"Epilepsy centers are equipped to treat the whole patient for the long term," says the founder and president of the oldest comprehensive epilepsy program in the country, the Minnesota Comprehensive Epilepsy Program or MINCEP.
I have been trying to get ahold of the Center here in Ohio but have been unsuccessful so far.
After calling them three days in a row you would think that they would have called back, but that is not what has happened.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
Sleep Apnea
The temorary absence of breathing during sleep. This common disorder, which affects about 10% of all middle-aged men, and about 5% of middle-aged women, in the U.S. is classified according to the mechanism involved and by whether or not it is associated with daytime sleepiness.
In obstructive sleep apnea, vigorous respirtory effects are present during sleep but the flow of air in and out of the airways is blocked by upper airway obstruction. Patients with obstruction apnea are usually middle-aged, obese men who make loud snorting, snoring, and gasping sounds during sleep. By contrast, central sleep apnea is marked by absence of respiratory muscle activity. Patients with central sleep apnea may exhibit excessive daytime sleepiness, but snorting and gasping during sleep are absent. Occasionally life-threatening central apnea occur as a result of strokes.
Mixed apnea begins with the absence of respiratory effort, followed by upper airway obstruction. Whenever apneas are prolonged, oxygenation drops and carbon dioxide blood levels rise. Patients often awaken many times during the night or have fragmented sleep architecture. In the morning, many patients complain of headache, fatigue, drowsiness, or an unsatisfying night's rest. In addition, these individuals often have hypertention, arrhythmias, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or signs and symptems of right-sided heart failure. Although these findings may suggest the diagnosis, formal sleep studies in a laboratory are needed to document the disorder and to measure the effects of apnea on oxygenation and other physical parameters.
SYMPTOMS: Parterns of patients with sleep apnea are dften the first to notice the patient's disordered breathing during sleep. Occasionally patients see thier health care providers becuase of hypersomnolence: they may report falling asleep during the daytime in unusual cirumstances.
TREATMENT: Optimal therapy of obstructive sleep apnea is to assist breathing with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) if the patient cannot correct the copndition by losing weight. CPAP provides a pneumatic splint that maintains airway patency during sleep. Palatal obstruction, a finding in a small number of patients, can be surgically corrected. Medroxyprogesterone may be of some benefit but is clearly less effective than CPAP.
Now why did I wright all of this about sleep apnea? it is something else that I have.
Getting it ready for sleep is a job and a half. You have to fill the water tank, turn it on and hit the ramp botton. The nighty night.
In obstructive sleep apnea, vigorous respirtory effects are present during sleep but the flow of air in and out of the airways is blocked by upper airway obstruction. Patients with obstruction apnea are usually middle-aged, obese men who make loud snorting, snoring, and gasping sounds during sleep. By contrast, central sleep apnea is marked by absence of respiratory muscle activity. Patients with central sleep apnea may exhibit excessive daytime sleepiness, but snorting and gasping during sleep are absent. Occasionally life-threatening central apnea occur as a result of strokes.
Mixed apnea begins with the absence of respiratory effort, followed by upper airway obstruction. Whenever apneas are prolonged, oxygenation drops and carbon dioxide blood levels rise. Patients often awaken many times during the night or have fragmented sleep architecture. In the morning, many patients complain of headache, fatigue, drowsiness, or an unsatisfying night's rest. In addition, these individuals often have hypertention, arrhythmias, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or signs and symptems of right-sided heart failure. Although these findings may suggest the diagnosis, formal sleep studies in a laboratory are needed to document the disorder and to measure the effects of apnea on oxygenation and other physical parameters.
SYMPTOMS: Parterns of patients with sleep apnea are dften the first to notice the patient's disordered breathing during sleep. Occasionally patients see thier health care providers becuase of hypersomnolence: they may report falling asleep during the daytime in unusual cirumstances.
TREATMENT: Optimal therapy of obstructive sleep apnea is to assist breathing with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) if the patient cannot correct the copndition by losing weight. CPAP provides a pneumatic splint that maintains airway patency during sleep. Palatal obstruction, a finding in a small number of patients, can be surgically corrected. Medroxyprogesterone may be of some benefit but is clearly less effective than CPAP.
Now why did I wright all of this about sleep apnea? it is something else that I have.
Getting it ready for sleep is a job and a half. You have to fill the water tank, turn it on and hit the ramp botton. The nighty night.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Epilepsy
A disease marked by recurrent seizures; i.e., by repetitive abnormal electrical discharges within the brain. Epilepsy is prevalent; it is found in about 2% or 3% of the population. Its incidence is highest in children (under age 10) and in older people (over age 70); adolescents and adults are affected less frequently.
(I had my first seizure when I was in 10th grade, 16 years old!)
The International League Against Epilepsy categorizes epilepsy as either partial, generalized, or unclassified. Generalized seizures result from electrical discharges that affect both hemispheres of the brain. Tonic-clonic seizures (in which there is loss of consciousness with violent movements of the extremities) and absence seizures (in which there are is loss brief interruptions of awareness and activity) are two examples of generalized seizure disorders. Partial seizure disorders typically begin with focal or local discharges in one part of the brain (and body); they may generalized in some instances. When a patient remains awake during a seizure episode, the seizure is said to be simple and partial. If loss of consciousness occurs after a focal seizure, the syndrome is said to be partial and complex.
