Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: Mechanisms and New Methods for Analyzing Risks builds on earlier works focusing on the clinical problem of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). This book presents a methodology for identifying and classifying clusters of risks that lead to SUDEP. Developed over the last two years, the SUDEP Classification System and Risk Factor Cluster ID method will help to address gaps in our knowledge about the causes and possible prevention of this tragic complication. Exploring the interactions among the central and peripheral autonomic nervous systems and the cardiopulmonary systems, the book includes case studies of SUDEP, definite or probable, as well as near miss cases. It discusses how neurologists, emergency room physicians, and attending physicians can identify individuals at possible risk for SUDEP and lessen the chance of occurrence. Top medical professionals in the field detail the development of an international database of human cases and animal models of SUDEP and suggest how medical examiner and coroner offices can strengthen the database by providing information about incidences of SUDEP. In addition, the book describes related clinical and animal studies needed to classify risk factors for SUDEP victims. Understanding the risk factors and mechanisms underlying SUDEP will facilitate collaborative research in the laboratory, hospital, and clinic and lead to improved effectiveness of SUDEP prevention strategies.

In the last five years, approximately 2.7 million people have been treated for epilepsy and it is estimated that as much as one in one-hundred of the world's population will develop epilepsy during their lifetime. It is further estimated that 60 million people worldwide have epilepsy and in the United States alone, between seventy to eighty thousand people are newly diagnosed each year. Despite being such a common problem, most people know little about the disorder and people with epilepsy feel stigmatized.
Filled with illustrations on almost every page and boasting an attractive and stimulating layout, Epilepsy Explained offers a wealth of crystal clear information on epilepsy, intended for patients, family members, friends, and caregivers. This down-to-earth book is divided into easy-to-digest sections that address such fundamental questions as what epilepsy is, what happens in different types of epileptic seizures, how epilepsy is diagnosed, and how seizures are treated. The authors include much-needed information on numerous topics, including living successfully with seizures, patients rights, and current drugs used to treat epilepsy--all described with directness and clarity, with many real-life examples that shed light on how the topic under discussion affects people with epilepsy. The book includes information for particular groups of readers such as women, children, and teens. It has an easy-to-follow organization, is clearly structured and has a detailed index and glossary, allowing readers to easily find specific information pertaining to their condition. Written by physicians who work daily with epilepsy, this clear and engaging book provides people with the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their illness.