Frequently Asked Questions
	EXPLAINING EPILEPSY What is epilepsy? Is epilepsy a disease? How does our nervous system work? How does our brain work? What is a seizure? What is a seizure threshold? What causes epilepsy? Is epilepsy genetically inherited? Who has epilepsy? What is the history of epilepsy? Top of the page DIAGNOSING EPILEPSY How is epilepsy diagnosed? What is an EEG? How accurate is the EEG test? What other tests are sometimes used? Top of the page TYPES OF SEIZURES What kinds of epilepsy are there? What are Partial Seizures? What are Generalized Seizures? What are Simple Partial Seizures? What are Complex Partial Seizures? What is an aura? What are Generalized Tonic Clonic or Grand Mal Seizures? What are Absence or Petit Mal Seizures? What are Atypical Absence Seizures? What are Myoclonic Seizures? What are Atonic Seizures? What are Secondarily Generalized Seizures? What are epilepsy syndromes? What is Status Epilepticus? Top of the page CHARACTERISTICS OF EPILEPSY Do some people get more than one type of seizure? How often do seizures occur? What triggers seizures? Does epilepsy ever go away? Can seizures cause brain damage? Can you die from epilepsy? Top of the page FIRST AID FOR SEIZURES What is the First Aid Procedure for Generalized Convulsive Seizures? What is the First Aid Procedure for Partial Non-Convulsive Seizures? Top of the page TREATMENTS FOR EPILEPSY Is there a cure for epilepsy? How is epilepsy treated? What medications are used in the treatment of epilepsy? Do anti-epileptic medications have side-effects? Where can I get more information about a particular anti-epileptic drug? Is surgery used to treat epilepsy? Is diet used to treat epilepsy? What is vagus nerve stimulation therapy for epilepsy? What alternative therapies are used for epilepsy? What new medical treatments for epilepsy does the future hold? Top of the page PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES How does epilepsy affect one's life? What is the public's attitude to epilepsy? What impact can epilepsy have on social relations? What impact can epilepsy have on employment? What psychological impact can epilepsy have? What effects can epilepsy have on family and friends of the person with epilepsy? What can a person with epilepsy do to better cope? What can I do to help manage my seizures? What about my relationship with my doctor? Top of the page BEHAVIOUR AND EMOTIONAL CHANGES IN PERSONS WITH EPILEPSY Can having epilepsy affect one's emotions and behaviour? What can causes such changes to emotions and behaviour? What are some common feelings that people with epilepsy experience? Can the fear of having a seizure cause emotional and behavioural problems? What effects can feeling 'out of control' have? How does the public's misunderstanding of epilepsy affect people with epilepsy? How important is accepting one's own epilepsy? What other factors can increase emotional stress? Can anti-convulsant medication affect emotions and behaviour? Can the seizures themselves affect emotions and behaviour? Can head injuries affect emotions and behaviour? What is most likely to cause emotional or behavioural problems? Top of the page SEX AND EPILEPSY What is my "sexuality"? Does having epilepsy affect sex? Can epilepsy lower my sexual desire? What effects do anti-seizure medications have on sex? Who can I talk to about sex and epilepsy? When should I tell someone new that I have epilepsy? Could having sex trigger a seizure? What can I do if I'm encountering problems with sex? Top of the page ALCOHOL AND EPILEPSY Is alcohol harmful? Can alcohol itself cause seizures? Can a person with epilepsy drink alcohol? Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking anti-convulsant drugs? Can alcohol affect my medication? Should I stop taking my drugs when I drink? If a person with epilepsy decides to drink, what rules should they follow? Top of the page NUTRITION AND EPILEPSY Do people with epilepsy require a special diet? Can high or low blood sugar lead to seizures? Do anticonvulsant medications for epilepsy affects nutrients in the body? What about other vitamins and minerals? Is it important to eat regularly? Can caffeine, alcohol or smoking cause problems? Do food allergies cause epilepsy? What is the "Ketogenic Diet"? Who should I speak to about nutrition and epilepsy? Top of the page ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES What do we mean by alternative and complementary therapies? How effective are alternative or complementary approaches to epilepsy? Can relaxation, yoga and meditation control epilepsy? Can epilepsy be controlled by acupuncture? Can epilepsy be controlled through behaviour therapy? Can epilepsy be controlled using aromatherapy? Can epilepsy be controlled through biofeedback? Can epilepsy be controlled through diet? Where can I find an alternative therapist? Should I tell my doctor that I am trying an alternative treatment? Top of the page PHOTOSENSITIVE EPILEPSY What is Photosensitive Epilepsy? Who has photosensitive epilepsy? What kinds of flashing lights can trigger seizures? Why do flashing lights cause seizures in some people? What kinds of seizures do people with photosensitive epilepsy get? How can I tell if a seizure is occurring? Can other visual patterns trigger seizures? Can television cause seizures? Can discotheques or nightclubs cause seizures? Can video games cause epilepsy? Can computer screens cause seizures? Is natural light a seizure trigger? Top of the page SUDEP What is SUDEP? What causes SUDEP? What are the chances of dying from SUDEP? Could SUDEP happen to me? What can I do to lower the risk of SUDEP? Should people with epilepsy live differently because of SUDEP? Do doctors have a role to play with regard to SUDEP? Where can I get more information about SUDEP? What is SASA? How can I reach SASA? Top of the page SURGERY Why surgery for epilepsy? Have there been recent advances in epilepsy surgery? How does surgery work? How common is epilepsy surgery? Which patients are