Epilepsy? An abnormal movement of skeletal muscles due to abnormal, paroxysmal uncontrolled, electrical activity. It is recurrent attack of loss of activity sensory phenomena and behavioral abnormalities. It is a paroxysmal disorder of nervous system.
Epilepsy is the
fourth most common neurological disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal,
and causing seizures and sometimes loss of awareness. It can affect people of
all ages, but usually starts either in childhood or after 60 years of age.
Almost 65 million people around the world and 3 million people in the United
States are effected with epilepsy.
Epilepsy varies from person to person. In epilepsy brains electrical activity disruption occurs, which temporarily disturbs the messaging system between brain cells.
Epilepsy
causes recurrent seizures, which are a result of excessive electrical
discharges in a group of brain cells. A seizure is defined as a sudden
behavioural change due to a temporary imbalanced electrical functioning of the
brain.
Normally,
the brain continuously generates tiny electrical impulses that travel along
neurons throughout the body via chemical messengers called neurotransmitters.
In patients with seizures, a sudden and synchronized bursts of electrical
energy affects person’s consciousness, movement or sensations.
The seizures in epilepsy may be related to a brain injury or a family history, but often the cause is completely unpredictable and can cause other health problems. A person is diagnosed with epilepsy if he has two unprovoked seizures without any other medical condition like alcohol withdrawal or extremely low blood sugar, while one seizure does not signify epilepsy.
Types of Epileptic Seizures
There are
many different types of epileptic seizures, as seizures are the main symptoms
of epilepsy.They all start in the brain but affect just one part of the brain.
Simple Focal (Partial) Seizures
Don’t
cause a loss of consciousness Involuntary
jerking of a body partAlterations
to sense of smell, feel, sight, taste and hearingTingling
and dizziness An
intense feeling of fearComplex
feeling that’s hard to describeFeelings
that same event has happened before
Complex Focal (Partial) Seizures
Involve
loss of consciousnessStaring
into spaceResponding
abnormally Performing
repetitive movements like hand rubbing, lips smacking, chewing or swallowing
Generalized Seizures
Generalized seizures involve all areas of the brain. There are six types of generalized seizures exist.
01) Absence Seizures
Often occurs in childhoodBrief loss of awarenessStaring blankly into spaceJerking movements of body or limbsFlickering of eyesLasts usually in 15 secondsMay occur several times a day
02) Tonic Seizures
All muscles suddenly become stiffPerson becomes unconscious and falls backwards
03) Atonic Seizures
Muscles suddenly become relax and floppyusually falls forwards
04) Clonic Seizurres
body feel jerk and shakeusually neck, face and arms are affectedloss of bladder or bowl controlTongue or inside cheek biteDifficulty in breathing
05) Myoclonic Seizures
Sudden body twitches or jerkOften happens after waking upPerson don’t lose conscious
06) Tonic-Clonic Seizures
Abrupt loss of consciousBody stiffness and shakingLoss of bladder control
Unknown HypoxemiaVascular insufficiency Fever Head Injury Hypertension Infection of CNSMetabolic changeBrain tumourDrug withdrawal Allergy Degenerative brain disorder etc.
Impaired consciousness Loss of muscle tone or movement trouble of behaviour, mood sensation and perception Disturbance of autonomic functions of the bodyCyanosis Fixed jaw Dilated and fixed pupils Body stiffness Incontinence of urine Staring blankly into spaceSudden CollapsingPanic or angerShort blackouts or confused memory
History
of seizures Electroencephalograph
CT
scan Neuropsychological
tests for epilepsy MRI
Your doctor and nurse will perform the following actions and prescribe some medications.
Takes
a history of seizures Observation
of patient Assesses
knowledge level of patientAltered
tissue perfusion related to diseaseIneffective
airway clearance related to spasmHandle
the injury related to unconsciousnessActivity
intolerance related to diseaseKnowledge
deficitAntiepileptic
medication ( Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, Valproate, Primidone, Phenytoin)
Epilepsy can be best managed by a team of doctors that provide medical, social, psychological and educational support. The most important step you should take is to seek help as soon as you feel less able to cope. You should discuss with a member of the epilepsy team, if you have a problem with school, work, finances, relationships or daily activities. Taking early action and discussion with epilepsy team members will enable you to understand and deal with the many effects of epilepsy.
Premature
birth or weak birthLack
of oxygen during birthSeizures
after birth up to one month Abnormal
brain shape at birthBleeding
into the brainBrain
tumours Serious
brain injury and infections of the brainMental
abnormalities Long
fever-related seizure Alcohol
and drug abuseBlockage
of arteries can cause stroke
Read the full article