title: Epilepsy--diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: In summary, a better understanding of seizures, seizure disorders and epilepsy syndromes, as well as the advent of effective medications with generally low toxicity and side effects, now enables most epileptics to lead relatively normal lives. Careful analysis of seizure type, accurate prescription of appropriate medication and precise monitoring of medication are essential. The prognosis of, and lifestyle enjoyed by, individuals with epilepsy is far less grim than the image conjured up in the mind of the average, uninformed person on the street. Prejudice and misunderstanding still exist, however, and further public education and awareness are appropriate goals for the future.
authors.affiliation: Raleigh Child Neurology and Psychiatry Clinic, NC.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Holtkamp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004347:Drug Interactions; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013036:Spasms, Infantile / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants