Navigating life with epilepsy

David C. Spencer, 1963 December 12-

Book - 2017

"Navigating Life with Epilepsy aims to provide clear and reliable information about epilepsy, including "what" (definition), "how" (pathophysiology), "who" (epidemiology), and "why" (etiology). The volume guides the reader through current approaches to diagnosis (including a review of diagnostic tests) and treatment, and shares patient experiences and advice on navigating the myriad psychosocial challenges associated with epilepsy. Epilepsy is a heterogeneous disorder with many causes and a wide spectrum of severity. This text will focus on issues relevant to adolescents and adults with epilepsy; there are many guides for parents of children with epilepsy and issues specific to younger children a...re beyond the scope of this book. The focus is on translation of current medical knowledge to the lay reader. However, because epilepsy can have profound psychosocial consequences, the book aims to extend beyond the bounds of a medical handbook to include discussion of issues that are of high priority to patients, including those surrounding, driving, work, and relationships"--Provided by publisher.

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Subjects
Published
New York : Oxford University Press [2017]
Language
English
Main Author
David C. Spencer, 1963 December 12- (author)
Physical Description
xiii, 296 : illustrations ; 21 cm
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 257-259) and index.
ISBN
9780199358953
  • About the AAN's Neurology Now™ Books Series
  • Acknowledgments
  • 1. Introduction
  • Historical Roots and Stigma
  • Introduction to Seizures and Epilepsy
  • 2. What Are Seizures and What Is Epilepsy?
  • General Introduction and Definitions
  • Seizure Types
  • Epilepsy Syndromes
  • Status Epilepticus
  • 3. Living with and Managing Epilepsy
  • Safety and Seizure First Aid
  • Navigating the Day-to-Day with Epilepsy
  • Related Brain Conditions: Cognitive Problems and Psychological Issues
  • Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)
  • Making Clinic Visits Successful
  • 4. How and Why Do Seizures Occur?
  • Basic Science of Epilepsy
  • Balance of Excitation and Inhibition
  • Epilepsy at the Level of the Brain Cell
  • Epilepsy at the Network Level
  • 5. Who Develops Epilepsy?
  • Genetic Causes of Epilepsy
  • Acquired Causes of Epilepsy
  • 6. Establishing the Diagnosis of Epilepsy
  • Differential Diagnosis of Epilepsy
  • 7. Testing for Epilepsy
  • Laboratory Testing
  • Electroencephalography
  • Brain Imaging
  • Specialized Testing
  • 8. Treatment of Epilepsy
  • Overview of Epilepsy Treatment
  • The Decision to Start Treatment
  • Nonpharmacological Approaches to Reducing Seizure Risk
  • Stopping AEDs
  • 9. Antiepileptic Drug Therapy
  • AED Mechanisms
  • Basic Principles of AED Therapy
  • AED Selection in Focal Epilepsy
  • AED Selection in Generalized Epilepsy
  • An Approach to AED Selection
  • 10. Side Effects
  • Acute (Usually Dose-Related and Reversible) Side Effects of AEDs
  • Idiosyncratic Side Effects
  • Chronic Side Effects
  • Medication Interactions
  • Monitoring
  • 11. Beyond AEDs: Surgical Therapy
  • Epilepsy Surgery
  • Epilepsy Surgery Frequently Asked Questions
  • 12. Beyond AEDs: Other Therapeutic Options
  • Neurostimulation: Medical Devices to Treat Epilepsy
  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Epilepsy
  • Dietary Therapy
  • 13. Treatment in Special Populations and Situations
  • Women with Epilepsy
  • Older People with Epilepsy
  • Teens with Epilepsy
  • Treatment in Special Situations: Status Epilepticus
  • Glossary
  • Appendix 1. Other Reading and Resources
  • Appendix 2. Information about Specific Antiepileptic Drugs
  • About the American Academy of Neurology and American Brain Foundation
  • Index
Review by Booklist Review

Epilepsy, a chronic neurological disorder distinguished by recurring and unprovoked seizures, is a challenging disease to handle. Even a partial list of prominent personalities afflicted by the disease is notable: Aristotle, Julius Caesar, Dostoyevsky, Napoléon, and Vincent van Gogh. Neurologist and epilepsy specialist Spencer covers lots of ground in a small book that details essential aspects of living with the disease. He likens a seizure to an electrical storm in the brain due to an aberrant discharge of neurons. He reviews different types of seizures, how they occur, their causes, diagnosis, testing, and first aid. Concerns about driving, safety, work, and independent living are addressed. Treatment choices medication, surgery, and medical devices are clearly explained. More than 20 different antiepileptic drugs are approved by the FDA, and Spencer summarizes the indications for using each of them, their side effects, monitoring, and even when they might be stopped. It's a fact that patients who are more informed about their illnesses garner improved outcomes. This easy-to-understand book successfully provides ample and useful information on managing epilepsy.--Miksanek, Tony Copyright 2016 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.