Navigating Life with Epilesy

Navigating Life with Epilepsy aims to provide clear and reliable information about epilepsy, including "what" (definition), "how" (pathophysiology), "who" (epidemiology), and "why" (etiology). The volume guides the reader through current approaches to diagnosis (including a review of diagnostic tests) and treatment, and shares patient experiences and advice on navigating the myriad psychosocial challenges associated with epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a heterogeneous disorder with many causes and a wide spectrum of severity. This text will focus on issues relevant to adolescents and adults with epilepsy; there are many guides for parents of children with epilepsy and issues specific to younger children are beyond the scope of this book. The focus is on translation of current medical knowledge to the lay reader. However, because epilepsy can have profound psychosocial consequences, the book aims to extend beyond the bounds of a medical handbook to include discussion of issues that are of high priority to patients, including those surrounding, driving, work, and relationships.

David Spencer, MD is Professor of Neurology and Director of the Oregon Health & Science University Epilepsy Program located in Portland, OR

- Table of Contents - About the AAN's NeurologyNow Book Series - Preface - I. Introduction [engagement and introduction of cases/patients who will appear throughout the book] - II. What is epilepsy? - a. General introduction and definitions - b. Seizure types - c. Epilepsy classification - III. How and why do seizures occur? - IV. Who develops epilepsy? - V. Establishing the diagnosis of epilepsy - a. A visit with the neurologist - i. A first seizure - ii. An established diagnosis - b. Testing - i. EEG - ii. Brain imaging - iii. Specialized testing - VI. Treatment of epilepsy - a. Non-pharmacologic approaches and first aid - b. Antiepileptic Medications - i. Choice of medication - ii. Adverse effects - c. Epilepsy surgery - d. Medical devices to treat epilepsy - e. Complementary and alternative medicine - f. Treatment in special populations - i. Adolescents - ii. Women - iii. Older adults - VII. Living with and Managing Epilepsy - a. Navigating the day-to-day [driving, work, legal issues, relationships] - b. Related brain conditions: cognitive problems, mood, anxiety, and more - c. Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) - d. Making your clinic visit successful - VIII. The future of epilepsy care - Glossary - Resources/Appendices/ Index