Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain. There are numerous electrical impulses that keep passing through our brain Cells all the time.
When there is a disruption or improper conduction of these electrical impulses, a person can get a seizure.
Symptoms of a seizure are characterized by sudden twitching and uncontrollable jerking motions of the arms and legs, followed by loss of consciousness. In some individuals seizures are not so severe.
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There may be a brief period of subtle twitching or muscle spasms after which the person recovers and becomes his or her normal self again. Some people who have a seizure simply stare ahead blankly for a few seconds. A single episode of seizure does not mean a person has epilepsy. People with epilepsy have regular and repeated seizures.
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Causes of epilepsy
There are many factors that can cause epilepsy. The onset of seizures usually begins during childhood. Seizures are most common in children and elderly people who are above 65 years of age. But the condition can affect people of all ages. However, in some people who are affected by the condition, the cause remains largely unknown or unidentified. |
| Here are a few factors that can cause seizures: |
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- If you have a family history of epilepsy, you may be at increased risk, although genetic inheritance plays only a partial role in causing epilepsy.
- Prolonged high fevers during childhood.
- Head injuries and brain damage due to accidents.
- A stroke or other diseases of the blood vessels can injure your brain or deprive it of oxygen leading to seizures.
- Brain tumors can cause epilepsy, although this is very rare.
- Brain infections, such as Meningitis.
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Seeking medical help
If you have been diagnosed with epilepsy, there is no need to seek the help of your doctor each time you have a seizure. However, if you have a seizure for the first time, it is important to seek medical advice. Similarly, get in touch with your doctor if you experience one or more of the following symptoms: |
- Your seizure continues for more than 5 minutes.
- You take a long time to recover from the seizure.
- You have two seizures in quick succession.
- You are pregnant.
- You have high blood pressure or Diabetes.
- There are noticeable changes in the frequency or severity of your seizures.
- If there is a change in the way you feel during and after the seizures.
- You have unbearable headache before you get your seizures.
- You feel weak or numb on one side of your body.
- You experience vision loss, confusion, or have difficulty in speech and body coordination.
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Rules to follow
- Take your epilepsy medication everyday as advised by your doctor even if you are not having seizures. Taking medications regularly is also important to prevent seizures.
- If you forget to take a dose, take one as soon as you realize it. If more than 24 hours have lapsed since your last dose, seek your doctor’s advice.
- Do not take any additional epilepsy medications other than the ones prescribed by your doctor.
- Never discontinue medications without your doctor’s approval.
- When on seizure medication, ask your doctor before you take medications for other illnesses.
- Do not drink alcohol. It can provoke seizures and can interfere with the effectiveness of seizure medications.
- If you are pregnant, decisions about taking medicine during pregnancy must be made by you and your doctor, after talking about the risks and the benefits.
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| Tips to deal with seizures
If you notice anyone having a seizure, remember the following information:
- Do not panic—deal with the situation calmly.
- Do not attempt to move the person.
- Do not attempt to prevent the person from shaking or moving.
- Do not wake the person by shaking or shouting at them.
- Move objects that can cause injury out of the person’s way.
- Gently roll the person onto one side so any fluid in the mouth can safely come out. Put something soft under his or her head. Loosen tight neck wear.
- Never put anything into the person’s mouth. If you fear that he or she may swallow her tongue—don’t. It is physically impossible to do that.
- Be with the person until medical help arrives. Allow the person to rest or sleep.
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Coping with seizures
Epilepsy is treatable, controllable and preventable. With the right treatment, some people soon stop getting seizures.
Between seizures, a person with epilepsy is no different from anyone else—he or she is absolutely normal in every sense of the word. |
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