This disturbance causes the neurons to fire abnormally, resulting in seizures.
Some people with epilepsy stare off into space or make strange sounds during a seizure.
Some people may undress, laugh, or walk in circles.
In discussing epilepsy, doctors often refer to seizure types, epilepsy types, and epilepsy syndromes.
The symptoms of the seizures will vary depending on the part of the brain affected.
How Much Is Epilepsy Impacting Your Life?
The person experiencing the aura is conscious.
Focal seizure symptoms are subdivided into motor (movement), sensory, autonomic, and psychic.
Because focal seizures only involve part of the brain, symptoms are often not as extensive as generalized seizures.
Focal symptoms often involve only one side of the body instead of both.
Focal seizures are further classified by level of awareness: aware, impaired awareness, or unknown awareness.
Remember, any tonic-clonic seizure lasting over five minutes should prompt a call to 911.
They are also sometimes described by their symptoms or by the part of the brain affected.
Seizures Not resulting from Epilepsy
Its important to note that not all seizures are resulting from epilepsy.
Acute neurological problems, such as a stroke or head injury, can also cause a seizure.
Metabolic problems, such as hypoglycemia a common side effect ofinsulin therapy and drug intoxication can sometimes cause seizures.
In infants and children, a high fever can cause seizures.
And even stress, missing meals, or sleep deprivation can bring on seizures in some individuals.
Instead, they have a psychological cause.
People who have epilepsy can also have PNES simultaneously.
PNES can be treated by a knowledgeable mental healthcare professional.
Many of the same tests used to diagnose epileptic seizures are also used todiagnose nonepileptic seizures.
Learn More About Nonepileptic Seizures
How Is Epilepsy Diagnosed?
A persons medical history also provides important clues to the underlying cause of seizures.
You shouldnt stop taking your seizure medication without consulting with your doctor.
Medication Options
Most people with epilepsy can become seizure-free by taking an antiseizure medication.
Some may need to take a combination of ASMs to control their seizures.
Finding the right medication and dose can be difficult.
Depending on the medication, ASMs can have side effects.
Epidiolex is made from purifiedcannabidiol (CBD), an ingredient found in marijuana.
Epidiolex has been found to reduce seizure frequency in children and young adults with these epilepsy syndromes.
If anti-epileptic medications dont work, your doctor may recommend surgery.
In most epilepsy surgeries, the neurosurgeon removes the area of your brain causing your seizures.
Traditional surgery requires opening up the skull to jump into the part of the brain to be removed.
The laser is then used to burn, or ablate, these cells.
ContinuousStimulationResearchers are also experimenting with a technique called continuous stimulation.
Talk to your doctor before taking any herbal supplement.
Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise program to ensure its right for you and your epilepsy.
In general, you should avoid activities that could be dangerous if you have a seizure like skiing.
Meditation can redirect your mind away from stress and the specific thoughts causing it.
In particular,mindfulness meditationmay help reduce seizures and improve mood in people with epilepsy.
Music therapy may help children with epilepsy.
This is referred to as the Mozart effect.
Higher blood ketone levels are believed to lead to improved seizure control.
Another common cause of epilepsy is traumatic brain or head injuries.
Finally, some epilepsies have been linked with complications during pregnancy and childbirth, according to the CDC.
Developing a prenatal care plan with your doctor can minimize the risks to your newborns.
But the condition may cause fatal complications.
Up to 30 percent of the people who experience status epilepticus die within 30 days of doing so.
Unfortunately, people with epilepsy are 5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population.
Historically, people who experienced seizures were linked with witchcraft and demonic possession, among other folk beliefs.
Epilepsy can also beisolating, for children and adults.
Also, if those with epilepsy cant drive it can make accessing friends and family more difficult.
These incidents, too, can be fatal.
Research and Statistics: How Many People Have Epilepsy?
Researchers are studying many potential newtreatments for epilepsy, as well as refinements and new applications for existing treatments.
But Black adults are slightly more likely to have active epilepsy than white adults.
Roughly 1 percent of Hispanic American adults have epilepsy, the CDC notes.
Just over half of them have active epilepsy, the agency says.
Children with epilepsy may also experience more headaches, including headache caused bymigraine.
Depression is a serious condition, and it can lead to thoughts of suicide.
Depression is treatable, either through cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, or the two in combination.
In addition to depression, people with epilepsy are more likely to haveanxiety disorderandbipolar disorder, research suggests.
If you or your child is experiencing anxiety, talk to your doctor.
Most children with epilepsy and ADHD have difficulty paying attention or focusing, rather than being hyperactive.
Resources We Trust
Jessica Baity, MD, is a board-certified neurologist practicing in southern Louisiana.
She has written for the Institut Pasteur, AuntMinnie.com, and the Catholic Health Association.
She has a degrees in both English and nursing.
Epilepsy
