Dravet Syndrome Seizure Treatment Options People with Dravet Syndrome often experience a variety of different types of seizures, including prolonged ones. To help, there's Fintepla, a medication approved to treat seizures caused by Dravet syndrome. Fintepla Fintepla works by targeting the brain’s electrical activity, helping to reduce the number and severity of seizures. Doctors prescribe Fintepla when other medications haven’t been effective in controlling seizures. This treatment has shown positive results in many patients, making it an essential option for managing Dravet syndrome. Medications for Dravet Syndrome Seizures Clobazam: This drug is often prescribed alongside other treatments. It helps to control seizures by calming the brain and reducing electrical activity. Valproate: This medication is used to control a variety of seizure types. However, it is not always the best choice for younger children due to its potential side effects. Topiramate: Used to prevent seizures, this medication works by affecting the brain's electrical signals. [youmaylike] Doctors may need to try different combinations of medications to find what works best for the individual. It’s important for patients and their families to closely monitor the medications and any side effects. Dietary Approaches: The Ketogenic Diet For some individuals with Dravet Syndrome, medications may not be enough to control seizures. In these cases, dietary treatments, such as the ketogenic diet, can be very helpful. The ketogenic diet is high in fats and low in carbohydrates, and it forces the body to use fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. This change in metabolism can help reduce seizures. The ketogenic diet should only be followed under the supervision of a doctor or dietitian, as it requires careful planning to ensure that the person gets the proper nutrition. Some children with Dravet Syndrome may experience a significant reduction in seizures after starting the ketogenic diet. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is another treatment option for Dravet Syndrome. This therapy involves implanting a small device under the skin in the chest. The device sends electrical signals to the brain through the vagus nerve, which can help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures. The device can be programmed to give a burst of electrical stimulation when a seizure is detected, helping to stop the seizure or make it less severe. VNS is often considered when medications and diet do not provide enough seizure control. It is typically used in combination with other treatments. Surgical Options In some rare cases, surgery may be an option for treating Dravet Syndrome. If seizures are only coming from one part of the brain and medications do not help, surgery may be performed to remove that part of the brain. This surgery is called a lobectomy or hemispherectomy, depending on the area of the brain involved. Surgical options are not suitable for everyone, and doctors will carefully evaluate the risks and benefits before recommending surgery. Supportive Therapies While medications and other treatments are important for managing seizures, other therapies can be helpful in improving quality of life for individuals with Dravet Syndrome. These may include: Physical therapy: This helps improve mobility and strength, which can be affected by seizures. Occupational therapy: Helps individuals learn daily skills to live as independently as possible. Speech therapy: Helps improve communication skills, which may be affected by seizures. Ongoing Monitoring and Care Managing Dravet Syndrome requires ongoing care. It is essential for individuals with the condition to have regular check-ups with their doctor to monitor their progress and adjust treatment plans as needed. Seizures can sometimes change over time, and it is important to stay flexible with treatment options. The Best Approaches to Seizure Control While Dravet Syndrome can be challenging, there are many treatment options available. With the right combination of medications, diet, therapy and support, people with Dravet Syndrome can lead fuller lives. It is important to work closely with healthcare providers to find the best treatment plan for each individual.
Is Endometriosis Genetic?
It’s not uncommon for people to feel some discomfort or pain before, during, and after their menstrual cycle. However, if you find this pain extreme or consistent, there may be underlying medical problems worth addressing. It’s important you talk with your doctor about any reproductive health concerns so you can get the treatment you need to feel better and stay healthy. Many people are surprised to learn that their pain is caused by a condition called endometriosis.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition referring to the abnormal development of the endometrium. The endometrium is the tissue that lines the uterus. This tissue is normally different from tissues in the surrounding organs of the reproductive system.
However, abnormalities sometimes result in tissues similar to the endometrium growing beyond the uterus. Endometriosis manifests itself differently between individuals. Most often, cases involve tissue abnormalities in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the pelvic region. In severe cases, tissue may expand beyond this area.
The condition may result in several different symptoms, including:
- Dysmenorrhea — painful periods are common for many people; however, excessive or extreme pain is sometimes the result of a medical condition. Discuss painful periods with your physician.
- Painful intercourse — many different factors cause sex to be painful. Pain during or following intercourse is sometimes a sign of endometriosis.
- Heavy bleeding — very heavy bleeding or intermenstrual bleeding (bleeding between periods) should be discussed with a primary care physician.
- Infertility — although not everyone that experiences endometriosis has problems getting pregnant, infertility is a common symptom. Many individuals who have endometriosis discover their condition when consulting with a fertility doctor due to difficulties conceiving.
Those with endometriosis may also suffer from diarrhea, constipation, nausea, bloating, or loss of energy. Sometimes, these symptoms are only present during the menstrual cycle. The severity of symptoms varies between individuals, and while some may suffer from severe symptoms, others only experience mild troubles. In many cases, endometriosis is ignored or misdiagnosed as a “normal" period.
How Do I Get Diagnosed for Endometriosis?
Early diagnosis of endometriosis is key to getting treatment and managing symptoms. In addition to the physical exam where doctors ask you questions about your condition, diagnosing endometriosis requires several physical evaluations.
Pelvic Exam
In a pelvic exam, a trained medical professional will manually feel your pelvic area. They do this to determine any abnormalities around your pelvic such as cysts or scars. While this can help, many times, an endometriosis examination requires additional diagnostic tests.
Ultrasound
Ultrasounds use sound waves to create images of your internal anatomy. This technique is incredibly useful for capturing images of internal organs, including those of the reproductive system. Standard ultrasounds may help detect cysts, but transvaginal ultrasounds are more common for diagnosing endometriosis. It involves using a transducer, a unique camera device used in ultrasounds. Doctors may press it directly against your abdomen or insert it into the vagina.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is another popular technique used to capture the body’s internal images. Rather than using high-frequency sound ways, MRI machines use a strong magnetic field and radio waves to capture detailed pictures of internal tissues.
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopes are like cameras meant to allow surgeons to see inside of the body. Physicians make a small incision and insert the device inside your body to see direct pictures of your internal anatomy without exposing your internal organs.
What Causes Endometriosis?
There are several different reasons why an individual may have endometriosis. While it is difficult to determine the exact cause of a particular case of endometriosis, scientists have found several explanations to explain the condition.
Retrograde Menstruation
When an individual experiences a period, their menstrual blood that contains endometrial cells expel from the body. With retrograde menstruation, these cells would go back into the pelvic cavity and thicken and grow.
Peritoneal Cell Transformation
Peritoneal cells, which normally line the inner side of your abdomen, undergo a transformation into endometrial-like cells during maturation.
Scar Attachment
Following a medical procedure resulting in a scar forming around the reproductive area, such as during a cesarean delivery (C-section), endometrial cells attach to the scar and continue to flourish.
Blood Flow
Vessels may carry endometrial cells to other areas in the body.
Other Conditions
There is also a theory that other people do have endometrial cells growing outside of their uterus occasionally, but their body knows to attack it and prevent growth. Individuals suffering from immune disorders may not have the fighting power to prevent this growth.
Is Endometriosis Genetic?
Researchers found a strong connection between cases of endometriosis and genes. If an individual has a mother, sister, or grandmother who has endometriosis, the chances of her receiving a diagnosis significantly increases. If you believe you or a loved one may be suffering from endometriosis, make an appointment with your physician.