Millions of people worldwide live with a disease that robs them of their independence. Epilepsy is a broad term for a variety of seizure disorders. Thanks to new advances in treatment, people who have epilepsy are living fuller lives. A device called the Vagal Nerve Stimulator is changing the lives of people with seizure disorders. Glen Beam says driving is in his blood, but for now, he spends his time polishing classic cars instead of getting behind the wheel.
Seizures are an abnormal electrical discharge of the brain.
And, Mr. Beam used to have up to 40 of them a day. Now, he's down to 10 a day thanks to a Vagal Nerve Stimulator implanted in his chest and neck. During surgery, doctors place a small device near the left armpit. When the machine is turned on, a couple weeks after surgery, it sends an electrical charge up wires wrapped around the Vagus nerve in the neck. It helps to disrupt the communication between brain cells, which we hope will help the seizure from occurring, said Dr. Joseph Sirven, Mayo Clinic Neurologist.