What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a condition in which a person has recurrent seizures. A seizure is defined as an abnormal, disorderly discharging of the brain's nerve cells, resulting in a temporary disturbance of motor, sensory, or mental function.

If the seizures do not have any cause, the condition is referred to as primary or idiopathic and if a known cause is present it is referred as secondary or symptomatic epilepsy. Some of the more common causes include the following:

• Tumor
• Chemical imbalance such as low blood sugar or sodium
• Head injuries
• Certain toxic chemicals or drugs of abuse
• Alcohol withdrawal
• Stroke including hemorrhage
• Birth injuries

Depending upon the part of brain involved, seizures are classified as follows:

Generalized seizures:areas of the brain (the cortex) are involved in this type.

• To the observer, the person experiencing such a seizure may cry out or make some sound, stiffen for some seconds, then have rhythmic movements of the arms and legs. Often the rhythmic movements slow before stopping.


• Eyes are generally open


• The person may not appear to be breathing. The person often breath deeply after an episode.


• The return to consciousness is gradual and should occur within a few moments.


• Loss of urine is common.


• Often people will be confused briefly after a generalized seizure.

Partial or focal seizures:Only part of the brain is involved, so only part of the body is affected. Depending on the part of the brain having abnormal electrical activity, symptoms may vary.

• If the part of the brain controlling movement of the hand is involved, for example, then perhaps only the hand may show rhythmic movements or jerking.


• If other areas of the brain are involved, symptoms might include strange sensations or small repetitive movements such as picking at clothes or lip smacking


• Sometimes the person with a partial seizure appears dazed or confused.

Absence or petit mal seizures: These are most common in childhood.

• Impairment of consciousness is present with the person often staring blankly.


• Repetitive blinking or other small movements may be present.


• Typically, these seizures are brief, lasting only seconds. Some people may have many of these in a day.


• Other seizure types exist particularly in very small children.

When the seizure occurs for the first time then there is a need to visit your doctor or a hospital's emergency department. In diagnosed case of seizure disorder whenever there is a change in seizure patterns or more frequent seizures also requires visit to the doctor.

Some seizures are emergencies like given below and need special care:

• A seizure that continues for more than 5 minutes
• Breathing difficulty
• Persistent confusion or unconsciousness
• Injuries sustained during a seizure
• A first seizure

Diagnosis of seizure depends upon a complete history including family history, social history, medical history as well as a complete neurological examination.

• Diagnosis of seizure depends upon a complete history including family history, social history, medical history as well as a complete neurological examination.
• Special testing such as MRI, CT scans, or EEG (brain wave patterns).

Care to be taken at the time of seizures

• Cushion the person's head.
• Loosen any tight neckwear.
• Turn the person on his or her side.
• Do not hold the person down or restrain the person.
• Remove all sharp things from the surroundings from which the person may injure himself.
• Put anything hard like scale or spoon into between the person teeth so that he does not injure himself.
• Observe seizure characteristics-length, type of movements, direction of head or eye turning. These characteristics may help the doctor diagnose the type of seizure.

 

Medications:

First attack of seizure may not require any medication but recurrent attack may require anticonvulsant medication that prevents or stops seizures. The type of anticonvulsant medication selected by your doctor will depend on factors such as seizure type, cost and other medical conditions. These medications may need frequent adjustments, especially after starting medications.

If the seizures occur due to any medical condition, identification and treatment of that medical condition is the key to prevention. If the person is on anticonvulsant medication then taking the medication on time and not missing medication helps to prevent it.

In some people attack of epilepsy may occur due to alcohol, lack of sleep, stress etc. In such cases avoiding such factors helps to prevent attack of epilepsy.