Epilepsy refers to recurring seizures, which are occasioned by a brain disorder. This condition affects many people in the world with America having up to 2.5 million cases. Yearly diagnoses are up to 180,000 and this is alarming. The reason why people experience these seizures is because wrong signals are sent from the brain. The clusters that are involved here are the nerve cells in the brain. The causes of epilepsy are varied and they include an injury to the brain, illness, genetics, alcoholism, Alzheimer’s disease, and an abnormal development in the brain. People with epilepsy undergo some very scary seizures that involve loosing consciousness. Involuntary motions are also a characteristic of this condition and people will jerk and thrash their bodies.
Epileptic people also tend to experience phobias and other unusual feelings. These seizures take a toll on these people and they often feel confused, tired, and weak after the epileptic fit. These seizures are not only limited to epileptic people and they will be suffered if people are experiencing high temperatures or dehydration. Epilepsy develops in childhood or in teenage though some people will experience it in adulthood. It is important to know that epilepsy is not contagious and is not caused by mental illnesses. To diagnose epilepsy, a doctor will run some brain scans and people must start on the treatment immediately before the condition runs out of hand. Up to now, there is no known cure for this condition though preventive measures can keep it at bay.
Surgery maybe recommended by the physician depending on the level of the epileptic condition. Some people with epilepsy are implanted with devices that help counter the seizures. These devices include vagus nerve stimulators, which control the signals coming from the nerve cells in the brain. A change in lifestyle is highly recommended and it involves special diets, which control the seizures and other adverse effects of epilepsy. Epilepsy can be prevented and epileptic people need to wear protective gear while performing their daily activities. If driving, they need to wear their seat belts at all times. Those that are involved in cycling must wear bicycle helmets whenever they are riding their bikes. Epileptic children need be put in car seats, which are fastened well.
Treating the very first seizures also ensures that future ones are eradicated. Epilepsy is treated by doctors who are neurologists, internists, pediatricians, and family physicians. There are antiepileptic drugs and the first one was used in 1857. These drugs are known as bromides and they acted as sedatives. Other medications that work with epileptic people include phenytoin, lamotrigine, carbamazepine, and valproate. Some of these drugs are taken once per day while others are taken two or three times in a day. This prescription is determined by the drug’s life and its effect on the patient. These drugs come with side effects such as weight gain, dizziness, and fatigue. In other cases, people may become depressed or experience a skin rash. These side effects must be reported to the doctor immediately for further advice.
No related posts.