A comprehensive guide to Epilepsy

by Manya Verma Health care and lifestyle

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or unusual behavior patterns, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness. The symptoms can vary widely and hence the course of treatment is subjective.

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Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of seizures may include:

Confusion
Staring spell
Uncontrollable jerking movements
Loss of awareness
Fear or anxiety

Though symptoms can vary from one person to another but a person with epilepsy will generally have the same type of seizure from episode to episode.

Any neurologist doctor classifies seizures as focal or generalized:

Focal seizures: When seizures appear to result from abnormal activity in just one area of your brain,

Generalized seizures: Seizures that appear to involve all areas of the brain

A neurologist in Patna suggests that even if you are unclear which type of seizure you have, you must visit the doctor if any of the following occurs:

· The seizure lasts more than five minutes

· Breathing or consciousness doesn't return after the seizure stops

A second seizure follows immediately
You have a high fever
You're experiencing heat exhaustion
You're pregnant
You have diabetes
You've injured yourself during the seizure

Causes

While in some people there has been no identifiable cause which makes the neurologist treatment

course a challenging one, in some people, the condition may be due to factors, including:

Genetic influence: Neurologist doctors have linked certain types of epilepsy to specific genes, but for most people, genes are only part of the cause of epilepsy.

Head trauma: Head trauma due to a car accident or other traumatic injuries can cause epilepsy.

Brain conditions: Brain conditions such as brain tumors or strokes, can cause epilepsy. Stroke is a leading cause of epilepsy in adults older than age 35.

Infectious diseases: Infectious diseases, such as meningitis, AIDS and viral encephalitis, can cause epilepsy.

Prenatal injury: Before birth several factors, such as an infection in the mother, poor nutrition or oxygen deficiencies can result in epilepsy or cerebral palsy.

Developmental disorders: Developmental disorders, such as autism and neurofibromatosis can also be a contributing factor to Epilepsy

Risk factors

Some factors as per a neuro doctor in Patna increase the risk of epilepsy:

Age: The onset of epilepsy is most common in children and older adults

Family history: An existing family history of epilepsy increases risk of developing the disorder

Head injuries. Head injuries are responsible for some cases of epilepsy.

Stroke and other vascular diseases. These conditions can lead to brain damage that may trigger epilepsy.

Dementia. In older adults, dementia can increase the risk of epilepsy

Brain infections. Infections such as meningitis causes inflammation in your brain or spinal cord

Seizures in childhood. High fevers in childhood can sometimes be associated with seizures. However, neurologist in Gurgaon reassures that children who have seizures due to high fevers generally won't generally develop epilepsy.

Paras Institute of Neurology has a top-ranked team of neurologists in Patna, Gurgaon and Darbanga with expertise in diagnosing and treating more than 500 neurological conditions, including epilepsy. The institute is recognized nationally as one of the best in India for diagnosis and treatment of neurological ailments.