What is the treatment of refractory epilepsy?
Treatment of refractory epilepsy may include surgery, nervous stimulator implant, dietary changes and recommendations for different drugs. Refractory epilepsy defines seizures that do not respond to medicinal therapy commonly used to control epilepsy. Not all treatment work for every patient and careful screening of a neurologist should be performed before choosing alternative treatment of refractory epilepsy, especially if surgery is considered.
surgery can usually only be performed in patients with partial seizures in terms of only one part of the brain. Patients with generalized seizures, defined as seizures starting in several areas of the brain, face a greater risk of operation. Surgery can damage areas in the brain that control vital body functions.
seizures occur when abnormal electrical signals begin in the brain and travel to other areas of the body. These episodes could disrupt speech, portray the patient unconscious, cause savingtic muscle movements or affect memory. Some patients suffer from the emotional effects of seizures, especially if they occur for a long time.
Standard treatment includes antiepileptic drugs such as phenobarbital, which is one of the most famous drugs used to treat the disorder. These drugs can work to prevent or reduce the number of seizures, but may not be safe for children. Some patients cannot tolerate side effects of antiepileptic drugs.
may respond to the vaga nerve stimulator that can be implanted in the chest near the collarbone. The wires on the device can be connected to the vagus nerve in the throat to supply electrical pulses that could prevent seizures. The timing and intensity of electric pulses can be programmed into the stimulator. In most patients, this treatment of refractory epilepsy cannot completely stop seizures, but can reduce the number of episodes.
ketogenicThe diet works for some people, but as the diet controls seizures, it remains unclear. Patients treated with refractory epilepsy by diet reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat and gain up to 90 percent of all calories of fat and protein. Vomiting and nausea are common side effects of food along with fatigue. Careful monitoring of electrolytes, the number of blood and kidney and liver functions is typical guarantees during ketogenic diet therapy.
This alternative treatment could be sought instead of drugs for growing children with epilepsy. Many antiepileptic drugs weaken bones by reducing density. They can also cause harmful effects on brain development. In adults, drugs could disrupt contraceptive drugs used to prevent pregnancy and increase the risk of congenital defects.