- International Epilepsy Day is commemorated on the second Monday of February.
- It is estimated that in Mexico there are four million people with this neurological disorder.
- The variety of treatments against epilepsy is becoming wider and with correct adherence it is possible to control seizures.
There are various diseases that have been stigmatized over the years. For this reason, patients are not only ignored but are also mocked by the rest of the population. Such is the case of epilepsy, although the most important thing is that thanks to the most recent advances, different treatments have been developed to offer alternatives to those affected.
Current panorama in Mexico
In this sense, the Ministry of Health (SSa) points out that there are just over four million people who suffer from this neurological disease in our country. Each of the patients develops a considerable decrease in their quality of life and therefore it is essential to identify the disorder as soon as possible.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which brain activity is abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and in some cases loss of consciousness. No one is exempt because anyone can suffer from this problem, which affects men and women of all races, ethnic origins and ages equally.
In this regard, Dr. Jamie Van Gompel, who is a neurosurgeon at the Mayo Clinic, affirms that thanks to technological advances, the variety of treatments against epilepsy has expanded.
“The variety of possible treatments is much wider now. We have really improved outcomes for patients. I think it’s important to look at treatment options because they can have far-reaching and significant repercussions on people’s lives.”
Some people need lifelong treatment to control seizures, but others stop having them over time. Some children with epilepsy outgrow the condition as they grow up.
Los epilepsy medications have improved and are still the most common way to treat it: treatment with drugs or, in some cases, surgery can control seizures in most patients.
Open surgery to remove the part of the brain that causes seizures is still an important treatment option for epilepsy that is not controlled by medication. Although in recent years new treatment options for epilepsy have been developed, including minimally invasive options.
Latest treatments for epilepsy
- Deep brain stimulation. In this case, a device is used that is placed very deep in the brain permanently. The device releases regularly scheduled electrical signals that alter the activity that causes the seizure. This procedure is performed through magnetic resonance imaging. The generator that sends the electrical impulse is implanted in the chest.
- receptive neurostimulation. These implantable, pacemaker-like devices can help greatly reduce the frequency of seizures. These responsive stimulation devices analyze activity patterns in the brain to detect seizures as they start and deliver an electrical shock or medication to stop them before they cause disability. Research shows that this therapy has very few side effects and can offer long-term relief from seizures. This device is placed on the head.
- Laser-induced interstitial thermal therapy (LITT). This therapy is less invasive than removal surgery. In this case, a laser is used to precisely mark and destroy a small piece of tissue in the brain. The laser is guided with magnetic resonance imaging.
- Minimally invasive surgery. New minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound, hold promise for treating seizures with fewer risks than traditional open-brain surgery.
Dr. Van Gompel encourages people with epilepsy to talk to their primary health care provider or a neurologist about their current treatment and to not hesitate to seek a second opinion at an epilepsy center, especially if they are experiencing medication-related side effects or continue to have seizures.
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