Epilepsy is a central nervous system disease in which intense electric shocks occur that the person cannot control, causing symptoms such as uncontrolled body movements and tongue bite, for example.
This neurological disease is incurable, but can be controlled with medications indicated by the neurologist, such as carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine. In most cases, people with epilepsy can lead a normal life, but they should undergo lifetime treatment to prevent seizures.
- Anyone can have an epileptic seizure at some point in life that can be caused by a head injury.
- Diseases such as meningitis or excessive alcohol consumption.
- For example.
- And in these cases.
- When the cause is proven.
- Epilepsy episodes disappear completely.
The most common symptoms of an epileptic seizure are
In addition, epilepsy does not always manifest itself in muscle spasms, as in the case of an absence crisis, in which the individual stops, with a vague gaze, as if disconnected from the world for about 10 to 30 seconds. other symptoms of this type of crisis in: How to identify and treat the absence crisis.
Seizures usually last 30 seconds to 5 minutes, but in some cases they can last up to half an hour and in these situations there may be brain damage with irreversible damage.
Diagnosis of epilepsy is made with a detailed description of symptoms that occur during an episode of epilepsy and is confirmed by tests such as:
These tests should preferably be performed at the time of the epileptic seizure, since when performed outside the seizure, they may not show any brain alteration.
Epilepsy can affect people of any age, including infants or the elderly, and can be caused by several factors, including:
Sometimes the cause of epilepsy is not identified and in this case it is called idiopathic epilepsy and can be triggered by factors such as loud noises, flashes of light or lack of sleep for many hours, for example. Pregnancy can also cause an increase in epilepsy seizures, in this case, see what to do here.
Generally, the first seizure occurs between the age of 2 and 14 and, in the case of seizures that occur before age 2, are related to brain abnormalities, chemical imbalances or very strong fevers. Seizures that begin after age 25 are likely due to head trauma, stroke or tumor.
Epilepsy is treated by taking lifetime anticonvulsants indicated by the neurologist, such as phenobarbital, valproate, clonazepam and carbamazepine, as these medications help the individual control brain activity.
However, about 30% of patients diagnosed with epilepsy cannot control seizures even with medications and therefore, in some cases, such as neurocysticercosis, surgery may be indicated. Learn more about treating epilepsy.
During an epileptic seizure, the person should be placed on his or her side to facilitate breathing, and should not move during seizures, removing objects that may fall or injure the person. The crisis should take 5 minutes, if it takes longer, it is recommended to take the person to the emergency room or call an ambulance by calling 192. Learn what to do in the event of an epileptic seizure.