Epilespy

[|www.webmd.com/**epilepsy**/default.htm] [|www.emedicinehealth.com/**epilepsy**/article_em.htm] [|www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov] [|www.efeasttn.org/] [|www.**epilepsy**-navigator.com/] [] [] [] [] [] [|http://www.epilepsyadvocate.com] [] [] [] []
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__**What is Epilepsy(Josephine Anderson)**__

 * Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects the nervous system. It is also known as a seizure disorder. It is diagnosed after having two or more seizures. With this in mind they were not triggured by some medical condition like alcohol withdrawl or extream low blood sugar.Seizures can happen suddenly or you may have recurring attacks of your motor and sensory malfunctions that you have no control of. This can happen with or without consciousness. I found this on #4 and # 5 and #7 on our 15 resources up above.

__**Origin of Epilepsy(Stephanie Wagner)**__

 * Epilepsy occurs when neurons in the brain become hyperactive and create excessive electrical impulses. Epilepsy can originate from tumors, traumatic brain injury, vascular abnormalities, infections, and genetic predisposition.

__**Symptoms of Epilepsy(Josephine Anderson)**__

 * **While a person is having a seizure they may experiance tempory confusion, a staring spell, uncontrollable jerking movements of the arm and legs and loss of conciousness or awareness. Here are a few types of seizures:**
 * **Absence Seizure-Are lapses osf awarness, staring, they begin and end fast and last only a few seconds.**
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 * **Myoclonic Seizures-They are brief muscle jerks that are mild and effect part of the body. It could also be strong and can throw a child onto the floor.**
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 * **Atonic Seizure-Is a loss of mussle tone. The head drops, loss of posture, or sudden collapse. It comes witout wasrning and cause injury to the head if they were to fall to the group.**
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 * Tonic-Clonic Seizure-They are the most common and beging with stiffing of the limbs, followed by jerking of the limbs and face. During the Tonic phase, breathing may decrease or stop all together. This can cause blue lips, nail beds and face. There breathing returns during the Clonic (jerking phase), but it may be irregular. This usually takes about one minute. I found this on #6 from our research up above. Here is a sample of what it looks like:
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 * [[image:http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/seizures/genconvulsive/images/tonicclonic_1.gif width="194" height="485" align="left" caption="tonicclonic"]]

__**Medications(Stephanie Wagner)**__

 * __**Current Medications**__
 * Medications that are used to prevent epileptic seizures are called antiepileptics (AED's, anticonvulsants, antiseizure medicines). For 7 out of 10 people who suffer from partial epileptic seizures are sufficiently medicated with only one antiepileptic drug. However, most people who suffer from epileptic seizures have better control when they take more than one antiepileptic medication. Some first choice medications that are prescribed by doctors are: **Carbatrol, Zarontin, Trileptal, Luminal, Phenobarbital, Dilantin, Phenytek, Cerebyx, Mysoline, Primidone, Topamax, Depakene, and Depakote**. For some people one medication is not going to be enough, if this is the case doctors will prescribe another antiepileptic medication to address their present symptoms. Examples of medications used if epileptic seizures persist are: **Klonopin, Felbatol, Neurontin, Lamictal, Keppra, Vimpat, Lyrica, Banzel, Gabitril, and Zonegran**.
 * __**Medications Being Tested**__
 * Research is being done on the development of new antiepileptic medications that will enhance the goal of treating epilepsy. Researchers are also doing further work studying neurotransmitters, especially GAMA, and genes that may influence epilepsy so as to hopefully treat epilepsy or to recommend the best treatment for victims of epilepsy. Doctors are also experimenting with stem cells including that of fetal pig stem cells, in hopes of determining whether or not cell transplants can control seizures.

