1. Life beyond Epilepsy
Jayanti Mani
Neurologist

2. What is epilepsy?
• Epilepsy is a brain disorder
• Person has repeated “seizures” or “fits”
What is a fit or seizure?

3. Brain works on electricity

4. Are there many types of seizures?
• Seizure can be of many types
– Blank stare only
– Confused behavior
– Jerking or twitching of muscles
– Violent body shaking with unconsciousness
• Everything that shakes is not a seizure
– Pseudoseizures
– syncope

5. Is epilepsy common?
• 2nd commonest brain problem after
headache
• 1/100 have at least one fit in their life
• 1/200 have epilepsy
• Can start at any age

6. What tests?
EEG
• Records brain
waves
• Usually takes one
hour
• May be normal in
person with
epilepsy
• Repeated tests

7. Tests : Brain scans
CT Scan MRI Scan

8. Treatment : Medications
– More than 10 types of Medicines available
– Doses of each medicine different
– Same medicine available as different brands
– NEVER MISS YOUR MEDICINE
– NEVER STOP MEDICINES ABRUPTLY
– 60% persons are well on one drug
– Others may require two or three drugs

9. Some precautions
• Ask your doctor about allergy/side effects
• Ensure regular SLEEP
• Discuss DRIVING/ SWIMMING with your doctor
• PREGNANCY
– Ask doctor about safe drugs
– NEVER STOP MEDICINES ABRUPTLY
– RISKS to baby from medicines MINIMAL
– These can be tested during pregnancy

10. What if medicines fail?
• Check correct medicine and dose with doctor
• 20-30% patients have seizures inspite of
medicines.
– Ketogenic Diet
– Surgery
• Can be very effective and even cure epilepsy in
some patients
• Video EEG and Repeat MRI
– Vagal Nerve Stimulator

11. Lead a normal life!!
• Most patients with epilepsy
– Can pursue studies
– Can hold regular jobs
– Participate in most sports
– Enjoy hobbies and leisure activity
– Marry and have children
– ACHIEVE DESPITE EPILEPSY

12. Achieve despite Epilepsy
Napolean
Leonardo Da Vinci
Julius Ceasar

13. Epilepsy service at KDAH
The Team The Facilities
• Epileptologist • EEG
• Pediatric Neurologist • 3 Tesla MRI
• Neurophysiologist • Video EEG Telemetry
• Epilepsy Surgeon • SPECT/PET
• Neuroradiologist • Intraoperative MRI
• Psychiatrist • 24 hour Emergency
• Psychologist
• Well equipped ICU
EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP at KDAH

15. Life beyond Epilepsy
Dr.Shekhar Patil
Pediatric Neurologist

16. • Why does my child have epilepsy?
• Is it my fault?
• Will my child grow out of the
epilepsy?

17. • Febrile seizures
• Seizure mimics
Breath Holding spasms

18. • Bullying & Teasing at school
• Keep a positive outlook
• Epilepsy & Learning
• Epilepsy & Behaviour

19. First Aid
• Watch the clock!!!
• Call ambulance if
– Vigorous shaking for
more than 2 min
– Two or more attacks in
succession

20. Life beyond Epilepsy
Dr. Bhaskara Rao Malla
Neurosurgeon

21. Epilepsy : The facts and figures
250,000,000 : One seizure in a life time
50,000,000 : People with active epilepsy
42,000,000 : PWE in the developing countries
2,500,000 : New cases each year
70% of PWE can be seizure free with treatment
80% of AEDs sold in 20% of countries
80% of are not properly diagnosed or treated

25. Epilepsy surgery in India
1951
Jacob Chandy &
Baldev Singh
CMC, Vellore
B.Ramamurthi &
ST Narasimhan
MGH, Madras

28. • Seizure freedom after surgery : 70%
• Off medication after surgery : 30%

29. Epilepsy Care Program

31. Epilepsy is curable

33. Epilepsy service at KDAH
The Team The Facilities
• Epileptologist • EEG
• Pediatric Neurologist • 3 Tesla MRI
• Neurophysiologist • Video EEG Telemetry
• Epilepsy Surgeon • SPECT/PET
• Neuroradiologist • Intraoperative MRI
• Psychiatrist • 24 hour Emergency
• Psychologist
• Well equipped ICU
EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP at KDAH