Partial Seizure Disorders: Help for Patients and Families by Mitzi Waltz is now the second book I've read about
seizures since having another seizure last month. This book is an excellent
complement to the first book I read on living well with epilepsy.
While this book does not have some of
the details that the previous book I read has, this book has more information overall
which is why I found them to be complementary.
The author begins by distinguishing
between the different types of seizures, explaining the parts of the brain, and
explaining how seizures work. She ends the first chapter by talking about what
to do when you have a seizure or when you see someone having a seizure. This
information was very enlightening to me because I didn't know that seizures are
rarely harmful. If a person is kept away from anything harmful, and people
around them, make sure that they do not suffocate on food or anything else in
the mouth, unless a seizure goes on for a prolonged period of time, the best
thing to do is be with the person and try to help them relax (15-16).
In the second chapter, she explains how
to diagnose the type of seizure – if it is a seizure – that one has
experienced. She incorporates first-hand accounts to flesh out the doctors and
procedures that are used. She also discusses things which may look like
seizures which are not.
The third chapter deals with how to live
with having a seizure disorder, and she discusses ADA, discrimination, rates,
and limitations that one will have to accept. She discusses how important it is
to have support from professionals and family and/or friends.
The fourth chapter deals with seizures
in children and has a wealth of information about how to deal with the school
system and help that is available to children in schools. She not only talks
about schools in the United States, but what help is available in the UK,
Australia, and New Zealand.
The fifth chapter deals with medical
intervention. She discusses antiepileptic drugs and has a detailed description
of the most used ones, their side effects, and tips about them – which is
immensely helpful when you're first trying out drugs. Whether it be this book
or the PDR or some other drug handbook, it is important for the patient to do
his or her own research and be able to discuss with the doctor what different
drugs do and do not do. Some doctors will not like to be questioned, but it is
the patient's right to understand what's going on and what might happen. The
chapter continues looking at blood tests, EKGs, as well as other tests,
surgery, and ongoing research.
In the sixth chapter she looks at dietary
treatment, environmental triggers, vitamins and supplements, herbs, and general
care of the whole person.
In the final chapter. She deals with
issues of health insurance – and again she looks primarily at the United States
but also looks at benefits and Canada, the UK, the Republic of Ireland,
Australia, and New Zealand. She also looks at alternatives to insurance. These
issues become very important, especially when treating chronic condition – and
because most health insurance policies have very limited mental health options.
The book ends with an appendix of
resources – where one can find information about epilepsy, seizures, the ADA,
support and advocacy, medical references, drug company assist programs, and on
and on. This appendix alone would be worth the price of the book.
Second appendix includes an example of a
seizure diary which can be helpful in keeping records as one diagnoses and
treats seizure disorders.
Finally, there is an extensive glossary
of terms, which will be very helpful for reading this book, talking to one’s
doctor, and reading other books on this topic.
This is an excellent resource, and I
have found it helpful as I am learning about what is going on in my brain and
how to cope with it.
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