EPILEPSY

OUR SPECIALISTS

We have the best specialists for Epilepsy Treatment.

epilepsy symptoms

     The main symptom of epilepsy is repeated seizures. If one or more of the    following symptoms are present, the individual should see a             doctor, especially if they recur:

·       a convulsion with no temperature (no fever)

·       short spells of blackout, or confused memory

·       intermittent fainting spells, during which bowel or bladder control is lost, which is frequently followed by extreme tiredness

·       for a short period, the person is unresponsive to instructions or questions

·       the person becomes stiff, suddenly, for no apparent reason

·       the person suddenly falls for no clear reason

·       sudden bouts of blinking without apparent stimuli

·       sudden bouts of chewing, without any apparent reason

·        for a short time the person seems dazed and unable to communicate

·        repetitive movements that seem inappropriate

·       the person becomes fearful for no apparent reason; they may even panic or become angry

·        peculiar changes in senses, such as smell, touch, and sound

·        the arms, legs, or body jerk, in babies these will appear as a cluster of rapid jerking movements

CAUSES

Every function in the human body is triggered by messaging systems in our brain. Epilepsy results when this system is disrupted due to faulty electrical activity.

In many cases, the exact cause is not known. Some people have inherited genetic factors that make epilepsy more likely to occur.

Other factors that may increase the risk include:

·      head trauma, for instance, during a car crash

·      brain conditions, including stroke or tumors

·      infectious diseases, for instance, AIDS and viral encephalitis

·        prenatal injury, or brain damage that occurs before birth

·        developmental disorders, for instance, autism or neurofibromatosis

 It is most likely to appear in children under 2 years of age, and adults over 65 years.

 What a patient with epilepsy experiences during a seizure will depend on which part of the brain is affected, and how widely and quickly it   spreads from that area.

Epilepsy treatments

After you’re diagnosed with epilepsy, you have several ways to get treatment. Medication, a special diet, an implant that works on your nerves, and surgery could all help you feel better.

Seizure Medication

Your doctor will likely want you to try this first. It works for about 7 out of 10 people with epilepsy. Epilepsy medications, sometimes called anti-seizure or anticonvulsant medications, change the way your brain cells work and send messages to each other.

The kind of medication your doctor suggests depends on a few things:

• The type of seizures you have
• How likely it is you’ll have more seizures
• Your age
• Your sex
• Other medical conditions you have
• If you want to get pregnant

Drugs that work for one person might not work for another. You might have to try more than one. Most people who take medication for epilepsy find a good fit on the first or second try.

You might have to start with a low dose and slowly add more. It depends which medication you take.

You’ll probably get a blood test before you start your medication. While you’re taking it, the doctor will want you to get blood tests to see how your body handles the  treatment.

How often you need them depends on your type of epilepsy medication, other drugs you take, and any health conditions you might have.

Tell your doctor about the other medications you take, even if you buy them over the  counter (without a prescription). Seizure medications can interact with other drugs  and make them not work as well.

Side Effects

Some are more severe than others. Mild side effects can include:  

·         Weight gain

·          Thinning bones

·          Rashes

·          Clumsiness

·          Trouble talking

·          Trouble remembering things

·          Trouble thinking

·          Tiredness

·          Dizziness