ABSTRACT
In this first of two articles on new epilepsy guidelines for primary care physicians, the authors present detailed algorithms for the diagnosis and classification of seizure disorders in adults. They discuss the differentiation between generalized and partial seizures and stress that accurate identification is especially important because the type of seizure determines the appropriate treatment. The second article (page 29) looks at the treatment portion of the new guidelines.
Subject(s)
Epilepsy/diagnosis , Primary Health Care/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Algorithms , Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Child , Diagnosis, Differential , Electroencephalography , Epilepsy/classification , Epilepsy/therapy , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile/drug therapy , Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile/physiopathology , Valproic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Valproic Acid/therapeutic useABSTRACT
In this second of two articles on new epilepsy guidelines for primary care physicians, the authors discuss which treatments are the most effective in adults with this disease. They describe the antiepileptic drugs that are currently approved and elucidate the differences between established and newer options. Detailed algorithms cover pharmacotherapy, follow-up, and ongoing maintenance.
