Epilepsy is considered a very dangerous disease of the nervous system that occurs in approximately one percent of the population. There are many prerequisites for its occurrence, as well as a large number of therapeutic methods. In this article, we will talk about whether epilepsy is treatable, and also find out the main causes of its occurrence, treatment methods and predictions for the future. Carefully read the information provided in order to protect yourself and arm yourself as much as possible. So let's get started.
What is epilepsy
Before answering the question whether epilepsy is curable, you need to understand what this disease is.
Epilepsy is a special chronic pathology of the nervous system, which makes itself felt in the form of episodic seizures, accompanied by loss of consciousness, convulsions and other manifestations. Moreover, between attacks, the person is absolutely normal, no different from other people. In this case, note that a single seizure does not indicate the presence of this disease.
An accurate diagnosis can only be made after the patient has had at least two seizures. People knew about this disease in ancient times. Now it has one more name, namely “lapidary”. Most often, pathology makes itself felt when a person begins a teenage period and the hormonal background changes. However, it is possible that the disease develops in childhood as well as adulthood. Once the disease begins to develop, seizures can be very rare, with large gaps. However, over time, their number may increase significantly.
Causes of Epilepsy
So many people are wondering if epilepsy is treatable. In fact, it all depends on so many factors, so doctors do not have an exact answer to this question today.
Neurologists and psychotherapists distinguish between primary and secondary epilepsy. The first kind of pathology is considered congenital and quite often inherited. Usually, it begins to appear even in early childhood or in adolescence. Such a disease is characterized by a change in the electrical activity of neurons, but the structures of the brain do not change their state.
Secondary epilepsy usually does not occur on its own, but is only a consequence of any disease. Consider in the presence of what diseases a pathology can occur:
- Epilepsy can make itself felt after the patient received severe traumatic brain injury.
- The disease can also occur as a result of inflammatory and infectious processes that occur in the brain.
- The disease can occur against the background of ischemic processes in the brain, as well as in the presence of tumors, or after a stroke experienced by the patient.
- Also, the disease can make itself felt if a person is actively abusing alcohol and drugs.
Is epilepsy curable? This is a question that worries all people suffering from this pathology. Scientists say that everything depends on the patient himself. However, no one can give a 100% guarantee for a full recovery.
The development of epilepsy
Epilepsy of the brain can manifest itself in different ways. There are several varieties of the disease. Each of them is characterized by the presence of certain seizures. Consider the main types of seizures:
They are characterized by the occurrence of seizures in various parts of the body. For example, cramps can begin in the hands, feet, corners of the mouth, and gradually spread throughout the body. Moreover, such seizures do not always end in a swoon.
- Complex partial seizures.
In this case, the patient during the attack not only has convulsions, but also a clouding of consciousness. A person does not understand what is happening to him. Hallucinations, a déjà vu sensation and intense fear can occur in the patient’s mind. Such attacks usually exert very strong moral pressure on the patient.
The occurrence of epilepsy in adults occurs for many reasons. Most often, such a disease will be accompanied by generalized seizures with loss of consciousness for several minutes, as well as seizures of the whole body. After an attack, a person falls asleep, or tries to restore a series of events in his mind. After the attack, the patient usually has a headache and there is significant fatigue and emptiness, but over time, his health returns to normal.
- There are also seizures called absences.
They occur without loss of consciousness, as well as without convulsions, and most often occur precisely in childhood. A person freezes for several seconds, so from the outside it may seem that he was simply distracted by something. Such attacks are sometimes accompanied by motor activity. For example, a child begins to twitch his eyelid or his muscles tremble. Sometimes it’s very difficult to understand that there has just been an attack.
Seizure duration
We have already said that the causes of epilepsy in adults are different. Depending on the type of epilepsy, the seizure can last from one second to several minutes. If the patient has a series of seizures that lasts more than five minutes, and between these seizures the patient cannot fully recover his consciousness, then this is an epileptic status. This condition is considered extremely dangerous and can lead to death.
What can provoke seizures
So many patients are interested in the question of whether epilepsy is generally treatable. It is impossible to give an exact answer, because even after ten years of complete absence of seizures, seizures can begin to repeat again. There are factors that increase the risk of seizures.
An excessive emotional stress, stress, a change in climatic conditions, the use of alcohol-containing drinks, and also substances that can stimulate the activity of the central nervous system can provoke a seizure. The incentive can be a lack of sleep, overheating and hypothermia, as well as many other factors. That is why patients with epilepsy need to be especially responsible for their state of health.
