Epilepsy
EPILEPSY condition is defined as an excessive disorderly discharge of neurons within the cerebral cortex of the brain.
Epilepsy may develop because of an abnormality in brain wiring, an imbalance of nerve signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters, or some combination of these factors. Having a seizure does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy. Only when a person has had two or more seizures is he or she considered to have epilepsy. EEGs and brain scans are common diagnostic test for epilepsy.
Epilepsy (sometimes referred to as a seizure disorder ) is a common chronic neurological condition that is characterized by recurrent unprovoked epileptic seizures In epilepsy, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. . A seizure may cause "jerking" movements. In some cases, seizures cause only a loss of consciousness, a period of confusion, a staring spell or muscle spasms. Epilepsy affects people in all nations and of all races. A stricter definition of the term requires that the seizures have no known underlying cause. Epilepsy sometimes runs in families, and can be the result of a brain injury at birth or a brain tumour. Having a seizure does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy. They include both generalized epilepsies and partial epilepsies. Treatments may be able to leave you free of seizures, or at least reduce their frequency and intensity. Many children with epilepsy outgrow the condition with age.
Epilepsy is a brain disorder involving recurrent seizures . For people with uncontrolled epilepsy, the type of work they can do will depend on the nature of their seizures. Epilepsy may develop because of an abnormality in brain wiring, an imbalance of nerve signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters, or some combination of these factors. Only when a person has had two or more seizures is he or she considered to have epilepsy. This abnormality may cause temporary changes in sensation, behavior, movement or consciousness. People can be more at risk if they have had a stroke, head injury, meningitis or if they have a history of drug or alcohol abuse. Other types of seizures not classified as epilepsy include those caused by an imbalance of body fluids or chemicals or by alcohol or drug withdrawal Between seizures, a person with epilepsy is no different from anyone else. ." Epilepsy is not contagious and poses no risk to others.
Certain things can sometimes trigger seizures in people with epilepsy.
Many people develop epilepsy as children or teens. Others develop it later in life. For some people with epilepsy (particularly children), the seizures eventually become less frequent or disappear altogether.
They include:
- flashing or bright lights
- a lack of sleep
- stress
- overstimulation (like staring at a computer screen or playing video games for too long)
- fever
- certain medications
- hyperventilation (breathing too fast or too deeply)
What Causes Epilepsy?
Here are the list of some of the common causes of eplilepsy:
- a brain injury, such as from a car crash or bike accident
- an infection or illness that affected the developing brain of a fetus during pregnancy
- lack of oxygen to an infant's brain during childbirth
- meningitis, encephalitis, or any other type of infection that affects the brain
- brain tumors or strokes
- poisoning, such as lead or alcohol poisoning
- Epilepsy is not contagious. You can't catch it from someone who has it.
Types of Fits
1. Focal seizures.
2. Generalised seizures.
Focal Seizures
1. Deviation of eyes and head to one side.
2. One portion of the body often a thumb, corner of mouth or the great toe goes into a spasm and then spreads to adjacent muscles over a few seconds or minutes. The fit may progress to involve an entire side or become generalised with attendant loss of consciousness.
Generalised Seizures
1. There may be an aura related to the senses, in the form of hallucinations, illusions, sense of familiarity or unfamiliarity.
2. Without warning seizures commence usually with opening of the eyes and mouth. A patient may emit a cry as he falls. All limbs go into a spasm. This is the tonic phase.
3. This is followed by closure of the jaw, tongue bite, passage of urine or fecal matter. This lasts 15-30 seconds.
4. This is then followed by the clonic phase characterised by violent muscle contractions affecting the whole body. Eyeballsroll back, there is facial grimacing.This phaselasts 1-2 minutes.
5. Thereafter the patient falls asleep for 10-15 minutes followed by confusion, lethargy, and fatigue which may persist for another half hour or so. Headache is also common.
Causes of seizures
1. Infants 0-2 years: Birth injury, maldevelopment, acute infections, high fever.
2. Childhood 2-10 years: Birth injury, head injury, infection.
3. Adolescence 10-18 years: Head injury, unknown.
4. Early Adulthood 18-35 years: Head injury, tumor of the brain, alcoholism, unknown.
5. Middle Age 35-60 years: Tumor, head injury, blood vessel diseases, and alcoholism.
6. Old age: Brain degeneration, blood vessel disease, and tumor of the brain.
Treatment of Epilepsy
1. Prevent the patient from injuring himself while having a convulsion.
2. Donot restrain him forcibly as this may cause further injury.
3. Removehard objects nearby and surround him with pillows, cushions.
4, Assoon as an opportunity arises place the handle of a spoon wrapped in a handkerchief or piece of cloth between his teeth at the side of the mouth to prevent tongue bite.
5. Afterthe fit is over, let him sleep off. Ensure he is turned to one side and that the airway is cleCir(recovery position).
6. Donot leave him alone. When he wakes up he will be dazed and confused. Reassure him and remain with him till he is once again oriented to his surroundings.
7. Consulta doctor.
Doctors are now experimenting with several new types of therapies for epilepsy, including transplanting fetal pig neurons into the brains of patients to learn whether cell transplants can help control seizures, transplanting stem cells, and using a device that could predict seizures up to 3 minutes before they begin.
- If someone who has had epilepsy doesn't have a seizure for two years, their doctor may suggest they come off the medication (or reduce the dose).
- The type of treatment prescribed will depend on several factors including the frequency and severity of the seizures as well as the person's age, overall health and medical history.
- Some children with particular forms of epilepsy are recommended a "ketogenic" diet - one high in fat and low in carbohydrates.
- With the help of your doctor, you can weigh the benefits of a particular treatment against its drawbacks, including side effects, health risks, and cost.
- When seizures originate in part of the brain that cannot be removed, the surgeon may use this procedure, in which a series of small incisions are made that impede the spread of nerve activity
- Phenobarbital is the most commonly used drug for treatment of BFNC; it usually is effective in about 75% of patients.
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