Abstract

Fast Facts: Epilepsy is a succinct and practical aid to the diagnosis and treatment of seizure disorders. Contents include: - The diagnostic essentials - classification of seizures, conditions that can mimic epileptic seizures, clinical evaluation of the patient and the latest brain-imaging techniques - The principles of drug selection and therapy withdrawal - An up-to-date overview of all 15 antiepileptic drugs on the market - The non-pharmacological options for patients with medically refractory epilepsy, including deep brain stimulation - Special considerations for women, elderly people, teenagers and people with learning disabilities - Psychiatric morbidities - depression, anxiety and psychosis - The effects of epilepsy on employment, driving, life insurance and lifestyle. - The management of patients with epilepsy is a team effort involving medical and social service professionals and the patient's family, friends and co-workers. Primary care providers are at the forefront of care, usually performing the initial evaluation after the first seizure, making dose adjustments to the patient's drug treatment and providing ongoing support. Now in its fifth edition, this ever-popular handbook is a neatly packaged, up-to-date resource for the busy clinician and team, to help investigate, diagnose and successfully treat children and adults with a wide range of seizure disorders.
This book delivers what it promises: key information about epilepsy in a succinct and easy to access way.
Easy to read and equally simple to dip in and out of. I couldn't find anything significant missing, which is amazing for such a relatively small size; it certainly lived up to its title of 'Fast facts'. I would recommend this book to anyone involved in the care of patients with epilepsy.
Dr Karen Lanyon, GP
This book reviews the treatment, epidemiology and unique clinical aspects of epilepsy. It does an excellent job of providing a concise teaching tool on the topic. It provides a painless, enjoyable and comprehensive review for the primary physician.
American Family Physician
...the sort of publication that anyone willing to take the time to study the condition of epilepsy will gain enormous benefit from. It packs a load of information into just 138 pages and is, at this point in time, easily the most up-to-date book on current antiepileptic drugs.
Mike Glynn
This handy and compact guide to epilepsy is an excellent resource for the layperson and makes medical facts accessible and understandable. The motto of the "Fast Facts" health series is "Imagine if every time you wanted to know something you knew where to look" and the presentation and layout is geared to quick and easy reference. Subjects are colour coded and easy to find. This is one of the major strengths of this book, along with the updated sections on new advances in genetics and testing, surgery options, additional information on seizure types, and non pharmacological management of seizures. The latter includes sections on the ketogenic diet and alternative medicine. This book is moderately priced and highly recommended.