Epilepsy Talk
Dilantin — Hero or Horror?
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Dilantin (Phenytoin) can be considered the grandfather of all epilepsy medications.
Although it was invented in 1908 as a chemical that could prevent convulsions during electroshock treatment, its popularity grew quickly, and as early as 1940, it was hailed as initiating a whole new epoch of anti-epilepsy drugs, motivating researchers to seek even more effective medications and pharmaceutical companies set up aggressive screening programs.
In the next two decades, a dozen new anticonvulsants were introduced into clinical therapy!
Today, Dilantin remains one of the most widely used drugs in the world.
A Fallen Football Hero…
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This is a story about life’s hard knocks. Literally.
It’s the story of former NFL Browns running back Jerome Harrison and how his occasional seizures, thought to be a result of concussions from the game, saved his life.
Seizures and Steroids
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I always thought that steroids were the kind used by athletes and bodybuilders to pump up their performance. Yes, they do exist and, yes they are quite dangerous, but those aren’t the kind of steroids this article is about.
Epilepsy Medication Conflicts…
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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.
Tags: AEDS, drug interaction, Epilepsy, risks, side effects
Clinical Trials Explained
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New therapies, including medications, medical devices and surgical procedures, are evaluated in research studies known as clinical trials.
Often these new therapies are investigational, which means they are not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for general use.
Participation in clinical trials offers the potential for new treatment options and allows patients to participate with researchers in driving the discovery of effective therapies for epilepsy…
Tags: 3 phases, benefits, clinical trials, Epilepsy, information, NIH, risks
A Chief of Surgery Offers Insider Tips to Finding the Right Surgeon
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If you’ve been blessed with reasonably good health, you probably don’t have a surgeon’s number on speed dial. Therefore, the bigger question is, in the unfortunate event that you need one, how do you find the best surgeon for your medical condition?
Tags: ask doctors, friends, how many times, insider tips, interview, key credentials, nurses, references, right surgeon, risks, top candidates
12 THINGS YOUR DOCTORS WON’T TELL YOU…
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Modern medicine can do miraculous things — but every test and treatment has a downside.
And your doctor may not disclose the dangers without prompting, a new survey finds.
Researchers surveyed 2,700 patients who’d recently decided whether or not to have surgery, take a medication, or undergo cancer screening.
Most reported their physician spent far more time talking up the benefits of each choice than explaining the risks.
Epilepsy: Meditation vs. Medication
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You can have medication without meditation. Most of us do.
You can do meditation without medication. Most of us wouldn’t and shouldn’t take that risk.
But together, they can enhance one another.
Tags: benefits, Complementary Alternative Medicine, enhance, Epilepsy, medication, meditation, relaxation, risks, seizures, stress
Schizophrenia and Epilepsy — The Connection
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There’s always been a suspicion of the possible ties between epilepsy and schizophrenia.
But now, research has shown that schizophrenia and epilepsy are linked in both directions.
Tags: environmental factors, Epilepsy, genetic susceptibility, links, neurobiological, psychosis, Research, risks, schizophrenia
Calcium — Friend or Foe?
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After talking to a famous epileptologist, I learned that calcium is really a two-edged sword. Which surprised (and scared) me.
I’ve always read that calcium was imperative if you were taking antiepilepsy drugs — especially Dilantin. Even if your doc “forgot” to tell you!
Speaking of which, a survey found that fewer than one-third of neurologists routinely evaluated AED patients for bone disease. And fewer than 10% prescribed Calcium and Vitamin D.
Tags: benefits, bone mineral density, Calcium, calcium rich foods, controversy, DEXA scans, Dilantin, Epilepsy, heart disease, Mysoline, Osteopenia, Osteoporosis, Phenobital, risks, supplements, Tegretol, Valproate, Vitamin D
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