__**Tests Currently Used to Diagnose and Treat Epilepsy (Stephanie Wagner)**__

 * __**Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):**__Can be used to pictorally reveal brain abnormalities that can be causing the seizures
 * **__Electroencephalogram (EEG):__**Measures brain waves and brain activity while having a seizure to determine what type of seizure the patient is having, this can be done by asking the patient to do something to provoke a seizures (i.e. not sleeping the night before).
 * **__Functional MRI (fMRI):__**Measures the changes in blood flow that occur during specific brain activities. This is generally done before a surgery so as not to harm functional parts of the brain that are not effected by the seizures.
 * **__Computerized Tomography (CT):__**Takes cross-sectional images of the brain to reveal abnormalities that could be causing seizures such as tumors, cysts, or bleeding.
 * **__Positron Emission Tomography (PET):__**Help visualize active areas of the brain and detect abnormalities.
 * **__Single-photon Emission Computerized Tomography (SPECT):__**This is generally done if the EEG and MRI did not pinpoint the location of the seizure origin and produces a 3-D image of the brain's bloodflow during seizures.
 * **__Neuropsychological Tests:__**This type of testing is done before surgery to pinpoint the location of the seizures and the damages they are causing. These tests measure IQ, memory, and speech.
 * **__Neurological and Behavioral Exam:__**This tests patient's motor abilities, behavior and intellectual capacity to show where the seizures are affecting the brain.
 * **__Blood Tests:__**Doctors may draw blood to check for signs of infection, electrolyte imbalance, anemia, and diabetes, all of which can cause seizures if not properly treated.
 * __**Surgical Procedures:**__These can be done when the origin of the seizures if pinpointed and the removal of that section does not interfere with speech, hearing, or language. If a section of the brain cannot be removed due to the interference of vital functioning, doctors will make small incisions in the patient's brain to help prevent the spreading of the location where the seizures originate.
 * __**Ketogenic Diet:**__ This is a diet consisting of low carbohydrates and high fats used specifically in children to reduce the symptoms of epilepsy and the frequency of seizures.

__**Morbidity (Kirsten Hallock)**__
Epilepsy it not curable, but the symptoms associated with the disease can be managed. Around 80% of epilepsy sufferers become seizure free with appropriate treatment. There are a few different types of treatment which include: prescription therapy, a modified diet, nerve stimulation, and brain surgery. Out of those the most common treatment is medication. But like I said earlier the medication does not cure epilepsy, it only stops the seizures from happening. Epilepsy is actually the third most common neurological disorder in the United States; affecting around 3 million Americans alone. Although using medication can help you control your seizures, the mortality rate is 2 to 3 times higher for people with the disease. More shockingly, the risk of sudden death is 24 times greater. But there are some people who gain control of their disease and live a full and active life. Like most diseases, if you are diagnosed with epilepsy there are some changes that you are going to have to make in your life. But they are manageable. Another thing to consider if you are suffering from the disease is that you are not alone. The disease is common and the support and understanding of other people can help make things easier for you. Epilepsy is not a death sentence. -I used websites #7 and #9

__**Latest Research on Epilepsy(Josephine Anderson)**__
Studies being done- One thing that is to be done is get on a treatment plan that will work best with your seizures.As soon as you are diagnosed with epilepsy it is best to have an EEG that measures your brain and to test the activity in your brain. An other way is surgery can be done if no other medications work. More studies have shown the earlier the surgery is performed, the better the outcome. They will remove the seizure producing areas of the brain. However, because of ne techniques there are new ways of identifying areas to be removed. I found this from our research up above with #4 and #7.

Latest reasurch on the disease- Scientists are studing on how neurotransmitters interact with ones brain cells on how to control nerve firing and how non-neuronal cells in the brain relate to seizures. They are working to find a gene or genes that may influence elipepsy. Doctors are experimenting new types of ways to control seizures with transplanting fetal pig neurons into the brain of patients to see if it can control seizures, transplanting stem cells, and using a device that could perdict seizures up to three minutes before they actually have a seizure. Researchers are improving MRI's and many other brain scans. Some studies have shown if they maintain a strict diet called the "ketogenic diet" that are rich in fats and low carbohydrates that they may experiance less seizures. I found this on # 9 from our research up above.

