What is refractory childhood epilepsy?
Most epilepsy specialists agree that refractory epilepsy is epilepsy for which seizures are frequent and severe enough, or the required therapy for them troublesome enough, to seriously interfere with quality of life.
What is refractory seizure disorder?
If your doctor says you have refractory epilepsy, it means that medicine isn’t bringing your seizures under control. You might hear the condition called by some other names, such as uncontrolled, intractable, or drug-resistant epilepsy. Your doctor can try certain things to help keep your seizures under better control.
Is refractory epilepsy serious?
[4] Medically refractory epilepsy, therefore, is a major health concern not only for patients and their families, but for society. Treatment objectives for epilepsy are no seizures, and no side effects, as soon as possible.
How is refractory epilepsy diagnosed?
Doctors have many ways to help diagnose refractory epilepsy. Your doctor will likely ask you many questions about your seizures. You will likely also have a test called an electroencephalogram. This involves placing electrodes on your scalp to measure your brain’s activity.
What does refractory mean medically?
(reh-FRAK-tor-ee) In medicine, describes a disease or condition that does not respond to treatment.
Is refractory epilepsy a disability?
If you have been diagnosed with epilepsy and you can’t work and you expect to be unable to work for at least 12 months you can file a claim for Social Security disability benefits.
Why does refractory epilepsy occur?
Refractory epilepsy occurs when your antiepilepsy medicines are no longer controlling your seizures. Often the cause of refractory epilepsy is not known. Your healthcare provider will likely give you other medicines to try to get your seizures under control.
What does refractory mean in oncology?
Listen to pronunciation. (reh-FRAK-tor-ee KAN-ser) Cancer that does not respond to treatment. The cancer may be resistant at the beginning of treatment or it may become resistant during treatment.
Can you work with refractory epilepsy?
Living with refractory epilepsy They may have trouble at work or school. They may no longer be allowed to drive. They may also have injuries that result from their seizures. It is important to do what you can to limit your chances of injury.
What is refractory (uncontrolled) epilepsy?
Refractory Seizures. Refractory (uncontrolled) epilepsy is a heavy burden. First it’s important to make sure that the diagnosis of epilepsy is correct and that the proper medicines are being used in the best way for each person. The individual with epilepsy needs to look at things they can do to better control their seizures,…
What are some treatments for refractory seizures?
Refractory Seizures. The individual with epilepsy needs to look at things they can do to better control their seizures, such as remembering medicines, staying in good health, getting good sleep, minimizing stress and avoiding seizure-precipitating conditions. Non-drug therapies, such as epilepsy surgery, vagus nerve stimulation,…
Can Oral valproic acid prevent seizures in pediatric myoclonic epilepsy (JME)?
Pediatric patients with head injury and 3–8 Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) risk developing seizures and it is recommended to prevent them by prophylaxis. Most seizures in pediatric patients and teenagers can be treated by oral valproic acid. In particular, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) can take advantage of it.
What are the risk factors for seizures in children?
The principal risk factors for seizures in children are correlated with: positive family history [10], high temperature [11], mental disability [12], delayed discharge from NICU or premature birth [10], mother’s alcohol abuse and smoking in pregnancy doubles the risk of seizure incidence [13].