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Epilepsy is a brain disorder which includes unprovoked seizures. It is a very common neurological disorder that is caused due to abnormal activity in the brain which is known as seizures. There are various types of epilepsy depending on the location of your brain. This guide will explain different types of epilepsy disease symptoms, causes, types, prevention, and treatment.

Epilepsy Symptoms:

When we talk about the symptoms of epilepsy disease, then there are different seizure symptoms depending on the type of epilepsy. The person suffering from seizures can alter the brain functioning and will have an effect on different parts of the brain. Following are the different types of symptoms you may experience if you are suffering from epilepsy.

  • Temporary confusion
  • Muscle stiffening
  • Lack of focus
  • Uncontrollable movements
  • Shocks
  • Weakness
  • Tension
  • Anxiety
  • Problem in speech
  • Muscle contraction
  • Continuous staring

All the symptoms collectively are the minor and major alarming signs of having different types of epilepsy in an individual. They should be treated quickly. If you are having any of them, you should consult your healthcare professional and make them treated with high care.

Causes of Epilepsy:

Genetic Causes: There are different types of epilepsy and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is mostly inherited from the parents as well. In this condition, the genes are mostly transmitted to the offspring comprising of epilepsy disease due to which the children can also suffer from the seizures.

Head Injuries: The head injury can also be a major cause of epilepsy. You can experience different accidents in which any part of your head is injured. This can also be a reason for epilepsy.

Brain Infection: Brain infections including meningitis, encephalitis, or any other abnormality in the brain can also be the reason for causing epilepsy. So, the person who is suffering from seizures can also have previous meningitis or any other brain infection that can be the leading cause of this disease.

Immune Disorders: People suffering from weak immune systems can also have a big impact on the cells of their brains. These diseases are known as autoimmune diseases which can be an alarming cause of epilepsy nowadays.

Metabolic Disorders: Many people suffer from different types of metabolic disorders which also have a big impact on brain functioning. So, these types of people can also have epilepsy. If you are having any kind of metabolic disease, then you must consider your healthcare professional because it has disadvantages for different parts of your body.

Prevention of Epilepsy Disease:

It is advised to remain alert when you are around epileptic patients or are suffering from epilepsy attacks yourself. Different precautions can be taken for controlling epileptic seizures in different types of patients. So, the following are some of the tips to prevent and control minor or major epilepsy conditions.

  • Avoid any type of head injury while having epileptic seizures.
  • Avoid consuming alcohol or smoking because it has adverse effects on epilepsy.
  • Try to have a proper sleep schedule.
  • Make yourself stress-free. For this, engage in different activities that are relaxing.
  • A proper diet should be taken.

Diagnosis of Epilepsy:

There are various diagnostic tests for epilepsy that your healthcare provider will conduct if you are suffering from major symptoms of epilepsy. First, a physical examination will be conducted by the epilepsy specialist. Then he will take your complete medical history. Along with this, they will also ask for different types of seizure symptoms the patient is experiencing. After that, some diagnostic tests will be taken which are as follows:

1. Electroencephalography:

This is a diagnostic test for epilepsy that helps in measuring the electrical activity of your brain. If the electrical patterns in your brain are not working normally and are showing abnormal patterns, then they are showing major signs of epilepsy.

2. MRI:

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, which includes depicting the tumors or other abnormalities related to the blood vessels in your brain. The MRI is also very helpful in depicting any type of infection your brain is having which can lead to epileptic shocks.

Management and Treatment of Epilepsy:

Following are some of the management techniques and treatment guidelines for the epileptic symptoms:

1) Anti Seizure Medications:

Various medications are prescribed by healthcare professionals to take when you are suffering from seizures in epilepsy. This is because around 60 to 70% of people are treated with the help of these medications who are suffering from epilepsy. There are more than 20 anti-seizure medicines that are approved by the FDA to be used in the treatment of epilepsy. These medications may include some of the following:

  • Carbamazepine
  • Topiramate
  • Lamotigrine
  • Ethosuximide
  • Valproic Acid

These tablets are available in different dosage forms and are prescribed according to the condition of the patient by the healthcare professional.

2) Appropriate Diet:

Taking an appropriate diet can help in reducing the symptoms of epilepsy. Moreover, a ketogenic diet is considered safe to prevent the epileptic symptoms. This is because these diets are comprised of high fat content and less carbohydrate content which are much preferred for people suffering from epilepsy. This keto diet for epilepsy is also much recommended for children of small age where the medications and surgery are not prescribed because of their side effects.

3) Surgery:

If the symptoms of epilepsy are not lowered with the help of medications or diet therapy, then different surgeries are conducted to control the seizures. The surgery of epilepsy is considered a very effective treatment to control the shocks.

What are the Triggering Factors of Epileptic Seizures?

Following are some of the common trigger points of epilepsy:

  • Less sleep
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Fever
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Improper diet
  • Overeating
  • Low blood sugar levels
  • Head injury

Conclusion:

Epilepsy disease is considered a neurological disorder that is treated with the help of different medications, proper diet schedules, or sometimes surgery. You need to remain calm if the patient is suffering from seizures. Epilepsy comprises various symptoms, causes, and treatment guidelines which are discussed in this blog thoroughly. You just have to focus on the symptoms of epilepsy and then consult your healthcare professional regarding this neurological condition which includes recurrent seizures.

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