{"id":160,"date":"2017-11-24T23:13:53","date_gmt":"2017-11-25T00:13:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mahanweb.ir\/abbasyoun\/?page_id=160"},"modified":"2017-12-28T15:22:53","modified_gmt":"2017-12-28T16:22:53","slug":"epilepsy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/abbasyoun.com\/en\/epilepsy\/","title":{"rendered":"Epilepsy"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row el_class=”aboutdr”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”695″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”fadeInDown”][vc_column_text]Everything You Need to Know About Epilepsy<\/strong>
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\n\u2022 Epilepsy symptoms
\n\u2022 Epilepsy triggers
\n\u2022 Heredity
\n\u2022 Causes of epilepsy
\n\u2022 Diagnosing epilepsy
\n\u2022 Epilepsy treatment
\n\u2022 Epilepsy medications
\n\u2022 Surgery for epilepsy
\n\u2022 Epilepsy diet
\n\u2022 Epilepsy and behavior
\n\u2022 Living with epilepsy
\n\u2022 Epilepsy cure
\n\u2022 Facts and statistics
\nWhat is epilepsy?<\/strong>
\nEpilepsy is a chronic disorder that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures. A seizure is a sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain.
\nThere are two main types of seizures. Generalized seizures affect the whole brain. Focal, or partial seizures, affect just one part of the brain.
\nA mild seizure may be difficult to recognize. It can last a few seconds during which you lack awareness.
\nStronger seizures can cause spasms and uncontrollable muscle twitches, and can last a few seconds to several minutes. During a stronger seizure, some people become confused or lose consciousness. Afterward you may have no memory of it happening.
\nThere are several reasons you might have a seizure. These include:
\n\u2022 high fever
\n\u2022 head trauma
\n\u2022 very low blood sugar
\n\u2022 alcohol withdrawal
\nEpilepsy is a fairly common neurological disorder that affects 65 million people around the world. In the United States, it affects about 3 million people.
\nAnyone can develop epilepsy, but it\u2019s more common in young children and older adults. It occurs slightly more in males than in females.
\nThere\u2019s no cure for epilepsy, but the disorder can be managed with medications and other strategies.
\nEpilepsy symptoms
\nWhat are the symptoms of epilepsy?<\/strong>
\nSeizures are the main symptom of epilepsy. Symptoms differ from person to person and according to the type of seizure.
\nFocal (partial) seizures<\/strong>
\nA simple partial seizure<\/strong> doesn\u2019t involve loss of consciousness. Symptoms include:
\n\u2022 alterations to sense of taste, smell, sight, hearing, or touch
\n\u2022 dizziness
\n\u2022 tingling and twitching of limbs
\nComplex partial seizures<\/strong> involve loss of awareness or consciousness. Other symptoms include:
\n\u2022 staring blankly
\n\u2022 unresponsiveness
\n\u2022 performing repetitive movements
\nGeneralized seizures<\/strong>
\nGeneralized seizures involve the whole brain. There are six types:
\nAbsence seizures,<\/strong> which used to be called \u201cpetit mal seizures,\u201d cause a blank stare. This type of seizure may also cause repetitive movements like lip smacking or blinking. There\u2019s also usually a short loss of awareness.
\nTonic seizures<\/strong> cause muscle stiffness.
\nAtonic seizures<\/strong> lead to loss of muscle control and can make you fall down suddenly.
\nClonic seizures<\/strong> are characterized by repeated, jerky muscle movements of the face, neck, and arms.
\nMyoclonic seizures<\/strong> cause spontaneous quick twitching of the arms and legs.
\nTonic-clonic seizures<\/strong> used to be called \u201cgrand mal seizures.\u201d Symptoms include:
\n\u2022 stiffening of the body
\n\u2022 shaking
\n\u2022 loss of bladder or bowel control
\n\u2022 biting of the tongue
\n\u2022 loss of consciousness
\nFollowing a seizure, you may not remember having one, or you might feel slightly ill for a few hours.
