What is epilepsy? This is a disease that many people associate with seizures, convulsions and other unpleasant symptoms. But actually it’s not so. Very often, the pathology goes differently, so it is not always an ignorant person who can determine it and provide timely assistance.
Definition of a concept
Epilepsy is a chronic pathology or abnormality that is characterized by abnormalities in the brain. You can determine the disease only after a thorough examination. As for the treatment, it is carried out without fail. If therapy is excluded, then this pathological condition can be significantly exacerbated.
The only dominant symptom of epilepsy is a constantly recurring seizure. There may also be impaired motor function, sensitivity, mental and mental process. If this condition was noted in the patient, then he needs urgent professional help. Often there is not only congenital, but also acquired epilepsy.
It should be understood that many diseases and disorders of the brain are accompanied by convulsions and seizures, which have nothing to do with this deviation. Therefore, you do not need to engage in therapy yourself, not knowing the exact diagnosis. Epilepsy is equally common among both children and adults.
Types of pathology
The classification adopted in medicine helps to correctly diagnose, prescribe therapy. Epilepsy is of the following types:
- Idiopathic and symptomatic. Distinguish between primary and secondary epilepsy. The first type is accompanied by a deviation, the causes of which have not been established. Pathology is considered congenital. This pathology is divided into latent and genuin epilepsy. Secondary or acquired appearance occurs as a result of past illnesses or due to injuries.
- Depending on the lesion site - cerebellum, trunk, left or right hemisphere.
- Depending on bouts of epilepsy and seizures.
- There is a disease with partial seizures. This condition is characterized by a complete loss of control over the body, while the mind is unclear. The disease is diagnosed in those patients who have a deep brain lesion. This type of seizure can be of several categories.
Also, the disease can be divided into types, depending on the causes of the onset of seizures, for example, the photosensitive type of epilepsy.
Epilepsy - causes
This disease is considered quite dangerous. With this diagnosis, therapy and preventive measures are vital. Epilepsy occurs for various reasons, it all depends on the type of disease. There are such cases when the provoking factor cannot be established.
In modern medicine, these groups of provoking factors are distinguished:
- Epilepsy of idiopathic type. Refers to hereditary pathology. In this situation, there is no organic damage, but a specific reaction of neuron cells is noted. Epilepsy in a person of this type has an intermittent character, seizures occur for no reason.
- Symptomatic type epilepsy. It always has a cause of occurrence: trauma, cyst, tumor, intoxication. It is considered the most predictable kind of pathology, since an epilepsy seizure can develop as a result of a minor irritant.
- Cryptogenic form of the disease. The reason for the development of this type has not yet been established. A seizure may occur in a patient as a result of a minor irritant. It is accompanied by severe symptoms, requires immediate help.
Signs of the disease appear in any group of pathology, regardless of the age category of the patient.
What happens during seizures
What is epilepsy and what is its pathogenesis? During the course of this chronic disease, changes in the neural activity of the brain are noted, which can be not only excessive, but also periodic. It depends on the impact of pathological factors. Depolarization of neurons occurs in the brain, characterized by suddenness and severity. It may be local. Seizures in this case are partial or generalized.
Also, with epilepsy in adults, a specialist in the processes of thalamocortical interaction can be noticed. In this case, an increased sensitivity of neurons of the cortical type is noted. Seizures result from excessive release of aspartate and glutamate. At the same time, there may be a lack of inhibitory neurotransmitters, in particular gamma-aminobutyric acid.
In the course of studies, it was found that deceased patients suffering from epilepsy had changes in the dystrophic appearance of ganglion cells, as well as other disorders and abnormalities that occurred in the brain. With this pathology, an increase in dendrites and neurofibril may be noted. These changes are diagnosed in different parts of the brain. They can be associated with various injuries, as well as infectious diseases. All of these violations are not specific.
Causes
In most cases, after a thorough examination of the patient, it is possible to identify the provoking factor of an epilepsy attack.
Why does epilepsy occur?
