Seizure and Epilepsy

Seizures are an abnormal movement or behavior caused by atypical electrical activity in the brain. It is a major symptom of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a group of linked ailment distinguished by a predisposition for repeated seizures. Brain cells correspond by sending electrical signals in a methodical pattern. In epilepsy the electrical signals become anomalous causing an electrical storm leading to seizures.  These storms can be in particular region of the brain or be generalized.

Epilepsy Symptoms

Any behavior which occurs repeatedly characterizes a seizure.

Generalized seizures: In case of generalized seizure, all regions of the brain are involved. The symptoms are:

• The person getting the seizure screams or makes some sound, solidifies for a few seconds and then makes periodic movements of the arms and legs which slow down gradually.
• Eyes remain open.
• The person appears to be still and does not breathe during the episode.
• The person regains consciousness after few moments.
• Loss of urine and confusion is common.

Partial seizures: Here only a particular region of brain is involved, so only that part is affected.  

• If the region of the brain that controls leg movement is involved, then perhaps only that leg will show jerking.
• Depending on parts of brain, symptoms might be odd sensations or repetitive movements such as lip smacking.
• At times, the person with a partial seizure looks stunned or surprised.

Absence or petit mal seizures: These occur mostly in childhood and the symptoms include:

• Mutilation of consciousness
• Person appears to stare blankly.
• Uncontrolled blinking might be present.

Causes of Epilepsy

Children and elderly adults are the ones mostly affected by Epilepsy. Though the exact cause of epilepsy is not known, the main causes of epilepsy are:

• low oxygen at the time of birth
• head injuries that happen during birth or from accidents
• brain tumors
• certain genetic conditions
• infections like encephalitis or meningitis
• any type of damage to the brain
• low blood sugar or in case of diabetes

But in more than 80%of all cases of epilepsy in adults and children, no specific cause can be detected.

Diagnosing Epilepsy

The diagnosis involves determining the type of seizures - epileptic or nonepileptic and their cause. The epilepsy diagnosis depends on:

• The complete medical history of patient that takes into account, family history of this disease, linked medical conditions and present medications.
• Those who observe you during seizures should provide information of your seizures. They should note and tell about the symptoms present.
• A physical as well as neurological examination of muscle power, responses, hearing ability and other sensations are checked to know the cause of your seizures
• An electroencephalogram (EEG) test that checks the electrical impulses in the brain
• Imaging of the brain done by magnetic resonance imaging
• Blood tests to check for RBCs, WBCs, blood sugar and calcium to assess liver and kidney function.
• Some other tests are magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)

The main diagnostic tool is the electroencephalogram (EEG) as it can detect electrical activity in the brain, and seizures caused by unusual electrical activity in the brain. In EEG, small metal disks or electrodes are attached to some particular areas on your head. The electrodes record the brain's electrical activity. The EEG is used to approve a diagnosis of epilepsy and to determine the type of epilepsy.

Treatment

In most cases, epilepsy medications can control seizures. Even in different kinds of epilepsy vary; general medications can manage seizures in 80% cases. But they cannot cure this problem. A precise diagnosis of the type of epilepsy is vital for selecting the best treatment options. Some common drugs used to treat epilepsy include:

Carbatrol (carbamazepine): It is generally the initial option for partial and generalized epilepsy. The common undesirable effects are weariness, vision problems, nausea and rash.

Zarontin (ethosuximide): It is used to treat absence seizures. The side effects are nausea, indigestion, low appetite and loss of weight.

Felbatol: It is used to treat partial and some generalized seizures. The side effects are headaches, low appetite, weight loss, insomnia and depression. The drug might also cause liver failure so the use is restricted.

Gabitril and Keppra: It is used with other epilepsy drugs to treat partial and generalized seizures. The common side effects are wooziness, tiredness, feebleness, bad temper and anxiety

Surgery

Most people with epilepsy can manage their seizures through medication. In some cases, medications are not effective and brain surgery is the only option. The surgery is an operation to control seizures as well as to enhance quality of life. Two types of surgery include:

• Surgery to eradicate the region of the brain causing seizures.
• Surgery to disrupt the nerve path through which the seizure impetus spread in the brain.

Epilepsy: The Ketogenic Diet

The ketogenic diet is a traditional treatments for epilepsy. Over a long period of time, starvation or fasting is maintained. In the fasting state, the fat in the body burns and ketones are formed. It is recognized that seizures decrease in these periods of fasting.

The diet is quite lofty in fat and low in carbohydrates. Since fat is the main source of calories, ketones are produced. The diet should be followed properly and needs a proper obligation to show its effect. Children on the diet do not grow during this period

The diet is started with a fasting period causing the body to produce a moderate to large amount of ketones. The individual should take this diet under strict medical supervision and should be monitored for side effects like nausea, low blood sugar or dehydration .The medicatins should be attuned to avoid any type of sedation. Studies have shown that this diet can be particularly useful in partial and general seizures especially among children.