__**Health-Related Articles on Epilepsy (Kirsten Hallock)**__
Here are a couple different health-related articles regarding epilepsy. They would be useful for someone who has been recently diagnosed and interesting in learning more about the disease and the different things that should be done when certain events take place. [] This website had a lot of information regarding the disease but it also had some really good tips to know if you are affected by this disease. This particular article gives you a list of Things to Know about taking your medication. Some simple ones are do not just stop taking your medication for any reason, contact a doctor if you forget to take it, don't drink alcohol, and always keep in close contact with your doctor and let them know if anything is out of the usual. [] In this article they talk about being prepared and ready for seizures. It is important to have some type of plan written down and kept handy just in case you are with someone who doesn't know how to handle a seizure. In the plan be sure to focus on the individual's history with the disease and their past seizures. The plan also helps to make an outline for the person to know how to handle the seizure in different types of situations. It helps them prepare and think about the various scenarios that could take place. They need to be ready for anything that happens and that includes being knowledgeable and having a good plan. [] I liked this article because it had some fun and interesting information. It talks about some famous people who had epilepsy, some include Aristotle and Socrates, it also talks about a connection between being epileptic and being a genius. It states that some of the most famous people have had epilepsy and still excelled in their careers and life in general. One thing I found interesting is that this disease is dated all the way back to the fifth millennium B.C. That shows you that this disease has been around since the beginning of time and that many people have suffered with this condition.

Articles on Four ways to prevent having seizures(Josephine Anderson)
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1. Youga Theraphy- To focus on your body to restore your balance. Studies that were conducted in India, Europe, North America say that some seizures can be slowed or even stopped, with breathing, medication and postures. It releases a stress hormone that stimulate neurological firing that leads to seizures.

2. Train your brain with Biofeedback- A health practioner will help you control your brain wave patterns so you can stay away from what may cause you anxiety. Your practitioner will put a number of painless electrodes to your head and view your brain patterens. You will learn how to raise or lower your body temperature, slow your breathing and decrease your heart rate. Once you are able to do this you may be able to stabilize your brain waves to prevent further seizures.

3. Avoid overstimulatin from bright, flashing lights- A person may have a seizure from looking at emergency lights, night clubs, strobe lights or flickering televison images. If you feel a seizure coming on try to turn off your telivision, close your windows or leave the bar to get away from the lights before you have a full-blown seizure.

4. Try essential aromatheraphy oils- These are essential oils that have an effect when you breath them in, diffused or messaged into the skin. A study shown at the University of Birmingham in England found that essential oils during self-hypnosis and message have conditioned themselves to keep them from having a seizure episodes by smelling the same sent at a later intervals. Maybe the smell will bring them back to their relaxation state to keep them calm to prevent more seizures accuring.



**Article- When to Call 911 (Kirsten Hallock)**
If you witness someone having a seizure only call 911 if one or more of these things happen:
 * the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
 * the person cannot be awakened after the seizure stops
 * the person has multiple seizures (especially if the person does not regain consciousness between the seizures)
 * you know or can tell that the person is pregnant
 * the seizure occurs in water
 * if you know that this is the person's first seizure or they have had no previous history of seizures
 * if the person injures themselves during the seizure

It is important to realize that you should not call 911 if the person only has one seizure and regains consciousness afterwards. For people with epilepsy, seizures are normal and they might not have a serious cause. Also calling an ambulance for someone who already knows about their condition and is already taking medication to control their seizures; there is nothing a paramedic can do to help them.

