Do I Need Lifelong Medication for Epilepsy After Head Injury?
Hello, Dr. Tsai? I developed epilepsy due to a head injury I sustained in childhood. Do I need to take medication long-term? If I miss just one dose, my blood concentration drops, and I am very prone to seizures.
Dr. Cai Zongzhang Reply:
Hello, medication is the primary method for treating epilepsy, and the vast majority of patients can control their condition through pharmacological treatment. Since epilepsy is a chronic disease, long-term medication is necessary.[Read More] Do I Need Lifelong Medication for Epilepsy After Head Injury?
Managing Seizures Triggered by Antidepressants: A Patient's Journey
Post-drug-induced epilepsy Hello Doctor, about 14 years ago, I experienced a head injury. I have a history of depression and sleep disorders, and my depression improved over time. However, approximately 12 years ago, I fainted in the bathroom after taking antidepressant medicatio...
Dr. Cai Zongzhang Reply:
Hello, epilepsy requires regular medication adherence and treatment according to the physician's instructions. Additionally, maintaining a stable daily routine can help stabilize the condition.[Read More] Managing Seizures Triggered by Antidepressants: A Patient's Journey
Understanding Right Brain Mutations: Symptoms and Treatment Options
Congenital benign mutation of the right hemisphere (excessive brainwave activity)? Hello, Doctor: I would like to ask about a specific brain condition I have, where my thoughts are known to others. I watched a Japanese drama about telepathy, which mentioned a benign mutation in t...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello: You mentioned the possibility of thoughts being known by others, which may involve considering "body language or facial expressions, etc." Without speaking, one can still convey thoughts. Regarding the topic of telepathy, I have limited experience. If thoughts ca...[Read More] Understanding Right Brain Mutations: Symptoms and Treatment Options
Understanding Childhood Epilepsy: Is It Truly Benign After Years Without Seizures?
Inquiry about epilepsy issues? Hello, Dr. Jiang. I have a question to ask you: I had epilepsy when I was a child, and I took my medication regularly, gradually reducing and eventually stopping it around the time I was in the third year of junior high school. Since then, I have no...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello: Your symptoms resemble benign childhood epilepsy. The clinical symptoms of benign childhood epilepsy typically occur between the ages of 3 and 13, with the most common age range being 6 to 9 years. The symptoms primarily consist of focal twitching of the face and limbs. Mo...[Read More] Understanding Childhood Epilepsy: Is It Truly Benign After Years Without Seizures?
Which Neurology Specialty Should You Choose in Kaohsiung?
Which department should I consult? At Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, the Department of Neurology is divided into several subspecialties: General Neurology, Neuromuscular Disorders, Cerebrovascular Diseases, and Epilepsy. Doctor, you previously suggested that I see a neur...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello: You mentioned the issue of body shaking last time, and since the exact cause is unknown, I recommend seeking assistance from a general neurologist. The neuromuscular specialty primarily treats conditions like muscular atrophy and motor neuron diseases. The cerebrovascular ...[Read More] Which Neurology Specialty Should You Choose in Kaohsiung?
Understanding Occasional Seizures in Long-Term Epilepsy Management
Epileptic seizure Hello Dr. Junyi, I have been taking medication for epilepsy for nearly 6.7 years. It has been relatively well-controlled, but I still experience occasional focal seizures. My medication dosage has been increasing; initially, I was taking one tablet of Lamotrigin...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello: I am not sure what the cause of your epilepsy is. Typically, epilepsy can be triggered by various specific conditions that affect brain tissue. For example, head injuries that lead to brain tissue damage, injuries at birth or high fever, certain medications or toxic substa...[Read More] Understanding Occasional Seizures in Long-Term Epilepsy Management
First Seizure: Understanding Recurrence Risks and Follow-Up Care
Will a first seizure lead to recurrence? Doctor, a few days ago, I suddenly experienced a seizure with convulsions in my limbs, foaming at the mouth, and collapsed. After being taken to the hospital, the doctor determined it was likely epilepsy, but brain scans, chest X-rays, and...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello: If you have only experienced one seizure, it may not yet be diagnosed as epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by a tendency to have sudden seizures (epileptic seizures). Seizures occur due to a sudden and temporary disruption of normal electrical act...[Read More] First Seizure: Understanding Recurrence Risks and Follow-Up Care
Is Walking Considered Rehabilitation After a Stroke?