\nLearn more about epilepsy symptoms \u00bb
\nEpilepsy triggers
\nWhat triggers an epileptic seizure?<\/strong>
\nSome people are able to identify things or situations that can trigger seizures.
\nA few of the most commonly reported triggers are:
\n\u2022 lack of sleep
\n\u2022 illness or fever
\n\u2022 stress
\n\u2022 bright lights, flashing lights, or patterns
\n\u2022 caffeine, alcohol, medicines, or drugs
\n\u2022 skipping meals, overeating, or specific food ingredients
\nIdentifying triggers isn\u2019t always easy. A single incident doesn\u2019t always mean something is a trigger. It\u2019s often a combination of factors that trigger a seizure.
\nA good way to find your triggers is to keep a seizure journal. After each seizure, note the following:
\n\u2022 day and time
\n\u2022 what activity you were involved in
\n\u2022 what was happening around you
\n\u2022 unusual sights, smells, or sounds
\n\u2022 unusual stressors
\n\u2022 what you were eating or how long it had been since you\u2019d eaten
\n\u2022 your level of fatigue and how well you slept the night before
\nYou can also use your seizure journal to determine if your medications are working. Note how you felt just before and just after your seizure, and any side effects.
\nBring the journal with you when you visit the doctor. It may be useful in adjusting your medications or exploring other treatments.
\nLearn more about living with epilepsy \u00bb
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\nHeredity
\nIs epilepsy hereditary?<\/strong>
\nThere may be as many as 500 genes that relate to epilepsy. Genetics may also provide you with a natural \u201cseizure threshold.\u201d If you inherit a low seizure threshold, you\u2019re more vulnerable to seizure triggers. A higher threshold means you\u2019re less likely to have seizures.
\nEpilepsy sometimes runs in families. Still, the risk of inheriting the condition is fairly low. Most parents with epilepsy don\u2019t have children with epilepsy.
\nIn general, the risk of developing epilepsy by age 20 is about 1 percent, or 1 in every 100 people. If you have a parent with epilepsy due to a genetic cause, your risk rises to somewhere between 2 to 5 percent.
\nIf your parent has epilepsy due to another cause, such as stroke or brain injury, it doesn\u2019t affect your chances of developing epilepsy.
\nCertain rare conditions, such as tuberous sclerosis and neurofibromatosis, can cause seizures. These are conditions that can run in families.
\nEpilepsy doesn\u2019t affect your ability to have children. But some epilepsy medications can affect your unborn baby. Don\u2019t stop taking your medications, but do talk to your doctor before becoming pregnant or as soon as you learn you are pregnant.
\nIf you have epilepsy and are concerned about starting a family, consider arranging a consultation with a genetic counselor.
\nCauses of epilepsy
\nWhat causes epilepsy?<\/strong>
\nFor 6 out of 10 people with epilepsy, the cause can\u2019t be determined. A variety of things can lead to seizures.
\nPossible causes include:
\n\u2022 traumatic brain injury
\n\u2022 scarring on the brain after a brain injury (post-traumatic epilepsy)
\n\u2022 serious illness or very high fever
\n\u2022 stroke, which is a leading cause of epilepsy in people over age 35
\n\u2022 other vascular diseases
\n\u2022 lack of oxygen to the brain
\n\u2022 brain tumor or cyst
\n\u2022 dementia or Alzheimer\u2019s disease
\n\u2022 maternal drug use, prenatal injury, brain malformation, or lack of oxygen at birth
\n\u2022 infectious diseases such as AIDS and meningitis
\n\u2022 genetic or developmental disorders or neurological diseases
\nHeredity plays a role in some types of epilepsy. In the general population, there\u2019s a 1 percent chance of developing epilepsy before 20 years of age. If you have a parent whose epilepsy is linked to genetics, that increases your risk to 2 to 5 percent.
\nGenetics may also make some people more susceptible to seizures from environmental triggers.
\nEpilepsy can develop at any age. Diagnosis usually occurs in early childhood or after age 60.
