Medical Experts Talking about The Treatment Options for Epilepsy

Overview

As per the report, there are more than 10 million people suffering from epilepsy. This is one such neurological condition that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures. According to our best doctors in India, the main goal of treatment is to reduce the number and severity of seizures you experience. With advancements in medical science, there are various types of options available for treating epilepsy these days. Here we’ve covered the same in brief, so that you can make an informed decision with your doctor while having the treatment.

What is the most suitable treatment option for epilepsy?

The treatment of epilepsy will help to reduce the number of episodes you’re having. Your treatment plan will be based on multiple factors, like your overall health, the severity of your symptoms, and how well you respond to the therapy.

The various treatment options include:

• Anti-epileptic medications: Anti-epileptic medications are the most commonly used treatment option. Around 7 out of 10 people benefit from anti-epileptic medications Anti-epileptic medications work mostly by changing the levels of chemicals. They can stop the seizures from happening. However, their role in curing epilepsy is still debatable.
• Brain surgery: Surgery to remove a portion of your brain may be an option if :

Your seizures are not being controlled by AEDs.

Seizures are caused by a problem in a small part of your brain, which can be removed without causing serious consequences, according to tests (brain scan, electroencephalogram/EEG, tests for your memory and learning abilities.)

In these cases, there's a good chance that your seizures will stop completely after surgery.

• Vagus nerve stimulation: A small electrical device similar to a pacemaker is placed under the skin of your chest during vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).

The device is attached to a wire that runs beneath your skin and connects to the vagus nerve in your neck. Electric shocks are delivered to the nerve via the wire.

This is thought to help control seizures by altering electrical signals in the brain.

• VNS does not usually completely stop seizures, but it can help make them less severe and less frequent. This is added as adjuvant treatment along with AEDs.

Also, read: HT- Is Epilepsy Genetic

• Deep brain stimulation: A small electrical device similar to a pacemaker is placed under the skin of your chest during vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).

The device is attached to a wire that runs beneath your skin and connects to the vagus nerve in your neck. Electric shocks are delivered to the nerve via the wire.

This is thought to help control seizures by altering electrical signals in the brain.

VNS does not usually completely stop seizures, but it can help make them less severe and less frequent. You will almost certainly require AEDs.

• Ketogenic diet: A ketogenic diet is one that is high in fat and low in carbs and protein. The diet is thought to reduce the likelihood of seizures in children by altering the levels of chemicals in the brain.

Prior to the availability of AEDs, the ketogenic diet was one of the primary treatments for epilepsy. However, it is no longer widely used in adults because a high-fat diet has been linked to serious health problems such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

It's often given to children for whom the seizures are not often controlled by AED(anti-epileptic drugs).

• Responsive neurostimulation: If epileptic seizures are coming from one specific region of your brain i.e., the focal seizure and this can’t be stopped with medication or other therapies, intracranial neurostimulation can be a potential treatment option for such a candidate.

• Other therapies: Some people with epilepsy believe that complementary therapies work for them. However, none have been shown in medical studies to reduce seizures conclusively.

Herbal remedies should be used with caution as some of their ingredients can interact with epilepsy medications.

As per our doctors practicing in the best hospital in India, stress can trigger seizures. Stress relieving and relaxation therapies like yoga, meditation, and stretching can also help in controlling the frequency of seizures.

When should you seek medical help?

It is important to visit your doctor on a regular basis for checkups. According to the National Health Service, people with well-controlled epilepsy should consider meeting with their family doctor or an epilepsy specialist at least once a year. People with uncontrolled epilepsy may need to see their doctor more frequently.

It's also a good idea to see your doctor if you notice any new symptoms or if your medication has been changed and you're experiencing side effects.

Also, read: HT- From Symptoms to Prevention, Here’s All You Need to Know About Epilepsy

How can we help with the treatment?

If you want to undergo epilepsy treatment in India or other neurological conditions in India, our health trip advisors serve as your guides throughout the medical treatment and will be physically present with you even before the treatment begins. The following will be provided to you:

• Opinions of expert physicians and surgeons
• Transparent communication
• Coordinated care
• Prior appointment with specialists
• Assistance with hospital formalities
• 24*7 availability
• Arrangement for travel
• Assistance for accommodation and healthy recovery
• Assistance in emergencies

We are dedicated to offering the highest quality health care to our patients. We have a team of highly qualified and devoted health trip advisors that will be by your side from the beginning of your journey.