Is walking also considered rehabilitation? Hello Dr. Hong, my grandfather recently experienced a minor stroke and during his hospital stay, he had several episodes of minor strokes. He is currently unable to walk properly, has a crooked mouth, and drools. After some time, he reco...
Dr. Hong Weibin Reply:
Hello: Ischemic stroke is caused by the occlusion of blood vessels supplying brain tissue, leading to hypoxia and necrosis of normal brain tissue. The acute phase of an ischemic stroke lasts approximately 5-7 days from the onset of symptoms. Risk factors for stroke include age (t...[Read More] Is Walking Considered Rehabilitation After a Stroke?
Understanding EEG Results: What Do Flat Waves and Seizure Waves Mean?
The meaning represented by an EEG examination? Hello, doctor. Could you please explain what it means when the EEG results show a flat wave? Additionally, what does it signify if seizure waves are present? Thank you!
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello: EEG is obtained by recording the electrical potentials from the scalp. At rest, the apical dendrites of pyramidal cells are in a polarized state; when signals are received, depolarization occurs, creating a dipole field system with a potential difference across the cell. T...[Read More] Understanding EEG Results: What Do Flat Waves and Seizure Waves Mean?
Understanding Recurrent Nausea and Dizziness: A Neurology Perspective
請提供您想詢問的內容，我將為您翻譯 Hello, doctor. When I was in sixth grade, I suddenly woke up feeling nauseous while sleeping. I immediately ran to the bathroom, feeling like I needed to vomit, but I couldn't. I experienced tinnitus, my vision became very bright and blurry, my limbs felt w...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Based on your description: First, it is important to consider the symptoms of syncope, with the most common causes being reflex syncope. This can occur due to excessive stimulation of the vagus nerve, leading to bradycardia and decreased cardiac output. Other triggers include pos...[Read More] Understanding Recurrent Nausea and Dizziness: A Neurology Perspective
Could Your Symptoms Indicate a Brain Tumor? A Doctor's Insight
Could you please tell me if the following symptoms could possibly be caused by a brain tumor? Hello Doctor, I would like to ask for your advice. Since middle school, I have frequently experienced palpitations, dizziness, a sensation of my body vibrating, and a feeling similar t...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello: Your symptoms may suggest an issue with the autonomic nervous system, specifically the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, where one acts as the accelerator and the other as the brake. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for stimulating the "gas...[Read More] Could Your Symptoms Indicate a Brain Tumor? A Doctor's Insight
Understanding Right-Sided Dizziness: Causes and Concerns
Dizziness predominantly on the right side? Hello Doctor: I have been experiencing occasional nerve pain (in one of the nerves on the right side of my neck) since my university days. It wasn't until my military service that I began to experience dizziness on the right side of...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello, if fainting occurs with symptoms of convulsions, it may be necessary to consider epilepsy. Seizures can sometimes cause sudden collapse, resembling fainting, and may involve limb jerking and prolonged confusion. It is recommended that you consult a neurologist to discuss e...[Read More] Understanding Right-Sided Dizziness: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Childhood Epilepsy: Causes, Treatment, and Concerns
Pediatric epilepsy Hello Doctor, my child is currently 7 months old. After birth, he was suspected to have a stroke in the right hemisphere due to placental obstruction of cerebral blood vessels, resulting in reduced mobility on the left side of his body. At that time, the doctor...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello, based on your description, the most common cause of epilepsy is brain injury. Certain medications may trigger seizures. Currently, you mentioned that Keppra is a medication with fewer drug interactions. If a new type of seizure occurs, it is important to rule out any new c...[Read More] Understanding Childhood Epilepsy: Causes, Treatment, and Concerns
Understanding Facial Twitching: Causes and Treatment Options
Facial twitching? Hello Dr. Lan: For the past month, I have been experiencing occasional facial twitching, frequent blinking, hand tremors, rapid heartbeat, and dizziness. (Sometimes only the facial twitching occurs, not necessarily all three symptoms at once.) A year ago, I had ...
