Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood: A Comprehensive Guide

No child's life should be defined by seizures. For more than 30 years, parents, caregivers, patients, and health care providers have trusted Seizures and Epilepsy in Children to provide comprehensive, science-based information, and practical answers to the most common questions about these conditions.

In this new edition, completely revised and updated, a team of experts from one of the leading medical centres in the world offers guidance on:

• diagnostic testing and the latest treatments
• recommendations for the best devices, apps, and websites
• driving, health insurance, and playing sports
• navigating school and other environments
• mental health issues and counselling
• coping with disability
• side effects from medications

This new edition also features dedicated chapters on diet, complementary and alternative medicine, and rescue medicines. Seizures and Epilepsy in Children is the go-to resource for caregivers and families with children who have epilepsy and seizures.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Part I. Why Do Seizures and Epilepsy Occur?

1. How the Brain Works: Keys to Understanding Seizures and Epilepsy
2. The Kinds of Seizures and Where They Arise in the Brain

Part II. Diagnosing Seizures and Epilepsy

3. How Doctors Diagnose a Seizure and Decide What It Means for Your Child
4. How Doctors Evaluate and Think about a First Seizure
5. Decision Making: Assessing Risks and Benefits after a Nonfebrile Seizure
6. What to Do during a Second Big Convulsive Seizure
7. Understanding Your Child's Tests: EEG, CT, and MRI
8. The Epilepsies of Childhood I: Special Patterns
9. The Epilepsies of Childhood II: Special Causes

Part III. Treatment

10. Using Medicines

11. Rescue Medicine and Treatment of Status Epilepticus

12. Ketogenic Diet Therapy

13. Alternative and Complementary Therapies for Epilepsy

14. Surgery and Devices

Part IV. Practical Issues of Living with Epilepsy

15. Routine Medical Care and Epilepsy

16. Comorbidities: Other Problems that Can Co-occur with Epilepsy

17. From Infancy to College: Navigating the Educational System

18. Playing, Sports Participation, and Other Activities

19. Driving and Epilepsy

20. Devices, Apps, and Websites

21. Insurance and Other Financial Issues

22. The Future: Epilepsy Care, Marriage, Pregnancy, and Children

Part V. Emotional and Psychological Issues

23. Initial Strategies and Overview

24. Psychological Strategies: Coping, Resilience, and Counseling

25. Coping with Substantial Disability

Conclusion

Glossary

Index

"This remarkable book has been empowering parents with vital information, and the new edition promises to do the same. It is committed to making parents active partners in their children's care and will be a vital resource for families everywhere."
- Eric R. Hargis, President/CEO, Epilepsy Foundation

"I have been involved with the epilepsy cause for twenty-three years and I can only say that I have wanted a book like this for a long time. To my knowledge, this is the first book combining complete scientific accuracy with a caregiver's compassion and understanding."
- James A. Autry, former chairman of the board, Epilepsy Foundation

"Combines a detailed description of the medical nature and treatment of epilepsy in children with an extensive discussion of the psychological aspects as well... Optimistic in tone and broad in scope, this is a book for the parent who has a lot of detailed questions."
- National Spokesman

"The book is rich in substance and detail. There is a warm, compassionate tone. At the same time, there are no-nonsense facts and figures. The authors achieve two important objectives: providing up-to-date information and conveying a sense of optimism and hope."
- Humane Medicine

"A helpful book... Discusses most concerns that parents of children with epilepsy have."
- Washington Post