Definition

     Epilepsy is a brain disorder involving repeated seizures of any type.

Causes

• Idiopathic (Unknown)

• Birth injuries

• Metabolic Disorders

• Head trauma

• Brain Tumors

• Strokes

• Alzheimer's disease

• Encephalitis

• Eclampsia

• Heat stroke

• Drugs abuse or withdrawal

• Stimuli such as flashes of light or sound

• Meningitis

• Fevers

• Certain medications

• Alcohol ingestion

• Alcohol withdrawal

• Low Blood Sugar

Symptoms Of Generalized Seizures

     Generalized seizures affect all or most of the brain. They include petit mal and grand mal seizures.

     Petit mal seizures:

• Minimal or no movements (usually, except for "eye blinking") -- may appear like a blank stare

• Brief sudden loss of awareness or conscious activity -- may only last seconds

• Recurs many times

• Occurs most often during childhood

• Decreased learning (child often thought to be day-dreaming)

     Tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures:

• Whole body, violent muscle contractions

• Rigid and stiff

• Affects a major part of the body

• Loss of consciousness

• Breathing stops temporarily, followed by sighing

• Incontinence of urine

• Tongue or cheek biting

• Confusion following the seizure

• Weakness following the seizure (Todd's paralysis)

Symptoms Of Partial Seizures (Simple And Complex)

     Partial seizures may be complex or simple. Partial seizures affect only a portion of the brain.

     Symptoms of simple partial (focal) seizures may include:

• Muscle contractions of a specific body part

• Abnormal sensations

• Nausea

• Sweating

• Skin flushing

• Dilated pupils

     Symptoms of partial complex seizures may include:

• Automatism (automatic performance of complex behaviors without conscious awareness)

• Abnormal sensations

• Nausea

• Sweating

• Skin flushing

• Dilated pupils

• Recalled or inappropriate emotions

• Changes in personality or alertness

• May or may not lose consciousness

• Problems with smell or taste -- if the epilepsy is focused in the temporal lobe of the brain

Screening and Diagnostics

1. Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium levels

2. Glucose level

3. Kidney and liver function

4. Complete blood count

5. Syphilis blood test (RPR)

Treatment

• Depends on type of seizure. Common medications include Dilantin, Phenobarbital, and Valproic acid.

• Surgical treatment (removal of brain focus) if all medications fail

• Status epilepticus is a life threatening emergency -- treatment usually involves airway protection, glucose injection, Diazepam or lorazepam intravenously, and Dilantin intravenously.

Complications   

• Prolonged seizures or numerous seizures without complete recovery between them (status epilepticus)

• Injury from falls, bumps, or self-inflicted bites

• Injury from having a seizure while driving or operating machinery

• Inhaling fluid into the lungs and subsequent aspiration pneumonia

• Permanent brain damage (stroke or other damage)

• Difficulty with learning

• Side effects of medications

• Many anti-epileptic medications cause birth defects -- women wishing to become pregnant should alert their doctor in advance in order to adjust medications

Prevention  

     Generally, there is no known way to prevent epilepsy. However, adequate diet and sleep, and abstinence from drugs and alcohol, may decrease the likelihood of precipitating a seizure in people with epilepsy.

     Reduce the risk of head injury by wearing helmets during risky activities; this can help lessen the chance of developing epilepsy.