Epilepsy is a nervous system disorder. If there is someone in your house or in your neighborhood then it's important for you to Know about Epilepsy/ seizures.
Also searches for- Epilepsy fit, Convulsions, epilepsy disorder, fits and seizures
Epilepsy is a nervous system disorder. If there is someone in your house or in your neighborhood then it's important for you to Know about Epilepsy/ seizures. When an epileptic attack occurs, the patient reaches a very dangerous situation. People around him can’t understand what they have to do. So in this blog, we are discussing the epileptic attack in detail so that patients can be cured at the right time.
November is the month of National Epilepsy Awareness month.
Let’s take a step forward and make November the loudest for Epilepsy awareness.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a recurrent seizure disorder. Seizures are uncontrolled bursts of brain electrical activity that cause change in sensation, awareness and muscle movements.
Causes of Epilepsy
Normally, there are electrical signals that are transmitted from one cell to another in the brain. When the person has a seizure, the pattern of signals is disrupted so the large group of neurons sends messages at the same time. This produces a flood of electrical activity that stops the brain areas which are responsible for language, memory, emotion and consciousness.
Seizure can be caused by various factors like -
- Structural brain abnormalities
- Head injury
- Stroke
- Brain tumour
- Drug or alcohol use
Air pollution - Carbon mom oxide and lead poisoning
Inherited epilepsy from parents or ancestors
Infections - Meningitis, encephalitis and HIV
Idiopathic epilepsy (reason cannot be determined)
It’s important to determine the cause of epilepsy. A thorough evaluation is important to determine the best treatment for the underlying cause of epilepsy.
What are the Symptoms of Epilepsy?
Symptoms of epilepsy varies on type of seizure you have -
- Temporary loss of awareness
- Muscle jerks
- Muscle stiffness
- Skin becomes pale
- Blank staring at one place
- Uncontrolled muscles movements, jerky movements and loss of muscle stone
- Temporary confusion
- Problem in concentration, speech or understanding
- Psychic symptoms - Fear and anxiety
- Faster heart rate or breathing
Diagnois
It is difficult to know the full extent of a seizure immediately after the onset of symptoms.
To diagnose epilepsy, your healthcare provider examines your signs and symptoms and medical history. Doctors may recommend some tests to identify the reason for seizures. This includes-
Blood Tests
Blood tests can detect signs of infections, genetic conditions or other conditions that are associated with epilepsy disorder.
EEG
Electroencephalogram is the most common test used to diagnose epilepsy. EEG is a diagnostic test which is used to evaluate several types of brain disorders.
CT
Computed Tomography, CT scan capture the images of your brain and detect the tumours, bleeding or cysts in the brain and other conditions which are causing epilepsy.
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging is used to detect the brain abnormalities and provides a more detailed look at the brain than a CT scan.
Functional MRI
Functional MRI Scan is used to detect the changes in the blood flow. This test is also used to determine the exact locations of critical functions such as speech and movement.
PET / Positron Emission Tomography
A PET scan uses a small radioactive material to help in evaluation of metabolic activity of the brain and detect changes.
How Are Seizures Treated?
Treatment of epilepsy include anti-seizure medicines, special diet, medical devices and surgery as recommended by the doctor. Choice snit seizure medicine depends on type of epilepsy and cause.
References
- What is a seizure threshold - and what does it mean for you?
- Seizures and Epilepsy After Ischemic Stroke, Osvaldo and GoldsteinB, Larry
- Feeney DM, Bailey BY, Boyeson MG, Hovda DA, Sutton RL. The effect of seizures on recovery of function following cortical contusion in the rat. Brain Inj
Care at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre
Our team of Ganesh Diagnostics can help you with your epilepsy-related health issues.
For best care, we offer a wide range of test for Epilepsy so that you can receive quick and best treatment-
- Blood test
- CT scan
- EEG
- PET Scan
- SPECT
- MRI Brain
- MRI spectroscopy
- MRI Brain epilepsy
- MRI Brain SPECT
- MRI Brain Epilepsy protocol
Why Should the Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre Be Your Choice for Epilepsy?
At Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre, we have been known for providing excellent service and care to its patients for decades. Lakhs of satisfied patients over the years!
Their excellence is backed by NABH and NABL Accreditations.
Test report is available digitally too.
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre is a one-stop solution for getting all kinds of tests done, as all services are available under one roof.
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre also offers FLAT 50% OFF on many tests.
To maintain your health issues, go to GANESH DIAGNOSTIC AND IMAGING CENTRE near you, as soon as possible.
If you or your loved ones are experiencing any symptoms mentioned above, do not take it lightly. Visit your nearest Ganesh Diagnostic Centre to get your test done.
We offer Free Ambulance service and Free Home Blood sample collection service.
You can call us; we’d be pleased to help you out with the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
what are the common symptoms of epilepsy?
Symptoms of epilepsy include-
- Staring
- Jerky movements
- Stiffening of the body
- Loss of consciousness
- Breathing problems or breathing stops
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Rapid Blinking of eye
- Falling suddenly for no apparent reason, especially when
- Associated with loss of consciousness
- Not responding to noise or words for brief periods
- Appearing confused or in a haze
- Nodding the head rhythmic
How epilepsy is diagnosed?
Epilepsy can be diagnosed by the various test recommended by the neurologist. This includes EEG, CT scan and MRI.
What are the side effects of anti-epileptic drugs?
Side effects of epileptic drugs include blurry or double vision, fatigue, stomach upset, skin rashes, low blood counts, liver problems, swelling of the gums, hair loss, weight gain and tremors.
What should be avoided during epilepsy?
Epilepsy triggers can be avoided by Alcohol, not sleeping well and by eating regular meals. And most importantly take your medicines at time.
Can epilepsy be cured?
There are no known cures for epilepsy but it can be controlled with medications, healthy diet and lifestyle.
How does EEG help with the diagnosis of epilepsy?
An EEG gives information about the electrical activity of the brain during the time the test is happening. When someone has an epileptic seizure their brain activity changes, this change is known as brain activity, can sometimes be seen on an EEG recording.
