Defining: Epilepsy; Its Causes and Effects

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient symptoms indicative of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Causes for epilepsy may be: infection in the central nervous system; abnormalities in the brain structure due to congenital defect, premature birth or other causes; cerebral hemorrhage due to head injury or trauma; damage to cerebral blood vessels; brain tumors; other genetic disorders.

Epilepsy often appears in individuals with: complications due to premature birth, cerebral palsy, autism, mental retardation, and various syndromes such as Fragile X and Engelmann. 

Epilepsy can present in various forms, depending on the location of the abnormal electrical activity in the brain. A diagnosis is formed by: 1. a clinical report 2. EEG tracings taken both when the individual is asleep and awake 3. Neuroimaging, performed to determine the possibility of abnormal brain structure.

Types of Seizures:

1. General attack – a general attack manifests itself in loss of consciousness, tonic-clonic convulsions and then recovery. This type of attack may occur as a result of a fall or head injury. In a general attack, the individual may feel signs of an oncoming attack such as a metallic taste in the mouth and flashing vision.

During a general attack, the primary concern is to prevent the patient from injuring himself during his convulsions and loss of consciousness. The patient will continue to receive adequate oxygen and should get back to himself within a few minutes. An attack generally lasts between five and seven minutes, after which the individual may show signs of fatigue (postictal state). If a patient does not regain consciousness (a scenario termed status epilepticus) or if he was injured, medical assistance should be summoned immediately so that the patient will receive the medications needed to halt the attack.

2. Partial seizure – an attack resulting from an injury to a specific area. The attack manifests itself in tingling sensations, flashing vision, nausea, impaired balance and other symptoms.

3. Absence seizure – an attack marked by a momentary break in consciousness, where the body makes no movements except for eye blinking. This type of attack typically occurs in young children and can happen several times in one day. While such episodes may cause confusion and difficulties in concentrating, this type of seizure does not require immediate medical attention as it passes on its own.

4. Febrile seizure – a convulsive seizure resulting from very high fever. Febrile seizures typically surface in infancy and early childhood, but rarely indicate a diagnosis of epilepsy. Only a small percent of children who suffer from febrile seizures actually develop epilepsy.

Treatment varies according to the type of seizure and is usually in the form of anticonvulsive medications. These medications restrain neural transmissions in the brain, thus preventing seizures, or at least diminishing the frequency of attacks. In some cases, there is a need to combine several medications in order to reach the right balance. Sometimes the patient is also put on a ketogenic diet (rich in fat) to help keep the seizures under control. In severe cases, surgery may be performed on the affected area of the brain.

Epileptic patients need to be extremely rigorous about taking their meds on a regular basis, having their blood levels checked once every 3-6 months, getting adequate sleep, preventing constipation and avoiding stressful situations  which can exacerbate the frequency of attacks. Medical treatment is usually administered for a minimum of two years following the first attack.

One should turn to a neurologist for a thorough examination at the first signs of asymmetrical body movements, rapid eye blinking, short spells of unconsciousness, difficulties concentrating and impaired balance, all of which may possibly prelude the onset of epileptic attacks,

With blessings for good health to all!