Epilepsy Talk
Traumatic Brain Injury and Epilepsy
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In a fraction of a second, head trauma can dramatically change a person’s life.
Head trauma caused by falls, physical abuse, violence, vehicle crashes and sporting accidents, not to mention modern warfare.
However, it’s important to realize that not all head injuries, even severe ones, result in seizures. And seizures frequently occur in people who haven’t experienced head trauma.
But close associations do exist between head trauma and seizures — as much as twelve times as opposed to someone without a head trauma.
Tags: cooling grid, head trauma, new research, prevent or reduce seizures, seizures, TBI, traumatic brain injury, varied problems
Scientists Find a Possible Link Between Gut Health and Depression
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New research has identified a possible link between gut health and brain function.
Building on this work, the study reveals that clinical depression could also be affected by the amounts of certain bacteria in the gut.
For all of us with depression, this could be a real breakthrough.
2019 Top-Ranked Pediatric Hospitals for Neurology & Neurosurgery
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The U.S. News & World Report’s annual survey of hospitals is considered the pre-eminent source for excellence.
For the 2019 evaluations, fifty pediatric centers were ranked for serious neurological problems.
2019 Top-Rated Hospitals for Neurology & Neurosurgery
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Every year, patients and potential patients alike, look forward to the U.S. News & World Report’s list of top-ranking hospitals.
Attached is a link to their most current list for Neurology and Neurosurgery.
2019 Patient Recommendations for TOP Neurologists…Epileptologists…Neurosurgeons…and Pediatric Doctors
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Below is a compilation by website forum members who have had positive personal experiences with docs over the years.
This list is based on recommendations and, of course, is purely subjective. But it might be helpful for anyone looking for a good Neurologist…Epileptologist…Neurosurgeon…or Pediatric Doctor.
Where’s The Funding? Epilepsy As An Orphan
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Here are the facts, unhappy though they may be…
Epilepsy is the 4th most common neurological problem – only migraine, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease occurs more frequently.
Its prevalence is greater than autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease combined.
As many people die from epilepsy as from breast cancer.
There are 200,000 new cases of epilepsy each year, and a total of more than 3 million Americans are affected by it.
Yet, public and private funding for epilepsy research lags far behind other neurological afflictions, at $35 a patient (compared, for instance, with $129 for Alzheimer’s and $280 for multiple sclerosis).
Autoimmune Epilepsy — Cause of Previously Unexplained Seizures?
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Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are the mainstay of treatment for epilepsy, but seizures continue in one-third of patients despite appropriate AED therapeutic trials.
Even in the current era, the etiology of epilepsy often remains unclear.
Some patients with unexplained partial seizures which are medication resistant may have “autoimmune epilepsy” — epilepsy characterized by autoimmune antibodies.
Although autoimmune epilepsy is still rare, it’s become an increasingly recognized cause of epilepsy, which might have been previously thought to be of unknown cause.
What is the immune system and what are the types of immune disorders?
Marijuana by the Numbers
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The world is going cannabis crazy.
Canada is set to legalize recreational use of marijuana on Oct. 17.
And spending on recreational pot will surge to $32 billion globally by 2022 — triple its current size — U.S. Research firms Arcview Market Research and BDS Analytics say.
At least three Canadian pot companies have stock market values of more than $10 billion each.
And new companies are popping up by the day.
Yup. It’s turned into an investor’s market.
Coming soon to a neighborhood near you.
Medical Marijuana — What the Experts are Saying
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“It doesn’t have a high potential for abuse, and there are very legitimate medical applications. In fact, sometimes Marijuana is the only thing that works… It is irresponsible not to provide the best care we can as a medical community, care that could involve Marijuana. We have been terribly and systematically misled for nearly 70 years in the United States, and I apologize for my own role in that.” — Dr. Sanjay Gupta / Neurosurgeon.
Tags: age-old remedy, alternative, anecdotal evidence, DEA restrictions, doctors', Dr. Orrin Devinsky, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Dravet Syndrome, help relieve pain and suffering, legitimate medical applications, medical marijuana, non toxic, relief, Research, safe, scientific evidence, success
The Great Debate — Medical Marijuana
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Even though the cannabis plant has a long history of medicinal use, with evidence dating back to 2,737 BCE, it’s still a subject of hot controversy.
It appears to be a standing battle between politics and science.
The legality requires proof of medical marijuana’s effectiveness.
Reports of success are anecdotal.
Yet there are no funds for clinical trials and it remains on a back burner for further NIH funding and research.
(Wow. What a surprise!)
Dr. Ben Whalley, who is leading the research at the department of pharmacy at the University of Reading, said: “There was a stigma associated with cannabis that came out from the 60’s and 70’s associated with recreational use, so people have tended not to look at it medicinally as a result.”
But now, some experts are calling for fresh research into the potential of cannabis-like compounds to help alleviate seizures.
Because further evidence has emerged that an ingredient of cannabis could help prevent epileptic seizures.
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