Managing Epilepsy

Preface vii Acknowledgements, ix 1 Epilepsy, Past and Present, 1 2 The nature of Epilepsy: Aetiology and Epidemiology,12 3 The basis for diagnosis: Recognizing causes, seizures and syndromes, 19 4 Making the diagnosis: Is it epilepsy, 33 5 Treatment: General Principles, Anti-Epileptic Drug Therapy, Surgery and other treatment, 44 6 Treatment: Individual Anti-Epileptic Drug Profiles, 68 7 Epilepsy and the Individual: Epilepsy in Children and Adolescents, in women, in learning disability and in the elderly, 84 8 Living with Epilepsy: Information, Support and Counselling, 108 9 Living with Epilepsy: 100 common Questions and Answers , 123 10 Improving Services: a structure for care, 147 11 The Role of the nurse in Epilepsy, 159 Appendix 1:Sources of Help and Advice, 167 Appendix 2: Managing Epilepsy in General Practice: Audit, 172 Appendix 3: Purchasing and Providing Epilepsy Outpatient Services: A Guide to Good Practice, 177 Appendix 4: Community Nurse Learning Disability Assessment of Epilepsy, 186 References and Recommended Further Reading, 193 Index, 199