A wire that travels under your skin connects the device to the electrode. A magnetic resonance imaging MRI scan of deep brain stimulation shows the location of electrodes placed in the brain. Apart from medications and surgery, these potential therapies offer an alternative for treating epilepsy:. Vagus nerve stimulation.
In vagus nerve stimulation, doctors implant a device called a vagus nerve stimulator underneath the skin of your chest, similar to a heart pacemaker. Wires from the stimulator are connected to the vagus nerve in your neck. The battery-powered device sends bursts of electrical energy through the vagus nerve and to your brain. Most people still need to take anti-epileptic medication, although some people may be able to lower their medication dose.
You may experience side effects from vagus nerve stimulation, such as throat pain, hoarse voice, shortness of breath or coughing. Ketogenic diet. Some children with epilepsy have been able to reduce their seizures by following a strict diet that's high in fats and low in carbohydrates. In this diet, called a ketogenic diet, the body breaks down fats instead of carbohydrates for energy. After a few years, some children may be able to stop the ketogenic diet — under close supervision of their doctors — and remain seizure-free.
Consult a doctor if you or your child is considering a ketogenic diet. It's important to make sure that your child doesn't become malnourished when following the diet.
Side effects of a ketogenic diet may include dehydration, constipation, slowed growth because of nutritional deficiencies and a buildup of uric acid in the blood, which can cause kidney stones. These side effects are uncommon if the diet is properly and medically supervised. Following a ketogenic diet can be a challenge. Low-glycemic index and modified Atkins diets offer less restrictive alternatives that may still provide some benefit for seizure control.
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In addition, make healthy life choices, such as managing stress, limiting alcoholic beverages and avoiding cigarettes. Uncontrolled seizures and their effects on your life may at times feel overwhelming or lead to depression. It's important not to let epilepsy hold you back.
You can still live an active, full life. To help cope:. If your seizures are so severe that you can't work outside your home, there are still ways to feel productive and connected to people.
You may consider working from home. Let people you work and live with know the correct way to handle a seizure in case they are with you when you have one. You may offer them suggestions, such as:. You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner.
However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a specialist, such as a doctor trained in brain and nervous system conditions neurologist or a neurologist trained in epilepsy epileptologist. Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot to talk about, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment.
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor. Keep a detailed seizure calendar. Each time a seizure occurs, write down the time, the type of seizure you experienced and how long it lasted. Also make note of any circumstances, such as missed medications, sleep deprivation, increased stress, menstruation or other events that might trigger seizure activity. Seek input from people who may observe your seizures, including family, friends and co-workers, so that you can record information you may not know.
Take a family member or friend along. Some people with epilepsy suffer from memory problems or other cognitive difficulties, such as trouble coming up with the correct word to use in a conversation. These problems may result from repeated seizures, medications, or a brain disease that is causing the seizures. A quantitative assessment can provide insight into the severity and indicate the location of lesions that are causing the seizures.
Neuropsychological assessments can gauge a patient's cognitive thinking abilities as they relate to the function of different brain structures.
For example, impaired memory may indicate an abnormality in the function of parts of the brain called the temporal lobe and the frontal lobe.
Health Home Conditions and Diseases Epilepsy. What You Need to Know Proper diagnosis of seizures and epilepsy is essential for effective treatment. Electroencephalography EEG Routine EEG: Monitoring of electrical signals in the brain with electrodes sensors attached to the scalp is usually first performed in a specialized outpatient clinic.
Radiologic Testing Some seizures and epilepsies are due to irregularities within the brain tissue, such as scars, tumors or other lesions that can show up on radiologic imaging. Positron Emission Tomography PET A brain scan called an interictal fluorodeoxyglucose FDG PET scan can show changes in brain metabolism and chemistry, which is valuable in evaluating patients with many different conditions affecting the brain, especially epilepsy.
The tests can include the following: Depth electrodes: These are small, multi-contact probes that are inserted through small holes made in the skull and the coverings of the brain.
Recording information about your seizures If you have a seizure you may not remember what has happened. A diagnosis and its impact on mood Any diagnosis can be a shock, even if you are expecting it. Who will I see about my epilepsy? How epilepsy is diagnosed Diagnosing epilepsy is not simple. Want to know more? Download our diagnosis leaflet: Download the PDF. Please support us.
Five pounds. Twenty pounds. Fifty pounds. Choose another amount. Enter the amount you would like to give us. Could help us get 10 crucial information packs to people at the point of diagnosis. One hundred pounds. An MRI scan will not say for certain whether the person has epilepsy or not. But alongside other information, it might help the specialist to decide what the likely cause of the seizures is. Download the PDF. Skip to content.
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How epilepsy is diagnosed. Recording information about your seizures If you have a seizure you may not remember what has happened. Before the seizure Did anything trigger set off the seizure — for example, did you feel tired, hungry, or unwell? Did you have any warning that the seizure was going to happen?
Did your mood change — for example, were you excited, anxious or quiet?
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