How to Improve Epilepsy
About 3 million people in the United States have epilepsy, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes people to have seizures, which are abnormal electrical impulses in the brain that often result in uncontrolled muscle contractions. People can have seizures as a result of health problems, such as a head injury, but individuals who have two or more seizures are often diagnosed with epilepsy, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. It is possible for epilepsy patients to improve their condition by controlling their seizures.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Electroencephalogram
- Computed tomography scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging test
- Anti-epileptic drugs
- Epilepsy surgery
- Vagus nerve stimulation therapy
- Ketogenic diet
Instructions
-
-
1
Go to a doctor for an electroencephalogram, a test that measures electrical activity in the brain. The test is used to find abnormalities in brain activity, which can signal epilepsy, according to the Mayo Clinic. Imaging tests, such as computed tomography or a magnetic resonance imaging scan, can be used to show if certain neurological problems, such as a brain tumor, are causing you to have seizures.
-
2
Take antiepileptic drugs prescribed by your doctor if you have been diagnosed with epilepsy. These medications often stop or reduce seizures. Doctors often prescribe one anti-epileptic medication, such as carbamazepine, clonazepam or phenobarbital, to control seizures. If one medication is ineffective, your physician may prescribe a combination of two or more drugs, according to the Mayo Clinic.
-
-
3
Get surgery if you continue to have seizures despite taking medications, unless the part of your brain that is involved in essential functions (such as language and memory) is responsible for your seizures. According to Epilepsy.com, during epilepsy surgery, your physician will either remove the portion of your brain that is causing seizures or sever connections between nerve pathways to prevent seizures from spreading to other parts of the brain.
-
4
Undergo vagus nerve stimulation therapy to reduce seizures. For this therapy, a device called a pulse generator, which sends signals to the brain, is surgically placed underneath your skin. Vagus nerve stimulation therapy can help treat symptoms that accompany seizures, such as depression.
-
5
Go on a ketogenic diet, eating more foods that are high in fat and fewer carbohydrates. When you are on this diet, your body uses fats instead of glucose to produce energy.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You may be able to stop taking anti-epileptic drugs for seizures if you have not had seizures for 2 years or longer, according to the Mayo Clinic.
If you are epileptic, you can improve your condition by getting more sleep and reducing stress in your life.
If someone with epilepsy is having a seizure, do not try to open her mouth with an object, because you could cause harm.
