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Laser Surgery for Epilepsy Helps Teen With 20 Seizures a Day

By U.S. News & World Report

Collin May was a terrific 17-year-old who yearned for independence, adult responsibilities and driving privileges just like any other teen. But with 20 seizures a day, these goals were problematic. Since he first began experiencing epilepsy at age 8, May explored all avenues including eight different medications, medical marijuana and a surgically implanted vagus nerve stimulator device. Nothing relieved the seizures.

[See: Was That a Seizure?]

May’s home doctor suggested he schedule an appointment at Cleveland Clinic’s Epilepsy Center, where he came under the care of our multi-disciplinary team. Shortly thereafter, May learned that epilepsy surgery may be an option for him. Detailed testing indicated that his seizures were arising from a trouble spot deep inside the brain, but with his normal MRI, our team required more information.

The next step was to record May’s brain wave activity directly, with thin probes carefully placed on his brain, targeting the area of concern. This method, called stereotactic EEG, successfully pinpointed the problem and helped us develop a concrete plan for surgery.

[See: Best Hospitals for Neurology & Neurosurgery.]

For the procedure, May’s neurosurgeon placed a thin laser probe directly into the target brain area, extinguishing the spot of concern in May’s brain. The next morning, May was able to go home, excited to enjoy a new and better life. Now 19, the Ohioan has not experienced any seizures in the almost two years since surgery, and as incredible as it sounds, his hobby is riding a motorcycle!

May’s experience clearly demonstrates the life-changing possibilities of epilepsy surgery. Not everyone qualifies, because surgery is only possible if all the seizures start from a limited and safely removable area of the brain. But when strict criteria are met, surgery offers a chance for seizure control that is unmatched by other treatments. Then why, as research demonstrates, do only a small percentage of eligible patients currently receive the procedure?

One barrier is that some physicians perceive brain surgery as a “last resort” and hesitate to recommend consultation at a specialized epilepsy center. Another obstacle is that some patients and families are fearful of surgery, and reject the option. If these hurdles could be overcome, then epilepsy surgery could improve the lives of many thousands more people each year in the U.S. alone. In some other countries, the potential is even greater.

Laser surgery is an exciting, cutting-edge technique that may help narrow the gap. Compared to conventional surgery, which requires opening a portion of the skull bone to expose the brain, laser surgery offers lower risk, less postoperative discomfort and shorter recovery time. These advantages are especially important for patients with other serious medical conditions, such as heart disease, which increase the risk for conventional surgery.

[See: 10 Concerns Parents Have About Their Kids’ Health.]

On the other hand, a limitation of the laser is that it focuses on a fairly small area of the brain, potentially increasing the chance that some seizures will persist after the procedure. Laser surgery is best suited to treat small trouble spots deep inside the brain, while conventional techniques are preferable when larger problem areas are causing the epilepsy.

Laser surgery is not for everyone, but for patients who qualify, it may be an attractive alternative. The costs of laser treatment and conventional surgery are similar. If you or a loved one is experiencing uncontrolled seizures, then ask an epilepsy specialist whether conventional or laser surgery may be right for you. Laser surgery for epilepsy is new and not yet available at every center, but for eligible patients, it may be worth the trip.

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Laser Surgery for Epilepsy Helps Teen With 20 Seizures a Day originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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