- An acquired or symptomatic form of the disease occurs as a result of a brain injury. Such epilepsy is also diagnosed with tremors, bruises, childbirth and complications during them, impaired intrauterine development and fetal oxygen starvation.
- The constant use of drugs and alcohol.
- Past infectious diseases, which were accompanied by complications.
- Damage and pathology of the central nervous system: meningitis, encephalitis.
- Stroke, some diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Side effects from taking certain groups of drugs.
- Neoplasms in the brain.
Only a specialist can determine what exactly provoked the occurrence of epilepsy.
The main symptoms of the disease
As mentioned earlier, this chronic pathology is characterized by a convulsive seizure. In most cases, it starts unexpectedly. It happens that there are signs that indicate the imminent onset of such a condition.
Warning symptoms:
- General malaise.
- Impaired appetite.
- Insomnia.
- Headache.
- Excessive irritability.
It is also worth noting that in most patients, before an attack, a certain aura arises, which can last several seconds. After her, the patient loses consciousness. At the same time, a cramp begins, which is accompanied by a strong tension of muscle tissue throughout the body, the limbs are extended, and the head is thrown back. Breathing becomes impaired, cervical veins swell. The face during the attack becomes pale, and the jaw is compressed strongly. This phase is referred to as tonic, lasts about 30 seconds.
Then clonic convulsions occur. They are characterized by jerky contractions of muscle tissue of the whole body, including limbs and cervical spine. In this phase, the seizure lasts within 3-3.5 minutes. In this case, breathing becomes hoarse, there are noises, saliva accumulation is observed, tongue sinking can occur.
In some patients, during a seizure of epilepsy, foam is released, sometimes with blood impurities. Gradually, the attack subsides, and the muscles begin to relax. During this period, the patient does not respond to stimuli, the pupils are dilated, there is no reaction to light. Involuntary urine may be observed.
For each type of epilepsy, the causes and symptoms are similar to each other, but also have characteristic differences that are recommended to be taken into account when making a diagnosis.
Symptoms of the disease in children
This pathology can also occur in a newborn child and young children. In infants, this condition is observed as a result of injuries during the birth process, as well as due to oxygen starvation in the womb. In children, epilepsy can be diagnosed as a hereditary or acquired disease. With the right approach, it can be treated.
What is epilepsy in infants? This is a violation that is accompanied by such symptoms:
- Fever.
- Convulsions in the body and limbs, which can pass from one side to the other.
- There are problems with consciousness.
- A characteristic weakness in the right or left side of the body, which can be diagnosed for several days.
In infants, there is no secretion of foam from the mouth, as well as biting the tongue, cheeks. Also, involuntary urination is not noted.
In infants, the precursors of epilepsy are such signs:
- General irritability.
- Cephalgia
- Appetite problems.
Epilepsy in children has several features. This pathology is much more common in babies than in adults. Very often, not every seizure that occurs is equated to an epileptic seizure, so parents should be careful and monitor the behavior of the child.
What is epilepsy in babies? This is a condition with the following symptoms:
- The rhythmic contractions of muscle tissue throughout the body.
- Disturbed breath, his delay.
- Involuntary emission of urine and feces.
- Loss of consciousness.
- The tension of muscle tissue throughout the body, while the lower limbs are straightened, and the upper ones are bent.
- Twitching of limbs.
- Reduction of lips, tipping of the eyeball.
- Twitching of the head in one of the parties.
Many types of pathology in children and adolescents cannot be immediately recognized, since the usual symptoms are absent.
First aid for epilepsy
If a person has an attack, it is urgent to give him first aid and call specialists, reporting on the general condition of the patient and the duration of this condition. First of all you need:
- Do not try to restrain convulsions and involuntary movements by force. Such actions can harm the patient.
- It is not recommended to open your teeth and insert anything between them.
- You can not do artificial respiration or indirect heart massage.
- During an attack, the patient should be laid on a flat surface, put something under his head.
- No need to transfer the patient from the place where the seizure occurred. This is only allowed if the terrain is considered life-threatening, such as a roadway.
