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All about Hearing

Alpine is Here for YOU

A Device for Treating Seizures & Epilepsy

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a palliative procedure that can effectively improve seizure control. While it doesn’t guarantee seizure freedom, VNS can, in the long-term, enable patients to reduce their dosages of anti-epileptic drugs.

If you would like to get VNS therapy in Fort Collins or Loveland, reach out to Alpine Ear, Nose, & Throat, P.C. to begin your treatment!

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VNS Therapy may help control seizures by…

Increasing blood flow to critical areas of the brain
Raising neurotransmitter levels
Changing EEG (electroencephalogram) patterns during seizures
Monitoring for irregular heart rates and providing extra bursts of stimulation to help stop seizures

VNS Therapy for Epilepsy

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of VNS for treating seizures back in 1997. It is a treatment generally available to individuals who have tried two or more anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), which were not adequately effective at controlling their seizures. VNS therapy is not a replacement for anti-epileptic drugs, but is to be used alongside them.

The goal of VNS for people with epilepsy is to reduce the strength, length, and number of seizures. Patients with epilepsy have reported the following improvements in their condition due to vagus nerve stimulation:

Improved memory and cognitive abilities
Improved mood
Fewer or less severe seizures
Faster post-seizure recovery
Better mood
Fewer visits to the emergency room

When Is VNS Useful?

VNS is not used for all cases of epilepsy. It is typically only used for people who have refractory or drug-resistant epilepsy in cases when normal seizure medication is proving insufficiently effective. Adding VNS therapy to your seizure treatment plan can help reduce frequency and severity, but expectations should remain tempered.

Is VNS Right For You?

If you suffer from medication-resistant epilepsy, Vagus Nerve Stimulation may be beneficial for you. If you are in Fort Collins or Loveland, schedule a preliminary appointment with Alpine ENT to get started. Our five board-certified physicians have served Northern Colorado for a combined total of more than 40 years, always seeking to provide the highest quality patient care and patient-physician relationship.

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Covid-19 Update:

Alpine ENT is Here for You

To our patients and families,
Over the last several weeks, Alpine ENT has continued to provide care while adhering to
the recommendations of local, state, and national authorities to safely address the COVID-19
pandemic. Our surgeons are continuing to monitor this situation daily and have made several
adjustments to our practice.
While our surgeons and physician assistants will always continue their emergency room
and hospital duties, we are now restricting in-person clinic services to a reduced number of
urgent and emergent issues.

VIRTUAL VISITS AVAILABLE
At this time, all Alpine ENT offices are offering virtual visits. These services can be
accessed from any smartphone, tablet, or computer with audio and video capability. While
some initial consultations will require in-person follow up for further evaluation, all patients can
now benefit from initial workup, follow up, medication management, and test ordering or review.
Both new and established patients can utilize this method of care.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and nearly all private
commercial insurance providers have indicated that during this period these virtual visits will be
a covered benefit by existing insurance plans.
To schedule a virtual visit, click here or call (970) 221-1177.

ALPINE THANKS YOU
This new balance of services offered is in keeping with national guidelines. By seeing
only urgent and emergent complaints in clinic, Alpine can continue acting as good stewards
within our local medical community by reducing the patient burden on local emergency rooms
and hospitals while protecting others and slowing the COVID-19 pandemic. We thank you for
your understanding.

With thanks,

Alpine ENT
alpineent.com
(970) 221-1177