Epilepsy is a disease that affects the central nervous system and is curable if diagnosed early, and depends on the type of epilepsy and the area of the brain affected, and treatment must be indicated by a neurologist and is generally done with the use of medication. anticonvulsants or surgery, for example.
Epilepsy is caused by a lack of control of the electrical impulses of neurons and chemical signals in the brain, leading to the emergence of symptoms such as seizures, uncontrolled movements of the body, which can even lead to loss of consciousness. Know how to identify all the symptoms of epilepsy.
The treatment of epilepsy must always be guided by the neurologist, on an individual basis, according to the type and cause of epilepsy. In addition, you can follow a ketogenic diet, guided by a nutritionist, to help control epileptic seizures and complement the treatment recommended by your doctor.
Main treatments for epilepsy
The treatment of epilepsy aims to control, reduce the frequency or end seizures, in addition to avoiding serious complications, and must be done early, with a neurologist’s recommendation.
The main treatments for epilepsy are:
- Anticonvulsant medicinessuch as phenobarbital, valproic acid or phenytoin, as they help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures, but do not cure epilepsy;
- Vagus nerve stimulationthrough surgery performed by the doctor, to prevent the emergence of convulsive crises;
- Ketogenic dietas it helps control epileptic seizures, and should be done with guidance from a nutritionist;
- Brain surgerydone by the doctor to remove the altered parts of the brain, and is considered a curative treatment option for epilepsy.
Surgery for epilepsy is only indicated in cases where the epileptic seizure begins in a small area of the brain, when you have already taken all types of medication without obtaining the expected effect or when the area of the brain that goes into crisis can be removed. , without compromising health.
Furthermore, some studies (1,2), show that the use of cannabidiol (CBD) oil can help regulate electrical impulses in the brain, reducing the chances of having a crisis. However, more studies are still needed to prove these benefits.
It is important to follow the treatment as recommended by the doctor, in order to prevent seizures and avoid complications of epilepsy, such as injuries from falls during seizures, brain damage or intellectual disabilities, for example. See more details about the treatment of epilepsy.
Treatment of childhood epilepsy
Childhood epilepsy can be cured through treatments recommended by the doctor and depend on the type of epilepsy the child has.
Depending on the cause and type of epilepsy, as in the case of benign childhood epilepsy, with the treatment indicated by the doctor, epilepsy can be cured, and often, the use of medication in adulthood will no longer be necessary.
Daily care
Some care is recommended in everyday life for people with epilepsy, such as:
- Take the medicine at times recommended by the doctor;
- Make regular medical appointments and the tests recommended by the doctor;
- Identify what can cause seizureswriting down your daily routines in a diary, so that you can avoid situations that cause crises;
- Do physical exercise regularlyindicated by the doctor.
In addition, it is important to keep a card in your wallet or purse indicating that you have epilepsy and information about emergency contacts. Find out what first aid should be like for an epileptic crisis.
People with epilepsy can lead a normal life, as long as they follow medical instructions to avoid epileptic seizures and complications of epilepsy.
