|
|
What is Epilepsy? |
| | | | |
Symptoms
Epilepsy is a disruptive disorder which interferes with the normal exchange of electrical impulses within the brain. Even though many people associate the condition with convulsive episodes and blackouts, the symptoms for such are actually varied. The seizures are usually subtle, and may cause odd sensations, feelings, and behavior. While some epileptics only stare at a blank space for a brief period during a seizure, others may experience violent convulsions. Seizures may either be partial or generalized, depending on the extent of the disruptive activity on the brain. Those which are localized are referred to as the former, but these can nevertheless spread to the entire brain, resulting in a generalized seizure.
Causes
A few types of epilepsy is associated with a defect in the gene which is responsible for regulating the way in which brain cells communicate, although the chances of a disorder arising from the disorder are very minimal. Nevertheless, it seems that dysfunctions in any of the various genes can be a contributor to the progression of epilepsy. Some types of the condition also have a tendency to run in the family, but this is only part of the cause; environmental factors play a significant role as well. Many of the documented cases attribute epilepsy as a result of trauma, either from an accident, illness, or conditions like stroke – those which injure the brain and deprive it of its supply of oxygen. The condition may also be caused by a brain tumor, but such cases are rare.
Diagnosis
Since the person who suffers epileptic seizures will most likely be unaware of what is happening during the episode, the doctor may base a prognosis through a consultation with someone who has witnessed the seizure. A neurological examination will then be conducted to test the patient’s muscle reflex, tone, and endurance, as well as his or her sensory capability, posture, and locomotor abilities. The test also includes an inquiry into the patient’s level of thinking, judgment, and recall. The blood may be tested to look for signs of an infection, poisoning, even conditions like anemia or diabetes, anything which could be the reason for the seizures. Finally, the doctor may assess the status of the brain through imaging apparatus like a CT scan, a positron emission tomography, an MRI scan, a SPECT scan, or an EEG.
Treatment Info
Most cases of epilepsy can be easily treated with anti-epileptic drugs, providing the patient with a seizure-free life; adult patients can also stop taking the medication after a two-year intake program and suffer no further seizures. Making prescriptions for such can be complicated though; the doctor may experiment on several drugs, and combine types and dosages in order to find the best medications for the patient. In cases when the cause of the seizure is a specific region in the brain, the doctor may surgically remove the suspected area, allowing the patient to control the condition with fewer medications and lower dosages. The frequency of episodes may also be reduced with a vagus nerve stimulator, an apparatus which is attached around the neck, and which affects the flow of electrical impulses to the brain.
| | | |
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
