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Epilepsy - overview

Seizure disorder; Epileptic - epilepsy

 

Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which a person has repeated seizures over time. Seizures are episodes of uncontrolled and abnormal firing of brain cells that may cause changes in attention or behavior.

Causes

 

Epilepsy occurs when permanent changes in the brain cause it to be too excitable or irritable. As a result, the brain sends out abnormal signals. This leads to repeated, unpredictable seizures. (A single seizure that does not happen again is not epilepsy.)

Epilepsy may be due to a medical condition or injury that affects the brain. Or the cause may be unknown (idiopathic).

Common causes of epilepsy include:

  • Stroke or transient ischemic attack ( TIA )
  • Dementia , such as Alzheimer disease
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Infections, including brain abscess , meningitis , encephalitis , and HIV/AIDS
  • Brain problems that are present at birth (congenital brain defect)
  • Brain injury that occurs during or near birth
  • Metabolism disorders present at birth (such as phenylketonuria )
  • Brain tumor
  • Abnormal blood vessels in the brain
  • Other illness that damages or destroys brain tissue

Epileptic seizures usually begin between ages 5 and 20. There is also a higher chance of seizures in adults older than 60. But epileptic seizures can happen at any age. There may be a family history of seizures or epilepsy.

 

Symptoms

 

Symptoms vary from person to person. Some people may have simple staring spells. Others have violent shaking and loss of alertness. The type of seizure depends on the part of the brain that is affected.

Most of the time, the seizure is similar to the one before it. Some people with epilepsy have a strange sensation before each seizure. Sensations may be tingling, smelling an odor that is not actually there, or emotional changes. This is called an aura.

Your doctor can tell you more about the specific type of seizure you may have:

  • Absence (petit mal) seizure (staring spells)
  • Generalized tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure (involves the entire body, including aura, rigid muscles, and loss of alertness)
  • Partial (focal) seizure (can involve any of the symptoms described above, depending on where in the brain the seizure starts)

 

Exams and Tests

 

The doctor will perform a physical exam. This will include a detailed look at the brain and nervous system.

An EEG (electroencephalogram) will be done to check the electrical activity in the brain. People with epilepsy often have abnormal electrical activity seen on this test. In some cases, the test shows the area in the brain where the seizures start. The brain may appear normal after a seizure or between seizures.

To diagnose epilepsy or plan for epilepsy surgery, you may need to:

  • Wear an EEG recorder for days or weeks as you go about your everyday life.
  • Stay in a special hospital where brain activity can be recorded while video cameras capture what happens to you during the seizure. This is called video EEG.

Tests that may be done include:

  • Blood chemistry
  • Blood sugar
  • Complete blood count ( CBC )
  • Kidney function tests
  • Liver function tests
  • Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
  • Tests for infectious diseases

Head CT or MRI scan is often done to find the cause and location of the problem in the brain.

 

Treatment

 

Treatment for epilepsy includes taking medicines, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgery.

If epilepsy is due to a tumor, abnormal blood vessels, or bleeding in the brain, surgery to treat these disorders may make the seizures stop.

Medicines to prevent seizures, called anticonvulsants (or antiepileptic drugs), may reduce the number of future seizures:

  • These drugs are taken by mouth. Which type you are prescribed depends on the type of seizures you have.
  • Your dosage may need to be changed from time to time. You may need regular blood tests to check for side effects.
  • Always take your medicine on time and as directed. Missing a dose can cause you to have a seizure. DO NOT stop taking or change medicines on your own. Talk to your doctor first.
  • Many epilepsy medicines cause birth defects. Women who plan to become pregnant should tell their doctor in advance in order to adjust medicines.

Many epilepsy drugs may affect the health of your bones. Talk to your doctor about whether you need vitamins and other supplements.

Epilepsy that does not get better after 2 or 3 anti-seizure drugs have been tried is called "medically refractory epilepsy." In this case, the doctor may recommend surgery to:

  • Remove the abnormal brain cells causing the seizures.
  • Place a vagal nerve stimulator (VNS). This device is similar to a heart pacemaker. It can help reduce the number of seizures.

Some children are placed on a special diet to help prevent seizures. The most popular one is the ketogenic diet. A diet low in carbohydrates, such as the Atkins diet, may also be helpful in some adults. Be sure to discuss these options with your doctor before trying them.

Lifestyle or medical changes can increase the risk for a seizure in adults and children with epilepsy. Talk with your doctor about:

  • New prescribed drugs, vitamins, or supplements
  • Emotional stress
  • Illness, especially infection
  • Lack of sleep
  • Pregnancy
  • Skipping doses of epilepsy medicines
  • Use of alcohol or other recreational drugs

Other considerations:

  • People with epilepsy should wear medical alert jewelry so that prompt treatment can be obtained if a seizure occurs.
  • People with poorly controlled epilepsy should not drive. Check your state's law about which people with a history of seizures are allowed to drive.
  • DO NOT use machinery or do activities that can cause loss of awareness, such as climbing to high places, biking, and swimming alone.

