How is epilepsy (seizure disorder) treated?
-
Treatment options for seizure disorders, also known as epilepsy, include medication (in most cases), surgery (in some cases), and other less commonly used treatment strategies, such as implanted devices and dietary changes. About 80 percent of people with epilepsy are able to control their seizures with the kinds of treatment that are currently available. Most people with epilepsy are treated with antiepileptic drugs, and over 20 different kinds are available. Some people with epilepsy do not find sufficient relief with antiepileptic drugs. However, some types of epilepsy can be treated surgically if medication does not work. For example, in some cases a surgeon might be able to remove the small part of the brain that is affected by the seizures or might sever the connections between the malfunctioning brain nerve cells (neurons). Another option for some people with epilepsy is to have a device called a vagus nerve stimulator surgically implanted in the chest. This device delivers electrical impulses to the brain through a nerve in the neck. Some people with epilepsy, particularly children, have been found to benefit from a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet.
Treatment options for seizure disorders, also known as epilepsy, include medication (in most cases), surgery (in some cases), and other less commonly used treatment strategies, such as implanted devices and dietary changes. About 80 percent of... More -
Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Seizures can often be minimized or eliminated with appropriate anti-convulsant medications without significant side effects. Diets, such as the Hopkins-developed ketogenic diet (which should be done only under a doctor’s supervision) can also have dramatic effects.
Another option is vagus nerve stimulation where a small pacemaker-like device is surgically implanted below the skin on the upper chest. The device delivers a small electrical current to the vagus nerve in the neck. An impulse continues up the nerve to the brain.
Our doctors along with others have found that the vagus nerve stimulator can be helpful for children with epilepsy, especially when combined with the use of the ketogenic diet. In select cases, surgery may be required to stop the seizures. Some children will outgrow epilepsy.
Seizures can often be minimized or eliminated with appropriate anti-convulsant medications without significant side effects. Diets, such as the Hopkins-developed ketogenic diet (which should be done only under a doctor’s supervision) can also... More -
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered:Medication to prevent epileptic seizures is the most common treatment approach for the disease. Medication controls seizures in half or more of patients for substantial periods of time, and significantly reduces the number of seizures in another thirty percent. Doctors can choose from a number of different anti-seizure medications depending on the patient's type of epilepsy. If epileptic seizures are not controlled after treatment with several different agents, doctors may consider medications available through clinical trials or surgical treatment. About a third of epilepsy patients do not respond to medications.
Neurosurgeons may use one of several surgical procedures to treat epilepsy. Most patients experience a great reduction in seizure frequency and severity after surgery. Patients with certain types of epilepsy have a greater than 70 percent chance of complete freedom from seizures following surgery.Medication to prevent epileptic seizures is the most common treatment approach for the disease. Medication controls seizures in half or more of patients for substantial periods of time, and significantly reduces the number of seizures in another... More -
Dr. Jeanne Morrison answered:
Treatment usually begins with the anticonvulsive medications. Many times, depending on the type of epilepsy, your doctor may prescribe more than one drug to control the seizures. Other treatment may include a diet such as the ketogenic diet. Surgery and vagal nerve stimulation may also provide treatment for some forms of epilepsy that cannot be controlled by medication.
Treatment usually begins with the anticonvulsive medications. Many times, depending on the type of epilepsy, your doctor may prescribe more than one drug to control the seizures. Other treatment may include a diet such as... More -
Discovery Health answered:Since seizures come in many variations, there is't a single pill or set dosage that can control them.
Patients may have to try many different drugs to find a combination that provides seizure control while preserving their quality of life. Many medications are considered to be disabling because they can affect cognitive processes, including thought and memory.
Since seizures come in many variations, there is't a single pill or set dosage that can control them. Patients may have to try many different drugs to find a combination that provides seizure control while preserving their quality of life. Many... More -
Dr. Irene Semenov of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:Epilepsy can be treated both medically and surgically. Many drugs have been developed for treatment of epilepsy over the years. Usually the medication which has minimum side effects and maximum effectiveness is chosen by a neurologist. The clue to finding the right medication is the correct diagnosis of the type of epilepsy. The dose of the chosen medication may be adjusted until the seizures are well rare of absent.
