Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood: A Guide (Johns Hopkins Press Health Book) [Paperback]

John M. Freeman (Author), Eileen P. G. Vining (Author), Diana J. Pillas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 25, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0801870518 | ISBN-13: 978-0801870514 | Edition: 3rd

The award-winning Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood is the standard resource for parents in need of comprehensive medical information about their child with epilepsy. Now in its third edition, this highly praised book has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the latest approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in childhood, including the use of the ketogenic diet as a treatment for children who either do not respond to traditional drug therapy or who suffer intolerable side effects from medications.

In addition to providing up-to-date information about new diagnostic techniques as well as new drugs, diet, and surgical treatments, the authors have included a chapter addressing routine health care for children with epilepsy and a new chapter on complementary and alternative therapies. Also new to this edition are discussions of the progress made in the evaluation for surgery, a chapter on insurance issues, and a section detailing additional resources.

"No child's life should be defined by seizures. If we understand how the brain works, what happens during seizures, and how to cope with epilepsy, we can overcome the mythology of epilepsy and fight society's prejudices, allowing every child with epilepsy to reach his or her full potential."—From Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood

Editorial Reviews

Review

This remarkable book has been empowering parents with vital information for more than ten years, and the new edition promises to do the same. It is committed to making parents active partners in their children's care and will be a vital resource for families everywhere.

(Eric R. Hargis, President and CEO, Epilepsy Foundation )

I have been involved with the epilepsy cause for twenty-three years and I can only say that I have wanted a book like this for a long time. To my knowledge, this is the first book combining complete scientific accuracy with a caregiver's compassion and understanding.

(James A. Autry, former chairman of the board, Epilepsy Foundation )

Review

Combines a detailed description of the medical nature and treatment of epilepsy in children with an extensive discussion of the psychological aspects as well... Optimistic in tone and broad in scope, this is a book for the parent who has a lot of detailed questions.

(National Spokesman )

The book is rich in substance and detail. There is a warm, compassionate tone. At the same time, there are no-nonsense facts and figures. The authors achieve two important objectives: providing up-to-date information and conveying a sense of optimism and hope.

(Humane Medicine )

A helpful book... Discusses most concerns that parents of children with epilepsy have.

(Jay Siwek, M.D. Washington Post )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 3rd edition (November 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801870518
• ISBN-13: 978-0801870514
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,566 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Children's Health > Epilepsy
  • #8 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Diseases & Physical Ailments > Epilepsy
  • #33 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Diseases & Physical Ailments > Nervous System

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable December 29, 2003

By HRonco

Format:Paperback

This book provided straightforward, invaluable information to our family when faced with our child's seizure disorder. It explains all the medical terms that our neurologist seemed to throw around without explanation (thereby scaring us!). It is optimistic and practical. It spans everything from how to deal with seizures, the pros and cons of different treatment, and how your child can live a full life. Most of all it put us at ease and educated us as to how to proceed with our child's medical treatment. It also helped guide us with what to tell others - the school, babysitters, grandparents. Definitely a must read for parents dealing with a child with seizures!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Overview for Anxious Parents March 8, 2007

By Lisa Groen Braner

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is full of straight-forward information about epilepsy and its effects on the brain. It addresses initial medical evaluations and diagnoses, and discusses various treatments--traditional and complementary therapies--in depth. The authors handle these potentially complicated topics with simplicity of language and great compassion.

In fact, the best part of this book is the authors' ability to recognize and allay parental fears by dispelling myths surrounding the illness. A substantial section of the book offers suggestions to help a family (not just the patient) cope with epilepsy--at home, school, in extended family settings, and so on.

This is a well-researched and documented book. I highly recommend it for any parent facing a dignosis of epilepsy for the first time.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful, specific, & optimistic September 25, 2006

By O. Mather

Format:Paperback

I agree with the other reviewers that this book is parent-friendly, clear, and hopeful. My baby had seizures for two weeks after he was born and it took a while for me to understand what had happened and what to do next. I read two other books before finding "Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood," and this one was certainly the best. It is thorough and does a great job of explaining that there are many different kinds of seizure disorders and therefore different types of treatment. It dispels many of the myths out there about seizure disorders and says that many children grow out of it. Neurology has grown leaps and bounds in this field in the past 10-15, and it's important to be up-to-date, since many doctors have differing opinions about how to treat seizures. If you're at all confused (like I was), this book is for you.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must have" January 12, 2007

By E. K. Weiss

Format:Paperback

I did read a lot of books about epilepsy, but this one is the best!

You get all the informations you need to have a good picture about this illness. It is very well written, very easy to understand and covers all the basics and also the more deeper informations about for example side effects etc..

I can recommend this book as a standard book you should have.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars hopeful, positive, excellent!! March 23, 2008

By D. Shalaby

Format:Paperback

I personally benefited tremendously from this very positive book. My little boy has seizure disorder and i was desperate for any knowledgeable information that could guide me and help me through this terrible horrifying experience for any parent.
This is definitely a book i would recommend.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars so informative and helpful October 6, 2010

By Heather

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am so grateful that I found this book! My son was recently diagnosed with epilepsy, and I was completely lost and overwhelmed by how nebulous the diagnosis and prognosis is for my son. I didn't even know what to ask the doctors when they finally discovered that he had epilepsy. They sent me home with medication and one sheet of information. With the help of this book, I was able to compile a list of questions to ask the doctor and sort through the information that I received. This book has a good glossary, description of seizures, personal stories, overview of epilepsy and it's types, treatments, tests, and medications. I found the book so helpful that I bought copies for family members, and it really made us all feel a lot better. If you have just recently received a diagnosis of epilepsy in your family, this book is a great place to start.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for parents of children with epilepsy March 27, 2008

By Patricia Campos-brenner

Format:Paperback

This book has helped me to understand epilepsy so I am not feeling as anxious or hopeless about my daughter's seizures. I highly recommend it for anyone who has seizures or knows/loves someone that does.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Quality unbiased information January 24, 2008

By CCS

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

My son was diagnosed with seizures. Other than talking to his neurologist my only other source of information was the internet. I wanted unbiased factual information to educate myself and this book is the answer. I felt more empowered reading this and I would highly recommend it for other parents or even teachers with students that have seizures and epilepsy.