 

Support Groups

 

The stress of having epilepsy or being a caretaker of someone with epilepsy can often be helped by joining a support group . In these groups, members share common experiences and problems.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Some people with epilepsy may be able to reduce or even stop their anti-seizure medicines after having no seizures for several years. Certain types of childhood epilepsy go away or improve with age, usually in the late teens or 20s.

For many people, epilepsy is a lifelong condition. In these cases, anti-seizure drugs need to be continued. There is a very low risk for sudden death with epilepsy.

 

Possible Complications

 

Complications may include:

  • Difficulty learning
  • Breathing in food or saliva into the lungs during a seizure, which can cause aspiration pneumonia
  • Injury from falls, bumps, self-inflicted bites, driving or operating machinery during a seizure
  • Permanent brain damage (stroke or other damage)
  • Side effects of medicines

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your local emergency number (such as 911) if:

  • This is the first time a person has a seizure
  • A seizure occurs in someone who is not wearing a medical ID bracelet (which has instructions explaining what to do)

In the case of someone who has had seizures before, call 911 for any of these emergency situations:

  • This is a longer seizure than the person normally has, or an unusual number of seizures for the person
  • Repeated seizures over a few minutes
  • Repeated seizures in which consciousness or normal behavior is not regained between them (status epilepticus)

Call your doctor if any new symptoms occur:

  • Loss of hair
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Rash
  • Side effects of medicines, such as drowsiness, restlessness, confusion, sedation
  • Tremors or abnormal movements, or problems with coordination

 

Prevention

 

There is no known way to prevent epilepsy. Proper diet and sleep, and staying away from alcohol and illegal drugs may decrease the likelihood of triggering seizures in people with epilepsy.

Reduce the risk for head injury by wearing a helmet during risky activities. This can lessen the likelihood of a brain injury that leads to seizures and epilepsy.

 

 

References

Abou-Khalil BW, Gallagher MJ, Macdonald RL. Epilepsies. In: Daroff RB, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SK, eds. Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 101.

Morris GL III, Gloss D, Buchhalter J, Mack KJ, Nickels K, Harden C. Evidence-based guideline update: vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of epilepsy: report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology . 2013;81:1453-1459. PMID: 23986299 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23986299 .

Wiebe S. The epilepsies. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 403.

 
  • Brain structures - illustration

    The structures of the brain include: the brainstem, consisting of the spinal cord, the medulla oblongata, the pons and the midbrain; the cerebellum; the cerebrum (one half, or hemisphere shown), and the diencephalon .

    Brain structures

    illustration

  • Limbic system - illustration

    The limbic system of the brain is a group of structures which govern emotions and behavior. The limbic system, and in particular the hippocampus and amygdala, is involved in the formation of long-term memory, and is closely associated with the olfactory structures (having to do with the sense of smell).

    Limbic system

    illustration

  • Role of the vegus nerve in epilepsy - illustration

    The vagus nerves branch off the brain on either side of the head and travel down the neck, along the esophagus to the intestinal tract. They are the longest nerves in the body, and affect swallowing and speech. The vagus nerves also connect to parts of the brain involved in seizures. In many seizures disorders, electrical stimulation of the vagus nerves may afford relief of symptoms.

    Role of the vegus nerve in epilepsy

    illustration

  • Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration

    The central nervous system is comprised of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes all peripheral nerves.

    Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system

    illustration

    • Brain structures - illustration

      The structures of the brain include: the brainstem, consisting of the spinal cord, the medulla oblongata, the pons and the midbrain; the cerebellum; the cerebrum (one half, or hemisphere shown), and the diencephalon .

      Brain structures

      illustration

    • Limbic system - illustration

      The limbic system of the brain is a group of structures which govern emotions and behavior. The limbic system, and in particular the hippocampus and amygdala, is involved in the formation of long-term memory, and is closely associated with the olfactory structures (having to do with the sense of smell).

      Limbic system

      illustration

    • Role of the vegus nerve in epilepsy - illustration

      The vagus nerves branch off the brain on either side of the head and travel down the neck, along the esophagus to the intestinal tract. They are the longest nerves in the body, and affect swallowing and speech. The vagus nerves also connect to parts of the brain involved in seizures. In many seizures disorders, electrical stimulation of the vagus nerves may afford relief of symptoms.

      Role of the vegus nerve in epilepsy

      illustration

    • Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration

      The central nervous system is comprised of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes all peripheral nerves.

      Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

          Tests for Epilepsy - overview

           

             

            Review Date: 2/27/2016

            Reviewed By: Amit M. Shelat, DO, FACP, Attending Neurologist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, SUNY Stony Brook, School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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