Epilepsy is also among the most prevalent neurological disorders and it still confusing among people today. Epilepsy is a general term for a number of conditions characterized by recurrent seizures, which are sudden changes in brain function. Epilepsy has been known to manifest in different ways; from brief, simple staring spells to generalized tonic-clonic seizures, which involve the whole body. It is therefore important to increase the community awareness about epilepsy by pointing out the major causes, signs and available treatments.
This blog will focus on factors that may lead to epilepsy, indications, and available centres for epilepsy so that affected persons can lead a normal life.
What is Epilepsy?
Epileptic condition can be simply described as a neurological disease with repeated and unprovoked seizures. A seizure may be dened as an abrupt change in the normal electrical activity of the brain. This surge disrupts the normal activity of the brain and thus results in various symptoms being exhibited. Epilepsy is dened as a condition where one develops more than one unprovoked seizure in a lifetime.
It is in fact a group of conditions, where the electrical activity of the brain is disrupted in the affected parts of the brain. While some patients with seizure disorder are able to experience only occasional seizures, others suffer from chronic epilepsy and have severe and frequent seizures thus making their lives miserable.
Causes of Epilepsy
The cause of epilepsy can be attributed to a number of causes. The cause of epilepsy is not always known but there are times when it is known to be associated with an injury or a genetic disorder or a neurological disorder. Here are some of the most common causes:
1. Brain Injury or Trauma
An accident, a fall or any violent event can cause the destruction of several brain cells hence developing epilepsy. Injury to the brain can interrupt normal electrical impulses leading to seizures. Post-traumatic epilepsy may begin immediately after the head injury and it might take several years before one begins to experience seizures.
2. Genetic Factors:
Some forms of epilepsy have been observed to be hereditary which may be an indicator of genetic predisposition to the condition. There are certain disorders that put one at risk for developing seizures among them being genetic epilepsy syndromes. For instance, epilepsy, specically Dravet syndrome, is a genetic disease that can be passed from a parent either directly or indirectly.
3. Stroke:
A stroke is dened as a situation where the blood supply to the brain is cut off due to blockage or bursting of blood vessels. This leads to situations of brain damage and increases the likelihood of having an epilepsy diagnosis. Post-stroke seizures refer to those experienced by individuals who have had a stroke and can occur soon after the stroke or long after this incident.
4. Brain Tumors:
All tumors whether malignant or benign are likely to affect the normal functioning of the brain further affecting the control and occurrence of seizures. If for example the brain tumor is compressing the brain tissues, then it may alter the normal electrical activity causing epilepsy or seizure.
5. Infections
Meningitis, encephalitis, or cerebral abscess are examples of infections that can cause epilepsy as a resulting effect. These infections may lead to inammation of the brain which leads to destruction of brain tissue and recurrent seizures.
6. Developmental and Degenerative Disorders:
Some congenital anomalies or degenerative diseases, including autism, Down syndrome, and neurobromatosis, will put a patient at a high risk of developing epilepsy. In these instances, the human brain is modied to make it easier for seizures to occur in the affected individual.
Symptoms of Epilepsy
The freestyle is epilepsy and its prominent noticeable manifestation is seizures, though the nature and intensity of the seizures depends on numerous factors. Seizures are classied into two main types:
1. Focal Seizures (Partial Seizures)
Focal seizures affect only one hemisphere of the brain and the clinical manifestations depend on which area of the brain is affected. Symptoms may include:
- Involuntary, rapid, repeated movements of an arm or leg that are difcult to control.
- Gradual loss of sensation, for example, experiencing a pins and needles like sensation or no feeling at all within any given area of the human body.
- Other symptoms include hallucinations or distortions of the senses, for example, seeing things which do not exist or perceiving smells or even tastes that are not evident to others.
- Dizziness, stunned appearance, or tonic (an initial stiffening of muscles).
2. Generalized Seizures
For instance, the generalized variety involves both sides of the brain, and therefore, the symptoms tend to be more extensive. Types of generalized seizures include:
- Tonic-clonic seizures (formerly called grand mal seizures): They are the best known type and consist of a brief loss of consciousness, stiffening or stiffening of the body, along with rhythmic contraction and relaxation of muscles (Tonic-clonic seizures).
- Absence seizures (formerly called petit mal seizures): These include brief transient episodes of reduced consciousness, often characterized by a vacant look or non-physical unresponsiveness.
- Myoclonic seizures: These consist of sudden and quick contraction and relaxation of muscles, which may involve limb or extremity.
- Atonic seizures: These make a person experience muscle weakness resulting in fainting or falling down.
3. Seizure Triggers
While not everyone with epilepsy experiences triggers, some individuals may notice that their seizures are more likely to occur in certain situations, such as:
- Lack of sleep
- Stress
- Flashing lights or patterns
- As for the limitation, one may mention the beverages like alcohol or caffeine containing products.
- This condition is common among females, therefore hormonal uctuations are known to inuence this state.
Epilepsy Treatment
Unfortunately, epilepsy cannot be cured at the moment, but the seizures can be well controlled with medications and other therapies. This goal is the ultimate aim of any form of treatment with the aim of controlling or eliminating the seizing activity and enable people to be productive in their daily activities. Here are some of the most common treatment options:
1. Medications
Medication is the initial intervention used in managing epilepsy. AEDs generally act to control the excitability of neurons in the brain and bring about consistency on the electrical discharge within the brain to contain seizures. Today there are many different types of AEDs that can be used, which is why a neurologist will discuss the choice of drug with the patient, aiming to nd the best option that has the least number of side effects. Common AEDs include:
- Phenytoin
- Levetiracetam
- Valproate
- Lamotrigine
It may take some time for the doctor to locate the most suitable medication and its amount that would affect the patient.
2. Surgery
For those who have not yet found relief from medication, surgery may be a solution. The idea is to eliminate or disrupt the area of the brain that is responsible for seizures. Resective surgery entails partial removal of the brain where the seizure begins, whilst RNS entails implanting a gadget in the brain that records and responds to the occurrence of seizures.
3. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
Vagus nerve stimulation requires putting an electrode device under the skin of the chest whereby the device sends impulses to the neck through the vagus nerve. These precautions can assist in controlling brain activity and thus minimizing the instances of incurable seizures. It is usually utilized when medication and surgery are not useful.
4. Ketogenic Diet
The ketogenic diet is another type of diet rich in fats and low in
carbohydrates; it is sometimes used in the management of epilepsy
especially in children who fail to respond to other treatments. By changing
the energy metabolism of the brain on a daily basis, this diet can effectively
control seizures.
5. Medications
Besides the medical treatments, there are changes that a person with epilepsy can adopt to manage epilepsy. These may include:
- Getting enough sleep
- Avoiding seizure triggers
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Reducing stress
- Moderation in physical tness activities and relaxation exercises
Conclusion
Epilepsy is a chronic and multifaceted disorder that characterizes itself by recurrent episodes of cerebral seizures. Epilepsy may be caused due to various reasons but the inuence of seizures on the subject’s life may not be negligible. This paper aims at giving an insight on what epilepsy is, its symptoms, and the consequent treatment so as to help improve on the lifestyle of these patients.
Thanks to modern medicine and technologies, epilepsy can be treated. Please reach out to us for expert help.
