Overview
Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that leads to recurrent seizures. There are several types of seizures. The cause can be identified in some people, while it is considered idiopathic in others. Symptoms of seizures vary widely. Some people may experience a loss of awareness, while others don't. A few people stare blankly for a few seconds while having a seizure attack. In others, there might be twitching of arms and legs. At Aster Hospitals, we are equipped with the latest technology to provide the best treatment to our patients. Seizures and epilepsy can be debilitating for many people.
Having a single seizure episode usually does not mean you have epilepsy. A diagnosis of epilepsy is made if one has had at least two unprovoked seizures 24 hours apart. Unprovoked seizures usually do not have an identifiable cause.
Symptoms of seizures can depend on the type of seizure. Epilepsy is caused by specific activity in the brain; it can affect any brain process. The various symptoms of seizures include:
Temporary confusion
Staring continuously
Stiff muscles
Jerky movements of the arms and legs that are uncontrollable
Loss of consciousness or awareness
Symptoms like fear and anxiety
Seizures can be grouped into focal or generalized based on the site of origin of seizures. When the seizures occur due to activity in just one part of the brain, they are called focal seizures.
These focal seizures usually fall into two categories.
Focal seizures without loss of consciousness
Also known as simple partial seizures, these seizures do not cause loss of consciousness. Such seizures may alter emotions or change how things look, feel, taste, or sound. Some people may experience involuntary jerky movements of arms and legs and spontaneous sensory symptoms such as tingling, dizziness, and flashing lights.
Focal seizures with impaired awareness
Also known as partial seizures, these types involve loss of consciousness. While experiencing a focal seizure with impaired awareness, people may stare into space and do not respond in typical ways to the environmental stimulus. Specific repetitive movements like rubbing hands, chewing, swallowing, or walking in circles may be performed.
Types of Focal Seizures
The different types of focal seizures include:
Frontal lobe seizures
Frontal lobe seizures originate in the front of the brain, which controls the movement of the brain. Frontal lobe lesions cause the person to move their heads or eyes to one side. They generally don't respond when spoken to. They may extend one arm and flex the other arm. They may make repetitive movements like rocking or pedaling.
Temporal lobe seizures
Temporal lobe seizures begin in the brain region called the temporal lobe. The temporal lobes process emotions and play a role in short-term memory. Seizures are usually associated with aura. The aura may include sudden emotions such as joy, fear, a rising sensation in the stomach, or a feeling of déjà vu.
Occipital lobe seizures
Occipital seizures begin in the occipital lobe of the brain. This lobe affects vision and how people see. People having these types of seizures experience hallucinations. These seizures may cause frequent blinking of the eyes.
Generalized seizures
Seizures that appear in all areas of the brain are called generalized seizures. Generalized seizures include:
- Absence seizures
Absence seizures were previously known as petit mal seizures. It occurs typically in children. Symptoms of absence seizures include staring into the space with or without subtle body movements. These seizures occur in clusters and cause a brief loss of awareness.
- Tonic seizures
Tonic seizures may affect consciousness and cause the muscles to stiffen.
- Atonic seizures
Atonic seizures, also known as drop seizures, cause loss of muscle control. One may experience sudden collapse or fall as it affects the legs.
- Clonic seizures
Clonic seizures are associated with repeated jerky movements of the muscles. These seizures usually involve the neck, face, and arms.
- Myoclonic seizures
They appear as sudden, brief jerks or twitches that affect the upper body, arms, or legs.
Health Conditions Treated
Seizure
Epilepsy
FAQs
At Aster Hospitals we provide the highest quality of care and a transformative experience for all your healthcare needs. With our network of multi-speciality hospitals, specialised doctors, and world-class technology, we bring global standards of medical care to our patients.
How should one manage the symptoms of a first-time attack or seizure?
One should not diagnose an episode and consult an expert immediately. Seizures can result as a result of underlying health conditions. Your doctor can guide you regarding the symptoms to look for in case of an epileptic seizure.
How soon after starting the treatment can one feel better?
