Newswise — Epilepsy is one of the world's most common disabling neurological conditions, and it is also one of the most misunderstood. Many people with this neurological disorder often feel stigmatized because of the recurring seizures that can accompany this disease. Dr. Amit Verma, director of neurophysiology at the Methodist Neurological Institute, answers questions about epilepsy, treatment options and educating the public.
Q: What is epilepsy?A: Epilepsy is a term used to define a family of seizure disorders. A person with recurring unprovoked seizures is usually diagnosed with epilepsy. More than 2.5 million Americans have this neurological condition that produces seizures affecting a variety of cognitive and physical functions. A seizure occurs when a brief, strong surge of electrical activity affects part or all of the brain. They can last a few seconds to a few minutes, and can range from convulsions and loss of consciousness to symptoms that are not always recognized, such as blank staring, lip smacking or jerking movements of arms and legs.
Q: What causes epilepsy?A: In children, the causes could include birth defects, illnesses (such as meningitis) or head injuries. In adult epilepsy patients, the causes may range from head trauma to brain tumors to genetics. The majority of epilepsy patients are either under the age of 20 or over 55.
Q: How do you treat epilepsy?A: Most epilepsy patients take anticonvulsant medication to control the seizures. Patients who do not respond well to the medical treatment may qualify for surgery to remove the portion of the brain causing the seizures, primarily the temporal lobe. When people first hear about surgery, they worry about losing memory or speech. With proven and improved neurosurgical techniques and advanced surgical technologies, neurosurgeons that specialize in epilepsy ensure they safely remove only the affected area. Another option for certain epilepsy patients is to implant a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS), which is like a pacemaker for the brain. The VNS sends short bursts of electrical energy to the brain via the vagus nerve, located in the neck. At The Methodist Neurological Institute, we have a multidisciplinary team of physicians that have access to the latest technological advances and equipment. Dr. Robert Grossman, director of the NI and a pioneer in the field of epilepsy surgery, is the neurosurgeon for the team.
Q: Why is there a stigma associated with this disease?A: Before seeking treatment, many epilepsy patients will change their lifestyles to accommodate the seizures. They are afraid and embarrassed to go in public because the seizures might scare people. They often have difficulty finding or keeping jobs and maintaining relationships. Driving regulations prohibit patients with epilepsy from driving. On the flip side, people who do not understand the disease are scared of the unknown.
Q: If a bystander, family member or friend sees someone having an epileptic seizure, what should they do?A: If someone is having a convulsion, the best help is to support the head and let the person have the seizure. Do not try to put anything in their mouth. If the patient is alone and no history is available, if the seizure lasts longer than a few minutes, or if the seizure is different from the norm then call 911.
About the Methodist Neurological Institute
The Methodist Neurological Institute (NI) houses the practice and research activities of the departments of neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, neurophysiology and physical medicine & rehabilitation at The Methodist Hospital. The mission of the NI is to advance the discovery of the origins, mechanisms and treatment of neurological disease and to provide comprehensive care for patients with disorders and injuries of the brain and spinal cord.
Methodist is primarily affiliated with Weill Cornell Medical College and New York Presbyterian Hospital. Methodist is also affiliated with the University of Houston. Methodist is ranked among the country's top centers in 14 specialties in U.S News & World Report's 2007 America's Best Hospitals issue. Methodist is ranked in more specialties than any other hospital in Texas, and is 9th in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery.
For more on the Methodist Neurological Institute, visit http://www.methodistneuroinstitute.com, or call (713) 790-3333.
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