Vagus nerve (vagal) stimulation uses electricity to decrease the frequency of seizures in patients with epilepsy.
Epilepsy & Seizures Treatment
In terms of epilepsy treatment, the most common therapy is antiseizure medications. If a patient doesn't respond to medication, it may be a sign of an underlying, treatable cause of the epilepsy, such as a brain tumor. These patients may be referred to a specialized epilepsy center for treatment with a surgical procedure. For children with epilepsy, doctors may suggest a high fat, low carbohydrate ketogenic diet. This diet can help prevent seizures in children who don't respond to antiepileptic medications and may reduce or end the need for medication. It's not clear why this diet is more effective in children than adults in the treatment of epilepsy.
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See All 6 AnswersApproximately 60 percent of people with epilepsy have epileptic seizures that can be controlled by antiseizure (antiepileptic) drugs. There are many antiseizure drugs with different treatment effects and different side effects. Some drugs will treat almost all types of seizures while others are only effective for certain types of seizures or certain epilepsy syndromes. Other considerations are the side effects, dosing regimen and cost. For instance, drugs that might cause birth defects are usually not given to women of child-bearing age. Many people do not want to take drugs that might cause weight gain, irritability or depression. Fortunately, these side effects are relatively rare, and often disappear within days or a few weeks. Side effects of some antiseizure drugs may also be beneficial, so a patient who has epilepsy and migraine headaches may prefer an antiseizure drug that also treats migraine. Whether a drug needs to be taken once, twice or three times a day may also be an important consideration for some patients, and cost is a crucial factor for many. When two trials of appropriate antiseizure drugs have failed and seizures are disabling, patients should seek a consultation at a specialized epilepsy center. There are many reasons why drugs seem to fail, including the possibility that seizures are not epileptic, the wrong epilepsy diagnosis was made or the wrong drug was prescribed, the drugs aren't being taken properly or aren't being absorbed, lifestyle choices that promote seizure occurrence, or the drugs really don't work. When drugs really do not work, many patients may be eligible for surgical treatment, which has a high chance of curing epilepsy. Other alternative treatments include the ketogenic diet, vagus-nerve stimulation, hormonal therapy in women, behavioral therapy, and a number of new and still experimental therapies. Finally, many people with epilepsy, and their families, are compromised or disabled by the psychological and social consequences of epilepsy. These problems can be effectively addressed by specialized education, counseling and therapy.
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Brigham and Women's Hospital answeredSee All 2 AnswersCorpus callosotomy surgery for epilepsy interrupts the spread of seizures by cutting the nerve fibers that connect one side of the brain (hemisphere) to the other. This nerve bridge is called the corpus callosum. The corpus callosotomy is indicated in some patients with drop attacks. In this procedure, the corpus callosum is sectioned or disconnected, usually at the front of the nerve bridge. The goal of this surgery is to prevent the spread of seizure discharges to both sides of the brain. This procedure does not stop seizure activity, but it lessens the risk of injury because it may limit the frequency and severity of seizures, especially those that cause falls.
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Brigham and Women's Hospital answeredSee All 2 Answers
The goal of epilepsy surgery is to identify an abnormal area of brain tissue from which the seizures originate and remove it without causing any significant impairment. The brain is divided into two sides, called "hemispheres." Each side of the brain is then divided into lobes. The major lobes are the temporal lobes (sides of the brain), frontal lobes (front of the brain), parietal lobes (middle of the brain), and occipital lobes (back of the brain). An operation to remove all or part of these lobes is called a lobectomy. A lobectomy may be performed when a person has seizures that start in the same lobe every time.
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Jumo Health answeredTreatment for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) may include a combination of medicines which can help control the seizures but it’s important to remember that with a severe condition like LGS, medications may not be able to stop all seizures. Sometimes a special diet, called a ketogenic diet, can also help control seizures. Sometimes too, a device or an operation might be helpful.
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American Red Cross answeredSee All 3 AnswersThe seizures that occur with epilepsy usually can be controlled with medication. Still, some people with epilepsy who take seizure medication occasionally have seizures. Others who go a long time without a seizure may think that the condition has gone away and stop taking their medication, thus putting themselves at risk for another seizure.
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See All 2 AnswersOne dietary therapy considered for people with epilepsy, the ketogenic diet, dates back to the early 1900s. Until the early 2000s, the ketogenic diet was traditionally used for children.
The ketogenic diet is very high in fat and low in carbohydrates, and begins with a period of fasting. Through this approach, fat becomes the main source of energy. Combined with the low intake of carbohydrates, the body makes ketones–a substance made when the body breaks down fat for energy. The body uses ketones when there is not enough insulin to deliver sugar from the blood to the body's cells.
The ketogenic diet offers adequate amounts of protein for body growth and repair while supplying a sufficient number of calories for maintaining a healthy weight. Foods included in this diet are butter, cream, lard, olive oil and duck fat. Grains, bread and pasta are typically avoided.
A modified Atkins diet is another version of a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that can be helpful for those living with epilepsy. This diet differs from the ketogenic diet in that it allows more carbohydrates and protein, doesn't limit fluids and calories and doesn't contain a fasting period.
When a patient starts a diet, a two-month trial period is typically recommended for testing its effectiveness. If successful, then the diet is usually continued for two years. While dieting, some individuals are able to reduce the amount of medication they take.
Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider.
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See All 2 AnswersA hemispherectomy is a procedure that involves removing one half of a person's brain to control epilepsy. It is a highly effective operation for curing epilepsy when all medications fail.
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Discovery Health answeredSee All 2 AnswersPatients are candidates for surgery if seizures are isolated in one part of the brain. For instance, in an anterior temporal lobectomy, the front portion of the temporal lobe is removed. This is the most common type of epilepsy surgery.
Surgeons also can remove parts of other lobes or disconnect parts of the brain that are not properly communicating. One such surgery is called a corpus callosotomy, which cuts away the white matter that connects the hemispheres of the brain.
These surgeries can be performed on children and adults. These surgeries remove only the damaged part of the brain, and do not seem to result in either brain damage or new seizure centers.
In some cases, patients show intellectual improvement after surgery.
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Discovery Health answeredSee All 2 Answers
The Food and Drug Administration approved a device in 1997 called the vagus nerve stimulator to help people with epilepsy.
The device is implanted. It sends regular waves of electricity to the brain; much like a cardiac pacemaker creates rhythmic pulses to help the heart.
Vagus nerve stimulation usually does not result in full seizure control, so some medication may be necessary. The lowered dosage of the required medication, however, cuts down on the drug's wearying side effects.