Epilepsy: The Ultimate Teen Guide Book

Acknowledgments     vii
What's Epilepsy?     1
What Is Epilepsy?     3
Brain Cells     4
Structure of the Brain     5
Seizures     6
Fact or Folklore?     9
The "Sacred Disease"     9
Driving Out Demons     10
More Recent History of Epilepsy Treatment     12
What Causes Epilepsy and Seizures?     15
What's Happening?     19
Personal Stories     20
Diagnosis and Treatment     27
Collecting Information     27
The EEG     28
Other Diagnostic Tools     30
Treatment     32
Combating Side Effects     34
Surgery for Epilepsy     35
Success Stories     36
Types of Surgery     38
Vagus Nerve Stimulator     39
Living with Epilepsy     41
Epilepsy and Driving 24     43
Lifestyle Changes     44
Parental Reactions     46
First Aid     48
Seizure-Alert Dogs     50
School and Job Issues     53
School Problems     54
Dating     56
On the Job     59
Sports and Recreation     63
A Champion Swimmer     64
Biking for Epilepsy     65
The Female Factor     69
Teenage Changes     69
Catamenial Epilepsy     70
Pregnancy Concerns     71
Before and during Pregnancy     72
Finding a Cure     75
Awareness Programs     75
A Possible Brain "Switch"     76
Gene Research     77
Clinical Trials     78
Appendix     81
Chapter Notes     85
Glossary     91
For Further Information     95
Index     99
About the Authors     103