Epilepsy in Haiti
Our CLIDEP clinic
The management of epilepsy requires a thorough knowledge of the disease and many sophisticated tools. Therefore, CLIDEP’s team is composed of diverse experts that provide medical consultations as well as administer several tests including EEG (electroencephalography) and EMG (electromyography). Our clinic’s patients may receive a treatment plan that includes prescription medication as well as rehabilitation services in physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
The rates for the consultation and examinations vary depending on the patient’s income. For a third of our patients, all care is provided free of cost.
The rates for the consultation and examinations vary depending on the patient’s income. For a third of our patients, all care is provided free of cost.
For further information about epilepsy, visit Ste-Justine Hospital's website:
www.chusj.org/epilepsie
Check out the informational videos on epilepsy available in English, French and Creole, created by Ste-Justine Hospital :
Klike isit la pou videyo sou epilepsi an kreyòl.
Definition of epilepsy
Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system, causing repeated seizures. These "convulsions" are the manifestation of abnormal electrical paroxysmal hyperactivity in the brain; these may lead to loss of consciousness, complex hallucinations and other symptoms. When untreated or poorly controlled, epilepsy can have devastating physical and psychological consequences.
Epilepsy can begin at any age and affects approximately 1% of the world population. In Haiti, the disease is more frequent, affecting 10% of the population. This discrepancy may be the result of poor pre- and perinatal care and pre- and perinatal infections.
Epilepsy can begin at any age and affects approximately 1% of the world population. In Haiti, the disease is more frequent, affecting 10% of the population. This discrepancy may be the result of poor pre- and perinatal care and pre- and perinatal infections.
Diagnosis of epilepsy
The diagnosis of epilepsy is made by an experienced physician with the help of an electroencephalogram along with other laboratory and imaging tests.
Epilepsy and learning disability
Cognitive and behavioural disorders are common in epileptic patients, especially when the disease is active. Epilepsy often interferes with a child's learning ability and with their proper development.
Treatment of epilepsy
Doctors administer anti-epileptic medication when a patient has previously suffered from an epileptic attack or when seizure risk is very high. For a drug treatment to be effective, it must be personalised to each individual. In addition to medical treatment, other options exist, such as a specialised diet, surgical interventions, etc.
Epileptic patients require regular monitoring in order to assess the efficacy of the drug, tolerance to the drug, its side effects and to control future convulsions.
Epileptic patients require regular monitoring in order to assess the efficacy of the drug, tolerance to the drug, its side effects and to control future convulsions.
For more information concerning epilepsy and EEG,
please consult the following documents:
patient_information:_epilepsy_in_children_(the_basics).pdf | |
File Size: | 323 kb |
File Type: |
patient_information:_epilepsy_in_adults_(the_basics).pdf | |
File Size: | 323 kb |
File Type: |
patient_information:_epilepsy_in_children_(the_basics).pdf | |
File Size: | 323 kb |
File Type: |