Epilepsy is a brain disorder characterized by repeated seizures. Seizures occur when there is abnormal electrical activity in the brain. There are many types of seizures that can range from staring spells to violent shaking. While epilepsy is common, affecting about 1 in 100 people, it can often be controlled through medications. For those whose seizures cannot be controlled through medications, additional treatment options include dietary therapies, surgery, and devices like vagus nerve stimulators. With proper treatment, most people with epilepsy can lead normal, active lives.

1. Life beyond Epilepsy
Jayanti Mani
Neurologist

2. What is epilepsy?
• Epilepsy is a brain disorder
• Person has repeated “seizures” or “fits”
What is a fit or seizure?

3. Brain works on electricity

4. 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

5. 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

6. What tests?
EEG
• Records brain
waves
• Usually takes one
hour
• May be normal in
person with
epilepsy
• Repeated tests

7. Tests : Brain scans
CT Scan MRI Scan

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Lead a normal life!!
• 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

12. Achieve despite Epilepsy
Napolean
Leonardo Da Vinci
Julius Ceasar

13. Epilepsy service at KDAH
The Team The Facilities
• Epileptologist • EEG
• Pediatric Neurologist • 3 Tesla MRI
• Neurophysiologist • Video EEG Telemetry
• Epilepsy Surgeon • SPECT/PET
• Neuroradiologist • Intraoperative MRI
• Psychiatrist • 24 hour Emergency
• Psychologist
• Well equipped ICU
EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP at KDAH

15. Life beyond Epilepsy
Dr.Shekhar Patil
Pediatric Neurologist

16. • Why does my child have epilepsy?
• Is it my fault?
• Will my child grow out of the
epilepsy?

17. • Febrile seizures
• Seizure mimics
Breath Holding spasms

18. • Bullying & Teasing at school
• Keep a positive outlook
• Epilepsy & Learning
• Epilepsy & Behaviour

19. First Aid
• Watch the clock!!!
• Call ambulance if
– Vigorous shaking for
more than 2 min
– Two or more attacks in
succession

20. Life beyond Epilepsy
Dr. Bhaskara Rao Malla
Neurosurgeon

21. Epilepsy : The facts and figures
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 treatment
80% of AEDs sold in 20% of countries
80% of are not properly diagnosed or treated

25. Epilepsy surgery in India
1951
Jacob Chandy &
Baldev Singh
CMC, Vellore
B.Ramamurthi &
ST Narasimhan
MGH, Madras

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

29. Epilepsy Care Program

31. Epilepsy is curable

33. Epilepsy service at KDAH
The Team The Facilities
• Epileptologist • EEG
• Pediatric Neurologist • 3 Tesla MRI
• Neurophysiologist • Video EEG Telemetry
• Epilepsy Surgeon • SPECT/PET
• Neuroradiologist • Intraoperative MRI
• Psychiatrist • 24 hour Emergency
• Psychologist
• Well equipped ICU
EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP at KDAH