How To Get Rid Of Epilepsy

How To Get Rid Of Epilepsy

How To Get Rid Of Epilepsy

An epileptic seizure in a public place is not pleasant to look at. People look at you with disdain and pity and it is enough to make you want to lock yourself in your house forever. An epileptic seizure is something that you cannot exactly predict, so you go out everyday with the fear that it may happen anytime and you won't have any control over it.

Overview of Epilepsy

Epilepsy happens when the transmission of electrical signals to the brain gets disrupted, resulting on seizures. These seizures are usually signs or symptoms of abnormal or excessive neural activity in the brain. The seizures in this case are not constrained to uncontrollable display of spasms. Some people who have epilepsy just sometimes stare blankly for a few seconds or so when they have a seizure. The rest are the usual full-fledged convulsions.

Epilepsy is a common affliction as there are at least 50 million people suffering from it. It is incurable, but is controllable through medications and in more serious cases, surgery. If you're epileptic, you're not branded with it for life. Some epilepsy are not permanent. In fact, many children with epilepsy outgrow it as they age.

If you experience a single seizure, it does not mean that you are epileptic. After two seizures, however, your chances of getting more increases dramatically. More than one unprovoked seizure is a diagnosis for possible epilepsy.

There are five classifications of epilepsy. They are based on:

their cause (or etiology);

the manifestations of the seizures that can be observed;

the location in the brain where the seizures come from;

whether it's a part of an identifiable medical syndrome;

the events that trigger the seizure.

Since 1997, the International League Against Epilepsy have been working on a five-axis scheme, namely: seizure type, etiology, syndrome, ictal phenomenon, and impairment.

Dealing with Epilepsy

There is no definitive cure for epilepsy. You either outgrow it or deal with it. Here are several tips you can do to lessen or make epilepsy more manageable.

Take your medication properly. Don't adjust your dosage without your doctor's knowledge or consent. More importantly, consult your doctor if you're planning on switching to another more generic form of the medicine. Talk to your doctor too if you're planning to get another form of medication together with your current one, even if it's a new drug, another brand, or even just herbal medicine. Don't ever stop taking your medication unless your doctor says so.Anti-seizure medicines all have side effects. These range from mild fatigue to depression. Talk to your doctor regarding these so he or she will be able to adjust or get the best one for you.

Keep a daily record of your seizures. Each time a seizure occurs, write down the details concerning it, including what type it is (whether it's partial, petit mal, or grand mal), when it occurred, and how long it lasted. Your record will help your doctor get a better understanding of your condition, and provide you with better treatment. If you can't do it, then have someone else do the recording for you. Also, include in the record any changes you may have done prior to the seizure, such as a change in medication, or any particular triggers. Such information will keep track of your progress or lack of it. Be comprehensive in your reports.

Maintain good health. It may seem like common sense, but maintaining good health is a very important step in controlling your epileptic seizures. For example, not getting enough sleep is a common seizure trigger. You must also manage your stress by eating well, having a positive disposition, and doing several regular exercises.Do not consume too much alcohol and stop smoking. These are common triggers of epileptic seizures as these complicate your condition.

As much as possible, tag a pal along. It may seem limiting at first, but during your first few months of being diagnosed with epilepsy, it is recommended that you be with someone wherever you go. Seizure attacks are random and you will never know where you'll be and when you'll have one. A companion will ensure that you won't be in any danger when you do have a seizure episode.As soon as your attacks become less frequent, you can start going out on your own.

Wear a medical bracelet. Since you will not be conscious during epileptic seizure attacks, it's always a good idea to have some sort of medical tag with you so emergency personnel can have a quick background check on your condition. Include important details such as the person to contact in case of emergency, as well your usual medical allergies.

Other Treatments

Most people with epilepsy usually respond well with anti-seizure medications; however, in cases where anti-epileptic medications are not sufficient, there are other treatment methods you can use in order to live a relatively seizure-free life.

Surgery. When tests show that your seizures originate from a small, well-defined area of your temporal or frontal brain lobe, then surgery is usually the best option. For seizures whose points of origin are the parts of the brain that are important for vital brain functions, however, surgery is not advised.During surgery, a small incision is made in your scalp and then removes a piece of your skull bone. Once your brain is exposed, the doctor cuts away the part of it that causes the seizures.

Vagus nerve stimulation. The vagus nerve is the nerve that connects your brain to the heart, lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. In this form of treatment, a small device, generally similar to a pacemaker, is implanted on the vagus nerve. The device stimulates the nerve at pre-set intervals via electronic pulses, according to a program. Studies have shown that this form of treatment reduces seizure frequency in at least 50% of those treated.

Ketogenic diet. Used primarily for children, the ketogenic diet is high in fat and protein and low in carbohydrates. The goal is to have your body produce ketones, that causes the body to burn up fat instead of glucose for energy.

Epilepsy can only greatly affect your life, if you let it. You can control your epilepsy, and allow yourself the luxury of leading a relatively normal, and seizure-free lifestyle.

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