Approximately 1.2 percent of the population in the United States has active epilepsy. This works out to about 3 million adults and 470,000 children.

Do you or someone you love suffer from epilepsy? If so, then you’re probably desperate to learn about ways that it can be treated.

There are several different epilepsy treatment methods that are effective in managing epilepsy symptoms.

Read on to learn more about some of the most popular options you might want to consider.

Anti-Seizure Medication

There are a few different medications on the market these days that are effective at managing epilepsy and other seizure disorders.

With the right medication, some people can become seizure-free, and others can reduce the intensity and frequency of their seizures in a significant way.

Finding the right medication or combination of medications can be a struggle, though, and requires quite a bit of experimentation.

Surgery

In some cases, surgery is the most effective option for treating epilepsy. The surgery involves the removal of the portion of the brain that causes seizures.

Doctors perform this surgery when tests reveal that seizures are originating in a small area of the brain. They also must confirm that the removal of that area of the brain will not interfere with vital functions like speech or vision.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

The vagus nerve is the longest of all the cranial nerves. It controls the parasympathetic nervous system.

Stimulating the vagus nerve with a special device has been shown to reduce seizures by a significant amount.

Doctors often pair vagus nerve stimulation with other treatments.

Ketogenic Diet

In some cases, a ketogenic diet (a diet that is very high in fact and very low in carbohydrates) is effective for those with epilepsy.

It can especially help children, as well as those who suffer from Dravet Syndrome, infantile spasms, and myoclonic-astatic epilepsy.

When a person follows a ketogenic diet, their body breaks down and burns fat instead of carbohydrates for energy. 

Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep brain stimulation involves the implantation of electrodes into the brain, usually the thalamus.

These electrodes are attached to a generator implanted in the chest or the skull. This generator sends electrical pulses through the electrodes to the brain.

The stimulation can reduce seizure frequency in some people.

CBD Oil

Many epilepsy therapy researchers have found that CBD oil, which is made with cannabidiol, a cannabinoid extracted from the cannabis plant, can be effective at reducing seizure intensity and frequency, too.

It appears to be especially effective at treating those with Dravet Syndrome, a form of epilepsy that affects children. 

Try These Epilepsy Treatment Methods Today

As you can see, there are lots of epilepsy treatment methods out there, and researchers are looking into new ones every day.

You may want to talk to your doctor about giving one of these treatments a try to see if it helps you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Do you want to learn more about managing your health?

If so, be sure to visit the Health and Fitness section of our website today for more information and advice.