Epilepsy is a brain disorder that results in repeated seizures. During a seizure, the electrical impulses of nerve cells become overactive, causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior, or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness.

There are multiple treatments available to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures. Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are commonly recommended, but severe cases may benefit from epilepsy surgery or medical devices. The goal is to find a treatment that will stop the seizures without causing serious side effects.

Please refer to these resources to learn more about epilepsy.

Epilepsy Organizations

• CURE - Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy
• Epilepsy Foundation
• Epilepsy.com

Epilepsy News

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month

This November, for National Epilepsy Awareness Month (NEAM), the Epilepsy Foundation (epilepsyfoundation.org) is asking you to Talk About It !

National Epilepsy Awareness Month will focus on the power of personal stories and encourage communities of all sizes to talk about epilepsy together.

In 1969, November was declared National Epilepsy Awareness Month as a part of a nationwide epilepsy public education campaign. In 2003, the U.S. Congress passed a formal resolution declaring November as National Epilepsy Awareness Month.

“We’re encouraging everyone affected by seizures to share some aspect of their story during National Epilepsy Awareness Month,” said Eric R. Hargis, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. “Talking about epilepsy will empower those impacted by the condition to speak out without shame.”

The tools at the Talk About It Website are vehicles to get the word out and encourage people to Talk About It!.

Exposure to Antiepileptic Drugs in Pregnancy Not as Serious as Initially Reported

A study recently published in Epilepsia regarding antiepileptic use during pregnancy showed an increased risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes for women with epilepsy.

However, Page Pennell, M.D., Epilepsy Foundation Professional Advisory Board Chair, found much in the study that was actually reassuring for women with epilepsy.”The broad scope of the study, which examined thousands of pregnancies, uncovered findings that could affect pregnancy and the child, such as low Apgar scores, premature birth and small head circumference. While these neonatal complications did exist, the statistics show the overall risk for those complications is still low.

Another finding Dr. Pennell found reassuring was that the only women who stood out for a higher risk of children with birth defects were the women on valproate (Depakote), or women who were taking more than one drug to control their seizures (polytherapy). She said it was helpful to know the new findings substantiate the recent findings of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society's collaborative Practice Parameter Update on women and epilepsy. Those findings were based on a rigorous evaluation of the scientific literature that’s been published to date.

The results show that if a woman is on a medication other than valproate and she can be treated with one medication to control her seizures, then her risk for any type of birth defects in her offspring is very low.

The study also singled out two medications—carbamazepine and lamotrigine (Lamictal)—that did not show an increased risk of birth defects.

This study underscores a consistent recommendation from several different sources that a woman should talk with her neurologist or health care provider about treatment options; optimize her medications prior to conception; begin taking folic acid (Vitamin B9); and stick to one seizure medication during pregnancy that is not valproate.

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This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns.

Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.

© 2008-2009 Vivacare.
Last updated October 30th, 2009.