What is QAUG dab peg?
But for traditional Hmong who have retained their animistic beliefs, epilepsy (qaug dab peg, literally translated as “the spirit catches you and you fall down,” which became the title of my book) is caused by a malevolent spirit called a dab, who captures someone’s soul and makes him or her sick.
How do Hmong treat epilepsy?
Amongst the Hmong, the epileptic become shamans, helping those in need of physical and emotional aid. The American standards of treating the ill falls out of place, replaced by the herbs, chants, and other more spiritual acts for healing.
What is the selective drug of choice for treatment of epilepsy?
The benzodiazepines most commonly used for treatment of epilepsy are lorazepam, diazepam, clonazepam, and clobazam. The first 2 drugs are used mainly for emergency treatment of seizures because of their quick onset of action, availability in intravenous (IV) forms, and strong anticonvulsant effects.
What type of epilepsy did Lia Lee have?
In 1986, when Lia was 4, she suffered a grand mal seizure that lasted nearly two hours before doctors were able to bring it under control. At some point, amid the many procedures her condition required that day, an infection set in.
Is Lia Lee alive?
Ms. Lee — who in July celebrated her 30th birthday in that bed, surrounded by her mother, brother, seven sisters and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins — died Aug. 31 after a lifelong battle against epilepsy, cerebral palsy, pneumonia and sepsis, a toxic reaction to constant infection.
What did Lia do when she sensed a seizure?
Foua and Nao Kao knew when a seizure was coming on, because Lia knew. The aura, a sense of premonition common to all epileptics, could be seen in Lia in a strange, scared expression, and they would pick her up and gently lay her down on a mattress in the living room, placed there just for that purpose.
What is the latest treatment for epilepsy?
Now they may have found one in a new generation of neurostimulation devices used for epilepsy. In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a deep brain stimulation (DBS) device, manufactured by Medtronic, that sends electrical pulses through the brain to reduce the frequency of seizures.
What seizure medication causes the least side effects?
oxcarbazepine (Trileptal): Slightly different from carbamazepine, it is at least as effective, and may have fewer side effects, except for more risk for low blood sodium (hyponatremia). It is more expensive than generic carbamazepine.
What is the mildest form of epilepsy?
Absence seizures (formerly called “petit mal” seizures) are very brief and do not cause the person to fall or have significant shaking movements. Typical absence seizures involve a sudden cessation of movement, with staring and sometimes with blinking.