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Risks Associated With Seizures

Having uncontrollable seizures may put you at risk for injuries. People with epilepsy, by definition having two or more unprovoked seizures, are at greater risk for a seizure-related injury. They also tend to have higher incidences of accidents outside of a seizure. Those with seizures that result in an alteration or loss of consciousness, like during atonic seizures or tonic-clonic seizures, are at the highest risk of injury. Notably, most risks are not fatal. The type of injuries associated with seizures depends on the type of seizure and severity. Broken Bones Fractures are a common injury in people with epilepsy. Fractures can occur due to the inability to activate protective reflexes during seizures, resulting in falls. The muscle contractions of seizures themselves can also pose a great load on the skeleton. Additionally, some antiepileptic medications are known to reduce bone mass density.20 Burns Incidences of burns are more common among people dealing with epilepsy than the greater population. Most reported burns happen during daily activities like cooking or ironing.21 Shoulder Dislocations Posterior shoulder dislocations are described as seizure-related injuries but are fairly rare events. In the case of someone who is experiencing a seizure, ensuring that the person is not lying on their side during the episode may lower the risk of a shoulder dislocation. Car Accidents Driving is often a common concern for those dealing with epilepsy due to the possibility of unprovoked seizures occurring while the individual is behind the wheel. However, fatal crash rates are 26 times greater in the drivers with other medical issues than among those dealing with epilepsy. It is important to recognize that the likelihood of an accident occurring while driving does increase if you are dealing with a seizure disorder. Aspiration Aspiration is defined as the drawing in (or out) of a substance by suction. When food, liquid, or other material enters the lungs or airways by accident, aspiration is occurring. Aspiration is rare but normal and even happens in healthy individuals during sleep. The body’s reflexes usually keep the substances out. Activating these reflexes during and after a seizure is difficult. In some cases, aspiration can lead to respiratory disease such as aspiration pneumonia. During the middle of a seizure, or during the ictal phase, there is a low risk of aspiration. After a seizure is when the risk of oral secretions entering the airways by accident increases. It is recommended that a person be turned to their side after a seizure in order to avoid aspiration. Aspiration can eventually lead to aspiration pneumonia, which is characterized by the failure of normal body mechanisms to keep food and liquid out of the lungs, resulting in inflammation, infection, or obstruction of the airway

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Epilepsy and Sleep Deprivation

People with epilepsy need to get the proper amount of sleep. Losing sleep can increase the frequency of seizures in persons with epilepsy11, including those who have never had seizures before, but this connection isn't apparent in all patients. Neuronal excitability is one theory as to why sleep loss may cause seizures. Brain neurons are more prone to cause significant alterations in electrical activity when underslept. These significant fluctuations in electrical activity can turn aberrant in an epileptic and trigger a seizure.

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NFLE & BECTS

Nearly all seizures in persons with nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (NFLE) take place during NREM sleep. Although this illness can manifest at any age, it typically first manifests in childhood. People with NFLE may not be aware of nightly seizure activity after waking up. Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS): Between the ages of 3 and 13 years old, BECTS is the epilepsy in children that is most frequently diagnosed. Seventy percent of the seizures that these children have during sleep—typically just after going to sleep or just before waking up in the morning—occur during sleep

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Who treats Epilepsy?

People with epilepsy are treated by numerous healthcare professionals. When a person with epilepsy experiences a new seizure, primary care professionals like family doctors, pediatricians, and nurse practitioners are frequently the first to see the patient. These professionals might identify epilepsy or see a neurologist or epileptologist before making the diagnosis. A physician with a focus on the nervous system and the brain is known as a neurologist. A neurologist with expertise in epilepsy is known as an epileptologist. The patient may be sent to a neurologist or epileptologist for specialized care when issues arise, such as seizures or medication side effects. A person may be referred to an epilepsy center if they experience seizures that are challenging to control or if they require advanced treatment for epilepsy. Those that specialize in treating epilepsy are employed by epilepsy centers, including ● neurologists and epileptologists. ● Nurses ● Psychologists ● Technicians. ● Numerous epilepsy clinics collaborate with academic medical centers and researchers.

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Side effects of common medication in Epilepsy

Possible negative effects include: ● Fatigue ● dizziness ● body rash ● a lack of cooperation ● memory issues Depression and liver or other organ inflammation are uncommon but dangerous side effects. Everybody with epilepsy experiences it differently, but most patients benefit from anti seizure medication. Some epileptic youngsters may experience fewer seizures and need fewer medications.

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What factors can trigger Seizures in Epileptic patients?

Some people can pinpoint the events or circumstances that cause their seizures.Several of the most typical triggers include: ● absence of sleep ● a fever or sickness ● stress ● flashing or patterned lights, or both ● Caffeine, alcohol, or alcohol withdrawal, narcotics, or prescription medications ● skipping meals, overindulging, or certain dietary components ● really low blood sugar ● a brain injury Finding triggers is not always simple. It's not necessarily true that a single occurrence qualifies as a trigger. Frequently, a seizure is brought on by a number of circumstances.

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What is the ketogenic diet?

What is it like? The typical "classical" ketogenic diet, called the "long-chain triglyceride diet," provides 3 to 4 grams of fat for every 1 gram of carbohydrate and protein. That is about 90% of calories from fat. Usually when the classic ketogenic diet is prescribed, the total calories are matched to the number of calories the person needs. For example, if a child is eating a 1500 calorie regular diet, it would be changed to a 1500 calorie ketogenic diet. For very young children only, the diet may be prescribed based on weight, for example 75 to 100 calories for each kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight. If it sounds complicated, it is! That’s why people need a dietician’s help when using this diet. A ketogenic diet "ratio" is the ratio of fat to carbohydrate and protein grams combined. A 4:1 ratio is more strict than a 3:1 ratio and is typically used for most children. A 3:1 ratio is typically used for infants, adolescents, and children who require higher amounts of protein or carbohydrate for some other reason. The kinds of foods that provide fat for the ketogenic diet are butter, heavy whipping cream, mayonnaise, and oils (e.g., canola or olive). Because the amount of carbohydrate and protein in the diet have to be restricted, it is very important to prepare meals carefully. No other sources of carbohydrates can be eaten. The ketogenic diet is supervised by a dietician who monitors the child's nutrition and can teach parents and the child what can and cannot be eaten, a neurologist who monitors medications and overall benefits.

I am Deepthi Shetty, volunteering for epilepsy Campaign, not employed by Ioncure

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Rate of Epilepsy

A large amount of the global disease burden is accounted for by epilepsy, which affects about 50 million individuals globally. Between 4 and 10 per 1000 people  are thought to be affected by active epilepsy at any given moment, defined as having ongoing seizures or needing treatment. Each year, epilepsy affects an estimated 5 million people worldwide. Epilepsy is thought to be diagnosed in 49 out of every 100,000 people annually in high-income countries. This number can reach 139 per 100 000 in low- and middle-income nations.