**Article- Diagnosing Epilepsy (Kirsten Hallock)**
To diagnose epilepsy you need to determine the type of seizures and their causes. When diagnosing epilepsy their are many different things that the doctor has to do. They look at the patient's medical history, family history of seizures, associated medical conditions, and current medications. They need to find out what happens during the patient's seizures; mainly if they lose consciousness during the seizure. They conduct a physical and neurological exam of the patient's muscle strength, eyesight, hearing, reflexes, and the ability to detect various sensations. They also conduct various medical tests like an EEG, MRI, MRS, PET, SPECT, and they run blood tests. The blood tests are used to measure red blood cell and white blood cell counts, blood sugar, blood calcium, and electrolyte levels. An EEG (electroencephalogram) is the most common test used to diagnose epilepsy and determine the type of epilepsy. Seizures are defined by abnormal electrical activity in the brain and the EEG test detects electrical activity in the brain.

**Article- Is Epilepsy Genetic?(Josephine Anderson)**
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In some cases epilepsy has been traced to an abnormality to a specific gene. Families that seem to have epilepsy tend to run in their families. Some researchers show that 500 genes could be to blame in epilepsy. However, many forms of epilepsy, genetic abnormalities are only responsible. Abnormal genes sometimes cause epilepsy but a study showed that people who have epilepsy have the abnormally active gene that increases a active gene to a great resistance to the drugs. Genes may control some other aspects of the body's responce to medications. A critical step in brain development can be misplaced or abnormally formed neurons, or displasia, so in the brain this could cause epilepsy.

**Alternative Treatments for Epilepsy (Stephanie Wagner)**
Although many doctors encourage epileptics to use medications to help prevent their occurance of seizures, other methods of treatment have also been studied as alternatives to invasive medication treatment. Some examples of these alternatives include:
 * **Biofeedback:**Biofeedback is a method of using relaxation or imagery to change body functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. A biofeedback practitioner measures these functions with electrodes and a monitor. The practitioner describes a stressful situation and then teaches the patient various relaxation techniques. Although this method is not effective for all seizure patients, those who have seizures triggered by anxiety or stressful situations may benefit from this therapy, in addition to their seizure medications.
 * **Melatonin:**Melatonin is a hormone that is manufactured by the pineal gland in the brain. Melatonin has been touted as an anti-aging substance, as a sleep aid, and as an antioxidant (a substance that protects against free radicals -- molecules that can damage the body). As for epilepsy, one study showed that melatonin may reduce the incidence of seizures in children.
 * **Ketogenic Diet:**The ketogenic diet is a strict, mathematically calculated diet high in fat and low in protein and carbohydrates that, when followed conscientiously, produces a by-product called ketones in patients' blood and urine. The diet is supplemented with vitamins and calcium, so patients do not suffer from any nutritional imbalance. Several studies have shown that the ketogenic diet does reduce or prevent seizures in many children whose seizures could not be controlled by medications. Over half of children who go on the diet have at least a 50% reduction in the number of their seizures. Some children, about 1 in 10, even become seizure-free.

**Surgery Options for Children and Adults Suffering from Epilepsy (Stephanie Wagner)**
Most people with epilepsy can control their seizures with medication. But they aren't effective for about 30% of patients. In some cases, brain surgery may be an option. There are two main types of surgery for patients with epilepsy: Surgery may be an option for people with epilepsy whose seizures are disabling and/or are not controlled by medication, or when the side effects of medication are severe and greatly affect the person's quality of life. Patients with other serious medical problems, such as cancer or heart disease, usually are not considered for epilepsy surgery. The effectiveness varies, depending on the type of surgery. Some people are completely free of seizures after surgery. For others, the frequency of seizures is significantly reduced. In some cases, surgery may not be successful and a second surgery (re-operation) may be recommended. Most patients will need to continue taking anti-seizure medication for a year or more after surgery. Once seizure control is established, medications may be reduced or eliminated.
 * Surgery to remove the area of the brain producing seizures. Examples of these types of surgery are Corpus Callosotomy, Hemispherectomy, Hemispherotomy, Resection, Temporal Lobectomy.
 * Surgery to interrupt the nerve pathways through which seizure impulses spread within the brain. This is referred to as the Vagal nerve stimulator.