Patient's question:
The child has epilepsy and taking medication is not good for physical and mental development. They want to try massage as an alternative. Is this method effective?Doctor's answer:
Epilepsy can be divided into two major categories: primary and secondary. The former refers to cases with unknown causes or genetic factors, while the latter refers to convulsions caused by organic brain lesions due to various reasons, or induced by various metabolic disorders, poisoning, etc. The principle of epilepsy treatment is to start early, begin with small doses, take medication regularly, and maintain a long course of treatment. Adjustments in drug types or dosages should be gradual, otherwise, it may lead to drug overdose or epilepsy attacks. Typically, antiepileptic drugs need to be taken for 2 to 4 years after the last, including a gradual tapering process of 1 to 2 years. To determine the optimal dosage and evaluate efficacy, regular monitoring of drug blood concentrations can be conducted to guide medication. Antiepileptic drugs generally have side effects, such as drowsiness or excitement, ataxia, and intellectual impairment. They may also cause abnormalities in blood, liver, and kidney functions. However, generally speaking, drug reactions are mild and reversible, and they do not necessarily occur. With proper attention, long-term use of antiepileptic drugs is still safe and reliable. It is recommended to adhere to standardized antiepileptic treatment.Advice: The treatment method for epilepsy determines most of the costs. Currently, there are numerous methods for treating epilepsy. Before treatment, patients usually undergo routine tests such as electroencephalography (EEG), blood tests, and various physical examinations. The fees for these tests are fixed, ranging from dozens to hundreds of yuan per item. Patients need to choose based on their specific condition.