Epilepsy – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder and has nothing to do with your mental capabilities, but there can be a stigma associated with the diagnosis. People with epilepsy face certain restrictions; for example, you are not allowed to drive until your seizures are under control, and this could cause difficulty in finding a job. And if your child has epilepsy, he or she may be restricted from participating in some sports.
Epilepsy was one of the first brain disorders to be described. It was mentioned in ancient Babylon more than 3,000 years ago. The strange behavior caused by some seizures has contributed through the ages to many superstitions and prejudices. The word epilepsy is derived from the Greek word for “attack.” People once thought that those with epilepsy were being visited by demons or gods.
Causes
Sometimes seizures are related to a temporary condition, such as exposure to drugs, withdrawal from certain drugs, or abnormal levels of sodium or glucose in the blood. In such cases, repeated seizures may not recur once the underlying problem is corrected.In other cases, injury to the brain (for example, stroke or head injury) causes brain tissue to be abnormally excitable. In some people, an inherited abnormality affects nerve cells in the brain, which leads to seizures.
In other cases, injury to the brain (for example, stroke or head injury) causes brain tissue to be abnormally excitable. In some people, an inherited abnormality affects nerve cells in the brain, which leads to seizures.Some seizures are idiopathic, which means the cause can not be identified. Such seizures usually begin between ages 5 and 20, but they can occur at any age. People with this condition have no other neurological problems, but often have a family history of seizures or epilepsy.Disorders affecting the blood vessels, such as stroke and TIA, are the most common cause of seizures after age 60.
There are many signs and symptoms of epilepsy. In many cases, the symptoms are unnoticeable. The most common symptom is a seizure. Seizures are classified as grand mal or petit mal. Grand mal seizures may consist of rapid pulse, whole body spasms, jerking muscles, biting of the tongue, bladder and bowel incontinence, and dilated pupils. Petit mal seizures are less severe and typically include temporary lack of awareness. Sufferers may appear to have a blank expression on their face, or temporarily “space out.” Once the seizure concludes, the sufferer is usually unaware of their previous condition.
Diagnosis
Epilepsy is diagnosed mainly via interpretation of a patient’s medical history; the patient describes what the seizures were like and, when a patient can’t recall the seizures, witnesses also may be asked to describe what they saw. Tests may be done to rule out shortterm causes of seizures, such as uncontrolled diabetes or infections. A complete neurological exam is done, including an EEG (electroencephalogram, a machine that records brain waves picked up by wires taped to the head).
Treatment
Medication controls seizures for most patients, who are otherwise healthy and able to live full and productive lives. It is very important not to stop taking anticonvulsants without consulting your doctor, even if you are no longer having fits.This is because you may develop a condition called status epilepticus, in which you have one fit immediately after another.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder and has nothing to do with your mental capabilities, but there can be a stigma associated with the diagnosis. People with epilepsy face certain restrictions; for example, you are not allowed to drive until your seizures are under control, and this could cause difficulty in finding a job. And if your child has epilepsy, he or she may be restricted from participating in some sports.
Epilepsy was one of the first brain disorders to be described. It was mentioned in ancient Babylon more than 3,000 years ago. The strange behavior caused by some seizures has contributed through the ages to many superstitions and prejudices. The word epilepsy is derived from the Greek word for “attack.” People once thought that those with epilepsy were being visited by demons or gods.
Causes
Sometimes seizures are related to a temporary condition, such as exposure to drugs, withdrawal from certain drugs, or abnormal levels of sodium or glucose in the blood. In such cases, repeated seizures may not recur once the underlying problem is corrected.In other cases, injury to the brain (for example, stroke or head injury) causes brain tissue to be abnormally excitable. In some people, an inherited abnormality affects nerve cells in the brain, which leads to seizures.
In other cases, injury to the brain (for example, stroke or head injury) causes brain tissue to be abnormally excitable. In some people, an inherited abnormality affects nerve cells in the brain, which leads to seizures.Some seizures are idiopathic, which means the cause can not be identified. Such seizures usually begin between ages 5 and 20, but they can occur at any age. People with this condition have no other neurological problems, but often have a family history of seizures or epilepsy.Disorders affecting the blood vessels, such as stroke and TIA, are the most common cause of seizures after age 60.
There are many signs and symptoms of epilepsy. In many cases, the symptoms are unnoticeable. The most common symptom is a seizure. Seizures are classified as grand mal or petit mal. Grand mal seizures may consist of rapid pulse, whole body spasms, jerking muscles, biting of the tongue, bladder and bowel incontinence, and dilated pupils. Petit mal seizures are less severe and typically include temporary lack of awareness. Sufferers may appear to have a blank expression on their face, or temporarily “space out.” Once the seizure concludes, the sufferer is usually unaware of their previous condition.
Diagnosis
Epilepsy is diagnosed mainly via interpretation of a patient’s medical history; the patient describes what the seizures were like and, when a patient can’t recall the seizures, witnesses also may be asked to describe what they saw. Tests may be done to rule out shortterm causes of seizures, such as uncontrolled diabetes or infections. A complete neurological exam is done, including an EEG (electroencephalogram, a machine that records brain waves picked up by wires taped to the head).
Treatment
Medication controls seizures for most patients, who are otherwise healthy and able to live full and productive lives. It is very important not to stop taking anticonvulsants without consulting your doctor, even if you are no longer having fits.This is because you may develop a condition called status epilepticus, in which you have one fit immediately after another.
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