Epilepsy Explained

A Book for People Who Want to Know More

Markus Reuber MD, PHD, MRCP, Christian E Elger MD, PHD, MRCP, and Steven C Schachter MD

Filled with illustrations on almost every page and boasting an attractive and stimulating layout, Epilepsy Explained offers a wealth of crystal clear information on epilepsy, intended for patients, family members, friends, and caregivers. This down-to-earth book is divided into easy-to-digest sections that address such fundamental questions as what epilepsy is, what happens in different types of epileptic seizures, how epilepsy is diagnosed, and how seizures are treated. The authors include much-needed information on numerous topics--all described with directness and clarity, with many real-life examples.

Epilepsy Explained

A Book for People Who Want to Know More

Markus Reuber MD, PHD, MRCP, Christian E Elger MD, PHD, MRCP, and Steven C Schachter MD

Description

In the last five years, approximately 2.7 million people have been treated for epilepsy and it is estimated that as much as one in one-hundred of the world's population will develop epilepsy during their lifetime. It is further estimated that 60 million people worldwide have epilepsy and in the United States alone, between seventy to eighty thousand people are newly diagnosed each year. Despite being such a common problem, most people know little about the disorder and people with epilepsy feel stigmatized.
Filled with illustrations on almost every page and boasting an attractive and stimulating layout, Epilepsy Explained offers a wealth of crystal clear information on epilepsy, intended for patients, family members, friends, and caregivers. This down-to-earth book is divided into easy-to-digest sections that address such fundamental questions as what epilepsy is, what happens in different types of epileptic seizures, how epilepsy is diagnosed, and how seizures are treated. The authors include much-needed information on numerous topics, including living successfully with seizures, patients rights, and current drugs used to treat epilepsy--all described with directness and clarity, with many real-life examples that shed light on how the topic under discussion affects people with epilepsy. The book includes information for particular groups of readers such as women, children, and teens. It has an easy-to-follow organization, is clearly structured and has a detailed index and glossary, allowing readers to easily find specific information pertaining to their condition. Written by physicians who work daily with epilepsy, this clear and engaging book provides people with the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their illness.

Epilepsy Explained

A Book for People Who Want to Know More

Markus Reuber MD, PHD, MRCP, Christian E Elger MD, PHD, MRCP, and Steven C Schachter MD

1. Epilepsy, a problem with the brain
1.1. Epilepsy is a common condition
1.2. There are many types of seizures
1.3. Epilepsies are divided into syndromes
1.4. Seizures briefly interrupt the normal working of the brain
1.5. How the brain works
1.6. What happens in the brain during an epileptic seizure
2. Recognizing epilepsy
2.1. First tests
2.2. EEG
2.3. Taking pictures of the brain
2.4. Provoking seizures
2.5. Causes of epilepsy
3. Treating epilepsy
3.1. First aid during a seizure
3.2. Treatment with drugs
3.3. Antiepileptic drugs
3.4. Side effects
3.5. Other treatments which may help
3.6. Epilepsy surgery
4. Living with epilepsy
4.1. Risk and prejudice in every day life
4.2. Epilepsy at school and at work
4.3. Epilepsy and pregnancy
4.4. Epilepsy and the law
5. Conditions associated with epilepsy
6. Epilepsy research

Epilepsy Explained

A Book for People Who Want to Know More

Markus Reuber MD, PHD, MRCP, Christian E Elger MD, PHD, MRCP, and Steven C Schachter MD

Author Information

Markus Reuber, MD, is Senior Lecturer in Neurology at the University of Sheffield.
Steven C. Schachter, MD, is Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Director of Research, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He is the Editor of the Brainstorm series of books on epilepsy and Editor-in-Chief of epilepsy.com.
Christian E. Elger, MD, is Professor of Epileptology at the University of Bonn.
The late Ulrich Altrup, MD, was Professor of Experimental Epileptology at the University of Münster.

Epilepsy Explained

A Book for People Who Want to Know More

Markus Reuber MD, PHD, MRCP, Christian E Elger MD, PHD, MRCP, and Steven C Schachter MD

Reviews and Awards

"...it is possible to start the book anywhere or to read through from the beginning to the end....a very readable and useful monograph...In general, the clarifying power of the book results from the combination of illustrative artwork and brief texts." --American Medical Association