6 Things Doctors Should do for Patients Living with Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurring episodes of spontaneous generalized seizures. If left untreated, these seizures can continue to recur and become more severe. As a result, people with epilepsy often require lifelong treatment. Epilepsy can be difficult to manage; even with the best medical care, many people with the condition experience complications and side effects. For this reason, many patients with epilepsy are proactive about their condition. They look for ways to manage their symptoms and reduce their risk of future seizures. Here are 5 things doctors should do for their patients living with epilepsy.
-
Start With a Thorough Medical History
Doctors should begin the treatment of people living with epilepsy with a thorough medical history. This includes questions about seizure types, medications, and other health conditions. Doctors also need to learn about the patient’s lifestyle and habits, including diet, exercise, and stress levels. A thorough medical history helps give doctors a better idea of the patient’s risk factors. While there is no way to prevent epilepsy, risk factors can help doctors identify patients at a higher risk of developing the condition. For example, people who develop epilepsy due to a head injury are likely to experience more severe seizures than people who do not suffer a head injury. Therefore, this can make treating the condition more challenging.
2. Examine the Patient
Doctors should examine patients who come to their office with epilepsy. It may include taking a detailed history, checking vital signs, and performing a physical exam. For example, when checking the patient’s vital signs, doctors should observe underweight patients. People with epilepsy may feel afraid to eat for fear of causing a seizure. Other patients may feel guilty about not being able to find the time to exercise. Doctors can help by taking this into consideration and not focusing solely on weight loss. A physical exam should also include a neurological examination to check for signs of additional conditions. For example, a patient with epilepsy may have a lump on the head. A neurologist may perform an examination to look for signs of epilepsy elsewhere in the body.
3. Check for Risk Factors
Doctors should also look for risk factors that can help identify those with a higher risk of developing epilepsy. For example, x-rays and MRIs can show abnormalities in the brain that could contribute to seizures. These findings can help doctors identify patients who may be at a higher risk of developing epilepsy. People who live with epilepsy also have an increased risk of other conditions that can cause seizures. These include conditions such as sleep disorders, head injuries, and infections.
4. Provide Behavioral Modification
People with epilepsy often need help modifying their behavior and reducing their risk of injury. It includes modifying sleep habits, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and increasing exercise. Sleep conditions may be related to the development of seizures. To prevent these seizures, people with epilepsy should avoid activities that occur during sleep, such as eating, drinking, and reading.
5. Inject Medication Immediately
Doctors should inject the medication as soon as a seizure starts. It may occur as soon as the patient has a seizure or within 15 minutes of starting a seizure. For example, doctors may break into the office during a seizure to inject the medication. If a seizure occurs in the waiting room, the doctor should immediately call 9-1-1 to ensure the patient is safe. Doctors should inject medications through an intravenous (IV) line when a seizure begins or give medications through a rectal suppository.
6. Reassess Patient With a Return Of Seizures
People with epilepsy may experience a seizure despite taking medication. They may also experience a seizure without warning. To reduce the risk of these sudden seizures, doctors should reassess patients who have one every four months. This reassessment should occur at the time the patient’s seizure begins. If a patient has a seizure, doctors should follow up with them. This includes asking what happened, what the patient experienced, and if the patient experienced any side effects from the seizure.
Bottom line
Doctors play a crucial role in managing epilepsy. They should help patients identify risks, modify behaviors, and start medication immediately when a seizure begins. If someone has had one of these seizures, doctors should also follow up with them to ask what happened during the attack and how they felt afterward. These steps can provide better treatment for people who have epilepsy.
