How do I prepare for the EMU Admission
To prepare for an EMU Admission:
• Wash your hair the night before or the day of the test, but do not apply any conditioners, hair creams, sprays or styling gels to your hairs. Hair products use should be avoided as it can make tougher for the sticky patches that are used to hold the electrodes to adhere to your scalp. If you have weaves or braids, need to be removed before a test is completed.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes
• Follow your physician’s instructions regarding your medication.
• Arrive at the hospital on scheduled time, delays can occur if you are late.
• You may bring electronics like a laptop to use during your stay.
• Visitors are allowed during your EMU admission. A family member or loved one who is familiar with the seizure is asked to stay along with the patient at the hospital.
Why should patients with intractable seizures undergo epilepsy surgery?
If your seizures are managed with one or two drugs, then surgery is not needed. However, when you have to take more than two medications and you continue to have seizures, surgery is a rational choice due to the problems associated with recurrent seizures such as:
• Poor quality of life
• Injuries
• Social ostracism
• Marital issues
• Care-giver burden
• Adverse effects of medication
• Sudden unexpected death
Even financially, if you are on two medications, your monthly maintenance comes to around 5000/ month i.e., Rs.60,000 annually. The average cost of epilepsy surgery with all investigations, hospitalization is close to 2.5-3 lakhs.
What is drug-resistant epilepsy/ intractable seizures?
It is defined as the failure of enough trials of two tolerated, properly chosen and used antiepileptic drug schedules (whether as monotherapies or in combination) to achieve sustained seizure freedom.
Will I need to take anti-epileptic medications after surgery?
We recommend continuing the medication for at least two years, after which medications can be reduced and even stopped in certain cases where the seizures are well controlled.
What are EEG and video EEG and their necessity?
Video EEG is nothing but a simultaneous recording of EEG along with a video camera focused on you all the time. You will be admitted, and EEG leads will be connected to you. You will be under the camera for 24 hours while your EEG on. When you have a seizure, it will record the exact movements you do during your seizure activity and simultaneous EEG recordings. This will provide us with the exact idea of the area of your brain accountable for producing these seizures. Generally, 3-10 episodes of seizure will be recorded and so patients usually stay for 5-7 days in the hospital. We generally stop your drugs so that more seizures can be obtained in a short time. It is secure as you are having seizures in a controlled environment of the hospital, supported with doctors and nurses all the time.
What is epilepsy surgery and when is it recommended?
In 20-30% of patients diagnosed to be having epilepsy, drugs cannot control epilepsy. Most of the time, these patients have something visibly abnormal in their brain. So, if we can surgically remove the abnormality which is visible on MRI brain, we can practically cure epilepsy and improve the quality of life of the person affected with epilepsy.
How can I prevent epilepsy?
Sometimes we can prevent epilepsy. The most common ways to reduce your risk of developing epilepsy are:
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