Discusses the characteristics and impact of epilepsy on individuals and families; offers advice on how to cope with the seizure disorder; and provides information on some of the specific concerns people with epilepsy may have regarding sexual activity, childbearing, personality changes, and other topics.

Although epilepsy is one of the nation's most common neurological disorders, public understanding of it is limited. Many people do not know the causes of epilepsy or what they should do if they see someone having a seizure. Epilepsy is a complex spectrum of disorders that affects an estimated 2.2 million Americans in a variety of ways, and is characterized by unpredictable seizures that differ in type, cause, and severity. Yet living with epilepsy is about much more than just seizures; the disorder is often defined in practical terms, such as challenges in school, uncertainties about social situations and employment, limitations on driving, and questions about independent living. The Institute of Medicine was asked to examine the public health dimensions of the epilepsies, focusing on public health surveillance and data collection; population and public health research; health policy, health care, and human services; and education for people with the disorder and their families, health care providers, and the public. In Epilepsy Across the Spectrum, the IOM makes recommendations ranging from the expansion of collaborative epilepsy surveillance efforts, to the coordination of public awareness efforts, to the engagement of people with epilepsy and their families in education, dissemination, and advocacy for improved care and services. Taking action across multiple dimensions will improve the lives of people with epilepsy and their families. The realistic, feasible, and action-oriented recommendations in this report can help enable short- and long-term improvements for people with epilepsy. For all epilepsy organizations and advocates, local, state, and federal agencies, researchers, health care professionals, people with epilepsy, as well as the public, Epilepsy Across the Spectrum is an essential resource.

Seizures can be terrifying. Here is the complete resource parents who need the medical facts about seizures and epilepsy in children.

For the parent of a child with epilepsy, an easy-to-read guide to understanding and managing the disorder while helping your child achieve and maintain a high quality of life. From a leading neurologist, experienced nurse practitioner, and registered dietician comes the complete guide to managing your childís life with epilepsy. Epilepsy in Children offers the practical advice and information you need to manage your childís seizures safely and effectively, understand the latest treatment options, and find hope for a seizure-free future. Key Features: Get the right diagnosis for your child and the correct treatment to reduce the frequency of seizures faster Learn the benefits and risks of pharmaceutical, surgical, and alternative therapies including the ketogenic diet Help your child maintain a normal life at school, with friends, and in sports and other activities Navigate the transitions from infancy and childhood, to puberty, to becoming a young adult

This book gives an exhaustive account of the classification and management of epileptic disorders. It provides clear didactic guidance on the diagnosis and treatment of epileptic syndromes and seizures through thirteen chapters, complemented by a pharmacopoeia and CD ROM of video-EEGs.

Nearly three million people in the United States live with epilepsy every day and another 180,000 Americans develop epilepsy every year. Around the world, more than 60 million people have epilepsy. Epilepsy impacts everyone in different ways, as well as their families, friends and professional caregivers. This enlightening book presents the firsthand personal accounts of children with seizure disorders and their parents. In their own words, these children and parents vividly describe the experiences of handling the crisis of the initial seizure, adjusting to the diagnosis of epilepsy, coping with seizures, managing medications and side effects, and dealing with health care providers, teachers, schoolmates, siblings, and friends. Their stories reveal the terror, uncertainty, and frustration felt by children an dparents after an initial seizure or a diagnosis of epilepsy and document the ongoing trials, tribulations, and triumphs of coping with seizures, medication schedules and side effects, health care providers and hospitals, schoolmates, siblings, relatives and friends. These accounts provide realistic insights into the myriad issues encountered in living with childhood epilepsy. The book also includes a straightforward medical discussion of childhood seizures, written in layperson's terms; a glossary of medical terms; and a guide for schoolteachers and parents.