\nDiagnosing epilepsy
\nHow is epilepsy diagnosed?<\/strong>
\nIf you suspect you\u2019ve had a seizure, see your doctor as soon as possible. A seizure can be a symptom of a serious medical issue.
\nYour medical history and symptoms will help your doctor decide which tests will be helpful. You\u2019ll probably have a neurological examination to test your motor abilities and mental functioning.
\nIn order to diagnose epilepsy, other conditions that cause seizures should be ruled out. Your doctor will probably order a complete blood count and chemistry of the blood.
\nBlood tests may be used to look for:
\n\u2022 signs of infectious diseases
\n\u2022 liver and kidney function
\n\u2022 blood glucose levels
\nElectroencephalogram (EEG) is the most common test used in diagnosing epilepsy. First, electrodes are attached to your scalp with a paste. It\u2019s a noninvasive, painless test. You may be asked to perform a specific task. In some cases, the test is performed during sleep. The electrodes will record the electrical activity of your brain. Whether you\u2019re having a seizure or not, changes in normal brain wave patterns are common in epilepsy.
\nImaging tests can reveal tumors and other abnormalities that can cause seizures. These tests might include:
\n\u2022 CT scan
\n\u2022 MRI
\n\u2022 positron emission tomography (PET)
\n\u2022 single-photon emission computerized tomography
\nEpilepsy is usually diagnosed if you have seizures for no apparent or reversible reason.
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\nEpilepsy treatment
\nHow is epilepsy treated?<\/strong>
\nMost people can manage epilepsy. Your treatment plan will be based on severity of symptoms, your health, and how well you respond to therapy.
\nSome treatment options include:
\n\u2022 Anti-epileptic (anticonvulsant, antiseizure) drugs:<\/strong> These medications can reduce the number of seizures you have. In some people, they eliminate seizures. To be effective, the medication must be taken exactly as prescribed.
\n\u2022 Vagus nerve stimulator:<\/strong> This device is surgically placed under the skin on the chest and electrically stimulates the nerve that runs through your neck. This can help prevent seizures.
\n\u2022 Ketogenic diet:<\/strong> More than half of people who don\u2019t respond to medication benefit from this high fat, low carbohydrate diet.
\n\u2022 Brain surgery:<\/strong> The area of the brain that causes seizure activity can be removed or altered.
\nResearch into new treatments is ongoing. One treatment that may be available in the future is deep brain stimulation. It\u2019s a procedure in which electrodes are implanted into your brain. Then a generator is implanted in your chest. The generator sends electrical impulses to the brain to help decrease seizures.
\nAnother avenue of research involves a pacemaker-like device. It would check the pattern of brain activity and send an electrical charge or drug to stop a seizure.
\nMinimally invasive surgeries and radiosurgery are also being investigated.
\nEpilepsy medications
\nMedications for epilepsy<\/strong>
\nThe first-line treatment for epilepsy is antiseizure medication. These drugs help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures. They can\u2019t stop a seizure that\u2019s already in progress, nor is it a cure for epilepsy.
\nThe medication is absorbed by the stomach. Then it travels the bloodstream to the brain. It affects neurotransmitters in a way that reduces the electrical activity that leads to seizures.
\nAntiseizure medications pass through the digestive tract and leave the body through urine.
\nThere are many antiseizure drugs on the market. Your doctor can prescribe a single drug or a combination of drugs, depending on the type of seizures you have.
\nCommon epilepsy medications include:
\n\u2022 levetiracetam (Keppra)
\n\u2022 lamotrigine (Lamictal)
\n\u2022 topiramate (Topamax)
\n\u2022 valproic acid (Depakote)
\n\u2022 carbamazepine (Tegretol)
\n\u2022 ethosuximide (Zarontin)
\nThese medications are generally available in tablet, liquid, or injectable forms and are taken once or twice a day. You\u2019ll start with the lowest possible dose, which can be adjusted until it starts to work. These medications must be taken consistently and as prescribed.