Surgical treatment of epilepsy is reserved for patients with seizures resistant to medical treatment. This type of seizure disorder is called treatment resistant epilepsy. Epilepsy surgery includes a variety of resective and palliative procedures depending on the type of epilepsy syndrome. There are no age or gender restrictions. Both neurologists and neurosurgeons work as a team to achieve the goal of the best seizure control.
Epilepsy can be treated both medically and surgically. Many drugs have been developed for treatment of epilepsy over the years. Usually the medication which has minimum side effects and maximum effectiveness is chosen by a neurologist. The... More -
Anticonvulsant, or antiepileptic, medications are the treatment of choice for epilepsy and seizure disorders. Treatment options with anticonvulsants are evaluated initially based on seizure subtype, as certain anticonvulsants may be used for treating some forms of epilepsy. When making decisions about treatment with a particular agent, the doctor will take into account the patient's entire medical and medication histories, age, and gender as well as the side-effect profile of the medicine. Anticonvulsants are generally given life-long.
Ketogenic diet: A ketogenic diet is a diet high in fat content and is usually reserved for epilepsy patients that have tried two anti-convulsant medications without relief from seizures. Ketogenic diets seem to alter brain function and decrease seizure activity.
Surgery: Surgical removal of areas of the brain where partial seizures are occurring is used when seizure activity fails to respond to even the most aggressive medical anticonvulsant therapies. Patients considered for these procedures are those with intractable seizures, even when given high levels of anticonvulsant drugs. During the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in the scalp and removes a piece of the skull bone. The area(s) responsible for seizure activity are then removed. Some individuals will be able to reduce the medications after the surgery. In some cases, surgery for epilepsy can cause complications such as permanently altering cognitive abilities. It is important to discuss all options with a doctor.
Vagus nerve stimulation: The vagus nerve is a cranial nerve controlling muscles involved with swallowing, speaking, and coughing. The nerve is also involved with receiving input from and sending information about the heart, stomach, and lungs to the brain. A device called a vagus nerve stimulator is implanted into the chest under the collarbone. Wires from the stimulator are wrapped around the vagus nerve in the neck. The device turns on and off according to an adjustable program. The device has been reported to reduce seizures by about 20-40%. Most individuals still need to take anticonvulsant medication, but a reduction in dosage is possible.
You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Anticonvulsant, or antiepileptic, medications are the treatment of choice for epilepsy and seizure disorders. Treatment options with anticonvulsants are evaluated initially based on seizure subtype, as certain anticonvulsants may be used for... More -
Scripps Health answered:Once epilepsy is diagnosed, treatment is designed to minimize the number and severity of seizures, which can severely impact brain function and have other negative effects. The first line of therapy is medication, which is prescribed based on the person’s history, gender, medicines they are taking and other factors.
If medication is ineffective, neurologists take a more in-depth look. Patients are sometimes admitted into a monitoring unit, where their brain activity is observed continuously for as long as a week. They are also videotaped, and the visual record is matched with the EEGs. Continuous monitoring can clarify the diagnosis, pinpoint the exact nature of the seizures and help determine treatments.
Monitoring can also help neurologists choose the most effective combination of medications. Sometimes, if medications are causing side effects and need to be changed rapidly, the monitoring unit is used to observe people during that process.
Another potential treatment is surgery. If doctors can pinpoint the exact site in the brain where the aberrant electrical activity is occurring, surgically removing that brain region can control seizures.
If the source of the brain’s electrical problems cannot be located, or there are multiple locations associated with seizures, brain surgery is not an option. A third choice is a device called a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS), which is attached to a nerve in the neck and sends signals to keep the brain’s electrical activity in check. In essence, it acts as a pacemaker for the brain.
Determining the underlying condition that is causing a person’s seizures and developing a treatment plan requires a comprehensive approach, which may include intensive monitoring. Ultimately, the goal of the neurologist is to use these various tools to personalize treatment.Once epilepsy is diagnosed, treatment is designed to minimize the number and severity of seizures, which can severely impact brain function and have other negative effects. The first line of therapy is medication, which is prescribed based on... More
