San Jose Pacific Neurology Center offers Vagal Nerve Stimulator Management for the treatment of epilepsy.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Benefits
The Vagal Nerve Stimulator Management is ideal for patients with uncontrolled seizures and who have not responded to anti-convulsant medications, the ketogenic diet and/or epilepsy surgery. Th treatment involves application of mild electrical stimulation to the brain from an electrical device similar to a pacemaker that is typically implanted under the skin on the left side of the chest. The electrical impulses are sent to the brain through a lead that is attached to the vagus nerve in the neck area. This aims to reduce the number of epileptic seizures and make them less severe. Stimulation occurs every 5 minutes with a 30-second duration.
Stimulation settings will gradually increase over a number of weeks to get you used to the stimulation over time. Below are the key benefits of Vagal Nerve Stimulator Management:
- Lesser or fewer epileptic seizures
- Having less severe seizures or shorter seizures
- Improves quality of life for people with epilepsy