Epilepsy treatment in Israel

Many patients consider qualified treatment of epilepsy in Israel as one of the few chances for recovery. Indeed, Israeli specialists are able to return even patients with the most complex forms of epilepsy to a full life.

Thousands of patients experience positive results of treatment every year. Israeli doctors have proven that epilepsy can and should be treated.

Epilepsy Treatment Methods in Israel

Clinical centers in Israel conduct a variety of diagnostic procedures to determine the characteristics of the disease in each individual patient. Clinical and biochemical blood and urine tests are mandatory, the presence of infection in the body is detected, electrolyte balance is assessed, the possibility of developing anemia and diabetes - potential causes of epilepsy.

Electroencephalography is an important test for epilepsy. This procedure records the electrical activity of the brain using special electrodes attached to the head. This method allows us to detect brain changes even between seizures.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides detailed images of brain regions, while simultaneously detecting anatomical and structural defects that can trigger seizures.

Additional methods may be prescribed to clarify the diagnosis:

• functional magnetic resonance imaging – evaluates a number of changes during periods of active brain activity;
• spectrography – intravenous administration of a small dose of a radioactive substance, which allows for the identification of the site of pathology;
• magnetic resonance angiography method – checks the condition of the vessels and the possibility of their pressure on the brain areas;
• allergological, metabolic and genetic analysis.

Methods of treating epilepsy in Israel are used even for relatively moderate attacks, which still pose a danger both to the patient and to those around him.

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

If attacks do not recur over the course of 2 years of treatment, doctors begin to gradually reduce the dosage of the prescribed drug until treatment is completely stopped.

If drug therapy does not produce the desired results, the doctor will most likely suggest other treatment methods.

• Surgery involves removing a section of brain tissue that triggers attacks of the disease. However, there are cases when the pathological zone is located in a part of the brain that cannot be removed for vital reasons. In such a situation, there is still a way out: the doctor makes a series of surgical incisions, separating damaged and untouched tissues, which prevents the spread of the lesion to other parts of the brain.
• The method of vagus nerve stimulation 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 electrical potential in the brain. The procedure gives good results, but may be accompanied by some side effects: the appearance of hoarseness, cough, sore throat, muscle pain.

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

Treatment of childhood epilepsy in Israel

Israeli clinics currently offer several dozen drugs that are successfully used to treat childhood epilepsy. During the period of diagnosis and treatment, the child is treated by personnel specially trained to work with pediatric patients. A personal coordinator will monitor the child and also monitor the child's progress through all necessary procedures.

If the child's epileptic seizures are related to a tumor process, the doctor may resort to surgical intervention. A pediatric anesthesiologist and cardiologist will work with the child, and a pediatric neurosurgeon will work with the child immediately before and during the operation.

Specialists at Israeli clinics perform the most complex operations, their level is quite high, so the risk of developing postoperative complications is extremely low.

Clinics in Israel for the treatment of epilepsy

• The Neurology Department of Herzliya Medical Center has great potential in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological, neurochemical and neuromolecular pathologies. The Center treats neurodegenerative changes, viral lesions of the nervous system, and neuro-oncology. The leading specialists of the clinic have national and international recognition of their clinical and research achievements. Herzliya Medical Center specialists are constantly testing the latest methods and means to reduce and eradicate the manifestations of epilepsy in patients.
• Assuta Clinic (Tel Aviv) practices all types of surgical interventions possible for epilepsy: tumor removal, segmental ectomy of brain elements, hippocampal removal, callosotomy. The clinic performs surgical interventions even for the most severe form of epilepsy – Rasmussen's encephalitis.
• Top Ichilov Clinic – the specialists of this clinic successfully treat temporal and myoclonic epilepsy, childhood rolandic epilepsy and febrile seizures, as well as the most severe form of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The clinic constantly updates its equipment and the list of drugs used, which allows it to treat types of epilepsy that were previously considered incurable.
• Rambam State Hospital has several neurosurgical departments, including a neurosurgical intensive care unit, a neurosurgical laboratory, a clinic, and a pediatric neurosurgical service.
• Safra Children's Hospital - The clinic's specialists provide comprehensive medical care, even to patients who were previously considered hopeless. The hospital uses many methods of treating epilepsy in children, including deep brain stimulation, which is used for Parkinson's disease (implantation of electrodes into the brain to stimulate nerve endings).

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Cost of Epilepsy Treatment in Israel

Epilepsy treatment programs and protocols in Israel may 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 attacks.

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

• - general blood test, including biochemistry, lipid, electrolyte and hormonal levels, balance of antiepileptic drugs in the blood - from $800;
• - MRI for epilepsy – from $1,300, with anesthesia – from $1,550;
• - electroencephalography procedure – from $500;
• - consultation visit to a neurologist – from $500.

As a rule, a full diagnostic complex can cost at least $4,000. Sometimes this figure can increase to $12,000 and even in some cases to $18,000.

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

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

Reviews of Epilepsy Treatment in Israel

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

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

Of course, many complain about the considerable cost of treatment, but the success of treatment and further improvement of the general condition of patients compensate for all financial expenses. Some patients of Israeli clinics come again after some time, but not for treatment, but for a preventive examination, and also bring relatives and friends.

Treatment of epilepsy in Israel is more than successful, which is why reviews of Israeli clinics are usually positive. Of course, in order to achieve real success, you should carefully follow the doctor's recommendations and follow all his instructions.