Epilepsy
- Bryce Q
- Dec 28, 2022
- 2 min read
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder where cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures, a sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain.
What are the symptoms of epilepsy?
Epilepsy can cause two different kinds of seizures: focal and generalized. The symptoms of epilepsy differ with each person and according to the type of seizure.
Focal seizures only affect a part of the brain. There are two subtypes of these seizures: simple partial seizures and complex partial seizures. Simple partial seizures can cause alteration to the five senses, dizziness, and twitching of limbs. Complex partial seizures can cause a loss of consciousness, unresponsiveness, and repetitive movements.
Generalized seizures affect the whole brain. There are six subtypes of these seizures: absence seizures, which cause similar symptoms to complex partial seizures, tonic seizures, atonic seizures, clonic seizures, myoclonic seizures, and tonic-clonic seizures, which cause stiffening of the body, shaking, loss of bladder control, biting of the tongue, and loss of consciousness.
How does epilepsy affect a person long-term?
Because seizures can cause you to lose consciousness and mobility, epilepsy can be very dangerous in certain situations, such as when you are swimming, driving, using machinery, or even pregnant, which can harm the baby. Epilepsy can also take an emotional toll on a person. People with epilepsy are more like to have depression, psychological problems, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety.
What causes epilepsy?
Unfortunately, the cause of epilepsy for 60% of those diagnosed cannot be determined. However, many factors can contribute to epilepsy, including stroke, brain tumors, traumatic head injury, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurological factors.
How is epilepsy diagnosed?
The most common test to diagnose epilepsy is an electroencephalogram (EEG). This test records the electrical activity in your brain. Other neurological tests are used to supplement the results of an EEG, including CT, MRI, PET, and SPECT scans.
How common is epilepsy?
In 2015, about 1.2% of the U.S. population (3.4 million people) were affected by epilepsy. About 3 million of those were adults, while 400,000 were children. Worldwide, more than 50,000,000 people have epilepsy, but epilepsy is most prevalent in developing countries and low-income families, where treatment for epilepsy is often inaccessible.
Anyone can develop epilepsy; however, it’s more common in children and young adults. Epilepsy occurs slightly more in men than women.
How is epilepsy treated?
Patients with epilepsy are commonly treated by anti-seizure medications. Surgery can also be an option if a small part of your brain causes your seizures. Also, the part of the brain causing the seizures can’t have vital functions such as speech or breathing. Each option can have side effects. There have also been alternate therapies that have worked with some patients with epilepsy, including a vague nerve simulator, which stimulates the nerve behind your neck, and a ketogenic diet, which encompasses high fat and low carbohydrates.
How to prevent epilepsy?
Though epilepsy is sometimes hereditary, epilepsy can be prevented. One way to decrease your risk of getting epilepsy is by preventing traumatic brain injuries. Remember to always wear a helmet when biking, wear a seatbelt when you are in a car, step carefully to avoid traumatic falls, and take care of brain injuries if they do happen. Healthy practices, such as diet, exercise, and hygiene, can also help prevent epilepsy.
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