Understanding Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness.
Key Fact: A person is diagnosed with epilepsy if they have two or more unprovoked seizures at least 24 hours apart.
Common Symptoms
Temporary Confusion
A 'spacing out' or loss of awareness for a few seconds or minutes.
Staring Spells
Episodes where the person appears to be staring blankly into space.
Uncontrollable Jerking
Jerking movements of the arms and legs (tonic-clonic seizures).
Fear or Anxiety
Psychic symptoms such as deja vu, fear, or anxiety preceding a seizure.
Risk Factors
- Head trauma
- Brain conditions (tumors, strokes)
- Infectious diseases (meningitis)
- Developmental disorders
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves testing the brain's electrical activity and ruling out metabolic causes.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
CT Scan
MRI
Functional MRI (fMRI)
Common Treatments
-
Anti-seizure Medications: Drugs that help eliminate or reduce the frequency of seizures.
-
Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A device implanted under the skin that sends bursts of electrical energy to the brain.
-
Ketogenic Diet: A high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that can help reduce seizures in children.