Epilepsy Talk
NEWS FLASH: The UN now says medical weed is a less dangerous drug
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There’s hope on the horizon.
The UN now says medical weed is a less dangerous drug.
Even though it’s a long way from legalization, there’s hope on the horizon.
A United Nations commission has voted to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug, acknowledging the plant’s medical value and paving the way for further therapeutic use of the drug internationally.
Epilepsy Studies: True or False?
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There’s a “Golden Rule” which says: “He who has the most gold makes the rules.”
And who might that be? And what are the methods used?
Some are simply amazing. (Or at least I thought so.)
But they all follow the “Golden Rule.”
Can I Substitute Generic Drugs for My Anti-Seizure Medications?
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The controversy about generic drugs continues…
Is it ADHD…Epilepsy…or Both?
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ADHD is the current term for the neurological condition formerly known as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), Hyperactivity, Hyperkinesis, Organic Brain Syndrome, Minimal Brain Dysfunction, and Minimal Brain Damage.
About 5% of children in the general population have ADHD. However, about 30-40% of children with epilepsy may have ADHD or attention problems. Also, ADHD is seen more often in boys than in girls (some medical professionals claim this ratio to be as high 4 to 1).
Tags: absence seizures, academic achievement, ADHD, attention problems, behavioral difficulties, cognitive, hyperactive disorder, inattentiveness, intellectual, language, learning difficulties, memory, motor, neuropsychologist, Ritalin, spatial, staring spells
Epilepsy And Complementary Medicine…
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Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) is just what it sounds like. Something to complement the AED regimen you’re already on. And perhaps take an extra step (with your doctor’s go-ahead) to alleviate seizures.
There are lots of alternatives, so I’ll touch on the most popular ones here. (Somehow, I don’t think you’re going to be turning to stones or amulets for relief!)
Tags: acupressure, acupuncture, aromatherapy, biofeedback, chiropractic care, Complementary Alternative Medicine, essential oils, herbal medicine, Homeopathy, massage, meditation, Naturopathy, Orrin Devinsky, reflexology, relaxation techniques, seizure control, stress reduction, tai chi, yoga
Coronavirus (COVID-19) — How To Get Instant Care
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You wake up and you’re feeling crummy. You have a fever. You may be coughing. But because of the Coronavirus, your physician isn’t available. You panic. In most states, you cannot even be tested for COVID-19.
It takes between 2 and 14 days for a newly infected person to start showing symptoms.
After symptoms begin to show, it can take more than a week for them to be eligible for testing (many people are not eligible at all).
And then, thanks to backlogs in testing availability, it can take days for them to learn they tested positive.
Maybe you should go to Urgent Care. But they’re so overloaded, they might turn you away.
Emergency rooms won’t accept you unless you’re have a very high temperature and having trouble breathing.
That’s when they will take you and put you on a ventilator. But what happens in between? Panic or medical care from an unexpected source?
Tags: 24 hour availability, assisted living center csupport, coronavirus, COVID-19, diagnosis, difficulty breathing, emergency rooms, follow-up visits, growing patient population, healing from a distance, health care industry, high temperature, improve patient care, keep providers healthy for you, long-distance clinical healthcare, Medicaid, medical advice, Medicare, post hospitalization care, prescriptions, preventative care support, remote chronic disease managgement, remote services, symptoms, telehealth, telemedicine, testing, ventilator
The Coronavirus — What Does It Mean For You?
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Did you know that most of the components of our meds come from China and India?
“Many over-the-counter and generic drugs [PDF] sold in the United States are made in China, including antidepressants, HIV/AIDS medications, birth control pills, chemotherapy treatments, and medicines for Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease
Health officials have warned that the coronavirus outbreak could lead to drug shortages.
However, U.S. consumers should not panic. But they have reasons to be vigilant…”
Tags: China, coronavirus, don't panic, fewer regulations, generic drugs, India, ingredients, supply shortages, vigilant
Good news, there’s a new AED in town!
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On November 19, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved cenobamate (XCOPRI®) for the treatment of focal epilepsy in adults. This medication will be available in the pharmacy by the spring or summer of 2020.
Tags: focal epilepsy, lower seizure frequency, new drug, XCOPRI
Sodium — How Much Does Your Body Need?
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You may think that sodium is a “bad guy” to be avoided or reduced at all cost, because too much is linked to high blood pressure.
But sodium is actually an essential electrolyte, and a deficiency can trigger seizures.
Seizures from low sodium levels are most likely to occur from a serious disease, acute infection or because you tried to run a marathon on a hot day.
One-time or isolated seizures from these causes don’t warrant a diagnosis of epilepsy.
However, epilepsy is sometimes misdiagnosed and you may have an underlying health condition that’s causing an electrolyte problem.
Tags: balance, blood panel, coma, death, high sodium, low sodium, monitoring, seizures, sodium
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