Epilepsy is a serious neurological condition in which there are tendencies to have seizures that start in the brain. The cause of epilepsy is wide and varied. Some are epileptic due to genetics, others may have autism, infections, or even brain structural changes. Many drugs are available in chemists and hospitals to treat epilepsy. Though generic drugs are safely used for most medications, anticonvulsants are one of the categories where doctors take cautious steps. The majority of doctors prefer using brand-name anticonvulsants but realize that insurance companies won’t cover the cost. Some of the medications that can be used are:
Carbamazepine or Carbatrol
This is a drug that is used to treat convulsions. It works by reducing nerve impulses that cause seizures and pain. Important to note is that one should not take this drug if they have had a history of bone marrow suppression or if they are allergic to it or any anti depressant such as desipramine, doxepin or nortriptyline. Certain drugs can raise or lower one’s blood level of carbamazepine which can cause side effects or make medicine become less effective. Furthermore, carbazamine can affect blood levels of certain drugs making them less effective or increasing their side effects.
Source: Medimoon
Gabapentin
This drug is anti-epileptic also called anticonvulsant. It affects chemicals and nerves in the body that are involved in the cause of seizures and pain. It is commonly prescribed to adults to treat pain caused by herpes virus or shingles.
The above-named medications are just to name but a few that a doctor would prescribe for their patient. Most patients after being in seizure-free for a while they may slowly wean off medications. Epilepsy has a great deal of stigmas attached to it and patients mat experience depression or anxiety because of it.
Surgical operations are also considered an option but due to the high risks involved with it. It is usually an option only for patients with a one or two-year history about epilepsy. The most common surgery is resection that is the removal of the problem area considered.Another type of surgery that is considered is disconnecting pathways that deliver impulses to certain areas of the brain. This kind of surgery is quite popular when the responsible area of seizure is too sensitive to be removed. This kind of disruption surgeries is to provide relief but not cure.
Source: Dr Jockers
Ketogenic Diet
In recent years, clinicians have adopted this method. Some patients the anti-epileptic drugs fail to completely control their symptoms. Clinicians have found out that it is an effective way to treat their patients using this method, and it has proved to be successful. The Ketogenic diet is low in carbohydrates, adequate in protein and high in fat When following this diet the brain shifts its main sources of energy from glucose to fat. Fats are broken down to ketones, and these ketones are used as the main sources of energy. This is believed to reduce the seizures.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy
This therapy is designed to prevent seizures by sending regular,nild pulses of electrical energy to the brain through the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is comprised of the autonomic nervous system that controls functions of the body that are not under voluntary control.
Yes epilepsy can be treated though the odds of one getting better or having a complete recovery are very low.
Photo: Thinkstock/michaeljung
