Introduction

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder affecting 65 million people worldwide. It is more commonly found in children than in adults. It is diagnosed using a variety of tests, including a brain scan and a series of examinations to check for signs of the disorder. Many people with epilepsy are also prescribed medication to control their epileptic seizures. This post discusses symptoms, causes, and various treatment options.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system (CNS) of the brain. As a result, people experience recurrent seizures, which are uncontrolled, sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain. People who have gone through trauma or any head injury have a high risk of developing epilepsy.

What Are The Symptoms of Epilepsy?

Symptoms of epilepsy can be challenging to diagnose and treat, but knowing the signs can help in the early detection of the condition.

Focal (partial) seizures

This affects one specific area of the brain and is responsible for sending uncontrolled electrical signals. Symptoms include:

- Dizziness
- Changes in senses such as smell, touch, taste, sight, and hearing
- Tingling of limbs

Generalised seizures

This affects both areas, the right and left cerebral hemispheres of the brain at the same time. Generalised seizures are further categorised into many types.

Types with symptoms

- Absence seizures - Eye blinking, Lack of awareness
- Tonic seizures - Weak muscles and poor muscle movements
- Atonic seizures - Falling down, Loss of muscle control, sometimes leading to collapse.
- Clonic seizures - The body shows jerking movements, affecting the arms, neck, and face.
- Myoclonic seizures - Convulsive movements or sudden jerks
- Tonic-clonic seizures (Grand mal seizures) - Muscle stiffness, lack of consciousness, body unable to control bowel movements, and urinary bladder.

Some other common symptoms of epilepsy can be a loss of senses, altered consciousness, disturbances of movements, mood swings, or other cognitive functions such as reading, paying attention, learning, and many more.

What Causes Epilepsy?

There are different causes, such as head injuries, accidents, etc. The major causes of epilepsy include -

- Genetic disorder
- Brain tumour
- Head trauma or any traumatic brain injury
- Cerebral hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain)
- Patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
- Prenatal brain trauma or injury
- Vitamin or mineral deficiency
- Infection such as encephalitis or meningitis causes damage to different parts of the brain.

What Are The Triggers of Epilepsy?

Several factors can trigger epilepsy. Here are some factors which can trigger epilepsy.

- Extreme fatigue
- Overuse of alcohol
- Lack of sleep
- Too much stress
- Excessive consumption of caffeine
- Intake of drugs
- High fever
- Low blood sugar
- Any accident or head injury
- Surrounding environment

How Is Epilepsy Diagnosed?

If a person has epilepsy, it's good to see a neurologist, as they are experts in diagnosing the conditions affecting the brain.

The following help diagnose Epilepsy:

EEG (Electroencephalogram) - If a person has epilepsy, the doctor recommends going for EEG, an electroencephalogram, and a brain scanner to see if he/she has any brain issues or injuries. During EEG, small sensors are attached to the scalp, which send signals to the brain and record brain activities.

MRI - This scan looks at the function and structure of the brain. The presence of a scar or a lesion is indicative of epilepsy.

Apart from this, there are many other tests to check the condition of epilepsy, such as,

- Single-photon Emission Computerised Tomography
- CT scan
- PET (Positron Emission Tomography)

What Treatments Are Available For Epilepsy?

Here are some treatment options available for epilepsy.

- Anti-epileptic drugs (AED): One of the effective treatments is AED which includes topiramate, lamotrigine, sodium valproate, and more, which helps people control their seizures. This treatment focuses on changing the brain's chemical levels with the help of anti-epileptic drugs; this method doesn't cure epilepsy but stops regular seizures.
- Vagus nerve stimulator: Other techniques include a procedure in which a small device called a vagus nerve stimulator is injected into the body and controls the brain's actions and the body's seizures.
- Keto diet: Some other treatments include adding a keto diet to a daily routine that controls seizures; this can help stop attacks.
- Brain surgery: Some patients with epilepsy are suggested to have surgery in which small parts of the brain are removed, which causes or is the reason for seizures.

When to Consult a Doctor

Timely medical intervention can help cure many of these ailments or help in managing them. You can also get in touch with the expert Neurology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during brain injury, neurological disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Epilepsy can be a complex disorder to manage, but with the proper treatment, it can be controlled and even eliminated. Each person with epilepsy has a different type of seizure, so it is essential to talk to the doctor to find the best treatment option.

FAQs

Q. Can you live a normal life with Epilepsy? A. A person can live a normal life while suffering from Epilepsy, but only after getting proper treatment from a neurologist. It may include some treatments such as AEDs. But, there are chances of early death if this condition is not treated early.

Q. What are the 4 causes of Epilepsy? A. There are some severe causes of epilepsy, which include: A brain injury due to an accident or a brain tumour.

- Genetic disorder
- The infection such as encephalitis or meningitis causes damage to different parts of the brain.
- Cerebral hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain)

Q. Is Epilepsy fully cured? A. No, it cannot be fully cured, but there are different treatments for seizures due to Epilepsy that can be stopped. It's better to do the treatment after getting seizures or if any abnormal bodily activities occur. Treatments such as AEDs can be helpful in such situations, which will help to control Seizure in the body. Another straightforward treatment is if a person only has one seizure, he/she can switch to a ketogenic diet that will improve health and control seizures.

Q. Who is at risk for Epilepsy? A. If a person is going through depression or anxiety, it can cause damage to brain cells. It can further cause seizures, affecting a person's body moments and daily life or basic activities such as swimming, driving, and many more. Continuous Seizure will cause damage to the brain, and such people can face Epilepsy. Lack of timely treatment can lead to early death or brain damage.

Q. Is it possible to live a normal life with epilepsy? A. With the help of medication and therapy, many people with epilepsy manage to live relatively normal lives despite their condition.

Q. What age does epilepsy start? A. Epilepsy may start at any age but is more common in children and young adults. It is not known why epilepsy begins in some people and not in others.

References

- https://www.narayanahealth.org/epilepsy
- https://www.healthline.com/health/epilepsy