The time taken to respond to treatment depends on the type of seizure one is experiencing. Your doctor can guide you on what you should experience, including the time taken to recover entirely from a seizure disorder and when one may start feeling better.
Is it safe to get pregnant if one has epilepsy and is taking medications for the same?
People who have epilepsy can bear healthy children. Although anti-epileptic medications can be dangerous during pregnancy, most females with epilepsy can bear normal children, with proper monitoring of side effetcs omn growing baby.
What are the complications associated with epilepsy?
One may fall or injure oneself during convulsions. The chances of drowning and accidents increase multifold while experiencing an epileptic episode. People who have had an episode of epilepsy can have problems while falling asleep. People with certain types of epilepsy may experience memory problems. Rarely uncontrolled epilepsy may cause death in sleep called SUDEP.
What should one do if one sees someone having a seizure?
One should keep the following points in mind when one sees someone having an episode of seizure:
Make sure that the patient can breathe.
Move dangerous objects away from them.
Try to note down the duration for which the seizure lasts.
Stay with the patient till they recover.
Do not try to restrain them.
Do not try to put anything in their mouth.
How long will one have epileptic seizures?
The risk of developing another seizure episode for provoked seizures depends on what led to the first seizure attack and if that cause is treatable. Hence, it is difficult to confirm the duration of an epileptic seizure.
Most people who experience an unprovoked seizure episode shall never have another episode in the future. For people who experience seizures for the second time, epilepsy is a lifelong condition. However, it is possible for the person to undergo remission and for the seizures to stop happening.
When should one consult a doctor?
One must seek medical help immediately in the following conditions:
If seizures last for more than five minutes
The person is unconscious even after the epileptic episode has passed
A second episode of seizure occurs immediately
High fever
Pregnancy
Diabetes mellitus
If one has injured oneself during the attack
If you are having episodes of seizures despite being on medications.
What are the emotional health issues that one may face at the time of epilepsy?
People who have had an episode of epilepsy may experience psychological problems. These emotional problems can also occur in people who take medicines to control the episodes of epileptic seizures. The various emotional health issues that affect people with epilepsy are depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Advanced Technology & Facilities
At Aster Hospitals, we try to diagnose the cause behind the episodes of seizures that one may be experiencing. We provide various diagnostic modalities to diagnose seizures. A healthcare expert can diagnose epilepsy based on the symptoms that one is experiencing. Specific genetic tests can help determine the inherited causes behind epileptic seizures. The most crucial point to remember while diagnosing epilepsy is finding the specific area where the seizures start.
The tests that can help diagnose epilepsy are:
Electroencephalogram
Blood tests to look for metabolic disorders and problems in the immune system, toxins, and poisons
Computerized tomography (CT) scans
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests
Lumbar puncture
Treatments for Epilepsy
To treat epilepsy, the underlying conditions that cause epilepsy should be dealt with first. In situations where the underlying condition is not curable or treatable, your doctor may prescribe certain medications to reduce the severity of the seizures.
If one is experiencing seizures for the first time, treatment is usually not recommended. This is because one is not sure if another attack will take place. However, if a person is prone to developing epilepsy, treatment should be given immediately.
Your doctor may use your medical history and specific tests such as EEG, CT scans, or MRI scans to determine if you are at a higher risk of developing another seizure.
Possible treatments used for seizures are:
Medications
The first line of treatment for people experiencing seizures is medications. Several medications can stop the epileptic episode, or at least prevent them.
Surgery
Surgery may be recommended to stop seizures either when the medications don't work, or when patients do not respond to anti-epileptic treatment.
Changes in the diet
Certain types of diets, like diets with low levels of carbohydrates, may be recommended to reduce the episodes of seizures.
Brain stimulation
This is a type of treatment in which a device is placed in the brain to deliver mild electric current to the brain. This mild current reduces the electrical activity of the seizure.
Vagal nerve stimulation
Electrical stimulation on the left side of the brain can help to reduce the chances of developing seizures.
