Jmsupport program

Life beyond Epilepsy

Jayanti Mani

Neurologist

What is epilepsy?

• Epilepsy is a brain disorder

• Person has repeated “seizures” or “fits”

What is a fit or seizure?

Brain works on electricity

Are there many types of seizures?

• Seizure can be of many types– Blank stare only– Confused behavior

– Jerking or twitching of muscles – Violent body shaking with unconsciousness

• Everything that shakes is not a seizure– Pseudoseizures– syncope

Is epilepsy common?

• 2nd commonest brain problem after headache

• 1/100 have at least one fit in their life• 1/200 have epilepsy

• Can start at any age

What tests?

EEG

• Records brain waves

• Usually takes one hour

• May be normal in person with epilepsy

• Repeated tests

MRI ScanCT Scan

Tests : Brain scans

Treatment : Medications

– More than 10 types of Medicines available– Doses of each medicine different– Same medicine available as different brands

– NEVER MISS YOUR MEDICINE– NEVER STOP MEDICINES ABRUPTLY– 60% persons are well on one drug

– Others may require two or three drugs

Some precautions

• Ask your doctor about allergy/side effects• Ensure regular SLEEP• Discuss DRIVING/ SWIMMING with your doctor

• PREGNANCY– Ask doctor about safe drugs – NEVER STOP MEDICINES ABRUPTLY

– RISKS to baby from medicines MINIMAL– These can be tested during pregnancy

What if medicines fail?

• Check correct medicine and dose with doctor

• 20-30% patients have seizures inspite of medicines.– Ketogenic Diet

– Surgery• Can be very effective and even cure epilepsy in

some patients• Video EEG and Repeat MRI

– Vagal Nerve Stimulator

• Most patients with epilepsy– Can pursue studies– Can hold regular jobs

– Participate in most sports– Enjoy hobbies and leisure activity– Marry and have children– ACHIEVE DESPITE EPILEPSY

Lead a normal life!!

Leonardo Da Vinci

Napolean

Julius Ceasar

Achieve despite Epilepsy

Epilepsy service at KDAHThe Team The Facilities

• Epileptologist• Pediatric Neurologist• Neurophysiologist• Epilepsy Surgeon• Neuroradiologist• Psychiatrist • Psychologist

• EEG • 3 Tesla MRI• Video EEG Telemetry• SPECT/PET• Intraoperative MRI• 24 hour Emergency• Well equipped ICU

EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP at KDAH

Life beyond Epilepsy

Dr.Shekhar Patil

Pediatric Neurologist

• Why does my child have epilepsy?

• Is it my fault?

• Will my child grow out of the epilepsy?

• Febrile seizures

• Seizure mimicsBreath Holding spasms

• Bullying & Teasing at school

• Keep a positive outlook

• Epilepsy & Learning

• Epilepsy & Behaviour

First Aid

• Watch the clock!!!• Call ambulance if

– Vigorous shaking for more than 2 min

– Two or more attacks in succession

Life beyond Epilepsy

Dr. Bhaskara Rao Malla

Neurosurgeon

250,000,000 : One seizure in a life time 50,000,000 : People with active epilepsy 42,000,000 : PWE in the developing countries 2,500,000 : New cases each year

70% of PWE can be seizure free with treatment80% of AEDs sold in 20% of countries80% of are not properly diagnosed or treated

Epilepsy : The facts and figures

Epilepsy surgery in India

1951

Jacob Chandy &Baldev SinghCMC, Vellore

B.Ramamurthi & ST Narasimhan

MGH, Madras

• Seizure freedom after surgery : 70%• Off medication after surgery : 30%

Epilepsy Care Program

Epilepsy is curable

Epilepsy service at KDAHThe Team The Facilities

• Epileptologist• Pediatric Neurologist• Neurophysiologist• Epilepsy Surgeon• Neuroradiologist• Psychiatrist • Psychologist

• EEG • 3 Tesla MRI• Video EEG Telemetry• SPECT/PET• Intraoperative MRI• 24 hour Emergency• Well equipped ICU

EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP at KDAH