Dr. Aditya Gupta
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease
that affects people of all ages. It is also known as seizure disorder as this
disease is characterised by recurring, unpredictable seizures resulting from
abnormal brain activity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
around 50 million people around the world suffer from epilepsy, which makes it
one of the most common neurological disorders around the world.
Seizures are generally caused by an
excessive electrical discharge in cells which can happen in any part of your
brain. A seizure can range in severity from minor muscular twitches or
attention deficits to severe and protracted convulsions. Additionally, the
frequency of seizures might vary, ranging from fewer than one per year to
multiple per day.
Causes of Epilepsy
1. Genetic factors
2. Brain injuries and trauma
3. Brain tumors and conditions
4. Infections
5. Developmental disorders
6. Stroke and vascular conditions
Key Facts About Epilepsy
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Major Symptoms |
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Necessary Health Tests |
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Treatment |
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Symptoms of Epilepsy
Generalized seizures: Involving the entire
brain, leading to loss of consciousness and generalized muscle stiffening and
jerking.
Focal (Partial) seizures: Originating in a
specific area of the brain, resulting in localized symptoms such as twitching,
numbness, or altered sensations.
1. Seizures
2. Loss of consciousness
3. Uncontrollable moments
4. Staring spells
5. Automatisms
6. Psychological symptoms
7. Loss of bodily control
Diagnosis of Epilepsy
1. Medical history
2. Clinical examination
3. Diagnostic tests
Electroencephalogram (EEG): This test
records electrical activity in the brain and is a crucial tool for diagnosing
epilepsy. Abnormal patterns or spikes in the EEG may indicate epilepsy.
Brain Imaging: Imaging tests such as
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans may be
performed to identify any structural abnormalities, tumors, or lesions in the
brain that could be causing seizures.
Blood tests: Blood tests may be conducted
to rule out metabolic or genetic conditions that could contribute to
seizures.
Treatment of Epilepsy
1. Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs): The primary
and most common treatment for epilepsy includes medications known as AEDs.
These medicines help regulate electrical activity in the brain to prevent
seizures.
2. Surgery: Doctors may perform surgery for
some types of epilepsy. It majorly involves removing the part of the brain
where seizures are happening.
3. Healthy diet: Your doctor may recommend
a diet such as the ketogenic diet, which is high in fat and low in
carbohydrates.
4. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS): It
involves implanting a device that stimulates the vagus nerve to help control
seizures. It may be considered for patients who do not respond well to
medication.
5. Lifestyle modifications: Getting enough
sleep, managing stress, and avoiding triggers such as specific foods or
environmental factors are important to keep
seizures in control.
Considered a serious health concern, the
risk can be mitigated if the disease is properly diagnosed and treated.
However, there is no cure for it. Patients can only manage the symptoms with
proper treatment.
There are many causes of epilepsy but the
exact cause of the disease remains unknown. Some of the most common causes of
epilepsy include:
Having a family history of epilepsy can
increase the likelihood of developing the condition. Certain genetic mutations
or inherited traits may contribute to an individual’s susceptibility to
seizures.
Certain head injuries resulting from
accidents, falls, or other trauma can damage the brain and increase the risk of
epilepsy. This is particularly relevant for injuries that disrupt the normal
functioning of the brain.
Structural abnormalities in the brain, such
as tumours, can lead to epileptic seizures. This happens because these
abnormalities can disrupt the normal electrical activity of the brain.
Certain infections, such as meningitis,
encephalitis, and other illnesses affect the brain and increase the risk of
developing epilepsy.
Disorders that affect brain development,
such as neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, and Down syndrome, may be
associated with an increased risk of epilepsy.
Reduced blood flow to the brain, as seen in
strokes or other vascular conditions, can lead to brain damage and subsequent
epilepsy.
Epilepsy symptoms vary depending on the
type of seizures you get. But some of the common symptoms of epilepsy include:
The main symptom of epilepsy is seizure
which can manifest in different ways, including:
Many types of seizures involve a loss of
consciousness, ranging from brief moments to more prolonged periods.
Convulsions or repetitive, uncontrollable
movements of the arms and legs may occur during certain seizures.
Staring spells are periods when children
“space out”. Some types of seizures can cause the person to start blankly into
space, appearing unresponsive.
In focal seizures, individuals may exhibit
automatic, repetitive movements such as lip-smacking, chewing, or fidgeting.
You may experience signs that affect you
mentally, including anxiety, memory loss, hallucinations, and fear.
Loss of control over bodily functions, such
as bowel or bladder control, may occur during some seizures.
The diagnosis of epilepsy typically
involves a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional, which may
involve the following:
The healthcare provider will take a
detailed medical history, including information about the individual’s
symptoms, and the frequency and nature of seizures.
A thorough neurological examination will be
conducted to assess motor skills, reflexes, sensory function, and overall brain
function.
You may have to go undergo certain tests to
know how if you have epilepsy or not.
There is no cure for epilepsy. The
treatment of this disease aims to control seizures and improve the quality of
life for patients. The treatment depends on factors such as the type of
seizures, the underlying cause, overall health, and individual preferences.
Here are common approaches to the treatment of epilepsy.
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