The definition of epilepsy, also known as seizure disorder, is a brain disorder that causes recurrent seizures. Seizures resulting from epilepsy occur as a neurological disorder that temporarily affects the functioning of the brain. Seizures can last one to three minutes. Seizures lasting longer than five minutes may require emergency intervention. What is epilepsy, what are the symptoms of epilepsy, how is epilepsy treated? If you are curious about the answers to such questions, you can read the rest of the article.
What are the Symptoms of Epilepsy?
Symptoms of seizures resulting from epilepsy vary according to the type of seizure. Because epilepsy is caused by specific activities in the brain, seizures resulting from the disease can affect any brain process. Symptoms of epilepsy seizures can therefore be varied. Some people may lose awareness during a seizure, looking around blankly for a few seconds. However, someone experiencing a seizure may twitch their arms and legs repeatedly in movements known as convulsions or spasms. Some of the symptoms that occur as a result of epileptic seizures are as follows:
Don’t stare blankly into the void,
Stiffening of the muscles,
Uncontrollable twitching movements of the arms and legs,
Loss of consciousness or awareness,
Psychological symptoms such as fear, anxiety or déjà vu,
Tingling sensation in the arms or legs.
Usually seen in childhood or over the age of sixty, epilepsy can start at any age. In some cases, changes in the behavior of people with epilepsy may occur. Symptoms of psychosis can also occur as a result of the disease. Most people with epilepsy tend to have the same type of seizure every time. The symptoms of an epileptic seizure are often similar.
Epilepsy Treatment
In the treatment of epilepsy, it is very important to know the factors that cause epilepsy. If the causes of epilepsy are identified and eliminated, epilepsy can be prevented. Epilepsy risk factors that cause epilepsy may include
Head Trauma Trauma to the head for any reason can cause epilepsy.
Factors in the Brain Brain tumors can cause epilepsy. Epilepsy can also be caused by the way the blood vessels in the brain are formed. People with blood vessel disorders such as arteriovenous malformations and cavernous malformations can have epileptic seizures. However, stroke is one of the leading causes of epilepsy, especially in adults older than thirty-five years.
Infections Some infectious diseases can cause epilepsy.
Injury before birth: Before birth, babies can develop brain damage that can be caused by various factors. A maternal infection, malnutrition or lack of oxygen can cause brain damage in babies. This brain damage can lead to epilepsy.
Developmental Disorders: Epilepsy can sometimes be associated with developmental disorders. People with autism may be more likely to have epilepsy than people without autism. People with epilepsy may also have other developmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Improving the factors that cause epilepsy can help control epilepsy.
Seizures that occur in epilepsy can be controlled with antiepileptic drugs or by avoiding factors that trigger epilepsy. People diagnosed with epilepsy can also undergo different treatment methods to control seizures that may occur as a result of the disease. Some of the treatments applied in epilepsy are as follows:
Medication use,
Surgery in the area of the brain that causes seizures,
Therapies that stimulate the brain using a device,
A ketogenic diet.
Epilepsy is a disease with multiple types. In addition to all these treatment methods, the types of epilepsy can also affect the treatment method applied. Some of the types of epilepsy are as follows:
Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures: This type of seizure usually starts with a sudden loss of consciousness. After a loss of consciousness, the body may then stiffen. During a seizure, symptoms such as red or blue skin color, tongue biting and loss of bladder control may occur.
Absence Seizures: This seizure is usually short-lived and may include symptoms such as staring, loss of expression, unresponsiveness. At the end of the seizure, the person usually recovers quickly and can resume the activities they were doing before they remember the seizure.
Focal seizures Seizures that start in one area of the brain and continue in the same area are called focal seizures. During a seizure, abnormal movements, different emotions, or behaviors may occur.
Febrile Convulsions Febrile convulsions, which usually occur in children, may involve a seizure in the form of a convulsive convulsion. Seizures can be treated by lowering the high fever.
Epilepsy is a disease that can be controlled if certain measures are taken. Epilepsy and lifestyle are interrelated concepts for the treatment of the disease. Some lifestyle changes can help prevent seizures.
It is important that epilepsy treatment is under the supervision of a doctor. If you want to have more detailed information about epilepsy, do not neglect to consult a health institution. One Dose Health online health counseling service allows online doctor consultation and online treatment.
