An epileptologist is a neurologists who specializes in caring for people with epilepsy.
Epilepsy is the most common serious brain disorder worldwide.
1 in 20 New Zealanders will be affected by a seizure at some stage in their life.
1 in 200 people have epilepsy.
A paediatrician is a doctor who looks after the health of infants, children, adolescents and young people.
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurologic disorders seen in children by paediatricians, especially in the first year of a child’s life.
There are approximately 4,500 children in New Zealand being treated for epilepsy.
The epilepsy nurse works alongside the neurologist and GP in making sure that you are managing your epilepsy well.
St John provides an ambulance service throughout New Zealand.
St John ambulance officers are trained to look after someone who has epilepsy.
throughout New Zealand.
For more information see:
https://ewct.org.nz/st-john-protocols/
A paramedic has the knowledge, skills and experience to assess and treat a wide range of medical conditions including epilepsy.
A neurologist treats disorders of the brain, spinal cord and nerves and will be involved in the diagnosing and treatment of epilepsy.
A phlebotomist collects blood and samples from patients for laboratory testing or for blood banks.
If you have epilepsy, there are a number of blood tests that may be recommended as part of your diagnosis and ongoing treatment.
An EEG technologist uses specialised equipment to measure brain abnormalities in people.
It is the most common test used to diagnose epilepsy.
An MRI technologist operates a magnetic resonance imaging scanner to create images of the brain.
An MRI is often used to identify any serious disorders that may have caused a seizure to happen – for example, a brain tumour.
A neuropsychologist gives a range of tests to understand how an injury, or illness, to the brain is affecting thinking, emotion and behaviour.
A neuropsychologist will understand the impact that seizures and medications are having on those affected by epilepsy.
A pharmacist prepares and dispenses prescribed medicine and discusses conditions and treatments with people.
Pharmacists will freely give confidential advice on your anti-seizure medications (ASMs)and possible side effects.
They will also inform you about possible interactions with other medicines, such as the contraceptive pill or the effect of alcohol and drugs and natural medicines, on your ASMs.
A ketogenic dietitian monitors a person who has been prescribed the keto diet by an epilepsy specialist.
The keto diet is a special high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet that helps to control seizures in some people.
For more information see:
https://ewct.org.nz/epilepsy-and-diets/
An epilepsy researcher studies the causes, diagnosis and treatment of the different forms of epileptic disorders.
A general practitioner is the person who diagnoses and treats health problems.
A GP will look after a person with epilepsy after they have been discharged by the hospital.
Healthline is staffed by a team of experienced healthcare professionals who will access your medical symptoms and make recommendations for you.
A social worker provides care, advice and support to people with personal or social problems in the community.
People living with epilepsy are often referred to a social worker by the medical care team.
The medical staff in the emergency department treat people who have a serious illness or injury that requires urgent attention.
Sometimes people experiencing difficulties with their epilepsy will require help from this very specialised care team.
The police are primarily law enforcers responsible for preventing crime. They also help people in need.
From time to time the police are called when a person has had a seizure in public.
The EWCT epilepsy advisor supports, advises, informs and strongly advocates for those living directly and indirectly with epilepsy.
She has a wide knowledge of epilepsy, its treatments and challenges and works closely with other community services throughout the Waikato and beyond.
Contact our epilepsy advisor below:
https://ewct.org.nz/contact/
