Epilepsy can occur as a result of a genetic disorder or an acquired brain injury, such as a trauma or stroke. Seizures can also occur after a head injury or due to certain infections and illnesses, such as meningitis. It is essential to recognize the signs of a seizure and understand what to do.
During a seizure, a person experiences abnormal behavior, involuntary movement of limbs, and sensations, sometimes including loss of consciousness.
Epilepsy Aftercare:
Knowing what to do after a seizure can help patients return to daily activities more quickly.
Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in the comprehensive management of epilepsy. The treatment includes medication, surgery, devices, or dietary changes. Some people require lifelong treatment, while some children with epilepsy may outgrow the condition with age.
Many people with epilepsy can live a normal life. However, patients who have had epilepsy for a long time or whose epilepsy is difficult to control may need assistance in their daily life activities.
Essential steps in Epilepsy Aftercare
- Physiotherapy
Learning to control seizures is the first step in its aftercare. While the primary goal of physiotherapy may be to aid the patient in managing their attacks, the physiotherapist may also consider some other areas. For one thing, physiotherapy may not only be used for attempting to control seizures but also for non-seizure-related behaviors.
Physical exercises limit the movements within a seizure and improve mental health. People with epilepsy may also struggle psychologically since the chemistry of their brains is altered.
Therefore, the rehabilitation team should incorporate physical exercise and training programs to keep their patients active and energetic throughout their prognosis.
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
Vagus nerve stimulation is one of the most common procedures in epilepsy rehab. A small device is attached to the patient’s chest and connected to a wire inserted under the skin. The device connects with the Vagus nerve, which sends electrical impulses to the nerve.
Vagus nerve stimulation aims to lessen the severity and frequency of the seizures rather than attempting to eliminate them, which may be close to impossible.
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
Similar to VNS, an electrical device is used. This device is placed in the chest and connects its wires directly to the brain. Electrical impulses are sent to the brain through these wires to lessen the frequency and severity of the seizures. This procedure is relatively new for the rehabilitation of epilepsy and must be done with utmost care.
- Responsive Neurostimulation
Responsive Neurostimulation can be used for the rehabilitation of epilepsy patients. Responsive Neurostimulation also uses a device similar to a pacemaker. This device analyses brain activity, its frequency, and patterns. If the device detects a severe change that indicates an oncoming seizure, it automatically delivers an electrical charge or prescribed medicine to eliminate the threat of the attack.
This procedure decreases the frequency of seizures.
- Ketogenic Diet
A ketogenic diet comprises more fats rather than carbohydrates and protein. For children with epilepsy, such a diet can help reduce the frequency of seizures. But with that said, such a diet may not be feasible for adults with epilepsy, as it may lead to severe medical conditions such as diabetes.
For this part of the rehabilitation, a dietician may need to work with the epilepsy specialist to ensure that such a diet provides beneficial results for the child.
- Occupational Therapy
Severe changes in the electrical impulses within the brain can severely damage it. Some patients may need to alter their behaviors to incorporate their diagnosis and treatments into their lifestyle. Such a change is not easy to deal with, so patients must receive professional care while adjusting their learning strategies.
An occupational therapist may aid in performing essential functions such as driving, jobs, going to school, and other activities or tasks that require coordination and control over one’s movements.
Epilepsy is a long-lasting, life-altering disease, but if the patients are well-adjusted to their diagnosis and new life, they can live reasonably normal lives.
- Vocational Therapy
It is often possible to control seizures and receive treatments that reduce the frequency. Depending on the job, patients with epilepsy may also require vocational rehabilitation to know what changes they need to make on the job and how they can inform their authorities. Vocational rehabilitation will help find the right job and adjust the work-life routine to account for the diagnosis and learning strategies that will aid the patient in their career.
Epilepsy is a complex medical disorder, and the rehabilitation process must address the above aspects. Neurorehabilitation or aftercare aims to eliminate or reduce the medical and social consequences of the disease.
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