Epilepsy is a disease that affects the brain and causes seizures. In different people, the severity of seizures can vary significantly. Some experience a trance-like condition for several seconds or minutes. Others lose consciousness, and the body at this time uncontrollably shudders. Epilepsy usually begins in childhood, although it can occur at any age.
Symptoms of the disease
The main symptoms of epilepsy are convulsions. There are about 40 different types of seizures, depending on the affected area of the brain.
People with epilepsy can have any kind of seizure, but most have a constant picture of symptoms.
Doctors who treat epilepsy classify seizures according to the degree of brain damage. Distinguish:
- Partial cramps when only a small part of the brain is affected.
- Generalized cramps in which most or all of the brain is affected. Such attacks are more common in congenital epilepsy.
Symptoms of partial seizures include:
- taste, sound, visual and auditory hallucinations;
- a sense of repetition of events (deja vu);
- tingling of hands and feet;
- sudden strong emotions, such as fear or joy;
- stiff muscles in the arms, legs, or face;
- twitching of one side of the body;
- strange behavior (rubbing hands, pulling clothes, chewing, unusual posture and more).
Such seizures make up 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 such attacks include:
- turning off consciousness for up to 20 seconds, a person as if “freezes”;
- 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 subtle connection between neurons (brain cells) that occurs with the help of electrical impulses that the neurotransmitters conduct. Any damage can disrupt their work 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 old age, cerebrovascular diseases are also a common risk factor and make up more than half of cases of epilepsy in this age group.
Acquired or congenital epilepsy is the most common neurological condition. If untreated, the disease has a high risk of mortality.
The causes of acquired epilepsy include:
- diseases that affect the structure of the brain, for example, cerebral palsy;
- drug and alcohol abuse;
- infectious diseases that can cause brain damage, such as meningitis;
- head injury;
- brain tumor.
Provocative factors
Various circumstances, such as skipping medication or stressful situations, can lead to seizures. In addition, there are other triggers of the disease, for example:
- lack of sleep;
- alcohol intake, especially binge and hangover;
- drugs
- heat;
- flashing lights (this is an unusual trigger that affects only 5% of people with epilepsy, and is also known as photosensitive epilepsy).
Diagnosis of the disease
Epilepsy is a congenital or acquired disease that is sometimes difficult to diagnose 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, a specialist will collect information. He will ask the patient if he remembers a seizure? Were there any previous symptoms or signs? What lifestyle does the patient lead? The doctor will also 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), which allows you 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 that completely cures epilepsy. About 70% of people can only control their cramps with medication. The goal of treating acquired epilepsy is to maximize the elimination of seizures with minimal side effects. In this case, the lowest possible dose of the drug should be used.
There are many drugs for controlling epilepsy (Benzonal, Carbamazepine, Finlepsin, Clonazepam, etc.). Their action is based on the control of electrical impulses between neurons of the brain. Thus, the chance of a convulsive syndrome is reduced.
As you take the medication, there may be some side effects that go away after a few days or when the dosage is reduced. For instance:
- nausea;
- abdominal pain;
- drowsiness;
- dizziness;
- irritability;
- mood changes;
- instability;
- poor concentration;
- drowsiness;
- vomiting
- bifurcation in the eyes.
Surgical intervention
An alternative treatment for acquired epilepsy is surgery. It is worth noting that it can be carried out only if the removal of the area of the brain in which the epileptic activity begins does not cause additional damage and does not lead to disability. In order to find out whether it is possible to carry out surgical treatment, it is necessary to undergo various brain scans, memory tests, as well as psychological tests.
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, attacks stop. The recovery period takes up to 2-3 months.
Brain stimulation
Another treatment option for acquired epilepsy may be to install a small device similar to a pacemaker under the skin of your chest. With its help, electrical impulses are sent to the brain that stimulate the vagus nerve. Such therapy will help reduce the frequency and intensity of seizures. If the patient feels an approaching seizure, he can activate an impulse additionally to prevent it.
Some patients may experience side effects of this type of treatment, for example:
- temporary hoarseness or a change in voice when using the device (usually this condition can be repeated every five minutes and lasts 30 seconds);
- unpleasant and painful sensations in the throat;
- dyspnea;
- cough.
Ketogenic diet
In some cases, the appointment of a special diet can help reduce the symptoms of acquired epilepsy. It is based on eating foods with an increased fat content and a reduced amount of carbohydrates and proteins. Due to chemical changes in the brain, balancing nutrition can reduce the intensity of seizures. Contraindications are diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Prevention
There are some guidelines for people with acquired epilepsy. Following them will help prevent seizures.
- Know and try to avoid triggering factors.
- Take medications prescribed by your doctor.
- Regularly undergo a medical examination.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Moderate physical activity.
- Refuse alcohol and drugs.
Epilepsy in women
Various antiepileptic drugs can reduce the effectiveness of certain types of contraception, including:
- birth control injections;
- contraceptive patches;
- combined oral contraceptive pills;
- mini-drank;
- contraceptive implants.
In these cases, other contraceptive methods, such as condoms, are recommended to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
Pregnancy
Women with acquired epilepsy can endure and give birth to healthy children. Of course, there is a higher risk of complications. However, with long-term planning, they can be minimized.
Taking certain epilepsy medications can affect fetal development. The risks of developing congenital malformations, such as cleft palate or lips, heart problems can be avoided by lowering the dosage of medications.
When pregnancy occurs, you can not stop taking the prescribed medications. The risk for a child from uncontrolled seizures is much higher than any associated with taking medication.
Genetics
The question of whether inherited epilepsy is inherited or not often worries future parents. However, specialists involved in the study of this disease have clear information on this topic. If one or both parents have epilepsy, a child can inherit it only in one case when the disease is caused by genetic abnormalities, that is, congenital. Therefore, the assertion that acquired epilepsy resulting from injuries or other brain injuries is inherited is fundamentally false.
Children and epilepsy
Many children with carefully controlled epilepsy can study 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 disease, as well as actions in case of a seizure and medications needed to stop seizures.
Possible consequences
An unexpected death from epilepsy is a fairly rare occurrence. Only a few percent of people have a risk of sudden respiratory failure and palpitations. 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 does not respond well to the prescribed medication, you need to contact a neurologist to review and prescribe another therapy.