Definition and Description
According to the Epilepsy Foundation of America, (2014) epilepsy is a physical condition that occurs when there is sudden, brief change in how the brain works. When the brain cells are not working properly, a person's consciousness, movement or actions may be alters for a short time, also called a seizure (NICHCY, 2010). A seizure occurs when an abnormal amount of electrical discharge happen in a group of neurons in the brain (Wilner, 2008). Every now and then nerve cells in the brain send out excessive electrical pulses – a sort of electrical storm in the brain. These disturbances cause the seizures in people that have epilepsy (Wyllie, 2010).
Prevalence
Epilepsy affects people in all nations and of all races …show more content…
For the drug Carbamazepine, the group did worse on 76% of their scores, and when on the drug Levetiracetem, they performed worse on 12% of their tests (Karaceski, 2014). Generally, AEDs work by changing the levels of chemicals in the brain that conduct electrical …show more content…
The pulses are like a pacemaker (Epilepsy Foundation, 2014). It's generally an option used when patients with epilepsy continue have to uncontrolled seizures even after using anti-seizure medications (Cleveland Clinic 1995-2014).
The vagus nerve is part of the autonomic nervous system that controls functions of the body that are not voluntarily controllable. It is located in the neck and travels near the carotid artery and jugular vein. This type of nerve stimulator, while it has been successfully used in children as young as one year old with generalized epilepsy, is not approved by the FDA for use with partial epilepsy until the child is 12 years or older (NYU Medical Center, 2014).
The implant used for vagus nerve stimulation is a flat, round piece of metal that measures about an inch and a half (4 cm) across and 10 to 13 millimeters thick, depending on the model used. Newer models may be somewhat smaller. The stimulator contains a battery, which can last from one to 15 years. When the battery is low, the stimulator will have to be removed via a surgical procedure that is similar to, but less involved than the original implantation (American Association of Neurological Surgeons,
According to the Epilepsy Foundation of America, (2014) epilepsy is a physical condition that occurs when there is sudden, brief change in how the brain works. When the brain cells are not working properly, a person's consciousness, movement or actions may be alters for a short time, also called a seizure (NICHCY, 2010). A seizure occurs when an abnormal amount of electrical discharge happen in a group of neurons in the brain (Wilner, 2008). Every now and then nerve cells in the brain send out excessive electrical pulses – a sort of electrical storm in the brain. These disturbances cause the seizures in people that have epilepsy (Wyllie, 2010).
Prevalence
Epilepsy affects people in all nations and of all races …show more content…
For the drug Carbamazepine, the group did worse on 76% of their scores, and when on the drug Levetiracetem, they performed worse on 12% of their tests (Karaceski, 2014). Generally, AEDs work by changing the levels of chemicals in the brain that conduct electrical …show more content…
The pulses are like a pacemaker (Epilepsy Foundation, 2014). It's generally an option used when patients with epilepsy continue have to uncontrolled seizures even after using anti-seizure medications (Cleveland Clinic 1995-2014).
The vagus nerve is part of the autonomic nervous system that controls functions of the body that are not voluntarily controllable. It is located in the neck and travels near the carotid artery and jugular vein. This type of nerve stimulator, while it has been successfully used in children as young as one year old with generalized epilepsy, is not approved by the FDA for use with partial epilepsy until the child is 12 years or older (NYU Medical Center, 2014).
The implant used for vagus nerve stimulation is a flat, round piece of metal that measures about an inch and a half (4 cm) across and 10 to 13 millimeters thick, depending on the model used. Newer models may be somewhat smaller. The stimulator contains a battery, which can last from one to 15 years. When the battery is low, the stimulator will have to be removed via a surgical procedure that is similar to, but less involved than the original implantation (American Association of Neurological Surgeons,