Epilepsy Treatment in Chennai

Epilepsy is a neurological condition marked by recurrent seizures. This is caused due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The symptoms may vary depending on the type of epilepsy. However, the most common ones include - lifestyle adjustment, dietary modulation, surgery, etc. If you are looking for specialised epilepsy treatment in Chennai, trust Gleneagles Hospital for a comprehensive solution.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes recurrent and unpredictable seizures. These seizures create emotional, physical, or social challenges for those living with them. Despite advancements in the field, the condition still remains misunderstood and stigmatised. Epilepsy requires proper management, which includes - medical interventions, lifestyle adjustments, dietary adjustments, etc. 

For those seeking expert care, consider Gleneagles Hospitals, as we have the best epilepsy doctors in Chennai who offer a complete evaluation and personalised treatment plans to help patients manage seizures and improve their quality.

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease that causes repeated seizures due to abnormal brain cell activity. When the cells behave abnormally, they produce bursts of uncontrolled electrical activities that cause a seizure. They include changes in awareness, sensation, muscle control, emotions, etc. It can affect anyone, regardless of gender or race.

The message to and from the brain is transmitted via a continuous electrical impulse pattern in case of a burst of electrical energy - like an unpredictable lightning storm. This causes disruption in the brain that changes awareness, emotion, sensation, etc. There are several causes of the condition, and some may include - genetic factors, brain injuries, strokes, infection, developmental issues, etc.

The symptoms of epilepsy widely depend on the type of seizures, which mostly include loss of sensation, uncontrollable jerking movements of the legs and arms, staring spells, tingling, etc. They can be diagnosed using neurological examination and tests such as - electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure brain activity and brain imaging like MRI or CT Scans to detect abnormalities. 

Here are the types of epilepsy that affect the person - 
 

• Focal Seizures: Focal seizures are also known as partial seizures that begin in a specific area of one hemisphere of the brain. They can be caused by localised brain abnormalities, such as - brain injuries, tumours, infections, or congenital malformations. There are two types of focal seizures - 

  - Focal Aware Seizures - During this, the person remains conscious and is aware of the environment. Symptoms may vary depending on the affected area of the brain and can include sensory changes, such as tingling, visual disturbance, or unusual smells, in addition to motor symptoms like twitching or jerking of a limb. 

  - Focal Impaired Awareness Seizures - In these seizures, consciousness is altered, leading to confusion or a sense of detachment. There might be repetitive movements, such as - lip-smacking or hand-gesturing, known as automatisms. 
   

• Generalised Seizures: Generalised seizures affect a wide network of cells on both sides of the brain at the same time. This leads to unconsciousness and various physical symptoms. There are several types of generalised seizures, such as - 

  - Tonic-Clonic Seizures - They are characterised by muscle stiffening followed by rhythmic jerking movements. 

  - Absence Seizures - These involve brief lapses in awareness, often mistaken for daydreaming. 

  - Myoclonic Seizures - Causes sudden muscle jerk, which usually affects the arms and legs. 

  - Atonic Seizures - Results in a sudden loss in muscle tone. This leads to falls or head drops. 

  - Tonic Seizures - It involves stiffness in the muscle, usually in the back and arm. 
   

• Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy: Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy is rare and often caused by genetic metabolic diseases, including mitochondrial encephalopathy and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Intellectual incapacity, muscle rigidity, and unsteadiness are possible symptoms in addition to seizures. 

   

• Reflex Epilepsy:In reflex epilepsy, the episodes are triggered by certain environmental stimuli. Seizures triggered by flashing lights are known as photosensitive epilepsy. The condition usually begins in childhood and is mostly outgrown by adulthood. Other environmental triggers are sound, such as ringing bells, certain songs, music, the sound of a person, etc. In adulthood, sometimes even thinking about small mathematical problems may also cause seizures. 

Treatments to control seizures mostly include - anti-seizure medications, special diets, and surgery. Here is an explanation of the treatments - 
 

Medications
 

Medications, such as anti-seizure medicines, are the most common treatment to control epilepsy. They work by calming the abnormal electrical activity in the brain that causes seizures. They do this by balancing the electrical signals and chemicals in the brain. Doctors prescribe these medications based on the type of epilepsy, how often the seizures happen, and other factors such as - 
 

• Side effects of anti-seizure drug
• Other medical conditions (if any)
• Prior response to these medications
• Age, health, and patient’s condition
• Potential interactions with other medications

In addition to these medications, it is important to monitor the condition properly. It helps understand if the medication is working properly. There are several side effects of the medication, which include - dizziness, mood changes, tiredness, etc. If a patient experiences any side effects or feels uncomfortable, consult a doctor immediately.