How is the diagnosis
Unfortunately, there is no exact answer to the question whether epilepsy that began in adulthood is treatable. After the first seizure, it is very important for a person to go to the hospital for medical help and to accurately confirm the diagnosis. First, the doctor will talk with the patient and conduct a visual examination. Next, the patient will be asked to do an EEG, computed tomography, and, if necessary, undergo neuropsychological testing.
Features of first aid
It is very important to be able to provide first aid to a patient suffering from epilepsy. If your child has such a disease, be sure to notify his teachers at school so that they are armed with the necessary information.
Is epilepsy completely curable in children? This is only possible if the disease has an acquired character. Inherited pathology is usually not subject to complete cure.
So, consider what needs to be done if a person has a seizure, accompanied by loss of consciousness.
In no case do not crush his teeth, do not try to make artificial respiration. So you can only complicate the whole situation. Lay the person on the right side, putting something under his head. In no case do not put a person on his back, as in this position he can choke on his own saliva. Ideal is considered to be in the fetal position.
Then the patient begins to gradually regain consciousness. He begins to hurry somewhere, to do his usual business. All that is required of you is to speak softly with him and try to explain that the best solution at the moment is to lie down a little in bed. Usually the patient's condition begins to improve within twenty minutes.
Is epilepsy completely treatable
Let's try to answer this question. Too many parents worry about whether epilepsy is treatable in children. It all depends on the origin of the disease. Sometimes epilepsy progresses only in childhood, after which it disappears on its own, without the use of any therapeutic measures. Of course, each person has his own individual characteristics. It is on the basis of them, as well as from the factors that provoke the disease, it is possible to determine whether epilepsy can be completely cured.
Of course, there is a chance that the disease will disappear completely. However, in the presence of severe cases, this is simply not possible.
Epilepsy cannot be cured in the presence of conditions such as:
- meningoencephalitis;
- epileptic encephalopathy ;
- the presence of dangerous and serious damage to brain structures.
It is also very important to start treatment correctly. To a very large extent, it will determine whether epilepsy in children is treatable.
If patients are engaged in self-treatment at home, then do not count on positive results. Treatment should be started on time, taking into account the specifics of the disease.
Features of the treatment
In the international classification of diseases in epilepsy, the code is G40. There are several treatments for this disease. Which one is right for you, only your doctor can tell you on the basis of a huge number of different diagnostic tests.
The most commonly used conservative methods of treatment, however, in some cases it is recommended to perform surgical intervention. Alternative results also help to achieve good results. Consider what each of them is.
Drug treatment
Most often, neuropathologists are prescribed medication for epilepsy. This method involves the use of anticonvulsant and neurotropic substances that can reduce the frequency and severity of seizures, and sometimes completely eliminate them. In this case, medication treatment should be long. The dosage of the medicine decreases very gradually, otherwise the seizures may resume.
Surgical intervention
Usually, surgery is prescribed in cases where the patient has a cyst or tumor in the brain that provokes the development of seizures. Most often, after surgery, the patient's condition gradually normalizes, and the attacks disappear.
Auxiliary treatment
First of all, pay attention to nutrition. Doctors strongly recommend a ketogenic diet, which allows you to actively burn fats instead of carbohydrates. In addition to this, very good results can also be achieved by taking various decoctions and infusions. Tincture of mistletoe leaves very well restores nerve cells. Decoctions of lavender, valerian, tansy and lily of the valley also showed themselves quite well.
Fresh onions and juice from it can reduce the frequency of attacks. Try to eat this vegetable constantly.
Alcoholic epilepsy
Some patients wonder if alcoholic epilepsy is treatable. Such a disease occurs when a patient for several years severely poisons his body with alcohol. Alcoholic epilepsy is accompanied by seizures and loss of consciousness. If a sick person does not stop drinking, then the disease will only gain momentum. However, if the patient begins to completely abstain from alcohol, then his condition will improve significantly, and seizures will no longer occur.
Preventative measures
Depending on what lifestyle a person suffering from epilepsy leads, his future life will depend. Is it possible to drink alcohol during epilepsy, get behind the wheel of a car or engage in activities related to increased concentration of attention? The clear answer is no.
However, in addition to this, there are some preventive measures that every patient with epilepsy must adhere to, namely:
- Proper nutrition. Eating enough vegetables, fruits, and other healthy foods.
- The correct alternation of work and rest. Lack of sleep should be completely eliminated.
- In the patient's life, sport must be present.
Work in a circle where you trust everyone and everyone knows about your illness. Be sure to tell them what measures to take if you suddenly lose consciousness.
Compliance with preventive measures, as well as proper and timely treatment will help significantly reduce the number of seizures, and sometimes completely relieve you of this dangerous pathology.
Do not forget that your health is in your hands. Therefore, take care of it and take care of yourself.