So, why do I no about epilepsy? I have been an epileptic sense I was 16 years old. I had my first seizure when I was in Biology class. Scared the other students, but the teacher knew what to do.
I'f lived in a group home sence I was 29, I am now 43 (do the math). I want to move out but am also afraid that something with happen and no one will come to help me.
(I had my first seizure when I was in 10th grade, 16 years old!)
The International League Against Epilepsy categorizes epilepsy as either partial, generalized, or unclassified. Generalized seizures result from electrical discharges that affect both hemispheres of the brain. Tonic-clonic seizures (in which there is loss of consciousness with violent movements of the extremities) and absence seizures (in which there are is loss brief interruptions of awareness and activity) are two examples of generalized seizure disorders. Partial seizure disorders typically begin with focal or local discharges in one part of the brain (and body); they may generalized in some instances. When a patient remains awake during a seizure episode, the seizure is said to be simple and partial. If loss of consciousness occurs after a focal seizure, the syndrome is said to be partial and complex.
So, why do I no about epilepsy? I have been an epileptic sense I was 16 years old. I had my first seizure when I was in Biology class. Scared the other students, but the teacher knew what to do.
I'f lived in a group home sence I was 29, I am now 43 (do the math). I want to move out but am also afraid that something with happen and no one will come to help me.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
What is a Seizure?
There are several different types of seizures.
Absence Seizure
Seizure in which there is a sudden, brief lapse of consciousness, usually for about 2 to 10 sec. The patient show a blank facial expression that may be accompanied by movements such as repeated eye-blinking or rolling or lip-smacking and minor myoclonus of the upper extremities or neck. There is no convulsion or fall. The patient resumes activity as if the seizure had not occurred. The seizure may be induced by voluntary hyperventilation for 2 to 3 min. This type of attack is characteristic of petit mal epilepy and may recur repeatedly if it is not recognized and treated. It also may progress to a generalized tonic-clonic seizure.
Jacksonian Seizure
A localized form of epilepsy with spasms confined to one part or one group of muscles.
Menstrual Epilepsy
Seizures that occur preferentially during particular portions of the menstrual cycle.
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
Epilepsy with onset in early childhood. This type of epilepsy is characterized by a variety of seizure patterns and an abnormal electroencephalogram, and is frequently associated with developmental and mental retardation. Seizures are not controlled by the usual antiepileptic drugs; however, adjunctive therapy will felbamate may be beneficial.
Photogenic Epilepsy
Convulsive attacks that occur as a result of intermittent light stimulus.
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
A seizure disorder originating in a temporal lobe of the brain.
SYMPTOMS: Temporal lobe seizures produce one of two typical finding:
1. Complex partial seizures (loss of consciousness with abnormal gesturing or automatic movements);
2. Simple partial seizures (preserved consciousness with the sense of unusual smell, taste, thought, or altered body function).
TREATMENT: Surgery to remove the irritable focus in the brain appears more effective than treatment with anticonvulsant drugs.
The last type of seizure is the one that I have. I was given the option to stay on my meds or to have my brain cut up. I worried about what would have if I that them do that. I could do nothing without talking to my family, I needed to what they thought about it.
Well, my brain is still in one peace, so you know what the answer was.
Absence Seizure
Seizure in which there is a sudden, brief lapse of consciousness, usually for about 2 to 10 sec. The patient show a blank facial expression that may be accompanied by movements such as repeated eye-blinking or rolling or lip-smacking and minor myoclonus of the upper extremities or neck. There is no convulsion or fall. The patient resumes activity as if the seizure had not occurred. The seizure may be induced by voluntary hyperventilation for 2 to 3 min. This type of attack is characteristic of petit mal epilepy and may recur repeatedly if it is not recognized and treated. It also may progress to a generalized tonic-clonic seizure.
Jacksonian Seizure
A localized form of epilepsy with spasms confined to one part or one group of muscles.
Menstrual Epilepsy
Seizures that occur preferentially during particular portions of the menstrual cycle.
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
Epilepsy with onset in early childhood. This type of epilepsy is characterized by a variety of seizure patterns and an abnormal electroencephalogram, and is frequently associated with developmental and mental retardation. Seizures are not controlled by the usual antiepileptic drugs; however, adjunctive therapy will felbamate may be beneficial.
Photogenic Epilepsy
Convulsive attacks that occur as a result of intermittent light stimulus.
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
A seizure disorder originating in a temporal lobe of the brain.
SYMPTOMS: Temporal lobe seizures produce one of two typical finding:
1. Complex partial seizures (loss of consciousness with abnormal gesturing or automatic movements);
2. Simple partial seizures (preserved consciousness with the sense of unusual smell, taste, thought, or altered body function).
TREATMENT: Surgery to remove the irritable focus in the brain appears more effective than treatment with anticonvulsant drugs.
The last type of seizure is the one that I have. I was given the option to stay on my meds or to have my brain cut up. I worried about what would have if I that them do that. I could do nothing without talking to my family, I needed to what they thought about it.
Well, my brain is still in one peace, so you know what the answer was.
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