|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXCELLENCE
Email: mhts Phone: 95637222 Mobile: 0412656837
9a.m.
- 5 p.m. |
EPILEPSY MANAGEMENT EPILEPSY MANAGEMENT
Introduction Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain that causes a tendency to have recurrent seizures. Two or more seizures must occur before a person can receive the diagnosis of epilepsy, also known as a seizure disorder. It's not uncommon for children to have a single seizure — especially associated with a high fever — and an estimated one in 10 people will experience a seizure at some time in life. Seizures occur when there's a sudden change in the normal way your brain cells communicate through electrical signals. During a seizure, some brain cells send abnormal signals, which stop other cells from working properly. This abnormality may cause temporary changes in sensation, behaviour, movement or consciousness. The onset of epilepsy is most common during childhood and after age 65, but the condition can occur at any age. Treatments may be able to leave you free of seizures, or at least reduce their frequency and intensity. Many children with epilepsy outgrow the condition with age.
Signs
and symptoms Because abnormal brain cell activity causes seizures, having a seizure can result in the sudden occurrence of any activity that's coordinated by your brain. This can include:
Causes The onset of epilepsy can often be traced to an accident, disease or medical trauma — such as a stroke — that injures your brain or deprives it of oxygen, often causing a small scar in your brain. In rare occasions, epilepsy may be caused by a tumor in your brain. However, in many cases there's no identifiable cause for the disease. Epilepsy isn't a mental disease, although mental health can influence the control of seizures in epilepsy. Epilepsy doesn't cause psychiatric problems or mental retardation, even though people with epilepsy may also have those conditions. Risk factors Research suggests that genetic abnormalities contribute significantly to epilepsy. If you have a family history of the disease, you may be at increased risk. Head injuries are responsible for many cases of epilepsy. You can reduce your risk by always wearing a seat belt while riding in a car and by wearing a helmet while bicycling, skiing, riding a motorcycle, or engaging in other activities with a high risk of head injury. Stroke and other diseases that affect your vascular system can lead to brain damage that may trigger epilepsy. You can take a number of steps to reduce your risk of these diseases, including limiting your intake of alcohol, following a healthy diet, managing your weight, exercising regularly and avoiding cigarettes. Other epilepsy risk factors include:
When to seek medical advice Having a known diagnosis of epilepsy may not mean you need to seek medical help each time you have a seizure, as long as you and your family members are well versed in what to do when a seizure occurs. Seek medical advice if you experience a seizure for the first time. Also, seek medical help if any of the following occur:
If you see someone having a seizure, call 0-0-0 immediately and then follow these tips:
|