\nSome potential side effects may include:
\n\u2022 fatigue
\n\u2022 dizziness
\n\u2022 skin rash
\n\u2022 poor coordination
\n\u2022 memory problems
\nRare, but serious side effects include depression and inflammation of the liver or other organs.
\nEpilepsy is different for everybody, but most people improve with antiseizure medication. Some children with epilepsy stop having seizures and can stop taking medication.
\nLearn more about the medications used to treat epilepsy \u00bb
\nSurgery for epilepsy
\nIs surgery an option for epilepsy management?<\/strong>
\nIf medication can\u2019t decrease the number of seizures, another option is surgery.
\nThe most common surgery is a resection. This involves removing the part of the brain where the seizures start. Most often, the temporal lobe is removed in a procedure known as temporal lobectomy. In some cases, this can stop seizure activity.
\nIn some cases, you\u2019ll be kept awake during this surgery. That\u2019s so doctors can talk to you and avoid removing part of the brain that controls important functions such as vision, hearing, speech, or movement.
\nIf the area of the brain is too big or important to remove, there\u2019s another procedure called multiple subpial transection, or disconnection. The surgeon makes cuts in the brain to interrupt the nerve pathway. That keeps seizures from spreading to other areas of the brain.
\nAfter surgery, some people are able to cut down on antiseizure medications or even stop taking them.
\nThere are risks to any surgery, including a bad reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, and infection. Surgery of the brain can sometimes result in cognitive changes. Discuss the pros and cons of the different procedures with your surgeon and seek a second opinion before making a final decision.
\nLearn more about surgery for epilepsy \u00bb
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\nEpilepsy diet
\nDietary recommendations for people with epilepsy<\/strong>
\nThe ketogenic diet is often recommended for children with epilepsy. This diet is low in carbohydrates and high in fats. The diet forces the body to use fat for energy instead of glucose, a process called ketosis.
\nThe diet requires a strict balance between fats, carbohydrates, and protein. That\u2019s why it\u2019s best to work with a nutritionist or dietitian. Children on this diet must be carefully monitored by a doctor.
\nThe ketogenic diet doesn\u2019t benefit everybody. But when followed properly, it\u2019s often successful in reducing the frequency of seizures. It works better for some types of epilepsy than others.
\nFor adolescents and adults with epilepsy, a modified Atkins diet may be recommended. This diet is also high in fat and involves a controlled carb intake.
\nAbout half of adults who try the modified Atkins diet experience fewer seizures. Results may be seen as quickly as a few months.
\nBecause these diets tend to be low in fiber and high in fat, constipation is a common side effect.
\nTalk to your doctor before starting a new diet and make sure you\u2019re getting vital nutrients. In any case, not eating processed foods can help improve your health.
\nLearn more about how your diet can affect epilepsy \u00bb
\nEpilepsy and behavior
\nEpilepsy and behavior: Is there a connection?<\/strong>
\nChildren with epilepsy tend to have more learning and behavioral problems than those who don\u2019t. Sometimes there\u2019s a connection. But these problems aren\u2019t always caused by epilepsy.
\nAbout 15 to 35 percent of children with intellectual disabilities also have epilepsy. Often, they stem from the same cause.
\nSome people experience a change in behavior in the minutes or hours before a seizure. This could be related to abnormal brain activity preceding a seizure, and may include:
\n\u2022 inattentiveness
\n\u2022 irritability
\n\u2022 hyperactivity
\n\u2022 aggressiveness
\nChildren with epilepsy may experience uncertainty in their lives. The prospect of a sudden seizure in front of friends and classmates can be stressful. These feelings can cause a child to act out or withdraw from social situations.
\nMost children learn to adjust over time. For others, social dysfunction can continue into adulthood. Between 30 to 70 percent of people with epilepsy also have depression, anxiety, or both.
\nAntiseizure medications can also have an effect on behavior. Switching or making adjustments to medication may help.
