Overcoming the Myth: Understanding Epilepsy and Its Diverse Expressions

There are numerous forms of epilepsy, commonly referred to as seizure condition. The disease will affect 1 in 26 Americans at some point in their lives. People of all ages, races, and cultural backgrounds are impacted. Anyone can become prone to epilepsy.

A brain condition called epilepsy results in recurrent seizures. It is not a sign of epilepsy to have had just one seizure. When two unprovoked seizures occur at least 24 hours apart, epilepsy is diagnosed. Seizures that are not provoked have no known cause.

Signs and symptoms

The type of seizure will determine the symptoms. Seizures can impact any brain function because epilepsy is a result of brain activity.

Symptoms of seizures can include:

• A brief state of perplexity.
• A period of intense staring.
• Tense muscles.
• Arm and leg jerking that is out of control.

• A loss of awareness or consciousness.

• Psychological signs like déjà vu, worry, or terror.

People who suffer epilepsy occasionally experience behavioral changes. They might also exhibit psychotic symptoms.

People who suffer epilepsy occasionally experience behavioral changes. They might also exhibit psychotic symptoms.

The majority of epileptics often experience the same kind of seizure every time. From episode to episode, symptoms are typically consistent.

Reason

Around 50% of epileptics have no known etiology for their illness. In the other half, the illness may be associated with or traced back to a number of variables, such as:

• Genetic predisposition.
• Trauma to the head.
• Abnormalities of the brain, such as stroke, vascular anomalies, and brain cancers.
• illnesses, such as viral encephalitis, HIV, meningitis, and some parasite illnesses.
• Injury to fetus.
• Developmental diseases, such as autism and ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Seizures in children might occasionally be linked to high fevers. However, most children who experience seizures as a result of high fevers do not go on to develop epilepsy. A kid is more likely to develop epilepsy if they have a family history of the disorder, another nervous system illness, or a prolonged fever-associated seizure.

Treatment

For epilepsy, medication is typically the primary line of treatment. It can be difficult to determine the best dosages and the appropriate drug or combination of drugs, though. When deciding which medications to administer, your kid’s healthcare provider will take into account the age, general health, and frequency of seizures of your child. Many kids with epilepsy who don’t yet exhibit symptoms can eventually stop taking their meds and lead seizure-free lives.

Surgery is a possibility for certain kids with drug-resistant epilepsy. After trying at least two anti-seizure drugs without success, epilepsy surgery may be considered. An portion of the brain that is the source of seizures is removed or altered during surgery.