Neurological Conditions

10 Myths and Facts about Epilepsy and Seizures dispelled by leading neurologist Dr Nirmal Surya, who has been working for over two decades to control epilepsy. Dr. Nirmal Surya emphasizes that with timely diagnosis and treatment about two-thirds of people with epilepsy can completely control their seizures. MYTH: Epilepsy is contagious disease and spreads through touching and coughing. FACT:  Epilepsy is a disease of the brain. It occurs due to the abnormal hyperactivity or sudden surge…

New research brings us closer to the cause of Multiple Sclerosis. A new study suggests that high levels of the protein Rab32 disrupt key communications involving mitochondria. The disruption causes these "cellular batteries" to misbehave, leading to the toxic effects seen in the brain cells of people with multiple sclerosis. The new study is the work of researchers from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom and the University of Alberta in Canada. They report their findings in the…

Tamahar not only tries to develop the children with various activities, it also brings the family, the primary caregivers, into its fold to help them grow and learn with the children. Vaishali Pai is a visionary and an experienced occupational therapist who set up the Tamahar Trust in 2009 to help children with special needs find their own little spaces in this world. She shares how she would like Tamahar to reach out to more children in future. Tell us briefly the thoughts behind forming…

Courage, as defined by the Oxford dictionary, is 'the ability to do something that frightens one' and 'strength in the face of pain or grief'. But how exactly does it show in everyday life? To Mr Neo, every waking moment entails a conscious act of courage. Courage is taking the bus alone. Courage is looking past the curious eyes and indifference of others. Courage is taking every day in stride, despite being partially blind and dependent on dialysis for life. Neo - as he amiably requests to…

Restoring self-esteem and self-worth is what Dance Movement Therapy by Renelle Snelleksz has successfully achieved for a cross section of people like people with Parkinson’s Disease or those with a history of physical abuse and even children who have survived cancer but are deeply scarred. What is Dance Movement Therapy? How is it different from learning Dance? Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) is very different from technique-based dance in that it creates a safe and non-judgemental space for…

Dr S.P. Goswami, Professor of Speech Pathology at Mysore counsels that with the right kind of support, the load of the communication disorder can be shared equally by the aged individual as well as the family, the key to it being to meet them halfway. Aging is a phenomenon which starts from birth and brings about changes in the individual across the life span. However, beyond the yardstick of 60 years, anatomical and physiological changes become highly evident in the human body, thereby leading…

Nishka Hosangady’s parents have been running from pillar to post to identify and treat their daughter’s crippling cognitive and physical disability. Finally, after visiting a legion of doctors, therapists and healers, she was diagnosed with Benign Hereditary Chorea, a rare autosomal disorder. Read about the Hosangady’s agonizing and persistent battle to save their daughter. When Nishka Hosangady started school at 3 years, she seemed perfectly normal. But, as she went into the…

Epilepsy can be treated.  1)   Medication Generally doctors begin the treatment for epilepsy with medication. If the patient is not responding to medications, doctors may advise surgery. Many drugs are available to treat epilepsy and the choice of drug is based on the factors specific to patient. Medications used to treat epilepsy include: Carbamazepine (Tegretol or Carbatrol) Diazepam (Valium) Eslicarbazepine (Aptiom) Felbamate (Felbatol) Ethosuximide (Zarontin) Lacosamide (Vimpat)…

A doctor may sometimes indicate a type of epilepsy based on whether the cause is known and identified (symptomatic) or cause is known but not identified (cryptogenic) or cause is not known (idiopathic).  The types of seizures are also important in the treatment approach.  What are the types of seizures?  1)    Focal (partial) seizures    They are produced by a relatively small part of the brain. They are of two types Simple partial seizures : characterized by…

How is Epilepsy Diagnosed?   Medical History A complete physical examination.   Neurological examination Complete neurological examination to rule out  behavioral modifications, change in mental function, motor abilities etc.   Laboratory tests for Epilepsy Blood tests : Blood sample will be collected to check for signs of infection, genetic conditions etc. Electroencephalogram (EEG) : Routinely used diagnostic test which measures electrical impulses in the brain. This…