Epilepsy
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Epilepsy refers to a central nervous system disorder which comes about as a result of the disturbance of the nerve cell activity of the brain leading to seizures in a victim coupled with abnormal behavior, symptoms and sensations; and unconsciousness. It is noted that such seizures vary from one person to another, as others will experience repeated twitching of arms and legs, some will simply gaze blankly for a few seconds all through seizure. Treatment of seizures to reduce their intensity and frequency is necessary because even mild seizures can prove dangerous during activities like swimming and driving.
Epilepsy
Symptoms
Symptoms such as loss of consciousness, psychic symptoms, temporary confusion, unmanageable jerking movements of the legs and arms and a gazing spell are produced by victims of epilepsy due to the episodes of seizures that may affect the coordination of the brain. General practitioners have since classified seizures based on how the abnormal brain activity commences; for instance, focal seizures and generalized seizures.
Victims of epilepsy ought to seek immediate medical attention when the seizures lasts more than five minutes, when pregnant, when there is loss of consciousness after the seizure stops, when a second seizure follows instantly, in case one is diabetic or in case the victim injures self during the seizure.
Causes
The exact cause of epilepsy has not yet been identified as people suffering from this condition may be traced to various factors such as genetic influence, head trauma due to cr accidents or other forms of traumatic injuries causing epilepsy. In addition, brain conditions such as brain tumors or strokes causes epilepsy, infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and meningitis, developmental disorders and injuries that occur to babies' brains before they are born such as an infection in the mother, oxygen deficiencies and poor nutrition.
Risk factors
Factors that may aggravate the possibility of epilepsy in individuals include having a family history of epilepsy, head injuries, stroke and other vascular illnesses, seizures during childhood may be due to high fevers, brain infections causing inflammation in the brain and spinal cord and age “ epilepsy is most common in childhood and after the age of 60.
Complications
Seizures at times can lead to dangerous circumstances like falling which can make one to break his or her bone or injure the head. Other complications that may arise during seizures include drowning, car accidents due to loss of awareness or control, pregnancy complications posing dangers to both the mother and the baby, sudden unexplained death in epilepsy(SUDEP) and psychological problems such as depression, anxiety which may even lead to suicide in some cases. These problems may be the result of inability to deal with the condition itself as well as the side effects of medications used.
Treatment
A general practitioner may recommend medications to take in treating epilepsy, when to begin or stop taking them and even surgery. This is because finding the right dosage may prove complex, the general practitioner shall therefore consider the patient's condition, frequency of seizures, age and other factors like other medications that the victim might be taking in order to ensure that the anti-epileptic medications do not cause reactions with such drugs. During such treatments, anti-seizure drugs can cause side effects like dizziness, memory and speech problems, skin rashes, fatigue, depression, suicidal thoughts and inflammation of organs such as the liver.
Home remedies
One should ensure he or she takes the medication correctly as prescribed by the general practitioner, avoid triggers of seizures by getting sufficient sleep, wear a medical alert bracelet and exercising regularly to help keep one healthy and reduce depression. In addition, drink enough water and rest when one gets tired during exercise, manage stress, limit alcohol consumption and avoid cigarettes.
References