Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures. Seizure is a brief episode of involuntary movements or changes in consciousness that occur due to an alteration of brain activity.

People with epilepsy usually experience recurrent seizures. These seizures occur due to a disruption of electrical activity in the brain, which temporarily disturb the messaging systems between brain cells. Epilepsy is caused by a variation in brain structure or function which might be detected with imaging studies or diagnostic tests of electrical activity in the brain.

Recurrent seizures can cause physical injuries and may interfere with day -to- day life. Additionally prolonged seizures and frequent seizures can cause harm to the brain, leading to worsening epilepsy or cognitive changes.

Causes

A variety of factors can contribute to the development of seizures, such as :

• brain tumor or cyst
• dementia
• lack of oxygen to the brain
• traumatic brain injury or other head trauma
• stroke
• serious illness or very high fever
• meningitis
• neurological disease
• genetic
• maternal use of some drugs, prenatal injury, lack of oxygen at birth, brain malformation

Risk factors

• genetic
• stroke and other vascular disease
• cerebral palsy
• complicated febrile seizures
• developmental brain abnormalities
• brain infection
• traumatic brain or head injury (TBI)
• brain tumors
• chronic abuse of alcohol
• autism spectrum disorder

Symptoms

The main symptom of epilepsy is recurrent seizures.

• short blackouts or confused memory
• a convulsion with no fever
• extreme tiredness, intermittent fainting spells, lose bowel or bladder control
• sudden stiffness for no apparent reason
• temporary unresponsiveness
• anger or panic
• fearfulness for no apparent reason
• sudden falling for no apparent reason
• fearfulness for no apparent reason
• repetitive movement that seem involuntary
• sudden bouts of blinking without apparent stimuli
• unable to communicate
• jerking arms, legs or body which will appear as a cluster of rapid jerking movements in babies
• peculiar changes in senses such as smell, touch and sound

The following conditions may cause similar symptoms to those above so some people can mistake them for those of epilepsy:

• fainting
• high fever with epilepsy like symptoms
• sleep disorder
• nightmares
• fugue state
• extreme muscle weakness
• narcolepsy
• panic attacks

Diagnosis

• medical history and symptoms
• blood test
• liver and kidney function
• blood glucose levels
• signs of infectious disease
• (EEG) Electroencephalogram

Imaging tests can reveal tumors and other abnormalities that can cause seizures. These tests might include:

• CT scan
• MRI
• single photon emission computerized tomography
• positron emission tomography (PET)

Treatment

Treatment for epilepsy may help you have fewer seizures or stop seizures completely.

Treatment plan will be based on :

• your health
• the severity of your symptoms
• how well you respond to therapy
• Anti – epileptic ( anticonvulsant, antiseizure) drug
• ketogenic diet
• Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS)
• Brain surgery : The area of the brain that causes seizure activity can be removed or altered if you and your healthcare team determine it’s the ight treatment for your condition.

Medications for epilepsy

Common epilepsy medication include:

• Topiramate (Topamax)
• lamotrigine (lamictal)
• levetiracetam (keppra)
• valproic acid (Depakote)
• carbamazepine(Tegretol)
• ethosuximide( Zarontin )

Surgery

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke some Surgical options include:

• Multiple subpial transection
• Lobectomy
• corpus callosotomy
• Hemispherectomy

Prevention

• Get enough sleep
• avoid alcohol, smoking and illegal drugs can damage your brain
• get vaccinated for prevent brain infections
• reduce your risk of stroke
• eat a healthy diet
• maintain healthy weight
• exercise regularly
• prevent head injuries
• reduce stress
• take medication as prescribed

complication

• brain damage from prolonged and uncontrolled seizures
• depression
• intellectual disability
• injury from falling during a seizure
• choking on food
• medication side effects
• psychiatric disorders
• Interictal mood disorders
• aspiration pneumonia