Dr. Lan Shengxing Reply:
Hello, please promptly visit the neurology outpatient clinic for examination and treatment to rule out epilepsy or facial muscle spasms.[Read More] Understanding Facial Twitching: Causes and Treatment Options
Does Napping During Awake EEG Affect Test Accuracy?
Brainwave issues Hello, doctor! I would like to ask if taking a brief nap during a wakefulness EEG test would affect the accuracy of the measurements. Previously, I had a normal wakefulness EEG due to dizziness, but now the cause of my dizziness has not improved. Could that short...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Based on your description, the primary indication for an electroencephalogram (EEG) is epilepsy. Other conditions such as intracranial lesions, stroke, encephalitis, brain tumors, and metabolic brain disorders can currently be assisted in diagnosis through brain imaging. For the ...[Read More] Does Napping During Awake EEG Affect Test Accuracy?
Understanding Neurological Issues: Sleep Disorders and Medication Concerns
Brain issues Dear Doctor Gao, I have been taking the following medications for about four years due to insomnia, as recommended by a friend who suggested I see a neurologist at a clinic: 1. B-complex capsules (Mecobalamin) 0.5 mg 2. "Yuli Shupan" tablets 0.25 mg afte...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
If you experience symptoms such as insomnia or feelings of tension and pressure after discontinuing medication, you should have a reassessment with your physician. Medications that are necessary should be continued, while those that are not needed may be considered for discontinu...[Read More] Understanding Neurological Issues: Sleep Disorders and Medication Concerns
Understanding Unilateral Numbness: Causes and When to Seek Help
One side of the body may experience numbness? Hello Dr. Gao, I previously experienced numbness on one side of my head, hand, and foot. I consulted a neurologist who asked about my symptoms and tested my face, hands, and feet with a toothpick. He said it wasn't indicative of...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
Recurrent symptoms indicate that the problem persists. To determine the underlying cause, it is important to carefully understand the timing of symptom onset, related triggering factors, the distribution of symptoms, and whether they fluctuate or continuously worsen. Given your s...[Read More] Understanding Unilateral Numbness: Causes and When to Seek Help
Can Shock Cause Brain Damage? Understanding Neurological Effects
Can shock cause brain injury? Hello Doctor, about a month ago, I was almost hit by a car at an intersection. I wasn't injured, but my immediate reaction was to rush across the street. In that moment, I felt a tingling sensation in the back of my head, and afterward, I starte...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
There are relatively few reports on brain issues caused by shock or fright. Some patients who already have epilepsy may find that shock acts as a triggering factor. For those who do not have a history of epilepsy, psychological and emotional factors are considered to be the cause...[Read More] Can Shock Cause Brain Damage? Understanding Neurological Effects
Two Weeks of Dizziness: Understanding Neurological Symptoms and Treatment
Dizziness for two weeks? I have been experiencing dizziness for two weeks now, and I have seen a doctor who diagnosed me with vertigo. My symptoms are that I feel fine when I wake up in the morning, but once I get to school and start my first or second class, I begin to feel dizz...
Dr. Yang Shenggong Reply:
Hello, Yuki: Based on your description, your condition seems to be paroxysmal dizziness, accompanied by 1) occasional headaches and 2) a leftward tilt of the body that has persisted for 3-4 years. You are concerned whether the past use of antiepileptic medication may have caused ...[Read More] Two Weeks of Dizziness: Understanding Neurological Symptoms and Treatment
Understanding Abnormal Brain Waves in Children: Is It Epilepsy?
The child's EEG shows abnormal discharges? Hello Doctor: My child is currently 1 year and 6 months old. At around 1 year and 3 to 4 months, I noticed that my child had episodes of trembling upon waking up. We took him to the National Taiwan University Hospital in Yunlin for ...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
If you have not taken medication and do not have any clinical symptoms, you can return to the clinic and inform your physician. They will likely perform another EEG to assess the brain's electrical activity to confirm the diagnosis. If epilepsy is indeed present and not cont...[Read More] Understanding Abnormal Brain Waves in Children: Is It Epilepsy?