Explore the treatment options for epilepsy including medications, surgery, and dietary therapies. Learn who needs treatment and the costs involved.
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Treatment and Rehabilitation
Epilepsy treatment focuses on stopping or reducing the frequency of seizures with minimal side effects. The majority of patients can be managed successfully with anti seizure medications. These drugs do not cure the underlying condition but act as a chemical lid to suppress the abnormal electrical bursts in the brain. When medication fails, other options like surgery, dietary therapy, and neurostimulation are considered.
The goal of treatment is “no seizures and no side effects.” This balance can be tricky to achieve. Doctors often start with a single medication at a low dose and increase it slowly. If the first drug doesn’t work, they may switch to another or add a second one. Consistency is key; missing even a single dose can trigger a seizure.
Treatment options include:
Almost anyone with a diagnosis of epilepsy needs some form of treatment. If a person has had only one seizure, treatment might not be started immediately unless there is a high risk of recurrence. Factors influencing the decision include the cause of the seizure and the EEG results.
Patients with recurrent, unprovoked seizures require treatment to prevent injury and Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). Treatment is also essential for maintaining quality of life, allowing patients to drive, work, and socialize safely. Even patients with mild epilepsy often choose treatment to avoid the anxiety of unpredictable events.
Anti seizure medications are the first line of defense. There are over 20 different drugs available today. Broad spectrum medications treat both generalized and focal seizures. Narrow spectrum medications treat only specific types. Choosing the right one depends on the seizure type, age, and other health factors.
Side effects are common and can include fatigue, dizziness, weight gain, or mood changes. Regular blood tests may be needed to monitor drug levels and check for liver or kidney health. It is crucial for patients not to stop taking these medications abruptly, as this can cause status epilepticus, a continuous and dangerous seizure state.
When medications fail to control seizures, the condition is called drug resistant or refractory epilepsy. For these patients, surgery may be a cure. The most common surgery is a temporal lobectomy, where the part of the temporal lobe causing the seizures is removed.
Before surgery, extensive testing is done to ensure that removing the tissue will not damage essential functions like speech or memory. If the seizure focus is in a safe area, surgery can stop seizures completely in up to 70 percent of well selected candidates.
VNS therapy is like a pacemaker for the brain. A small device is implanted under the skin of the chest, and a wire is connected to the vagus nerve in the neck. The device sends regular, mild pulses of electrical energy to the brain via the nerve.
This stimulation helps prevent seizures by altering the brain’s excitability. It does not usually stop seizures completely but can reduce their frequency and severity by about half. Patients can also use a magnet to swipe over the device to deliver an extra burst of stimulation if they feel a seizure coming on.
RNS is a newer technology. It is a “smart” device implanted directly into the skull. Thin wires are placed on the surface of the brain or deep inside it, right at the source of the seizures. The device monitors brain waves 24 hours a day.
When the device detects the specific electrical pattern that signals the start of a seizure, it instantly sends a tiny electrical pulse to disrupt it before symptoms appear. It is invisible to the patient and provides a way to treat seizures that originate in areas that cannot be surgically removed.
Deep Brain Stimulation involves placing electrodes deep into specific parts of the brain, usually the thalamus. These electrodes are connected to a pacemaker device in the chest. DBS is used for patients whose seizures are difficult to localize or who are not candidates for resective surgery.
The electrical impulses regulate abnormal brain activity. While RNS targets the specific start point, DBS targets the network pathways to stop the spread of the seizure. It has been shown to significantly reduce seizure frequency in difficult to treat cases.
The ketogenic diet is a high fat, low carbohydrate diet that has been used to treat epilepsy for nearly a century. It forces the body to burn fat for fuel instead of sugar. This process produces ketones, which have an anticonvulsant effect on the brain.
It is most often used for children with severe epilepsy that does not respond to medication. The diet is strict and must be monitored by a dietitian to ensure proper nutrition. Variations like the Modified Atkins Diet are less restrictive and are sometimes used for adults.
Rehabilitation for epilepsy focuses on safety and adaptation. Occupational therapists can help patients make their homes safer to prevent injury during a seizure. They might recommend shower chairs or padding sharp corners.
Cognitive rehabilitation is helpful for patients who experience memory problems due to their seizures or medication. This involves learning strategies to improve memory and attention. Psychological counseling is also a key part of rehabilitation, helping patients cope with the stress and stigma of the chronic condition.
The cost of epilepsy treatment varies globally. Generic anti seizure medications are generally affordable, costing between 300 to 1,000 USD per year globally. However, brand name newer drugs can be much more expensive.
Surgery and device implantation are major procedures. In developed medical hubs, epilepsy surgery can range from 20,000 to 50,000 USD. Neurostimulation devices like VNS and RNS involve both the cost of the device and the surgery, often exceeding 30,000 USD globally. Long term monitoring and follow up visits add to the lifetime cost of care.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Many individuals achieve good seizure control with treatment. Outcomes vary depending on epilepsy type and underlying cause.
In most cases, long term medication is needed. Decisions are individualized based on seizure risk and recurrence.
Further evaluation and alternative strategies are considered. Ongoing rehabilitation and safety planning remain essential.
Yes, rehabilitation supports independence, safety, and quality of life regardless of seizure control.
Yes, managing sleep, stress, and triggers can significantly support seizure control alongside medical treatment.
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