Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a disease of the central nervous system (neurological), during which the function of nerve cells in the brain is disturbed, resulting in seizures and episodes of unusual behavior, sensations and sometimes loss of consciousness.
Symptoms of an attack are different Some people with epilepsy simply stare for several minutes during an attack, and the rest may make repetitive movements of the upper and lower limbs.
About 10% of people with an attack have one unprovoked attack. However, one seizure does not indicate that a person has epilepsy At least 2 unprovoked seizures are required to be diagnosed with epilepsy
Even mild attacks need treatment because they can become dangerous during certain activities, such as driving or swimming. 80% of epileptic seizures are controlled by medication and sometimes surgery Some children with epilepsy improve on their own as they get older
In half of the cases, the obvious cause of epilepsy is unknown In other cases, there are many causes of epilepsy
- Genetic predisposition Some types of epilepsy, which are divided according to which type of seizure occurs in which part of the brain, are inherited In these cases, there is a genetic predisposition
Researchers have linked several genes to the development of epilepsy However, approximately 500 genes are believed to be associated with this disease In most cases, genetics play a part in the development of epilepsy Some genes make a person more sensitive to the environment, which may lead to the development of seizures - Traumatic head injury A head injury from a traffic accident or trauma can cause epilepsy
- Brain diseases Diseases of the brain, such as cancer or stroke, sometimes cause epilepsy Stroke is the leading cause of epilepsy over the age of 35
- Infectious diseases Infectious diseases such as meningitis, AIDS, and viral encephalitis can cause epilepsy.
- Damage during pregnancy Before birth, babies are susceptible to brain damage caused by several factors: maternal infection, poor nutrition, and lack of oxygen. These types of brain injuries can cause epilepsy or cerebral palsy
- Developmental diseases Epilepsy is sometimes associated with developmental disorders such as autism and neurofibromatosis
Because epilepsy is caused by abnormal brain cells, seizures can affect any process in the brain. Attack symptoms:
- Temporary confusion
- Confusion
- Uncontrolled repetitive movements of the upper and lower limbs
- Loss of consciousness
- Psychotic symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type of attack In most cases, a person with epilepsy tends to develop one type of seizure, so symptoms may be similar from one seizure episode to another.
Doctors divide seizures into two parts based on the form of abnormal brain activity: focal and generalized seizures
Focal seizures When seizures originate from only one part of the brain, it is called focal (partial) seizures Such attacks are divided into two categories
Focal seizures without loss of consciousness (simple partial seizures) Such attacks do not cause loss of consciousness They can change emotions or the perception of objects, smells, tastes and sounds Seizures also cause involuntary tremors of any part of the body, such as the upper and lower limbs Sensory symptoms such as tingling, dizziness, and bright lights in the vision area may also occur. Focal dyscognitive attacks (complex partial attacks) These types of attacks lead to the modification or loss of credentials During a complex partial attack, the patient may be disorientated and unresponsive to the environment Repetitive movements such as rubbing hands together, chewing, swallowing or walking in circles are also noted.
Symptoms of focal attacks may be confused with other neurological diseases such as migraine, narcolepsy or any mental illness. It is difficult to distinguish epilepsy from other diseases
Generalized Seizures Seizures that involve all parts of the brain are called generalized seizures. There are 6 types of generalized attacks
- Absences Absences mainly develop in children The condition is characterized by squinting or repetitive body movements, such as eye blinking Such attacks may cause temporary loss of consciousness
- Tonic Attacks Tonic attacks cause muscle tension Attacks affect the muscles of the back, arms, and lower limbs, causing the patient to fall down.
- Atonic attacks Atonic seizures cause loss of muscle control, causing the patient to faint and fall.
- Clone Attacks Clonic attacks are associated with repetitive, rhythmic muscle movements During the attack, the neck, face and arms are involved
- myoclonic attacks Myoclonic seizures are usually characterized by sudden, brief contractions of the upper and lower limbs.
- Tonic-clonic attacks A tonic-clonic seizure is a severe form of epileptic seizures that causes sudden loss of consciousness, body tremors, and tremors. During an attack, some patients may lose control of urination or bite their tongue
When to consult a doctor Request emergency medical help in the following cases:
- If the attack lasts more than 5 minutes
- If after the attack stops, consciousness or the ability to breathe does not return
- If the first
