Dorothy FarrarEpilepsy
Epilepsy is a dysfunction of the central nervous system. This chronic disease can cause so-called epileptic seizures . Due to medical advances, epilepsy is now easily treatable. Nevertheless, epilepsy is a serious illness that can be life-threatening in an acute attack.
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a so-called seizure disorder, which usually occurs suddenly and unexpectedly.
Epilepsy is characterized by individually different forms. In addition, the epileptic seizures differ both in their intensity and in specific disorders of motor skills.
Basically, epilepsy is a temporary, sometimes severe body cramp that occurs like a seizure. Epilepsy is seen in connection with an aura, a status epilepticus, a so-called terminal sleep and various forms.
causes
Epilepsy can occur in children, adolescents and adults. Scientific research has shown that there is an increased risk of this severe health impairment, especially in young children and from the age of 60.There is a central causal connection between epilepsy and a genetic predisposition to the disease. Especially in families where individual members already suffer from epilepsy, the children or other family members are affected more often.
In addition, abnormalities in the anatomy of the brain and complications during pregnancy and childbirth are causes of epilepsy. Injuries to the brain, strokes, tumors in the brain areas and meningitis can promote epilepsy.
Some people suffer from epilepsy due to heavy alcohol, medication and drug abuse. Various diseases and disorders of the metabolic system and poisoning can also lead to epilepsy.
When to the doctor?
The first occurrence of an epileptic seizure frightens a patient so much that the question of whether to see a doctor is not even an issue. If he was not on his own in this event, the surrounding people will have called the ambulance anyway and the person concerned will be examined in detail in the hospital. After all, a first-time epileptic seizure cannot be recognized as such without an examination – such seizures also occur in advanced brain tumors .
Once diagnosed with epilepsy, diagnosed epilepsy must have regular check-ups with a neurologist who will check the dosage of their medication. Of course, it can take some time before they are properly adjusted so that they no longer have epileptic seizures. If a seizure occurs again with known epilepsy and previous appropriate drug treatment, this is also a reason to see a doctor. In these cases, the medication must be readjusted.
Seizures will always occur in severe cases of epilepsy, even with drug suppression. If the patient injures himself, if a seizure lasts longer than usual or is unusually violent, he should go to the accompanying neurologist to have it clarified whether his epilepsy has changed or gotten worse. Every epileptic should also consult a doctor as a matter of principle if side effects or other symptoms occur while taking their medication.
symptoms and course
Epilepsy has deviating forms, which can be expressed by a typical feeling of discomfort in the context of anticipation. In addition to nausea and numbness , abnormal sensations or sensory disturbances in the extremities can also occur. However, these deviations in general condition do not always have to accompany epilepsy.
If epilepsy is not dangerous status epilepticus, only temporary disturbances of consciousness occur. Patients may faint for a few minutes or seconds. In the case of minor epilepsy, there are short-term failures in the patient’s ability to perceive. They do not respond appropriately to speech and seem dreamy.
In addition, hallucinations are observed. In the case of epilepsy, these more psychological impairments are accompanied to a greater or lesser extent by uncontrolled convulsions and muscle spasms ( convulsions ) of the body. Some epileptics experience an involuntary flow of saliva, sometimes leading to urinary and fecal incontinence during the attack .
Epilepsy is chronic and seizures can occur at any time. They are caused by various factors such as tiredness, excitement, fear, dim light or video games and in most cases subside on their own after a few minutes.
However, the exact duration depends on the type and cause of the seizure. After an epileptic seizure, the patient should rest. If appropriate medication is taken, the majority of epileptics no longer experience seizures. If the cause of the epilepsy has been eliminated, there is a small risk of having another seizure after stopping the drug treatment.
Diagnose
Epilepsy is diagnosed by a neurologist. The first step is to take the patient’s medical history, the so-called anamnesis. This is followed by a blood test. If an attack has already occurred, it is primarily used to rule out possible other triggers such as diabetes mellitus, metabolic diseases, infections or anemia .
The EEG (electroencephalography), which records the electrical activity of the human brain , is essential for diagnosing epilepsy . The 20 to 30 minute examination is carried out using electrodes placed on the head.
Epilepsies can also be diagnosed using imaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. MRI is used to examine the structure of the brain. The resulting cross-sectional images can be used to identify and assess changes in the brain. The CT works in a similar way , but in comparison to the MRT, it delivers less precise results due to the lower resolution.
In addition, fMRT (functional magnetic resonance imaging) can be used to precisely determine the seizure focus of epilepsy. Differences in cerebral blood flow can also be measured in this way. The procedure is used, for example, when an operation is to be carried out.
complications
Epilepsy can lead to serious complications and a life-threatening condition for the patient. For this reason, this disease must definitely be examined and treated by a doctor. Those affected suffer from severe cramps and very strong tremors. Furthermore it can also lead to disturbances of consciousnessand in the worst case, loss of consciousness. This loss can seriously injure the person concerned. This applies in particular if the person concerned operates machines or drives a vehicle. Furthermore, the patients also suffer from memory lapses after the seizures and cannot, for example, remember how the accident happened. The patient’s quality of life is significantly restricted and reduced by epilepsy. It is not uncommon for epilepsy to lead to visual disturbances or severe muscle soreness.
In many cases, direct treatment is not possible. However, the seizures themselves can be reduced. Furthermore, relatives and friends must also be able to help the person affected in the event of a seizure. Complications can be avoided. In serious cases, an emergency doctor must treat the person concerned. In the worst case, an epileptic seizure without treatment can lead to the death of the patient. The life expectancy of the patient may also be limited by the epilepsy.
treatment and therapy
In general, epilepsy is treatable. However, the chances of success of the therapies depend on the age of the patient, the course of the epileptic seizures and the associated side effects.
In the case of epilepsy, acute and long-term treatment are scheduled due to the special course of the disease. In addition, correct first aid measures are important treatment options for epilepsy.
Status epilepticus is a specific complication of epilepsy in which the seizure becomes manifest and can be life-threatening. In this situation, the emergency doctor must be summoned. Specific antiepileptic drugs can be used for the long-term and preventative treatment of epilepsy . In addition to the so-called monotherapeutics as the sole medication, combination preparations are also used depending on the course of the epilepsy.As an alternative to medication, suitable forms of diet such as a ketogenic diet during fasting, special surgical interventions in connection with the special discipline of epilepsy surgery and stimulation of the vagus nerve can be considered. An important pillar of epilepsy therapy is the social environment of people with epilepsy. In this context, behavioral therapy is considered useful in combination with psychotherapeutic procedures.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.