EpilepsyEpilepsy

(nervous system)(nervous system)

What is Epilepsy?What is Epilepsy?When a person suffers two or more seizures,their condition is called epilepsy. There are many different types of epilepsy, and these include:

-Lennox Gastaut -Mitochondrial Disorders

-Temporal Lobe -Landau-Kleffner

-Frontal Lobe -Rasmussen's

A Brief History of EpilepsyA Brief History of EpilepsyAs early as 400BC, epilepsy has been recognized and written

about; by Hippocrates, and in the Bible. In 1494 epilepsy was believed to be a sign of a witch, a notion that of course, was disregarded only decades later.

Between the late 1850s and early 1900s, three English neurologists recognized seizures as “an occasional, an excessive, and a disorderly discharge of nerve tissue on muscles.” Over the next sixty years, more was learned about epilepsy, its causes and effects on a person.

In 1968 the Epilepsy Foundation of America is founded to help people with epilepsy, and many more organizations have followed. Epilepsy research continues.

What Are the Symptoms What Are the Symptoms

of Epilepsy?of Epilepsy?

The defining symptom of epilepsy is recurrance seizures. Therefore, it is more appropriate to describe the symptoms of a seizure.

There are three stages to a typical seizure, so we will go through each one. First, we will need to know just what a seizure is.

What, exactly, is a seizure?What, exactly, is a seizure?A seizure is defined as a sudden surge of electrical

activity in the brain that usually affects how a person feels or acts for a short time. There are three distinct stages to a seizure. Pre-ictal, Ictal, and Post-ictal. Ictal is the Latin word for seizure.

Pre-IctalPre-IctalThe pre-ictal stage of a seizure is the stage just before the actual seizure occurs, and usually warns the person that a seizure is about to occur.

Symptoms may include:

● Deja Vu● Visual loss/ blurring● Fear/ Panic● Dizziness ● Headache

● Nausea● Numbness● Tingling Feeling● Racing thoughts● Sometimes no warning

IctalIctal

The ictal period is the time during the seizure.Symptoms may include:

● Black out● Confusion● Deafness● Visual loss/ blurring● Fear/ Panic

● Chewing movements● Difficulty Talking● Foot stomps● Tremors● Difficulty breathing

Post-IctalPost-Ictal

The post-ictal stage of a seizure is the period of time directly after the seizure.

Symptoms may include:

● Memory Loss● Writing difficulty● Confusion● Depression● Bruising

● Exhaustion● Headache● Thirst● Pain● Difficulty Talking

How do seizures affect the body?How do seizures affect the body?

Not only will epilepsy affect the brain and nervous system, it usually also affects other systems of the body.

Nervous System- seizures will affect sensory perception, causing blurred vision, odd smells, tastes, and sensations.

Reproductive System- epilepsy can affect sexual libido, pregnancy, the menstrual cycle, and may indirectly cause

a low sperm count in men.

Integumentary System- a seizure can indirectly affect the Integumentary system. Convulsions and thrashing due to an uncontrolled seizure will more than likely causebruising, and even lacerations.

What Causes Epilepsy?What Causes Epilepsy?

In over half of all epilepsy cases, the cause is unknown. A short list of instances which may cause a seizure or lead a person to epilepsy includes:

● Head injury● Brain infection● Brain tumors● Brain surgery● Stroke● Alzheimer's

● Arteriosclerosis● Alcohol Abuse● Drug Abuse● Trauma during birth● High fever (in children)● Certain medications

What are some treatment What are some treatment options for epilepsy?options for epilepsy?

Although seizure medications are the most common and apparent choice for treatment of epilepsy, there are other options.

Seizure MedicationSeizure Medication(treatment)(treatment)

There are many different types of medication, and each one works better for a different type of epilepsy, or seizure. The doctor will choose one based on the patient's type of seizure, age, and other medical conditions. These medications usually attempt to prevent seizures, not lessen the effects or intensity of them.

The Ketogenic DietThe Ketogenic Diet(treatment)(treatment)

The Ketogenic Diet is prescribed by a doctor and monitored by a dietitian. It is designed to help control seizures by producing ketones in the body, hence its name. Ketones are formed when the body uses fat for energy (as opposed to carbohydrates). The Ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carb diet, not much unlike the Atkins diet.

SurgerySurgery(treatment)(treatment)

Epilepsy surgery can be especially beneficial to those who have structural abnormalities of the brain, taking a physical approach rather than chemical.

Benefits of surgery should we be weighed carefully against its risks, because there is no guarantee that it will control seizures.

Vagus Nerve StimulationVagus Nerve Stimulation(treatment)(treatment)

Vagus Nerve Stimulation prevents seizures by sending a regular, mild pulsesof electrical energy to the brain, via the vagus nerve.

A VNS device is used, which is much like a pacemaker.

If epilepsy goes untreatedIf epilepsy goes untreated

There are many risks to leaving epilepsy untreated, seizures may worsen and occur more often, SUDEP is a larger risk, and other body systems might worsen due to stress from recurring seizures and their side effects.

However, if epilepsy is treated and under control, any person with epilepsy can lead a normal life, with attention paid to some hazards, of course. Fortunately, with all of the treatment options available, epilepsy is rarely a debilitating disease.

Extra informationExtra information

-Many drugs, especially cocaine, may cause seizures and can give brain damage leading to chronic epilepsy. Other drugs that cause it are Amphetamines and LSD.

-Also some therapeutic drugs such as penicillin, theophylline (again, used for asthmatics), certain antidepressants and antipsychotics can cause seizures leading to epilepsy.

-more than 15% of alcoholics will experience seizures, mostly in connection with alcohol withdrawal.

-If a parent has epilepsy, the risk of a child developing it is 4-5%.

-Developing epilepsy is 50-60% more common in those under the age of 16, but can appear at any age.

CitationCitation

VideoVideo

Database source documentation--Simeone, Timothy A.; Otto, James F.; Wilcox, Karen S.; White, H. Steve. European Journal of Pharmacology, Dec2006, Vol. 552 Issue 1-3, p31-35, 5p; DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2006.09.002; (AN 22965208)

Book source documentation--Weaver, Donald F. Epilepsy and Seizures: Everything You Need To Know. P5, 7, 21, 83-87. Buffalo, NY: Key Porter, 2001.

Database source documentation—Shiihara, Takashi; Kato, Mitsuhiro; Ichiyama, Takashi; Takahashi, Yukitoshi; Tanuma, Naoyuki; Miyata, Rie; Hayasaka, Kiyoshi. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, Dec2006, Vol. 250 Issue 1/2, p159-161, 3p; DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2006.07.002; (AN 22966250)

about Epilepsy

Internet source Accessed 10-30-06; 1998-2005 the Epilepsy Therapy Development Project and Epilepsy.com; <http://www.epilepsy.com/>