- A person needs to turn his head to the side. This will help prevent tongue dropping and saliva into the airways. If the patient has vomiting, it is recommended to turn the body completely to the side.
After the end of the attack, the patient needs to be given rest. After a seizure, people with epilepsy very often experience confusion and increased weakness of their entire body. In most cases, after half an hour, a person is able to independently get up and move around.
The danger is seizures that follow one after another in a short period of time. This condition is referred to as status epilepticus. It can be fatal, as the patient stops breathing. In such a situation, urgent professional help is needed.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis of this chronic pathology is carried out carefully. First of all, an anamnesis is made. It is necessary to correctly establish the provoking factor of epilepsy, pay attention to symptoms. The specialist must study the fact of how the attacks go, what are its consequences.
The following types of examinations are prescribed to the patient:
- Magnetic resonance imaging. Helps detect or rule out the presence of neoplasms and other diseases of the central nervous system, as well as abnormalities in the development of the brain.
- Electroencephalography. It is carried out throughout the entire period of the disease. EEG. It helps to track a positive result of treatment, identify deterioration, determine the activity of foci.
- Positron emission tomography. It helps to determine the condition of the brain, as well as to predict how the disease will proceed.
The treatment of epilepsy is prescribed based on the results of the study. Therapy must be observed with all severity in order to improve the patient's life and alleviate his condition. Treatment is recommended to begin only after a second seizure, when it will be accurately established that the patient has epilepsy.
Antiepileptic drugs are prescribed to the patient, depending on the form of pathology and the nature of the attack. Taking drugs begins with a small dosage, which is gradually increasing. The condition should be constantly monitored by a specialist in order to timely adjust therapy. If one of the drugs is not effective, it is replaced by another, stronger.
Reception of funds can be stopped after 2-5 years of complete absence of seizures and obvious symptoms. The most commonly prescribed medications for epilepsy include:
- Nitrazepam.
- Primidon.
- Diazepam
- Phenytoin.
- "Luminal".
- Gluferal.
- "Depakin Chrono."
- Ethosuximide.
- Vigabatrin.
Is it possible to take other drugs for epilepsy? This is decided solely by the specialist who observes the patient. Everything will depend on the type and purpose of the medicine.
Taking most drugs may be accompanied by side effects. Diazepam and Midazolam are used to treat almost all forms of status epilepticus. The dosage is prescribed by the doctor, depending on the neglect of the situation.
The treatment of epilepsy in babies is based on the relief of seizures and the elimination of provoking factors. The child may be prescribed an anticonvulsant drug, which depends on the type of pathology. Anticonvulsants are prescribed if more than 2-3 seizures have been observed. If the therapy has been chosen correctly, then it can lead to a complete recovery. The dose for children is initially small, gradually increasing until the effect is noticeable.
Complications and prevention of epilepsy
This pathology in most cases can lead to a variety of deviations. These include a violation of epileptic status. This condition is characterized by an attack, the duration of which is 30-35 minutes, or seizures occur in a patient one after another. Moreover, he cannot recover for a long time, his consciousness is blurry. If the patient is diagnosed with the disease for a long time, and the treatment is poor or completely absent, then epileptic encephalopathy develops.
People with epilepsy as a treatment and prevention are often prescribed physical therapy, which is able to normalize the processes of excitation and inhibition in the cerebral cortex. Rhythmic movements and breathing exercises have a positive effect on nerve cells. They also act as a prevention of stress.
The main preventive measures include the exclusion of the following situations:
- Various head injuries.
- Intoxication of the body with narcotic substances, tobacco, alcoholic beverages and other harmful components.
- Infectious diseases.
It is also worth abandoning the marriage between two people suffering from epilepsy. No need for a long time to be in a poorly ventilated area and freeze. It is recommended to prevent fever in a timely manner, especially in children. Experts advise leading a healthy lifestyle, eating right, strengthening immunity, properly dosing physical activity, constantly walking, observing sleep and wakefulness.