Epilepsy is a disease that affects the brain and causes seizures. The severity of seizures can vary greatly from person to person. Some experience a trance-like state for a few seconds or minutes. Others lose consciousness, while the body shudders uncontrollably at this time. Epilepsy usually begins in childhood, although it can occur at any age.
Symptoms of disease
The main symptoms of epilepsy are seizures. There are about 40 different types of seizures, depending on the area of the brain affected.
People with epilepsy can have any type of seizure, but most have a consistent pattern of symptoms.
Doctors who treat epilepsy classify seizures according to the degree of damage to the brain. Distinguish:
- Partial seizures, when only a small part of the brain is affected.
- Generalized seizures, in which most or all of the brain is affected. Such seizures are more common in congenital epilepsy.
Symptoms of partial seizures include:
- gustatory, sound, visual and auditory hallucinations;
- feeling of repetition of events (déjà vu);
- tingling of hands and feet;
- sudden strong emotions such as fear or joy;
- stiffness of the muscles of the arms, legs or face;
- twitching one side of the body;
- strange behavior (rubbing hands, pulling clothes, chewing, unusual posture, etc.).
These seizures account for 2 out of 10 of all cases experienced by people with epilepsy.
In most cases, a person loses consciousness during a generalized seizure. Other symptoms of these seizures include:
- out of consciousness up to 20 seconds, the person seems to "freeze";
- convulsions similar to electric shocks;
- sudden relaxation of all muscles;
- muscle stiffness;
- involuntary urination.
Causes of epilepsy
Can I get epilepsy? The answer to this question is positive. Epilepsy is acquired and congenital. The brain works thanks to the delicate connection between neurons (brain cells) that occurs with the help of electrical impulses that conduct neurotransmitters. Any damage can disrupt their function and cause seizures.
Congenital epilepsy often develops due to genetic abnormalities. And acquired can occur at any age for a number of reasons. Head injuries, infections, tumors - all this can lead to the development of epilepsy. In the elderly, cerebrovascular disease is also a common risk factor and accounts for more than half of epilepsy cases in this age group.
Acquired or congenital epilepsy is the most common neurological condition. If left untreated, the disease has a high risk of mortality.
Causes of acquired epilepsy include:
- diseases that affect the structure of the brain, such as cerebral palsy;
- drug and alcohol abuse;
- infectious diseases that can lead to brain damage, such as meningitis;
- head injury;
- brain tumor.
Provoking factors
Convulsions can be triggered by various circumstances, such as skipping medications or stressful situations. In addition, there are other triggers of the disease, for example:
- lack of sleep;
- alcohol intake, especially binge drinking and hangovers;
- drugs;
- high temperature;
- flashing lights (This is an unusual trigger that affects only 5% of people with epilepsy and is also known as photosensitive epilepsy).
Diagnosis of disease
Epilepsy is a congenital or acquired disease that is sometimes difficult todiagnosed because other diseases have similar symptoms. These include, for example, migraines or panic attacks. A doctor who specializes in diseases of the nervous system, including epilepsy, is a neurologist. To make a diagnosis, the specialist will collect information. He will ask the patient if he remembers the seizure? Were there any previous symptoms or signs? What is the patient's lifestyle like? Also, the doctor will find out if there are any concomitant diseases or heredity.
Based on the information received, the neurologist can make a preliminary diagnosis. To confirm it, you will need to conduct some additional research, for example:
- an electroencephalogram (EEG) to detect unusual brain activity associated with epilepsy;
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can detect any changes in the structure of the brain.
Drug therapy
There is currently no cure for epilepsy. About 70% of people can only control their seizures with medication. The goal of treatment for acquired epilepsy is to achieve maximum seizure elimination with minimum side effects. The lowest possible dose of the drug should be used.
There are many drugs to control epilepsy (Benzonal, Carbamazepine, Finlepsin, Clonazepam, etc.). Their action is based on the managementelectrical impulses between brain neurons. Thus, the chance of seizures is reduced.
As medications are taken, there may be some side effects that disappear after a few days or when the dosage is reduced. For example:
- nausea;
- abdominal pain;
- drowsy;
- dizziness;
- irritability;
- mood swings;
- instability;
- poor concentration;
- drowsy;
- vomit;
- double vision.
Surgery
An alternative treatment for acquired epilepsy is surgery. It is worth noting that it can only be done if the removal of the area of the brain in which epileptic activity begins does not cause additional damage and does not lead to disability. Various brain scans, memory tests, and psychological tests are required to find out if surgery is possible.
Like all types of surgery, this procedure carries risks. They include:
- stroke (1 case out of 100),
- memory problems (5 out of 100).
It is worth noting that in about 70% of people after surgery, seizures stop. The recovery period takes up to 2-3 months.
Brain Stimulation
Another treatment option for acquired epilepsy could bea small device, similar to a pacemaker, under the skin of the chest. It sends electrical impulses to the brain, stimulating the vagus nerve. This therapy will help reduce the frequency and intensity of seizures. If the patient senses a seizure is coming, they can activate the pulse additionally to prevent it.
Some patients may experience side effects of this type of treatment, for example:
- temporary hoarseness or change in voice when using the device (usually this condition can repeat every five minutes and last 30 seconds);
- unpleasant and painful sensations in the throat;
- shortness of breath;
- cough.
Ketogenic diet
In some cases, a special diet can help reduce the symptoms of acquired epilepsy. It is based on the use of food with an increased content of fats and a reduced amount of carbohydrates and proteins. Through chemical changes in the brain, a balanced diet can reduce the intensity of seizures. Contraindications are diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.
Prevention
There are some recommendations for people with acquired epilepsy. Following them will help prevent seizures.
- Know and try to avoid triggers.
- Take your doctor's prescribed medications.
- Get regular medical check-ups.
- Supporthe althy lifestyle.
- Moderate exercise.
- Stop using alcohol and drugs.
Epilepsy in women
Various antiepileptic drugs can reduce the effectiveness of some types of contraception, including:
- contraceptive injections;
- contraceptive patches;
- combined oral contraceptive pill;
- mini-drank;
- contraceptive implants.
In these cases, other methods of contraception, such as condoms, are recommended to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Pregnancy
Women with acquired epilepsy can carry and give birth to he althy children. Of course, there is a higher risk of complications. However, with long-term planning, they can be minimized.
The use of certain epilepsy drugs can affect the development of the fetus. The risk of birth defects such as cleft palate, lip and heart problems can be avoided by reducing the dosage of medications taken.
When pregnancy occurs, you should not stop taking prescribed medications. The risk for a child from uncontrolled seizures is much higher than any associated medication.
Genetics
The question of whether acquired epilepsy is inherited or not often worries expectant parents. However, specialists involved in the study of this disease have clear information on thistopic. If one or both parents have epilepsy, the child can inherit it only in one case, when the disease is caused by genetic abnormalities, that is, congenital. Therefore, the statement that acquired epilepsy resulting from trauma or other brain damage is inherited is fundamentally wrong.
Children and epilepsy
Many children with well-controlled epilepsy can learn and participate in school activities, regardless of their condition. Others may need additional support. It is recommended to tell the teacher about the child's illness, as well as what to do in case of a seizure and the drugs needed to stop seizures.
Possible consequences
Unexpected death from epilepsy is quite rare. Only a few percent of people are at risk of sudden cessation of breathing and heartbeat. Risk factors include the uncontrolled course of the disease and the presence of a convulsive state during sleep.
If you are concerned that your epilepsy is not responding well to prescribed medications, you should see a neurologist for review and other therapy.
