Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes unexplained recurring seizures. An attack is a sudden acceleration of abnormal electrical activity in your brain. Doctors diagnose epilepsy if you have two or more seizures without any other known cause.
Everyone can develop epilepsy, but it is usually a trusted source, starting with young children and the elderly. According to research, men develop epilepsy more often than women, probably due to higher exposure to risk factors such as alcohol consumption and head injuries.
The two main types of seizures are:
- General seizures
- Focal attack
What causes epilepsy?
Several factors can contribute to the development of seizures, such as:
- traumatic brain injury or other head trauma
- Brain injury after brain injury (post-traumatic epilepsy)
- severe pain or very high fever
- a stroke that causes approximately half of the cases of epilepsy from a trusted source in older adults without a known cause
- lack of oxygen to the brain
- brain tumor or cyst
- dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease
What causes an epileptic seizure?
Some people identify things or situations that trigger their attacks.
Some of the best known factors are:
- lack of sleep
- pain or fever
- deception
- low beam, flashing lights or patterns
- coffee or alcohol cessation, drugs or illicit drugs
- skip meals, overeat or some food ingredients
- very low blood sugar
- hollow injuries
What are the symptoms of epilepsy?
Seizures are the main symptom of epilepsy. Symptoms differ from person to person and according to the type of seizure.
Focal (partial) seizures A focal aware seizure (previously called simple partial seizure) does not involve loss of consciousness. Symptoms include:
- alterations to sense of taste, smell, sight, hearing, or touch
- dizziness
- tingling and twitching of limbs
Generalized seizures: Generalized seizures involve the whole brain.
Subtypes include:
- Absence seizures: Absence seizures were once called “petit mal seizures.” This is likely to cause brief loss of consciousness, poor vision and may cause repetitive movements such as covering the lips or winking.
- Tonic attacks: Tonic seizures cause a sudden contraction of the muscles in the legs, arms or torso.
- Atonic attacks: Atonic attacks lead to a loss of muscle control. They are also called “drop attacks” because a sudden loss of muscle strength can lead to a sudden fall.
- Clonic attacks: A clonic seizure is characterized by repeated movements of the muscles of the face, neck and arms.
- Myoclonic seizures: A myoclonic attack causes rapid twitching of the hands and feet. Sometimes these attacks accumulate.
When to see a doctor?
Seek medical attention immediately if any of the following situations occur:
- The attack will last more than five minutes.
- Breathing or consciousness will not return when the attack stops.
- The second attack followed immediately.
- Your fever is high.
- You are pregnant. Do you have diabetes.
- You were injured in the attack.
- You still have cramps even if you are taking seizure medication.
Why to choose Dr. Prasad Umbarkar for Epilepsy Treatment?
Dr. Prasad Umbarkar is one of the best Brain and Spine Specialists in Sangamner, Ahmednagar with vast clinical and surgical experience. He has operated on more than 3000+ patients with Brain and spine-related disorders. Please feel free to call us on 8669177494 or click on Book An Appointment for your best treatment.