Epilepsy Treatment in India: A Comprehensive Guide
16 Jun, 2024
Epilepsy Treatment Options and Procedures in India
1. Medication
Anti-seizure medications are the cornerstone of epilepsy treatment. These medications help control seizures and prevent their recurrence. Common anti-seizure drugs include carbamazepine, valproate, and levetiracetam. The choice of medication and dosage depends on several factors, including the patient’s age, the type of epilepsy, overall health, and the frequency and severity of seizures. Regular follow-ups with a neurologist are essential to monitor the effectiveness of the medication and make any necessary adjustments.
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2. Surgical Procedures
Surgery is considered for patients who do not respond adequately to medications. Several surgical options are available in India:
Resective Surgery: This involves removing the part of the brain where seizures originate. It is most effective for patients with focal epilepsy, where seizures are localized to a specific brain area.
Lobectomy: This procedure involves removing an entire lobe of the brain, typically the temporal lobe, which is a common source of seizures. Temporal lobectomy has a high success rate in eliminating or significantly reducing seizures.
Lesionectomy: In this procedure, a specific lesion or abnormal brain tissue causing seizures is removed. It is less extensive than a lobectomy and is used when the lesion is clearly identified.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS): This involves implanting a device under the skin in the chest, which sends electrical impulses to the vagus nerve in the neck. These impulses help control seizures by altering brain activity. VNS is often recommended for patients who are not good candidates for resective surgery.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): Electrodes are implanted in specific areas of the brain to regulate abnormal electrical activity. A device similar to a pacemaker is implanted under the skin in the chest to control the stimulation. DBS can be effective for patients with difficult-to-control seizures.
3. Dietary Therapy
Dietary modifications can play a crucial role in managing epilepsy, particularly in children. The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that has been shown to reduce the frequency of seizures in some patients. It works by forcing the body to burn fats instead of carbohydrates, producing ketones that have an anti-seizure effect.
Other dietary therapies include the Modified Atkins Diet and the Low Glycemic Index Treatment. These diets are less restrictive than the ketogenic diet but can still be effective in reducing seizures. A dietitian typically oversees these diets to ensure they are followed correctly and to monitor the patient's health.
4. Lifestyle and Supportive Therapy
Lifestyle changes and supportive therapies are essential components of comprehensive epilepsy management. Ensuring regular sleep patterns, managing stress through techniques like meditation and yoga, and avoiding known seizure triggers are critical steps in reducing seizure frequency.
Psychological support is also vital. Epilepsy can significantly impact mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Counselling and support groups provide emotional support and coping strategies for patients and their families, helping them manage the psychological aspects of living with epilepsy.
Top Doctors for Epilepsy Treatment in India
1. Dr. Rajesh Garg:
- Gender: NA
- Designation: Orthopedic Surgeon
- Country: India
- Experience Years: 23
About:
- Dr. Rajesh Garg is an internationally trained and experienced joint replacement surgeon, currently practising in New Delhi, India.
- He has years of surgical experience in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Japan, and Germany and has special expertise in joint replacement surgeries.
- He brings his vast experience to India on a full-time basis and has gathered a team of professionals whose sole purpose is to facilitate the patient's journey to full independence.
- At present, he is heading the Joint Replacement and Reconstruction Unit at Kalra Hospital, Moti Nagar, Delhi, and Tirath Ram Shah Hospital, Rajput Road, Delhi.
- His team also works closely with Max Hospital, Pitampura, Saroj Hospital, and Jaipur Golden Hospital, Rohini, Delhi.
- He has performed over 1500 successful joint replacement surgeries, including knee, hip, and shoulder replacements.
- Dr. Garg has received special training in performing uni-compartmental knee replacement and computer navigation joint replacement surgeries. He is a strong proponent of minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) for joint replacements.
- His team includes specialists for trauma and spine problems, which can be treated by non-operative and minimally invasive techniques.
- Services: Fracture treatment, arthroscopy, spinal therapy, ACL reconstruction, hip resurfacing, hip and knee replacement, knee osteotomy, laminectomy, radiofrequency neurotomy, spinal fusion, joint replacement and surgery, arthritis management, joint dislocation treatment, sports injury rehabilitation, correction of deformities, musculoskeletal infections, pain management counselling, cartilage surgery, trauma surgery, revision and primary hip and knee arthroplasty, and ligament reconstruction.
Top Hospitals for Epilepsy Treatment in India
1. Jaslok Hospital Mumbai
Address: Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, 15 - Dr. Deshmukh Marg, Pedder Road, Mumbai - 400 026
Country: India
Treatment Availability: International
Hospital Category: Medical
Established Year: 1973
City: Mumbai
Status: Active
Visibility on Website: Yes
About Hospital
Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, founded by philanthropist Seth Lokoomal Chanrai along with surgeon Shantilal Jamnadas Mehta, was formally inaugurated on 6 July 1973 by the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. The hospital is accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH), a constituent board of the Quality Council of India (QCI).
