Living with Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that is characterized by seizers that are caused by a malfunction in the neurons in the brain that causes neuronal excitement. Epilepsy is not curable; however it can be controlled with antiseizure medications. Epilepsy is classified by a series of 5 criteria:

1.
Etiology-this is what causes the seizure. Where the seizure came from. Was it caused by a fall-or some other reason?
2.
Semiology-the manifestations of the seizure-there may be a specific sign that signals when a seizure is about to occur.
3.
Origin-the location where the seizures originate-it could be the brain and or spinal cord.
4.
Medical syndromes-seizures may occur as a result of other medical conditions, such as MS and other diseases.
5.
Trigger-something triggers a seizure-it could be bright lights or flashing lights, or the patient may be reading that induces seizures.

How is epilepsy diagnosed?

The physician will do a history and physical, EEG, MRI, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)-which is a scan that uses gamma rays-and other diagnostic tests. Epilepsy may be challenging to diagnose because not all seizures are initiated by a single cause. Some types of epilepsy are part of certain medical syndromes.

What causes epilepsy?

The cause of epilepsy is either symptomatic or idiopathic in origin (a disorder unto itself), meaning the cause is either structural or a metabolic anomaly in the brain. Epileptic seizures cold be caused by genetic disorders, birth defects, complications during pregnancy, head injury, stroke, bacterial or viral encephalitis, alcohol, vaccinations while having a fever, and complications acquired from neurosurgery.

Does something trigger an epileptic seizure?

If you are diagnosed with epilepsy that means your seizures are unprovoked, which means that nothing harmful induced your seizures. Your seizures could be induced by hot water hitting your head in the shower, or you could have a seizure while reading, or bright or flashing lights could cause a seizure. Students and employees should tell their instructor/supervisor of their epilepsy, and if a fire alarm strobe light triggers your seizures, someone should be instructed to cover your head when the alarm goes off.
Some people may be more prone to seizure activity when they are asleep, or in that period between waking and sleep, or if they are tired, sick, constipated, or stressed, having menses, or drinking alcohol.

Are there different kinds of seizures?
There are different types of seizures and they are categorized as follows:

1.
Absence seizure-sometimes referred to as the petit-mal. The patient may appear to be staring off into space with no movements of the eye muscles. Some people having a petit-mal will be moving about aimlessly, not appearing to be aware of surroundings or having any intent with their movements.
2.
Myoclonic seizures-were formerly known as the grand-mal seizure, where there are episodes of sudden muscle contractions causing the patient to thrash and jerk the body. It is believed that myoclonic seizures originate from lesions in the cerebral cortex of the brain and or spinal cord. Myoclonic seizures are usually a sign of other disorders such as Parkinson's disease, MS, Alzheimer's disease and others.
3.
Atonic seizures-are called drop seizures or akinetic seizures, and they are characterized by a loss in muscle tone that is induced by a temporary change in brain function. A person with atonic seizures could be injured by falling, but the seizure itself, causes no damage.

How is epilepsy treated?

Anti-seizure medications are usually prescribed to a patient with epilepsy. Some people are directed to follow a special ketogenic diet that greatly reduces the onset of seizures. In patients that have frequent seizure activity, the patient may undergo neurosurgery to implant a device that stimulates the vagus nerve to prevent seizures.

If you witness someone having a seizure, it is important that you do not panic. Your job is to protect the patient from injuring him/herself on sharp objects such as when they might fall and hit the corner of a coffee table. Gently guide the patient down to the floor away from anything he/she could get hurt on. Then gently turn the patient to the recovery position-which is on the patient's left side with mouth pointed downward, place something to be used as a pillow under the head. The patient may vomit-positioning the patient on the left side will help to prevent aspiration of stomach contents into the respiratory tract.

Are there any legal ramifications for people with epilepsy?

Most people who have seizure activity are forbidden to drive, but if the patient can be stabilized and be seizure free for a period of three months to one year, the patient may be allowed to drive a motor vehicle. Depending on the situation, the state may revoke a patient's driver's license. For more information about epilepsy click the link at the end of this article.

Source:
American Academy of Family Physicians website