candidates for epilepsy surgery? Which patients cannot be helped by epilepsy surgery? What investigations are required for surgery? What other tests are performed on the surgery patient? What is the neuropsychological assessment for epilepsy surgery? How is the surgery performed? What is the "callosotomy" surgery for epilepsy? What are the risks and benefits of epilepsy surgery? What does the future hold for the surgical treatment of epilepsy? Top of the page VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION What is Vagus Nerve Stimulation? How can Vagus Nerve Stimulation control seizures? What does the Vagus Nerve Stimulation procedure involve? Can the patient activate their Vagus Nerve Stimulator? What are the side-effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation? Does Vagus Nerve Stimulation work? Who is Vagus Nerve Stimulation for? Is Vagus Nerve Stimulation a recognized medical treatment? Is Vagus Nerve Stimulation covered by provincial health insurance? Top of the page LEARNING AND BEHAVIOUR IN CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY What are the factors that affect learning and behaviour in a child with epilepsy? What are the psycho-social implications of having epilepsy? What can teachers do to help? How can teachers recognize that a child is having absence seizures? How can teachers help other students better accept the child with seizures? What should a teacher do after a child has a seizure? Can a child with epilepsy participate in gym class and field trips? How can a teacher assist parents of children with epilepsy? Top of the page THE IMPACT OF CHILDHOOD EPILEPSY ON THE FAMILY How do parents feel when they learn their child has epilepsy? What kinds of concerns do parents have? What pitfalls should parents of children with epilepsy try to avoid? How do parents cope with their child's epilepsy? What coping strategies are recommended to parents of children with epilepsy? How does a child feel about having epilepsy? How can parents help children cope with epilepsy? What if a child with epilepsy also has learning or behaviour problems? How does epilepsy affect the other children in the family? How can parents help siblings of children with epilepsy cope? Top of the page LIFE INSURANCE Why is it difficult for people with epilepsy to obtain life insurance? Why should I consider life insurance? What should I look for when purchasing life insurance? How much life insurance should I buy and when? What should my life insurance application include? Should I discuss my epilepsy with my agent or broker? How honest should I be? What if my application for life insurance is denied? What happens if I fail to pay my life insurance premiums? Where can I get additional information? Top of the page DRIVING What is the Legislation governing driving and epilepsy? What is my obligation to the Ministry of Transportation? My doctor said he has to report me to the Ministry of Transportation. Why? Does the doctor have the right to tell me not to drive? How does my neurologist know if I am telling the truth about my seizures? What happens to my licence after the doctor sends his report to the Ministry? Can I appeal the decision of the Ministry to suspend my driver's licence? Do I need to inform the Ministry even though my condition is fully controlled? Can I apply for or retain my current commercial driver's licence? Should I go on sick leave if I have lost my driver's licence? What happens if I drive while my licence is suspended? Should I renew my driver's licence while it is suspended? Can a doctor charge me for filling out the report form? Can the Epilepsy Association help me get my driver's license back? Who do I contact if I have more questions about driving and epilepsy? When can you drive? When can you not drive? Top of the page DEPRESSION What is Depression? What causes Depression? What is the course of Depression? What is the Consequences of Depression? What are the Medications for Depression? What does Depression affect People with Epilepsy? What Impact can Depression have on People with Epilepsy? How is Depression Treated in People with Epilepsy? Do Anti-Depressants Affect Seizure Control? Can Psychological Treatments Help Depression? What should you do if you Suffer from Depression? Top of the page MEMORY PROBLEMS Why do people with epilepsy often have memory problems? How can seizures cause memory problems? What else can cause memory problems? Can anti-epileptic medication cause memory problems? Are all memory problems the same? What are the processes of memory? Do my emotions play a role in my memory problems? What are the most common everyday memory problems? Do memory problems ever improve over time? Can memory be improved through mental exercises? What can I do to live better with a memory problem? What are some good memory habits? What are some formal strategies for helping the memory process itself? What are some other formal memory strategies? What are Memory Groups? Will using natural remedies help my memory? How can I take control of my memory problem? What other external aids can I use? How can I enjoy reading books when I forget what I have just read? What hints can you give someone with memory problems? Top of the page EMPLOYMENT What are the key issues affecting epilepsy and work? What about unemployment and under-employment among people with epilepsy? Does epilepsy interfere in job performance or productivity? What role do psychological factors play? What medical information can an employer ask me during the hiring process? When should I disclose my epilepsy to my employer? What should be done if a seizure occurs in the presence of customers or clients? Do employers have to make accommodations for employees with epilepsy? What about liability? What about driving and employment? What can I do if I experience discrimination in the workplace? What can employees with epilepsy and employers receive employment assistance? Top of the page
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