Note: Some anti-seizure medicines are linked to congenital disabilities. Hence, the patients should let the healthcare provider know beforehand if they’re planning to start a family. 

Special Diets
 

Doctors also recommend special diets to manage and control epilepsy. This is because medication alone cannot manage the condition. Doctors recommend two types of diet - 
 

• Ketogenic Diet - They are high in fat, low in carbohydrates, and also include moderate protein. This diet changes the body’s energy source from glucose to ketones. The brain uses this to help reduce seizures and is best for children with drug-resistant epilepsy. The diet is highly restrictive and requires proper planning and consideration to ensure effective nutritional balances.
• Modified Atkins Diet - It also helps manage epilepsy, which is high in fat but is less strict than a ketogenic diet. This is because it does not require strict calorie counting or portion control. Like the ketogenic diet, MAD also induces ketosis, which helps control seizures.
• Low Glycemic Index Treatment - This helps maintain steady blood sugar levels by choosing food with a low glycemic index. This releases glucose slowly into the bloodstream. This helps stabilise brain activity and reduce the risk of seizures. LGIT includes a more balanced intake of carbs, fats, and protein, as compared to a ketogenic diet. It is often recommended to people who need a less restrictive but effective dietary approach to manage epilepsy.
• Medium-Chain Triglyceride Diet (MCT) - This diet is a variation of a ketogenic diet that uses MCT oils as the primary source of fat. MCTs are easily absorbed and then quickly converted into ketones. This is effective in reducing seizures while being easier to maintain, as it offers flexibility and variety. 

Surgery

• Resective Surgery: Resective surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures that involve removing the specific area of the brain where seizures occur. This is usually used when seizures are localised to one part of the brain, such as the temporal lobe. The surgery is effective, as many patients share their experience, where most of them have reduced seizures. However, this requires thorough pre-surgical testing to ensure that critical areas of the brain are not affected.
• Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT): Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) is a specific minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses a laser to target and destroy the brain tissue responsible for seizures through heat. Guided by MRI, a thin laser probe is inserted into the brain, and controlled heat is applied to the seizure focus, effectively eliminating the damaged part and leaving the surrounding healthy tissue as it is. LITT is particularly useful for patients with deep-seated lesions or those who are not suitable for traditional open surgery. Recovery time is usually shorter, and there is a minor risk of complications in comparison to other surgical methods.
• Corpus Callosotomy: Corpus Callosotomy involves cutting the corpus callosum - a bundle of nerve fibres that connects the two brain hemispheres. This is done to prevent the condition from going from one brain to another. The surgery is effective for atonic seizures (drop attacks) and generalised seizures that involve sudden loss of muscle. This surgery does not eliminate seizures but helps reduce their severity and impact. It is recommended for patients who have severe and uncontrolled episodes that are non-reactive to medication.
• Hemispherectomy And Hemispherectomy: They involve radical surgical procedures used for severe cases where seizures originate from one hemisphere of the brain due to conditions such as - Rasmussen’s Encephalitis or Hemimegalencephaly. Hemispherectomy involves one cerebral hemisphere, while hemispherectomy involves disconnecting the affected hemisphere without removing it. These are usually done for children - as their brain has better neuroplasticity. This allows the remaining hemisphere to compensate for lost functions.

• Neuromodulation: Neuromodulation is usually recommended for patients who are not suitable candidates for resective surgery or have seizures that generate from various brain areas. This involves implanting devices that send electrical signals to regulate abnormal brain activity and prevent seizures. Here are two types of surgery - 
   - Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) - A device is implanted in the chest, which then sends electrical pulses to the vagus nerve. This influences brain activity to reduce seizure frequency. 

  - Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) - This device is implanted in the skull & detects abnormal electrical activity in the brain. This delivers precise electrical stimulation to stop seizures before they spread. 

Gleneagles Hospital is a top tertiary care multispecialty hospital renowned for advanced procedures in liver, neuro, heart, lung, and kidney transplants. We are equipped with advanced medical technologies such as 3 Tesla MRI, Da Vinci Xi Robot, and 24/7 facilities such as CathLab, emergency medicine, and pharma services. Our epilepsy treatment programs are known for incorporating tailored treatments based on the findings and test results.

Being the top hospital for epilepsy treatment in Chennai, they ensure comprehensive treatment options, which include personalised medication plans and dietary adjustments, in addition to using surgical methods to manage the condition. We have a multidisciplinary team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, dieticians, and psychologists who help patients live a healthy life ahead.