surgically under the chest wall. The providers will teach caregivers how to swipe the VNS with a wand if a seizure occurs. Hoarseness is a side effect.
Multiple diets exist that can help control seizures. The ketogenic diet is a strict meal plan consisting primarily of fats and oils and complete elimination of carbohydrates. The patient is typically hospitalized at the start of the diet and careful monitoring of blood tests is involved. It is not an experimental, but rather a well-proven and effective form of epilepsy treatment.
If seizures are not treated, they can start happening more often and for longer periods of time. This is harmful for the brain and eventually for the rest of the body. A person can be even at a high risk for sudden death.
The ultimate benefit of treating seizures is that they can be cured forever. It can lead to a more productive, happier, and fulfilling life. It should be kept in mind that medicines do have side effects, as does surgery and the ketogenic diet.
