Epilepsy is a neurological disease that affects approximately 50 million people of all ages worldwide. It is a chronic, non-communicable condition characterised by abnormal brain activity that causes seizures, periods of unusual behaviour and sometimes loss of consciousness.
According to statistics, up to 70% of people with epilepsy could live without seizures if they were correctly diagnosed and treated. Experts also note that the risk of premature death among patients is up to three times higher than for the general population.
The scientific community is considering several approaches to understand the mechanisms of this disease and propose new treatments, as per Epilepsy Foundation – Research & Funding. Now Let’s look at the symptoms and treatment of Epilepsy by Deep Brain Simulation.
Epilepsy and Symptoms
Epilepsy causes abnormal brain activity that affects the body functions coordinated by the brain.
Seizure symptoms include confusion, muscle rigidity, uncontrollable movements of the arms and legs, loss of consciousness, and anxiety or déjà vu feelings.
Symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure, and most people tend to have the same kind of seizure each time.
Seizures are classified as focal or generalised, depending on where the abnormal activity starts.
What is Deep Brain Stimulation?
Deep brain stimulation is a treatment that has been used successfully for several years to help people with Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, and essential tremor. Recently, it has also been used to treat epilepsy.
This treatment involves stimulating a specific area of the brain to control the circuits that cause epileptic seizures. A study with over 100 patients showed that deep brain stimulation can significantly improve the quality of life for people with epilepsy.
This treatment is reversible, and the device can be removed if needed. It can also be customised for each patient’s specific needs.
How do Deep Brain Stimulation works?
Do you know someone who has epileptic seizures? If you or someone you know does experience seizures, there’s a treatment you might want to consider. It’s called deep brain stimulation. This medical procedure involves putting a device in the brain that’s similar to a pacemaker for your heart. The device sends electrical impulses to the part of the brain that causes seizures. Doctors can adjust the stimulation with a programmer to fit each patient’s unique needs, without having to do more surgery.
There are three parts to the deep brain stimulation system.
- First, an electrode is put into the brain, very precisely.
- Second, an extension is connected to the electrode, running under the skin of the scalp and neck to a neurostimulator.
- Finally, the neurostimulator is implanted under the skin, and it sends electrical impulses to the brain through the extension and electrode.
The neurostimulator is sometimes called a “cerebral pacemaker” because it continuously stimulates the brain area responsible for seizures.
It’s controlled and adjusted by a doctor from a remote location, and patients receive a small remote control to turn it on and off, adjust the stimulation, cheque the battery life, and record seizure data.
With deep brain stimulation, patients can reduce the number and severity of seizures and improve their quality of life. If you have epilepsy, you don’t have to let it control your life any longer.
Talk to your Neuro doctor to see if deep brain stimulation is right for you. Connect with us today. info@rehabmodalities.com , we can organise an online free assessment.
