Skip to content
Medical-conditions — Science — Fitness News You Can Trust — Understanding Mental Wellness — Understanding Your Brain Health

Epileptic Seizures: Identification, Manifestations, Underlying Conditions, Diagnosis Procedures, and Therapeutic Approaches

Epilepsy Description, Signs, Triggers, Diagnostic Procedures, and Remedies

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
Seizure Disorder Description, Signs, Origins, Diagnosis Methods, and Remedial Strategies
Seizure Disorder Description, Signs, Origins, Diagnosis Methods, and Remedial Strategies

Epileptic Seizures: Identification, Manifestations, Underlying Conditions, Diagnosis Procedures, and Therapeutic Approaches

Epilepsy, a neurological condition characterized by unprovoked, recurrent seizures, affects millions of people worldwide. Approximately 65 million people globally and around 3.4 million in the United States are living with this condition. Every year, about 150,000 new cases are diagnosed in the U.S.

The cause of epilepsy remains unknown in about half of the cases. However, it's important to note that there's currently no cure for epilepsy, but it can be managed effectively with medications and other strategies.

A doctor diagnoses epilepsy when a person has two or more seizures with no identifiable cause. To diagnose epilepsy, a doctor may order a complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry of your blood, as well as an electroencephalogram (EEG), which involves placing electrodes on your scalp to search for abnormal patterns in your brain's electrical activity. Imaging tests like CT scan, MRI, positron emission tomography (PET), and single-photon emission computerized tomography can also reveal tumors and other abnormalities that can cause seizures.

There are two main types of seizures: generalized seizures and focal seizures. Generalized seizures affect the whole brain, while focal seizures affect only one part of the brain. Symptoms of generalized seizures include loss of consciousness, shaking, and loss of bladder or bowel control. Symptoms of focal seizures include alterations to senses, dizziness, and tingling and twitching of limbs.

Anti-epileptic (anticonvulsant, antiseizure) drugs can help reduce the number of seizures you have. Regular checkups with a doctor are crucial for people with epilepsy, especially if seizures are not well managed.

In some cases, medications may not be enough, and other strategies may be considered. For instance, the ketogenic diet, a high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet, may benefit more than half of children who do not respond to medications. In extreme cases, brain surgery can involve removing the part of your brain where the seizures start or interrupting the nerve pathway by making cuts in the brain.

Unfortunately, more than one million people in the U.S. have epilepsy that is not well managed. Moreover, about one-fifth of people with epilepsy live in low-income countries and do not receive proper treatment.

In older adults, strokes can cause a significant number of cases of epilepsy when there is no other identifiable cause. It's also worth noting that men develop epilepsy more often than women, possibly due to higher exposure to risk factors like alcohol use and head trauma.

Lastly, there are advanced treatment options available for people with epilepsy. For example, the vagus nerve stimulator is a device surgically placed under the skin on your chest that electrically stimulates the nerve to prevent seizures.

In conclusion, while epilepsy remains a complex condition, advancements in diagnosis and treatment offer hope for those affected. It's crucial to seek medical attention if you or someone you know experiences seizures, and to manage the condition effectively with the guidance of healthcare professionals.

Read also:

Related

Latest