Specialities and Services
Jaslok Hospital Mumbai offers comprehensive medical services across various specialities including IVF, cardiology, neurology, oncology, surgery (general, laparoscopic, and robotic), critical care, and specialized departments like hepatology, nephrology, and geriatric medicine. The hospital also provides advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services in radiology, pathology, and laboratory medicine.
Infrastructure
- Total No of Beds: 343
- Non ICU Beds: 255
- ICU Beds: 58
2. Max Healthcare Saket
Name: Max Healthcare Saket
Address: New Delhi, Saket
Country: India
Treatment Availability: International
Hospital Category: Medical
Established Year: 2006
City: New Delhi
About Hospital
- Max Super Speciality Hospital is one of the top multi-specialty hospitals in Delhi.
- The hospital has a 500+ bedded facility offering treatment across all medical disciplines.
- Expert doctors at Max Hospital have treated over 34 lakh patients across all major specialities.
- The hospital is equipped with a state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla MRI machine and a 64 Slice CT Angio.
- It houses Asia's first Brain SUITE, an advanced neurosurgical operation theatre that allows MRIs to be taken during surgery.
- The hospital has won prestigious awards from the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) and FICCI.
- FICCI awarded Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, the Award for Operational Excellence in Healthcare Delivery on 7 September 2010.
Key Highlights
- Specialized Dialysis Unit conforming to international standards.
- Haemodialysis for patients with end-stage kidney disease requiring renal replacement therapy.
Infrastructure
- Number of Beds: 530
- Operation Theaters: 12
3. BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital
BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi was established by Dr B L Kapur, an eminent Obstetrician and Gynecologist. Originally set up as a charitable hospital in Lahore in 1930, the hospital was reestablished in post-partition India in Ludhiana and later in Delhi at the invitation of the then Prime Minister. The hospital was inaugurated by Prime Minister Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru on January 2, 1959.
Location
- Address: Pusa Rd, Radha Soami Satsang, Karol Bagh, New Delhi, Delhi, India
- City: New Delhi
- Country: India
About Hospital
- History: BLK Super Speciality Hospital was founded by Dr. B L Kapur. The hospital celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1984, marking its status as Delhi's premier multispecialty institute.
- Services: The hospital offers services in General Surgery, Ophthalmology, ENT, Dentistry, Pulmonology, Intensive Care, Orthopedics, and mother & child care.
- Capacity: Spread over five acres with 650 beds, BLK is one of the largest tertiary care private hospitals in India.
- Facilities: Outpatient services are spread across two floors with 60 consultation rooms. The hospital has 17 state-of-the-art modular operation theatres equipped with advanced technology.
- Critical Care: The hospital has 125 critical care beds in various intensive care units, including Medical, Surgical, Cardiac, Pediatrics, Neonatology, Neurosciences, and Organ Transplant units. Each unit is equipped with high-end patient monitoring devices, ventilators, and dedicated isolation rooms.
Infrastructure
- Operation Theatres: 17 well-equipped modular operation theatres with three-stage air filtration and gas scavenging systems.
- Critical Care: The hospital has one of the largest critical care programs in the region with 125 ICU beds.
- Transplant Centers: Dedicated ICUs for Liver and Renal Transplants with specialized instruments and equipment.
- Birthing Suites: Specialized birthing suites with telemetric fetal monitors and a dedicated operation theatre adjacent to the labour room.
- Technology: Advanced Building Management System, automatic pneumatic chute system, Wi-Fi-enabled campus, and top-of-the-line Hospital Information System (HIS) with contemporary electronic medical records (EMR).
Cost of Epilepsy Treatment in India
The cost of epilepsy treatment in India can vary depending on several factors, but here's a breakdown:
Type of treatment: There are different approaches to epilepsy treatment, with medication being the most common. Epilepsy surgery is an option for some cases, and it has a significantly higher cost.
Medication: Medications for epilepsy are generally affordable in India.
Epilepsy surgery: Epilepsy surgery can range from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh (USD 2500 to USD 18,000). This cost covers the pre-surgical evaluation and the surgery itself. The complexity of the surgery is a major factor influencing the price.
Success Rates of Epilepsy Treatment in India
Epilepsy treatment in India shows promising results, with medication offering good seizure control for a significant portion of patients. Here's a breakdown:
Medication: Studies suggest that up to 70% of people with epilepsy could achieve complete seizure control with the right medication regimen [3]. This highlights the effectiveness of medication for many patients.
Surgery: For medication-resistant epilepsy, surgery becomes an option. The success rate varies depending on the type of surgery and the specific case. Here are some examples:
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Risks and Complications
- Medications: Side effects include dizziness, fatigue, and weight gain.
- Surgery: Risks include infection, bleeding, and cognitive changes.
- VNS and DBS: Potential complications include infection and device malfunction.
