Learning The Basics of Epilepsy
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder defined as having two or more recurring seizures; it can happen to anyone, at any age, at any time.
What is a seizure?
A seizure is a brief disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain that causes temporary changes in movement, awareness, feelings, behavior, or other bodily functions.
Who does epilepsy impact?
1 in 26 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy in their lifetime. Epilepsy is more common than Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease combined.
What causes epilepsy?
In about half of epilepsy cases, there is no identifiable cause. Among the remaining half, causes can be classified as:
- Structural
- Genetic
- Metabolic
- Immune
- Infection (e.g. meningitis, encephalitis, and others):
Is there Treatment for epilepsy?
Most often, the first treatment tried in patients with epilepsy is daily medication. There are over 20 anti-seizure medications (AEDs) available. Most people with epilepsy can get complete seizure control by taking one or more anti-seizure medications; however, in 30 – 40% of patients, seizures continue despite treatment.
Learn More
If you have tried two appropriate medications, and you’re still having seizures or significant side effects, you should see an epileptologist (a neurologist who specializes in epilepsy) to confirm your diagnosis, review your current treatment regimen, and discuss other treatment options. Most epileptologists work at Comprehensive Epilepsy Centers, which feature a staff of epilepsy experts, including clinical nurse specialists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, and others, and access to the full array of diagnostic and treatment options.
- To find a comprehensive epilepsy center near you: National Association of Epilepsy Centers – www.naec-epilepsy.org
- Find an Epilepsy Specialist – https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/find-epilepsy-specialist
In Addition to Medication
The following treatment options may be considered:
- Brain Surgery
- Dietary Therapies
- Vagus NerveStimulation
- Responsive Neurostimulation
- Deep Brain Stimulation
What are the different types of seizures?
Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure
(Formerly called Grand Mal Seizures) sudden fall and period of rigidity followed by muscle jerks, shallow breathing, pale or bluish skin, and possible vomiting or loss of bowel or bladder control; usually lasts a couple of minutes; normal breathing and complexion return promptly; some confusion and/or fatigue may occur, followed by a return of full consciousness.
Generalized Absence Seizure
(Formerly called Petit Mal): most common in children; looks like a blank stare; lasts for only a few seconds; may be accompanied by rapid blinking or chewing movements; person will be unaware of what happened during seizure, but will quickly return to full consciousness once the seizure has stopped; seizures often occur frequently throughout the day; atypical absence seizures begin and end more gradually and may last a bit longer; absence seizures may be mistaken for ADHD, behavior problems, or learning disabilities.
Atonic Seizure
Sudden loss of muscle tone that may cause a drop of the head or fall to the ground; if consciousness is lost, the person usually regains it promptly with little or no confusion; typically lasts less than 15 seconds; because people with these seizures fall so suddenly, many have to wear helmets.
Tonic Seizure
Sudden stiffening of the body, which may cause a fall if standing; most often occurs during sleep; if consciousness is lost, the person usually regains it promptly with little or no confusion; typically lasts less than 20 seconds.
Myoclonic Seizure
Sudden, involuntary, brief, shock-like bodily jerk caused by contractions of one or more muscles or muscle groups; often occurs in clusters.
Focal Impaired Awareness Seizure
(Complex Partial Seizure): usually starts with a blank stare, followed by chewing, walking about, random movements, vocalizations, picking at clothing, or other actions that the individual cannot control (automatisms); the person is unresponsive and awareness of surroundings is clouded; usually lasts 1-2 minutes; the person will have no memory of what happened during the seizure and may be confused for several minutes after the seizure has stopped; in some cases, complex partial seizures may simply look like prolonged absence seizures; may be mistaken for mental illness, drug use, intoxication, aggression, or behavior problems.
Focal Aware Seizure
(Simple Partial Seizure): the person is fully aware during the seizure; may involve jerking or other body movements, sensory distortions or hallucinations, unusual physical or emotional feelings, changes in bodily functions, or other symptoms that are not obvious to the onlooker; referred to as an aura if it precedes another seizure.
Focal to Bilateral Tonic-Clonic Seizure
(Secondarily Generalized Seizure): a seizure that begins in one part of the brain and spreads to both sides of the brain to become a tonic-clonic seizure.
