Just over a century after the publication of Sir William Gowers' famous last book, The Borderland of Epilepsy, Faints, Vagal Attacks, Vertigo, Migraine, Sleep Symptoms, and their Treatment, this book returns to the "borderland of epilepsy - near it, but not of it", i.e. to disorders which may be mistaken for epilepsy or which are associated with epilepsy and can develop into or out of epileptic seizures.
Epilepsy is a common condition where sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain cause seizures or fits. There are lots of possible symptoms of epileptic seizures, including uncontrollable shaking or loss of awareness of surroundings. There are many other disorders with symptoms that mimic those of epilepsy, thus accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment. This book is a comprehensive guide to the diagnosis of disorders that may mimic epilepsy. Divided into 22 sections, each chapter covers a different epilepsy imitator presented as an analytical discourse. A number of case studies are also included. The book concludes with discussion on the use of EEG (a test that detects electrical activity in the brain using small, metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp) and its potential pitfalls. Also included, is a chapter dedicated to Sir William Gowers, a British neurologist at the forefront of the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy and other neurological disorders (1845-1915). The text is further enhanced by clinical images and figures. Key points Comprehensive guide to diagnosis of MIMICS of epilepsy Covers many different imitators presented as analytical discourse Includes discussion on use and potential pitfalls of diagnostic EEG Features clinical images and figures as well as a selection of case studies
This monograph has been written for clinicians who are involved in the management of the dizzy patient and for scientists with a particular interest in the multi-sensorimotor mechan isms that subserve spatial orientation, motion perception, and ocular motor and postural con trol. Special emphasis has been put on making the correct diagnosis, and detailed recommendations have been given for specific treatments. The second edition has resulted in an almost completely new book due to the dramatic expansion in the 1990s of our understanding of vestibular function and dis orders. A few rele vant examples include the novel concept of canalolithiasis, as opposed to cupulolithiasis, both of which are established causes of typical posterior and horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo; familial episodic ataxia land II have been identified as inherited chan nelopathies; otolithic syndromes were recognized as a variety separate from semicircular canal syndromes; several new central vestibular syndromes have been described, localized, and attributed to vestibular pathways and centres; a new classification based on the three major planes of action of the vestibulo-ocular reflex is available for central vestibular syn dromes; and the mystery of the location and function of the multisensory vestibular cortex is slowly being unravelled. This book differs from other clinical textbooks in that it is not divided into two parts: anatomy and physiology, on the one hand, and disorders, on the other.
What is it like to live with an illness? How do diagnostic procedures, treatments, and other encounters with medical institutions affect a patient's private and social life? By asking these types of questions, illness narratives have gained a reputation as a scientific domain in medicine in the last thirty years. Today, a patient's story plays an important role in doctor-patient communication and the development of a healing relationship. However, whereas patient experiences have been well acknowledged, methodologically reflected upon and widely collected as research data, less consideration has been invested in exploring how they work in practice. Used in the context of diagnosis, treatment, and teaching, patient stories give us a new perspective on how healthcare could be improved. Illness Narratives in Practice: Potentials and Challenges of Using Narratives in Health-related Contexts highlights the problems, challenges, and opportunities we face when using patient perspectives in practice and research in a clear format to provide readers with a comprehensive overview of this field. It investigates the epistemological foundations and communicational properties of illness narratives, as well as the pragmatic effects of using them as clinical and educational instruments. Significantly, it presents new examples from patient intakes and interviews that illustrate the disparity in communication between patients and medical professionals. The studies in this book also evaluate the experiences of medical practitioners and students who consciously use patient narratives as a tool for improved communication and diagnosis. Divided into eight sections with practical examples for medical teaching and practice, this book covers the use of patient narratives in communication training and decision making across medicine and psychotherapy. In addition, it reflects on the ethical aspects of working with a patient's personal experience of their illness, reports on cultural differences across the globe, and analyses how patients' stories are used in politics and the media. Written by scholars from multiple disciplines across clinical and theoretical fields, this rich resource provides a critical stance on the use of narratives in medical research, education, and practice.
