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Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that is caused by a neurological condition. This condition affects the nervous system in people who have the disorder. This can be caused by an injury to the brain, brain infections, genetics, or it can occur without a known reason. Once a person has suffered from one or two seizures that were unrelated to low blood sugar, alcohol withdrawal or another medical condition, they may be diagnosed with epilepsy.

Anyone can develop epilepsy and it can occur at any age. In children, epilepsy is usually diagnosed with no known cause however it is possible that a child was born with a defected structure in their brain. Another cause for childhood epilepsy or epilepsy in young adults is suffering from some sort of brain trauma or head injury. It is also common for older people to develop epilepsy after living a long life without the condition. If a middle aged or elderly person starts suffering from seizures it can often be related to a stroke, a tumor or a degenerative brain condition. Those who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease may be at a greater risk.

Seizures occur when the nerves inside the brain are temporarily changed due to abnormal electrical functioning. Seizures can be mild or severe. Not everyone suffers from the same type of seizures and a person may have varying severity of seizures each time one hits. This can make dealing with epilepsy unpredictable and frightening for some. Although everyone with epilepsy may not get the same warning signs, there are some possible signs that one may experience before a seizure occurs. Some people experience strange thoughts, nausea, dizziness, fear, anxiety, numbness, blurred vision, tingling in the body, déjà vu, and altered smell, taste or hearing right before a seizure. You may experience one or more of these signs or you may not experience any warning signs at all.

Since there are so many types of seizures, your doctor will perform tests to determine what type of seizures you are suffering from. Once your doctor has determined the type of seizures you generally suffer from, medications may be prescribed to help control the episodes. Not everyone responds to medications the same, however many people are able to gain some benefits from medications and have seizures less often.

If you suffer from epilepsy and have frequent seizures then there are several things you can do to take precautions and stay safe if a seizure strikes. Most importantly do not drive. If you are driving when a seizure occurs you could hurt yourself, your passengers and others on the road. Also be careful while bathing. Those who suffer from seizures should always take showers and avoid taking baths. Drowning is common with those who have frequent seizures. Make sure that you never swim alone and that those around you are aware that you could suffer from a seizure. Avoid using heavy machinery such as lawn mowers, power tools or any other equipment that does not have an automatic safety shut off. Avoid high risk activities such as boating, rock climbing, scuba diving, and skiing.

For those who have small children at home, the fear of having a seizure can be very frightening. If you have frequent seizures it is probably best to have a nanny or other care provider that can come to the house and help assist you in taking care of small infants or toddlers. Carrying an infant when a seizure strikes can cause serious harm to the baby. If you have no choice but to care for a baby alone, make sure you take precautions in case of a seizure. Never put baby on a changing table or on an elevated surface where they could fall if you have a seizure. Feed the baby and change the baby on the floor whenever possible. With proper medications many parents are able to control their seizures or they can learn the warning signs before one comes on.

Living with epilepsy can be challenging but it can also be managed. With the proper knowledge and preparations you can still enjoy your life to the fullest.

[quote|tags=Neuro-Natural General]

Last updated on Oct 1st, 2009 and filed under Neurological Disorders. Both comments and pings are currently closed.