Treatment of epilepsy in Israel

The qualified treatment of epilepsy in Israel is considered by many patients as one of the few chances for a cure. Indeed, Israeli specialists are able to return to a full life even patients with the most complex forms of epilepsy.

A positive result of treatment is experienced by thousands of patients each year. Israeli doctors have proved that epilepsy can and must be treated.

Methods of treatment of epilepsy in Israel

In the clinical centers of Israel, a variety of diagnostic procedures are performed to determine the characteristics of the disease in each individual patient. Be sure to conduct a clinical and biochemical study of blood and urine, identify the presence of infection in the body, evaluate the electrolyte balance, the possibility of developing anemia and diabetes - the potential causes of epilepsy.

Electroencephalography is an important study in epilepsy. This procedure registers the electrical activity of the brain by means of special electrodes fixed on the head. This method allows you to determine the brain changes, even in the intervals between attacks.

The method of magnetic resonance tomography makes it possible to obtain a detailed image of the brain areas, while simultaneously detecting defects in the anatomy and structure that are capable of provoking seizures.

Probably the appointment of additional methods for clarifying the diagnosis:

• functional magnetic resonance imaging - assesses a number of changes in the period of active brain activity;
• spectrography - intravenous administration of a small dosage of radioactive substance, allowing to clarify the focus of pathology;
• the method of magnetic resonance angiography - checks the condition of the vessels and the possibility of their pressure on the brain areas;
• allergic, metabolic and genetic analysis.

Methods of treating epilepsy in Israel are applied even to relatively moderate attacks, which are still dangerous, both for the patient himself and for the surrounding people.

The specialist uses the method of complex selection to determine the drug that is most suitable for the patient. Many patients have enough of one medicine to control their condition. Some require additional treatment, since with the help of medications can only reduce the number and severity of attacks.

If during 2 years of treatment the seizures did not recur, doctors begin to gradually lower the dosage of the prescribed drug until the treatment is completely stopped.

If the drug therapy does not bring the desired result, the doctor is likely to offer other treatment methods.

• The surgical operation is the removal of the area of the brain tissue in which the attacks of the disease are provoked. However, there are cases when the pathological zone is located in the part of the brain that can not be removed for life indications. In such a situation, the exit still exists: the doctor conducts a series of surgical dissections, separating the damaged and intact tissues, which allows to prevent the transition of the lesion to other parts of the brain.
• The method of stimulation of the vagus nerve is the implantation of a special device that will activate the function of the vagus nerve. The device is implanted under the skin of the chest, like a pacemaker. The purpose of the device is to discharge the accumulated electric potential in the brain. The procedure gives good results, but may be accompanied by some side effects: the appearance of hoarseness, coughing, soreness in the throat, muscle pain.

In addition to treatment procedures, an experienced nutritionist works with the patient, who will develop an individual nutrition plan to reduce the frequency of seizures.

Treatment of childhood epilepsy in Israel

The Israeli clinics currently offer dozens of drugs that are successfully used to treat childhood epilepsy. For the period of diagnosis and treatment with the child, staff are working, specially trained to work with patients of childhood. The personal coordinator will monitor the baby, as well as supervise the child's passage of all necessary procedures.

If epileptic seizures in a child are associated with a tumor process, the doctor may resort to surgery. A pediatric anesthesiologist and a cardiologist will work with the baby, and immediately before and during the operation - a children's neurosurgeon.

Experts of Israeli clinics carry out complex operations, their level is high enough, therefore the danger of postoperative complications development is extremely insignificant.

Clinics in Israel for the treatment of epilepsy

• Department of Neurology Herzliya Medical Center has great opportunities in the diagnosis and therapy of neurological, neurochemical and neuromolecular pathologies. The center deals with the treatment of neurodegenerative changes, viral lesions of the nervous system, neuro-oncology. Leading specialists of the clinic have national and international recognition of their clinical and scientific research achievements. The specialists of the Herzliya Medical Center constantly test the latest techniques and tools to reduce and eradicate the manifestations of epilepsy in patients.
• The Assuta Clinic (Tel-Aviv) practices all types of surgical intervention possible with epilepsy: removal of tumors, segmental ectomy of brain elements, removal of the hippocampus, callosotomy. In the clinic, surgical intervention is performed even in the most severe form of epilepsy - Rasmussen's encephalitis.
• Clinic Top Ichilov - specialists of this clinic successfully deal with treatment of temporal and myoclonic epilepsy, childhood Roland epilepsy and seizures of febrile seizures, as well as severe form of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The clinic constantly updates the equipment and the list of drugs used, which allows you to treat types of epilepsy, which were previously considered incurable.
• The Rambam State Hospital has several neurosurgical departments, including neurosurgical resuscitation, a neurosurgical laboratory, a clinic and a children's neurosurgical service.
• Children's Hospital Safra - clinic specialists provide comprehensive medical care, even to patients who were previously considered hopeless. The hospital uses a variety of ways to treat epilepsy in children, including deep brain stimulation, which is used in Parkinson's disease (implanting the electrodes in the brain to stimulate nerve endings).

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The cost of treating epilepsy in Israel

Programs and protocols for the treatment of epilepsy in Israel can have different costs depending on many factors: the level of the clinic and specialists, the complexity of the disease, the general condition of the patient and the frequency of seizures.

Diagnostic procedures for admission to the clinic may cost you approximately:

• - a general study of blood, including biochemistry, lipid, electrolyte and hormone levels, the balance of antiepileptic drugs in the blood - from $ 800;
• - MRI with epilepsy - from $ 1300, with anesthesia - from $ 1,550;
• - procedure of electroencephalography - from $ 500;
• - an advisory visit to a neurologist - from $ 500.

As a rule, a full diagnostic complex can manage at least $ 4000. Sometimes this figure can increase to $ 12,000 and even in some cases up to $ 18,000

The price of surgery for epilepsy can range from 20,000 to 40,000 $. The cost depends on the complexity of the operation, as well as on the reputation of the surgeon who will intervene. For example, surgery to remove the tumor, which is the cause of epilepsy, with the participation of an experienced professor can cost an average of $ 36,000.

Some patients try to save on diagnostic procedures, but this can be done only by giving up anesthesia. It is not recommended to refuse from the analyzes and studies themselves, since it is very important for a good specialist to obtain extremely accurate information about pathology. The better the doctor understands the causes of the pathology, the more effective the subsequent treatment will be.

Reviews about the treatment of epilepsy in Israel

Patients of Israeli clinics note the attentive attitude of the entire team, the coordinators, who not only translate the doctor's comments, but also answer all questions and requests without exception. The medical staff is always optimistic, friendly. Doctors are very attentive and experienced.

Judging by the reviews, the treatment of epilepsy in Israel can be long, but in most cases effective.

Of course, many complain about the high cost of treatment, but the success of therapeutic measures and the further improvement of the overall condition of patients compensate for all financial expenses. Some patients of Israeli clinics come back after a while, but not for treatment, but for preventive examination, and bring relatives and friends.

Treatment for epilepsy in Israel is more than successful, which is why the reviews about Israeli clinics are usually positive. Of course, in order to achieve real success, you should carefully consider the recommendations of the doctor and comply with all of his prescriptions.