Seizure Disorder Health Article

Prognosis

People who have epilepsy have a higher-than-average rate of suicide; sudden, unexplained death; and drowning and other accidental fatalities.

Benign focal epilepsy of childhood and some absence seizures may disappear in time, but remission is unlikely if seizures occur several times a day, several times in a 48-hour period, or more frequently than in the past.

Seizures that occur repeatedly over time and always involve the same symptoms are called stereotypic seizures. The probability that stereotypic seizures will abate is poor.

About 85% of all seizure disorders can be partially or completely controlled if the patient takes anti-seizure medication according to directions; avoids seizure-inducing sights, sounds, and other triggers; gets enough sleep; and eats regular, balanced meals.

Anyone who has epilepsy should wear a bracelet or necklace identifying his seizure disorder and listing the medication he takes.

Prevention

Eating properly, getting enough sleep, and controlling stress and fevers can help prevent seizures. A person who has epilepsy should be careful not to hyperventilate. A person who experiences an aura should find a safe place to lie down and stay there until the seizure passes. Anticonvulsant medications should not be stopped suddenly and, if other medications are prescribed or discontinued, the doctor treating the seizures should be notified. In some conditions, such as severe head injury, brain surgery, or subarachnoid hemorrhage, anticonvulsant medications may be given to the patient to prevent seizures.

BOOKS

Shaw, Michael, ed. Everything You Need to Know About Diseases. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corporation, 1996.

PERIODICALS

Batchelor, Lori, et al. "An Interdisciplinary Approach to Implementing the Ketogenic Diet for the Treatment of Seizures." Pediatric Nursing (Sept./Oct. 1997): 465-471.

Dichter, M. A., and M. J. Brodie. "Drug Therapy: New Antiepileptic Drugs." The New England Journal of Medicine (15 June 1996): 1583-1588.

Lannox, Susan L. "Epilepsy Surgery for Partial Seizures." Pediatric Nursing (Sept./Oct. 1997): 453-458.

McDonald, Melori E. "Use of the Ketogenic Diet in Treating Children with Seizures." Pediatric Nursing (Sept./Oct. 1997): 461-463.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Epilepsy Society. 342 North Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06117-2507. (860) 586-7505. <http://www.aesnet.org>.

Epilepsy Concern International Service Group. 1282 Wynnewood Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33417. (407) 683-0044.

Epilepsy Foundation of America. 4351 Garden City Drive, Landover, MD 20785. (800) 332-1000. <http://www.efa.org>.

Epilepsy Information Service. (800) 642-0500.

OTHER

Bourgeois, Blaise F. D. "Epilepsy Surgery in Children." Department of Neurology. Washington University. 3 Mar. 1998 <http://www.neuro.wustl.edu>.

Cosgrove, G. Rees, and Andrew J. Cole. "Surgical Treatment of Epilepsy." Neurosurgical Sevice Page. 12 Mar. 1998. Harvard Medical School. <http://neurosurgery.mgh.harvard.edu/ep-sxtre.htm>.

"Epilepsy." National Institute of Neurological Disorders andc Stroke Page. 28 Feb. 1998 <http://www.ninds.nih.gov>.

"Epilepsy and Dental Health." The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria, Australia. 3 Mar. 1998 <http://www.epinet.org.au/welcome.asp>.

"Epilepsy Facts and Figures." Epilepsy Foundation Page. 28 Feb. 1998 <http://www.efa.org>.

"Ketogenic Diet." Packard Children's Hospital Page. Stanford University Medical Center. 28 May 1998 <http://www.stanford.edu/group/ketodiet>.

"The USC Vagus Nerve Stimulator Program." Keck School of Medicine Page. University of Southern California. 3 Mar 1998. <http://www.usc.edu/schools/medicine>.

Maureen Haggerty

KEY TERMS

Acupressure—Needleless acupuncture.

Acupuncture—An ancient Chinese method of relieving pain or treating illness by piercing specific areas of the body with fine needles.

Biofeedback—A learning technique that helps individuals influence automatic body functions.

Epileptologist—A physician who specializes in the treatment of epilepsy.