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Do Seizures Affect Your Health???

Brain

Do Seizures Affect Your Health???

Epilepsy affects about 3.4 million people in this country. This is abnormal activity in the brain, which can be focal or diffuse. One seizure by itself does not necessarily mean you have epilepsy. It takes two or more unprovoked seizures or a certain pattern of presentation, to define epilepsy. 

It can present in different ways. Most people know of seizures where a person shakes involuntarily and, in the process, is unconscious/ as seen in the movies. There can be other diverse presentations, like starring and not responding, abnormal movement in just a part of the body or jerking movements, abnormal behavior like unexplained anxiety, fear, déjà vu; and in the elderly – confusion, inability to communicate. Some people will have seizures at night in their sleep. These symptoms tend to be identical from one episode to the other.

Types of Seizures- a broad classification

Depending on the part of the brain that is affected, a seizure can cause an array of symptoms. These can be broadly divided into Focal or Partial seizures and Generalized seizures. 

Focal seizures, start in one part of the brain and may not spread (K/A Simple Partial seizures). Some tend to spread (K/A Complex partial seizures). The more brain involved in a seizure; the more body parts are involved.

Generalized seizures involve parts of the brain and are of several different types like- Grand Mal (Now called Tonic-clonic seizures) Tonic, Clonic, Myoclonic, Atonic, Absance seizures.

For most patients, treatment can control seizures/ epilepsy. Some will require lifelong treatment, while for others, seizures eventually go away. Most often Anti-epileptic medications must be used for a few years. Once a patient has been seizure-free for a prolonged period, they may be given a trial of coming off medication. This is decided and coordinated by the Neurologist.

Some children with epilepsy may outgrow the condition with age.

What are the effects of seizures on my health?

Increased frequency and duration of seizures can have a detrimental impact on the brain and is the reason why preventing seizures is necessary.

These have the potential to affect memory/cognition, language, and executive function which is our ability to plan and execute work. With recurrent seizures, damage to the brain can become irreversible and cumulative, affecting our ability to perform activities of daily living.

What can my doctor do about seizure prevention?

Dr. Gupta will work you up for seizures/epilepsy, with tests like MRI brain, EEG, and blood tests. A good history, examination, and test results dictate the treatment that shall follow. 

Common triggers that can cause seizures and should be avoided include-

  1. Any disease condition that can cause electrolyte imbalance (e.g. Diabetes, Renal failure) must be treated as these are common causes of seizures. Discuss medications with your doctors, that can have a similar effect.
  2. Avoid Cigarette smoking, Vaping, heavy alcohol use. 
  3. Street drugs including Marijuana, CBD oil must be avoided.
  4. Practice sleep hygiene as a lack of sleep can be a trigger for some type of seizures.
  5. For some patients, excessive exposure to electronic devices, screens, and strobe lights can trigger seizures.
  6. Optimize treatment for disease conditions like Hypertension, Diabetes, Cardiac diseases, Depression, Anxiety. 
  7. Fevers should be treated rapidly from any cause, as these can provoke seizures.

It is important to meet the doctor to know what kind of seizure do you have, since some may need specific interventions like surgery or stimulating devices like Vagal Nerve Stimulator/ VNS, in addition to medications that are specific for the kind of seizure or epilepsy 

Dr. Gupta recommends lifestyle interventions as listed above, besides living healthy to prevent seizures.

WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A SEIZURE: 

Witnessing a seizure can be stressful for anyone. 

It is highly recommended that patients be ALLOWED to have a seizure. It is best for the patient to be on a flat surface, without risk of falling. Nothing should be inserted in patients’ mouths and no effort should be made to hold extremities. Tongue bites and urinary or fecal incontinence can happen during a seizure. 

It is best to objectively note the time that a patient actively seizes. If this exceeds 5 minutes, 911 should be called.

EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUPS AND INFORMATION:

Seizure 1st AID reference: CDC Seizure 

Epilepsy Foundation Texas - Houston/Dallas-Fort Worth/West Texas

2401 Fountain View Drive, Suite 900

Houston  Texas  77057-4821

United States

 

Phone: 

(713) 789-6295

Toll-Free: 

(888) 548-9716

Author
Dr. Devanshi Gupta Dr. Devanshi Gupta, MD, FAAN, FAANEM Dr. Devanshi Gupta, MD, FAAN, FAANEM, of North Texas Neurology & Neuropathy in Allen, Texas has been recognized for her contribution to the medical field. As an expert in the disciplines of neurology, neuromuscular disease, clinical neurophysiology and electrodiagnostic medicine, Dr. Gupta has been recognized several times as one of America’s top physicians by the Consumers’ Research Council of America, and she has received additional accolades for her outstanding service, compassion, and exceptional patient care.

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