Epilepsy Talk
Zinc Can Help You Think!
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Zinc should be part of any balanced diet, but it also regulates signals in your brain. It’s been found to play a critical role in coordinating communication between cells in the brain, possibly governing the formation of memories and controlling the occurrence of epileptic seizures…
Tags: AEDS, communication, epilepsy treatment, memory, neurons, recommended dose, zinc, zinc supplements
Epilepsy Medication Conflicts…
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Common wisdom is that it’s best to take one anti-seizure medication. But for many of us, monotherapy just doesn’t work. However adjunct therapy has its dangers. And both treatments carry their own interactive risks – even with things as innocent as aspirin.
For example, some seizure medicines can lower or raise the levels of other types of medicines in your blood. Some combinations cause the levels of both medications to fall. Some cause one level to fall and one level to rise. And some cause unpredictable side- effects…
So I hunkered down to discover the unhappy marriages between anti-seizure meds. I’m sure there are many more, but it’s a start. And more than I knew before embarking on this research. Here’s what I discovered…
Tags: AEDS, drug interaction, Epilepsy, risks, side effects, unpredictable
If You’re Thinking Of Getting Pregnant…
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Years ago, women who had epilepsy were often discouraged from getting pregnant. Today, that’s no longer the case. Thanks to early and regular prenatal care, more than 90 percent of pregnant women who have epilepsy deliver healthy babies, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.
Tags: AEDS, breastfeeding, Epilepsy, Folic Acid, magnesium sulfate, Neurologist, obstetrician, pre-natal care, pregnancy, safety, seizures, single medication, Tips, Vitamin K
Anti-Epilepsy Drugs Lose Effectiveness Over Time…
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It may be the dose prescribed…the type of epilepsy you have…even something as simple as your age or weight. But research shows that, over time, the effectiveness of your anti-epilepsy drug may decline…
Almost all first, second and third-generation epilepsy drugs lose their efficacy after prolonged treatment. Perhaps it’s because your metabolism builds up a tolerance to the drug. And ramping up the dosage can work. Or it may be a functional tolerance where your brain receptors have become resistant to the drug. In that case, a change in medications may help. But whatever the cause, you’re not alone…
Tags: acquired tolerance, AEDS, clinical trials, diminishing effect, Epilepsy, seizure control
Anti Epilepsy Drugs and Their Side-Effects
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For people with epilepsy, Anti Epilepsy Drugs (AEDS) are the most common method used to control seizures. Although there are 40 different types of epilepsy, the right medication or combination of medications can usually control seizures. However 30% of people are drug resistant, owing to either their gene factors or biological makeup.
The most important consideration in your treatment is identifying the exact type of epilepsy you have, therefore you may want to consult more than one doctor.
Medications prescribed will also depend on factors such as which side effects you can actually tolerate, other illnesses you may have, and how the drug should be taken.
Tags: AEDS, complications, follow-up, seizure control, side effects, uses
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