Epilepsy treatment is different for each person based on its severity and type. But most epilepsy patients are controlled and treated with medication. Other treatments such as surgery, diet, neurofeedback and vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) are also performed for patients. The choice of treatment method is different based on its type and severity. Here we have described the treatment methods for you.
Epilepsy treatment methods
The most important methods of treating epilepsy are:
Pharmaceutical treatment
The first method that the doctor uses to treat epilepsy is drugs. With the use of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), the electrical activity of the brain is controlled and an epileptic attack is prevented. Choosing the right drug depends on the type of epilepsy and the individual characteristics of the patient.
carbamazepine: for seizures Focal.
Phenytoin: For different types of seizures.
Sodium valproate: For general and focal types.
Lamotrigine: For different types of seizures.
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are the first line of treatment to control seizures and play a very important role in the management of this disease. These drugs help prevent seizures by regulating the brain's electrical activity. Common drugs for treating epilepsy include lamotrigine, valproate, and carbamazepine. The choice of drug depends on the type of epilepsy, patient's age and response to treatment. These drugs help reduce the intensity and number of seizures and improve the patient's life in many cases.
Refer to the article seizure medications to review epilepsy and seizure medications and to know how to use them and their side effects.
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Non-drug treatment
In addition to drug therapy, non-drug treatments are also effective in epilepsy management. Brain surgery can be an effective option in cases where the source of epilepsy is known and can be removed. Other methods, such as the ketogenic diet, which helps control seizures by reducing carbohydrate consumption and increasing fat, are also effective in some patients, especially children. Also, neurofeedback is a method that helps regulate brain activities through visual and audio feedback. These therapies provide new disease management options for patients who do not respond to antiepileptic drugs.
1. Brain surgery;
If the origin of epilepsy is known and the focus of the seizure is a specific area of the brain, surgery is an effective treatment option. Surgery is usually suggested when drug treatment does not have the expected results and the patient has refractory epilepsy. This method is performed if the patient has not responded to the medicine and the doctor can remove the part of the brain that causes seizures.
2. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS);
This therapy helps regulate brain activity by sending electrical signals to the vagus nerve, which is one of the main nerves in the body. Stimulation of the vagus nerve helps reduce seizures, especially in patients who do not respond to medication. This method is a non-invasive treatment and is usually considered as an option for patients for whom surgery is not possible. The method of performing this type of epilepsy treatment is that a small chip is placed under the skin of the neck. By sending electrical pulses to the brain, this chip controls the brain's abnormal activities and thus the disease is controlled.
This method does not work quickly and it may take some time for the patient to see the results. It is also used to treat treatment-resistant depression.
3. Ketogenic diet;
By reducing the consumption of carbohydrates and increasing fats, this diet helps the body to use fat instead of glucose for energy production. The ketogenic diet is especially effective in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. This diet can help reduce epileptic attacks and in some cases even replace drug treatments.
The role of diagnostic and therapeutic services of a neurologist
Neurologists play a key role in epilepsy management. Diagnostic tools such as EEG, MRI, and CT Scan help to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment plan. These diagnostic services not only identify the exact cause of seizures, but also help doctors plan individualized and effective treatments for each patient. Choosing the right treatment can prevent repeated seizures and improve the patient's life. neurospecialists by using these advanced tools, they have been able to make the treatment process more accurate and prevent the possible complications of the disease.
Diagnosis of epilepsy:
Brain tape and rTMS are two key and complementary methods for diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. EEG is used to detect abnormal brain activity and RTMS is used to regulate these activities. These services help patients to experience a better quality of life.
Encephalogram (EEG)
Encephalogram (EEG) is one of the key methods for diagnosing epilepsy, which helps to identify the type of epilepsy and the areas involved by recording the electrical activities of the brain. This method can more accurately identify which part of the brain is causing the seizures. EEG is performed on an outpatient basis or at home, which facilitates the access of patients and enables continuous monitoring of brain status. This method is very important for early diagnosis and designing a personalized treatment plan.
Long Term Brain (LTM) tape
In cases where the epilepsy patient is resistant to treatment and various treatments do not respond to him, the doctor prescribes a long-term brain scan. With the help of this device, the patient is placed under controlled conditions for the period determined by the doctor (from one hour to 72 hours) and is admitted to a bed. The EEG machine is connected to the patient and the conditions of a controlled mild seizure are created for the patient so that the patient's EEG is recorded exactly during the seizure and thus the type of epilepsy can be accurately diagnosed.
In this type of brain scan, the patient is filmed at the same time so that the seizure waves and the patient's movements are available to the doctor at the same time and he can understand the type of seizure and finally the type of epilepsy of the patient.
After accurately diagnosing the type of epilepsy, epilepsy treatment is performed and the patient is examined and treated with fully targeted drugs. This device is available in Dr. Keihani Fard's super specialty clinic. If you know someone in your family who has epilepsy and the drugs have not been able to control their epilepsy, please let them know. Because the number of this device in the country is very small and the patient must be hospitalized.
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preventive tips and lifestyle recommendations
A healthy lifestyle plays an important role in epilepsy management and can prevent seizures. Stress management with exercises such as yoga and meditation can help reduce attacks. Adequate sleep is also of particular importance, as lack of sleep is one of the main triggers of seizures. Proper nutrition and the use of a balanced diet also help to maintain brain health. In addition, it is important to avoid alcohol and stimulants that can trigger seizures. By following these recommendations, the patient can help better control the disease and improve his quality of life.
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Conclusion
Epilepsy treatment requires a combination of accurate diagnosis, drug and non-drug treatments, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Epilepsy can be effectively managed through consultation with a neurologist and the use of advanced diagnostic tools such as neuromuscular testing, electroencephalography (EEG) and brain MRI. Also, a CT scan of the brain helps identify brain damage and structural problems in the brain that may affect epilepsy. In cases where epilepsy is associated with other neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or stroke, more careful management of the disease is necessary to improve the patient's quality of life. Considering the complexities associated with these diseases, correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment can play an effective role in improving the patient's condition. Thank you for staying with us until the end of this article.
