Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain. People are diagnosed with epilepsy when they have had two or more seizures.

There are many types of seizures. A person with epilepsy can have more than one type of seizure. The signs of a seizure depend on the type of seizure.

By classifying the type of seizure, a patient may get help about the healthcare and can choose the right therapy for the patient.

Types of epilepsy and their symptoms

There are two basic types of epilepsy:

1. Generalized epilepsy
2. Focal (partial) epilepsy

The difference between these two types of epilepsy is how and where they begin in the brain.

Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain and cause loss of consciousness. Approximately 23% to 35% of epilepsy are generalized.

It includes the following seizures:
• Absence seizures (Petit Mal seizures) can cause rapid blinking, a few seconds of staring into space, lack of awareness, confusion, or slight muscle twitching.
• Tonic-clonic seizures (Grand Mal seizures) can make a person cry out, lose consciousness, fall to the ground, or have muscle jerks or spasms. The person may feel tired after a tonic-clonic seizure.
• Myoclonic seizures are brief, lasting a few seconds or less. Symptoms include staying fully or partially conscious, increase in muscle tone of some muscles, or possible altered sensations, such as a sensation of an electric shock

Focal seizures are located in just one area of the brain. These seizures are also called partial seizures. About 60% of all types of epilepsy are focal.

Seizures in this category include:
• Simple focal seizures affect a small part of the brain. These seizures can cause twitching or a change in sensation, such as a strange taste or smell or feeling of déjà vu.
• Complex focal seizures can make a person with epilepsy confused or stunned. The person will be unable to respond to questions or directions for up to a few minutes.

Combined generalized and focal epilepsy-
This type of seizure begins in one part of the brain, but then spreads to both sides of the brain. In other words, the person first has a focal seizure, followed by a generalized seizure. Seizures may last as long as a few minutes.

The seizures can occur together or separately. One type of seizure can occur more frequently than others. The exact symptoms depend on the seizures involved.

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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.

Anyone can develop epilepsy. Epilepsy affects both males and females of all races, ethnic backgrounds, and ages.

Seizures are the basic indicator of epilepsy. Seizure symptoms can vary widely.

• Because epilepsy is caused by abnormal activity in the brain, seizures can affect any process your brain coordinates. Seizure signs and symptoms may include:
• Staring
• Jerking movements of the arms and legs
• Stiffening of the body
• Loss of consciousness
• Breathing problems
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Falling suddenly for no apparent reason
• Not responding to noise or words for brief periods
• Appearing confused
• Nodding the head rhythmically
• Periods of rapid eye blinking and staring

Symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure. In most cases, a person with epilepsy will tend to have the same type of seizure each time, so the symptoms will be similar from episode to episode.

Seizure triggers

Some things make seizures more likely for some people with epilepsy. These are often called ‘triggers’. Triggers don’t cause epilepsy, but they make seizures more likely.

Not all people with epilepsy have seizure triggers. And the things that trigger one person’s seizures might not affect other people with epilepsy in the same way.

• Here are some of the seizure triggers that have been reported by people with epilepsy:
• Not taking epilepsy medicine as prescribed
• Feeling tired and not sleeping well
• Stress
• Alcohol and recreational drugs
• Flashing or flickering lights
• Monthly periods
• Missing meals
• Having an illness that causes a high temperature

Keeping a seizure diary is a good way to try and find out what might trigger your seizures. Every time you have a seizure, record it and make a note of what you were doing and how you were feeling. If you do this over time, you might see a pattern emerging.

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Epilepsy is a neurological illness.
The communication between the different parts of the brain occurs through information exchange between billions of neurons present in the brain and makes this fast and continuous communication possible. If at any point in time, there is a glitch in the brain’s electrical activity, then that particular part of the brain or sometimes the whole brain stops working temporarily. This phenomenon is known as Epileptic fit.

Symptoms of epilepsy

The main symptom of epilepsy is seizures. These conditions may occur like loss of consciousness and awareness, convulsions, stiff muscles, blackouts, sudden failing, staring into space, biting the tongue, or loss of bladder or bowel control. It is important to consult a doctor if any of these symptoms occur repeatedly.

Causes of epilepsy

Some of the main causes of epilepsy include head injury that occurred during birth, brain tumor, stroke, brain infection, genetics, alcohol poisoning, drugs, or lack of oxygen during birth.

Types of epilepsy

There are two basic types of epilepsy focal (partial) and generalized epilepsy. The difference between these two types of epilepsy is how and where they begin in the brain.
In generalized epilepsy, seizures are produced by widespread abnormal electric impulses present throughout the entire brain. In focal epilepsy, seizures are produced by electrical impulses that generate from a localized (small) part of the brain.

What to do when you find someone has an epileptic fit?

If someone is having a seizure, it is important to protect them from harming themselves during the fit. Clear away any potentially dangerous objects near them. Don’t restrain or move them. Note the time when the seizure started and how long it lasts. Protect their head by putting something soft underneath or around them.
Once the seizure has stopped, open the airway, check their breathing, and put them in the recovery position.

How to improve the condition of epilepsy’s patient at home?

Epilepsy patients’ have to be cautious about 2-3 things while taking the therapy. For a specified period of time, the patient should avoid driving, swimming, and alone going to heights. Avoid drugs and alcohol. Get plenty of sleep every night. Avoid bright lights and watching TV for a long time. Taking medication as prescribed by a neurologist can help them curing epilepsy.

When to visit a neurologist?

Epilepsy can start at any age but is most commonly diagnosed in people under 20 and over 65. You need to consult a doctor immediately in case of seizures. It is always advisable to receive immediate medical attention from people suffering from illness of the brain.

The post What is epilepsy? | Symptoms | Causes | Types | How to improve the condition appeared first on Dr. Pankaj Singh.