Dr Akshay Patil MS, MCh Neurosurgery with a Post Doctoral Fellowship in Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery at Krims Hospital have been practicing since past 5 years and has served a major contribution in resolving problems related to Epilepsy, neurosurgery.
Dr Patil has been treating patients with problems related to Epilepsy, Seizures. In an exclusive interview with The Live Nagpur, he shared some pivotal information regarding the epilepsy seizures.
Excerpts from the interview
What is Epilepsy Seizure?
-It is a condition which is caused by a disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain. It occurs due to stress, financial burden, injuries. The amount of pressure which is faced by all the above mentioned causes leads to Epilepsy.
A single seizure is not considered Epilepsy. People who have Epilepsy have repeated episodes of seizures.
What are the problems with medically refractory seizure in Children?
At a pediatric age (0-18) most children with epilepsy achieve reasonably good seizure control with anti-seizure drug therapy, but some are refractory despite numerous medications. Medical treatment failure is often apparent early in the course of treatment. It usually occurs due to Developmental Delay, Cognitive Decline, and poor quality of life, Increases risk of injury which leads to sudden death.
Problems faced by adults?
Frequent injuries, Impairment in quality of life, Loss of Employment, Social Disability and stigma (Financial Burden) etc are the problems faced by the adults, which takes shape of epilepsy.
What is Refractory (uncontrolled) Epilepsy.
First it’s important to make sure that the diagnosis of epilepsy is correct and that the proper medicines are being used in the best way for each person. The individual with epilepsy needs to look at things they can do to better control their seizures, such as taking medicines on time, staying in good health, getting good sleep, minimizing stress level and avoiding seizure-precipitating conditions. Non-drug therapies, such as epilepsy surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, responsive neurostimulation, dietary therapies, or experimental clinical trials, may be good options for some people.
What are the reasons for uncontrolled seizures?
Seizures can be uncontrolled for four broad reasons. The diagnosis is wrong. The treatment is wrong. Despite the best treatment, triggers or lifestyle factors may affect seizure control. Not all uncontrolled seizures are considered refractory or drug resistant.
What is the prevalence rate of Epilepsy?
In India it is 5/1000 per person and the incidence of Epilepsy is 50/1 lakh a year.
Nearly 5 million people are diagnosed with Epilepsy which nearly 10 lakh people are taking treatment for Refractory Epilepsy in which 5 lakh people need surgery. People are not aware about epilepsy surgery and must be aware in order to lead a healthy life and the results after post surgeries is that the patients are now seizure free leading a healthy life.
What are the selection criteria for Epilepsy surgery?
The selection criteria involves a pre surgical evaluation, patients history, clinical examination, MRI Scan, EEG monitoring, PET, SPECT scan and Neuro-psychological testing after which a focus is identified and patient is subjected for surgeries.
What is the success rate?
We have 85% success rate over a period of 3-5 year where the patients are seizure free leading a healthy life.
KRIMS is a Multi-speciality hospital located in the heart of Nagpur city, catering to the population of Nagpur, Vidarbha, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and various rural areas of Central India. It is a state of the art hospital providing all the services under one roof.
KRIMS hospital has been treating for Epilepsy and have started Video EEG center.
