Foreword
Preface
Dedication
Part I: The Basics
Questions 1-5 address basic questions about epilepsy, including:

• What is epilepsy?
• What is a seizure?
• How common is epilepsy?
• What should I know about the brain to understand epilepsy?
• Is epilepsy an inherited condition?

Part II: Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Seizure Types
Questions 6-13 discuss different seizure types and risk factors, including:

• What are the risk factors/triggers for epilepsy?
• What are the different seizure types of epilepsy syndromes?
• What are nonepileptic seizures?

Part III: Diagnosis of Epilepsy
Questions 14-20 discuss diagnosis of epilepsy, including:

• What tests are performed to confirm the diagnosis?
• What is neuroimaging?
• What is an electroencephalogram?
• What is a vidoe EEG test?

Part IV: Treatment and Its Side Effects
Questions 21-37 address the medical treatment and their side effects, including:

• What is the first aid for seizures?
• What are antiepileptics?
• What are their side effects?
• What are old and new antiepileptics?
• What are alternative treatment options?

Part V: Children and Epilepsy
Questions 38-49 cover the important seizure types, benign and progressive syndromes in children, the decision to treat, special diet treatment, and consquences of seizures on the developing brain, including:

• What are infantile spasms?
• What are febrile seizures?
• Can children outgrow epilepsy?
• Should the first seizure be treated in children?
• What are the consquences of seizures on the developing brain?
• Will medications slow down my child?
• Should we try a ketogenic diet?

Part IV: Women and Epilepsy
Questions 50-68 include some of the important aspects of seizures and antiepileptics on the menstrual cycle, sexuality, and pregancy-related isssues in women with epilepsy.

• What is catamenial epilepsy?
• Do antiepileptics lower the efficacy of oral contraceptives?
• Can I get pregnant?
• Can I have a healthy baby?
• Will I be able to take care of my baby?
• Will my seizure pattern change with menopause?

Part VII: Epilepsy in Older People
Questions 69 and 70 cover precautions while treating older patients with epilepsy.

• Will antiepileptics have interactions with other medicines I am now on?
• Can I take cough medicines or antibiotics as needed without worrying about drug interactions?

Part VIII: Presurgical Evaluation and Epilepsy Surgery
Questions 71-100 address some of the invasive and noninvasive tests for presurgical testing, temporal and extratemporal surgery, and new therapies available to treat epilepsy.

• What is an angiogram?
• What is temporal and extratemporal lobe surgery?
• What are the complications of epilepsy surgery?
• What is a vagal nerve stimulator?
• What is transmagnetic stimulation?
• What is neuroprosthesis?

Appendix: National Epilepsy Resources

Glossary

Index