\nBehavioral problems should be addressed during doctor visits. Treatment will depend on the nature of the problem.
\nYou might also benefit from individual therapy, family therapy, or joining a support group to help you cope.
\nLiving with epilepsy
\nLiving with epilepsy: What to expect<\/strong>
\nEpilepsy is chronic disorder that can affect many parts of your life.
\nLaws vary from state to state, but if your seizures aren\u2019t well controlled, you may not be allowed to drive.
\nBecause you never know when a seizure will occur, many everyday activities like crossing a busy street, can become dangerous. These problems can lead to loss of independence.
\nSome other complications of epilepsy may include:
\n\u2022 risk of permanent damage or death due to severe seizures that last more than five minutes (status epilepticus)
\n\u2022 risk of recurring seizures without regaining consciousness in between (status epilepticus)
\n\u2022 sudden unexplained death in epilepsy, which affects only about 1 percent of people with epilepsy
\nIn addition to regular doctor visits and following your treatment plan, here are some things you can do to cope:
\n\u2022 Keep a seizure diary to help identify possible triggers so you can avoid them.
\n\u2022 Wear a medical alert bracelet so people know what to do if you have a seizure and can\u2019t speak.
\n\u2022 Teach the people closest to you about seizures and what to do in an emergency.
\n\u2022 Seek professional help for symptoms of depression or anxiety.
\n\u2022 Join a support group for people with seizure disorders.
\n\u2022 Take care of your health by eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise.
\nLearn more about living with epilepsy \u00bb
\nEpilepsy cure
\nIs there a cure for epilepsy?<\/strong>
\nThere\u2019s no cure for epilepsy, but early treatment can make a big difference.
\nUncontrolled or prolonged seizures can lead to brain damage. Epilepsy also raises the risk of sudden unexplained death.
\nThe condition can be successfully managed. Seizures can generally be controlled with medication.
\nTwo types of brain surgery can cut down on or eliminate seizures. One type, called resection, involves removing the part of the brain where seizures originate.
\nWhen the area of the brain responsible for seizures is too vital or large to remove, the surgeon can perform a disconnection. This involves interrupting the nerve pathway by making cuts in the brain. This keeps seizures from spreading to other parts of the brain.
\nRecent research found that 81 percent of people with severe epilepsy were either completely or almost seizure-free six months after surgery. After 10 years, 72 percent were still completely or almost seizure-free.
\nDozens of other avenues of research into the causes, treatment, and potential cures for epilepsy are ongoing.
\nAlthough there\u2019s no cure at this time, the right treatment can result in dramatic improvement in your condition and your quality of life.
\nLearn more about the long-term outlook for people with epilepsy \u00bb
\nFacts and statistics
\nFacts and statistics about epilepsy<\/strong>
\nWorldwide, 65 million people have epilepsy. That includes about 3 million people in the United States, where there are 150,000 new cases of epilepsy diagnosed each year.
\nAs many as 500 genes may relate to epilepsy in some way. For most people, the risk of developing epilepsy before age 20 is about 1 percent. Having a parent with genetically linked epilepsy raises that risk to 2 to 5 percent.
\nFor people over age 35, a leading cause of epilepsy is stroke. For 6 in 10 people, the cause of a seizure can\u2019t be determined.
\nBetween 15 to 30 percent of children with intellectual disabilities have epilepsy. Between 30 and 70 percent of people who have epilepsy also have depression, anxiety, or both.
\nSudden unexplained death affects about 1 percent of people with epilepsy.
\nBetween 60 and 70 percent of people with epilepsy respond satisfactorily to the first anti-epilepsy drug they try. About 50 percent can stop taking medications after two to five years without a seizure.
\nOne-third of people with epilepsy have uncontrollable seizures because they haven\u2019t found a treatment that works. More than half of people with epilepsy who don\u2019t respond to medication improve with a ketogenic diet. Half of adults who try a modified Atkins diet have fewer seizures.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”489″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_border” css_animation=”fadeInDown”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

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