Epilepsy Talk
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.
Daily, Weekly Seizure Cycles More Common Than Previously Thought
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Seizures cycles occurred in more than 80% of people with epilepsy, a retrospective analysis found.
These cycles most often were circadian, but also included weekly and longer periods, reported Mark Cook, MD, of the University of Melbourne in Australia, and co-authors in The Lancet Neurology.
Tags: analysis, documentation, Judy George, Lancet Neurology, MedPage Today, patterns, seizure cycles
3 Revolutionary Epilepsy Watches!
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They’re, attractive, efficient and a boon to the monitor market.
Meet the Smart Watches…
Tags: activity, alert, Apple SeizAlarm, body balance, EMBRACE WATCH, emergency contacts, event tracking, GPS tracking, immediate help, motion detector, seizures, stress, THE SMART WATCH, wristwatch
Autopsies – Where Did They Go?
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50 years ago, it was pretty easy to find out the cause of a loved one’s death.
Not so anymore.
An investigation published by ProPublica shows that hospital autopsies have become a rarity…
Tags: autopsies, insurance doesn't pay, mistakes undiscovered, not required, rare
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