How Is Epilepsy Treated?
Labels Epilepsy
Treating epilepsy has three goals: to eliminate seizures or at least reduce
their frequency, to avoid side effects of long-term medical treatments, and
to assist in maintaining or restoring normal activities of daily living.
Medication Anticonvulsant medications can fully or partially control
most cases of epilepsy. If a person is free of seizures for several years, doctors
may reduce or even eliminate medication. In many cases, however,
epilepsy remains a lifelong, chronic condition with no medical treatment
guaranteeing remission or a permanent cure.
Surgery If drug therapy does not work, a surgical procedure can
remove the damaged cells that cause partial seizures. Cases qualify for surgery
if the tissue resides in one small area of the brain and the surgeon can
remove this tissue without harming a person’s mental abilities or personality.
Surgery on adults is sometimes successful, but it usually has better
results when performed on children and infants.
Diet Although it was discontinued as a therapy when medicines became
available, a ketogenic diet (a doctor-monitored, high-fat, high-calorie
diet) was reinstated in the treatment arsenal for epilepsy, especially for
children who do not respond to medicines. It does not, however, work
for all patients. Some people believe the diet can stop seizures by creating
ketosis (ke-TO-sis), a condition in which the body burns fat for energy
instead of glucose. Researchers continued as of the early 2000s to wonder
why diet has an impact on seizures.
Biofeedback When combined with other therapies, biofeedback has
been beneficial to some patients. Biofeedback uses electronic instruments
to monitor a person’s brain waves, blood pressure, heart rate, and skin
temperature. The patient learns techniques to lower these bodily functions
to more relaxed levels.
Other treatments In the early 2000s epilepsy research was an active
field. One promising technique called vagus nerve stimulation uses an
implanted device to prevent or at least lessen seizures by sending small,
regular bursts of electricity through the vagus nerve in the neck to the
brain.
their frequency, to avoid side effects of long-term medical treatments, and
to assist in maintaining or restoring normal activities of daily living.
Medication Anticonvulsant medications can fully or partially control
most cases of epilepsy. If a person is free of seizures for several years, doctors
may reduce or even eliminate medication. In many cases, however,
epilepsy remains a lifelong, chronic condition with no medical treatment
guaranteeing remission or a permanent cure.
Surgery If drug therapy does not work, a surgical procedure can
remove the damaged cells that cause partial seizures. Cases qualify for surgery
if the tissue resides in one small area of the brain and the surgeon can
remove this tissue without harming a person’s mental abilities or personality.
Surgery on adults is sometimes successful, but it usually has better
results when performed on children and infants.
Diet Although it was discontinued as a therapy when medicines became
available, a ketogenic diet (a doctor-monitored, high-fat, high-calorie
diet) was reinstated in the treatment arsenal for epilepsy, especially for
children who do not respond to medicines. It does not, however, work
for all patients. Some people believe the diet can stop seizures by creating
ketosis (ke-TO-sis), a condition in which the body burns fat for energy
instead of glucose. Researchers continued as of the early 2000s to wonder
why diet has an impact on seizures.
Biofeedback When combined with other therapies, biofeedback has
been beneficial to some patients. Biofeedback uses electronic instruments
to monitor a person’s brain waves, blood pressure, heart rate, and skin
temperature. The patient learns techniques to lower these bodily functions
to more relaxed levels.
Other treatments In the early 2000s epilepsy research was an active
field. One promising technique called vagus nerve stimulation uses an
implanted device to prevent or at least lessen seizures by sending small,
regular bursts of electricity through the vagus nerve in the neck to the
brain.
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