Epilepsy Articles June 2020

EWCT brings you the latest news on epilepsy-related articles Globally, marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug. Classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, marijuana is a mood-altering drug that affects almost every organ in the body. Learn more about marijuana here. How much alcohol does it take to get drunk? Alcohol can make epilepsy medication less effective or make the side effects of

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Epilepsy Articles May 2020

EWCT brings you the latest news on epilepsy-related articles A person who cares for someone with a health condition like epilepsy can be called a caregiver. Caregivers are no doubt, an important part of every epilepsy patient’s journey, because of the many things they do. While the health of your loved one with epilepsy is important, it is also essential to take care of your

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We are…removing stigma, fear and prejudice around epilepsy

Epilepsy is a complex neurological condition that impacts on the quality of life for those living directly, and indirectly, with it. Epilepsy can be difficult to diagnose and to treat but, also importantly, it is a disease that can engender unnecessary stigma, prejudice, and fear within families and communities. Throughout the ages, epilepsy has been a misunderstood condition and, according to a recent international report,

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Epilepsy Articles April 2020

EWCT brings you the latest news on epilepsy-related articles Seizure control is the primary driver of epilepsy treatment. For many people with epilepsy, however, the seizures themselves are secondary; it’s the after-effects of the seizures that dramatically affect their lives. More than 70% of people with epilepsy report post-ictal (after-seizure) complications, including confusion, fear, exhaustion, headache, emotional reactivity, memory problems and behavioural changes. Some last

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Epilepsy Articles – March 2020

EWCT brings you the latest news on epilepsy-related articles “The ketogenic, or keto, diet is a popular eating plan that limits carbohydrates and focuses on protein and healthful fats. People who follow a keto diet try to limit their carb intake to 50 grams (g) per day. The purpose of this restriction is to force the body to use ketones, which are acids formed in

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Epilepsy Articles – February 2020

EWCT brings you the latest news on epilepsy-related articles “Deloitte Access Economics” in Australia was commissioned to write a report on the economic burden of epilepsy in Australia, 2019-2020. According to the report there are an estimated 142,740 people living with active epilepsy in Australia, costing a total of $12.3 billion. The report is an interesting read as it looks at the costs of healthcare,

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Epilepsy Articles – January 2020

EWCT brings you the latest news on epilepsy-related articles A new study provides reassuring findings for women who wish to breast-feed their infants but are taking antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Investigators analysed the infant-to-mother concentration of AEDS at 5 and 20 weeks postpartum in blood samples of 164 breast-feeding women taking these agents and their babies. Close to half of AED concentrations in nursing infants were

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Lamotrogine funding switch – Our response to the change

The Epilepsy Waikato Charitable Trust has concerns over the possible consequences of PHARMAC’s switch to fund one brand of Lamotrogine (Logem), which has recently been in the news. Below is our response to this change with letters sent to PHARMAC and the NZ Herald expressing these concerns. 1. Letter to Pharmac_EWCT_25 September_2018 2. Letter to Pharmac_EWCT_12 October 2019 3. Letter to Pharmac _EWCT_18 December 2019

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“Leading the Way” Newsletter – December 2019

“He arahanga whakamua – Leading the way”December 2019 Newsletter Greetings! It is that time of year again when we are able to reflect back on the year that was and to plan for the next. As the world of epilepsy constantly changes, we are able to adapt and meet the needs of people living directly, and indirectly with epilepsy. We are very much a regional,

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Epilepsy Articles – December 2019

EWCT brings you the latest news on epilepsy-related articles Pharmac-funded research into whether people with epilepsy were imagining side effects from a medicine brand change has been suspended as angry patients point out that deaths have been linked to the switch. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/404933/epilepsy-patients-angry-at-being-told-symptoms-all-in-their-heads Up to 200 New Zealand children with epilepsy may be missing out on a diet treatment that could make them seizure-free. Help from

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