Definition of Epilepsy
Epilepsy is recurrent seizures in part or all of the body due to disturbances in the pattern of electrical activity in the brain. This disease is not contagious and can be controlled with routine and appropriate treatment. A person is declared to have epilepsy if he has had seizures more than once without a clear cause. Epilepsy can affect all age groups, but usually begins as a child or over the age of 60.
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| Epilepsy, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications |
Symptoms and Causes of Epilepsy
Seizures are the main symptom of epilepsy. Seizures in people with epilepsy are divided into two, namely total seizures and partial seizures. Symptoms accompanying seizures can also vary according to the type.
The cause of epilepsy is not known with certainty. However, there are several conditions that are thought to affect the pattern of electrical activity in the brain, namely head injuries, meningitis, and cerebral palsy.
In addition, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of developing epilepsy, namely a family history of epilepsy (genetic factors), stroke, and dementia.
Epilepsy Treatment and Prevention
Epilepsy cannot be cured. However, doctors can give anti-seizure drugs, such as valproic acid, lamotrigine, and topiramate, to reduce the frequency of seizures. If the administration of drugs is not effective enough, the doctor may recommend surgery.
People with certain health disorders can reduce their risk of developing epilepsy by eating a balanced nutritious diet, exercising, and not smoking. Meanwhile, for pregnant women, regular check-ups can reduce the risk of epilepsy in the baby after birth.
Causes of Epilepsy
Epilepsy results from abnormal patterns of electrical activity in the brain. It's not known exactly what causes this condition, but there are several factors that can increase the risk of developing epilepsy:
- Head injury
- Arterial vein malformation
- Meningitis
- HIV/AIDS
- Paralysis of the brain (cerebral palsy)
- Down's syndrome
- Neurofibromatosis
Apart from the conditions above, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of developing epilepsy, namely:
- born prematurely
- Born with a brain disorder
- Born with a lack of oxygen (hypoxia)
- Have a brain hemorrhage
- Suffering from a brain tumor
- Having a biological family with epilepsy
- Suffered a stroke
- Suffering from Alzheimer's disease
- Abusing drugs, such as cocaine
- Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages
- Suffering from dementia
- Suffering from an infection in the brain, such as meningitis or encephalitis
- Suffering from an infection during pregnancy so that the fetus suffered brain damage
The main symptoms of epilepsy are recurrent seizures and fainting. After awakening, the sufferer usually cannot remember that he had had a seizure.
Seizures in people with epilepsy are divided into two types, namely total seizures and partial seizures. Generalized seizures occur when the abnormal electrical activity affects all parts of the brain so that symptoms appear throughout most of the body. Total seizures consist of several types, namely:
- Tonic-clonic seizures
- These seizures are characterized by tenseness throughout the body, unconsciousness, and jerking movements. Tonic-clonic seizures are also characterized by biting the tongue and difficulty breathing.
- absence seizures (petit mal)
- These seizures, which are more common in children, are characterized by a vacant stare. These seizures can also cause the sufferer to temporarily lose consciousness.
- Atonic seizures
- Atonic seizures cause sufferers to limp and experience loss of consciousness and fainting, but only for a moment.
- myoclonic seizures
- Myoclonic seizures are caused by sudden muscle contractions. This type of seizure can affect the whole body, but is more common in one or both arms.
While in partial seizures, abnormal electrical activity in the brain only affects one part of the brain. These seizures are divided into two types, namely:
- Simple partial seizures
- These seizures are characterized by spasms and tingling in one part of the body, but do not make the sufferer experience a loss of consciousness.
- Complex partial seizures
- Complex partial seizures cause the sufferer to experience a loss of consciousness. This type of seizure can make sufferers stare blankly, not respond to surroundings, and perform repetitive movements, such as rubbing hands, chewing, or walking in circles.
When to See a Doctor
The sooner epilepsy is treated, the more effective the treatment given. Therefore, immediately do an examination to the doctor if you experience the symptoms as mentioned above.
Seek immediate medical attention if the seizure is accompanied by a high fever, occurs during pregnancy, or lasts more than 5 minutes. Help must also be given immediately to people who have the following conditions:
- Have diabetes
- Had a second seizure not long after the first seizure
- Was injured during the seizure
- The frequency of seizures does not decrease after taking anti-seizure drugs regularly
Diagnosis of Epilepsy
The doctor will first ask about the symptoms experienced by the patient, as well as the medical history of the patient and his family. After that, the doctor will confirm the diagnosis by carrying out the following examinations:
- Record the brain, or electroencephalography (EEG), to see electrical activity in the brain by attaching electrodes to the scalp
- Scans with MRI and CT scans, to detect bleeding, tumors, or other disorders in the brain
- Blood tests, to detect genetic disorders or infections
There is no treatment method that can cure epilepsy. However, there are several treatment steps that can be taken to stabilize electrical activity in the brain and prevent the symptoms of epilepsy from recurring, namely:
Drug use
The doctor will give anti-seizure drugs or anti-epileptic drugs to reduce the frequency of seizures. Some types of anti-seizure drugs are:
- Carbamazepine
- Lamotrigine
- Valproic acid
- Levetiracetam
- Topiramate
Therapy
In addition to administering drugs, therapy can also be done to treat epilepsy, including:
- Vagus nerve stimulation
- This therapy is carried out by placing a device under the left collarbone.
- ketogenic diet
- The ketogenic diet, by implementing a high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet for a certain time under the supervision of a doctor. Based on recent research, this diet is more effective for children than adults.
- Deep brain stimulation
- This therapy is done by installing a special tool to balance the electrical signals in the brain.
Operation
Surgery may be performed if drugs and therapy are not effective in treating epilepsy. The surgical procedure for treating epilepsy aims to remove the small part of the brain that causes seizures.
However, this operation can only be done if the part of the brain that is affected is not the part of the brain that regulates speech, language, movement, vision and hearing functions.
The surgical technique performed was in the form of keyhole surgery with a laser and the help of an MRI (MRI-guided stereotactic laser ablation).
If you don't get proper treatment, people with epilepsy are at risk of having seizures at unexpected times. This can endanger the health of yourself and others, for example:
- Fall and injury
- Sink
- Loss of consciousness
- Accident
- Pregnancy complications
- Mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety disorders
Although rare, epilepsy can also cause life-threatening complications, such as:
- Status epilepticus
- Status epilepticus is characterized by repeated seizures and the patient is not fully conscious between seizures. This condition can increase the risk of permanent brain damage, even death.
- sudden death
- Epileptics with total seizures who do not get treatment are at risk of sudden death. It is not known exactly why this can happen, but this is thought to be because seizures can cause breathing problems or heart rhythm disturbances.
Epilepsy Prevention
There is no way that can be done to prevent epilepsy. However, there are several efforts that can be made to help patients prevent a recurrence of epilepsy symptoms, namely:
- Take drugs according to a doctor's prescription
- Get enough rest and sleep
- Drink a lot of water
- Eat regularly
- Exercise regularly
- Manage stress well
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages
In addition, there are several ways to prevent health problems that can trigger epilepsy, including:
- Wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle and wear a seat belt when driving a car
- Eat a complete and balanced nutritious diet
- Do not smoke
- Get immunizations
- Washing hands before and after preparing food
- Check the womb regularly to reduce the risk of epilepsy in infants
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