Epilepsy: Causes, Symptoms, Preventions, Diagnosis and Treatment

 

Epilepsy is a chronic condition in which patients get seizure attacks. It is a brain disorder that causes recurring seizures. There are many types of epilepsy conditions. Often, the causes can be often identified, and in some, it remains unknown.

Epilepsy is quite common, as 1 out of 26 people happens to develop this disorder. Epilepsy affects people of almost all genders, races, and age groups. Seizure symptoms vary from person to person. Some people stare when they have a seizure attack. Others may twitch their arms or legs on repeated movements. 

Having a single seizure doesn't mean you have epilepsy. It happens if you've had at least two unprovoked seizures at least 24 hours apart. Unprovoked seizures don't have a clear cause.

 

Epilepsy Treatment

We can treat epilepsy through medicines sometimes, and sometimes surgery is often required. Some people end up having a need for lifelong treatment, and in some cases, the seizures go away on their own after a certain amount of time.

 

Epilepsy Symptoms

Seizure symptoms vary and depend on the type of convulsions attack. Epilepsy is somehow caused by certain activities in the brain, these attacks can meddle with any brain process. The symptoms are down below:

a. You start feeling the confusion.

b. A constant staring at one point.

c. Sore and spasms in muscles.

d. Uncontrollable vibration-like movements of the arms and legs.

e. Complete loss of consciousness or awareness.

f. Psychological factors take a toll, such as fear and anxiety.

Most people with epilepsy have the same type of seizure each time. Symptoms most of the time remain similar from episode to episode.

 

Epilepsy Causes

Epilepsy has no known cause in almost half of the people with this condition. In the other half, the condition may develop to various factors, including:

a. The first cause is genetic influence - Some types of this condition run in families. In these cases, it's likely that there's a genetic influence. Scientists have found connections between certain genes and some types of epilepsy. But, there is another form of epilepsy that can occur in people with genetic changes.

b. Various factors can cause epilepsy, and genes are one part of the equation.

c. Head injuries from accidents or other traumatic events can also lead to epilepsy.

d. Issues within the brain, such as tumors or abnormal blood vessel formations, can be responsible for causing seizures. In adults over the age of 35, stroke is a leading factor in epilepsy cases.

e. Before babies are born, Epilepsy can affect and trigger certain factors that might harm their brains, leading to conditions like epilepsy or cerebral palsy. Moreover, some of these factors include infections in the mother, inadequate nutrition, or lack of oxygen.

f. However, epilepsy and developmental disorders somehow have a connection. For example, individuals with autism are more prone to epilepsy compared to those without autism. 

g. Research has also shown that people with epilepsy diagnosis are more likely to have other developmental disorders like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

 

Epilepsy Preventions

There are many obvious factors that may increase your risk of epilepsy:

Age. The epilepsy diagnosis is more common in kids and adults, but the conditions depend on the age of the category. 

Family history. If epilepsy runs in the blood or it has a genetic history, it is much more 

likely to get this disorder.

Head injuries can cause epilepsy. To lower your risk, wear a seat belt in the car and a helmet during activities like biking, skiing, or motorcycling.

Stroke and another blood vessel. Diseases can also lead to brain damage and trigger seizures. To reduce the risk, avoid excessive alcohol and smoking, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly.

Dementia in older adults can increase the risk of epilepsy.

Certain brain infections like meningitis increase the risk of epilepsy.

Children may experience seizures due to high fevers, but most won't develop epilepsy. However, the risk of epilepsy increases if a child has a long fever-associated seizure, another nervous system condition, or a family history of epilepsy. So, to prevent any harm, book an appointment with a specialist doctor.

 

Autism Symptoms Epilepsy Drug

There is no specific drug that treats autism symptoms. Besides this, autism and epilepsy are separate conditions with distinct underlying causes. Besides, some medications that help manage epilepsy may also be often prescribed. So, to help control specific symptoms associated with autism.

For people with autism and epilepsy, doctors might prescribe antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) to manage and reduce seizure activity. Moreover, Controlling seizures can benefit overall well-being and may help address specific behavioral challenges.