Epilepsy, its causes, symptoms and treatment

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder which causes recurring seizures. These seizures can range from mild to life threatening attacks. According to the report given by CDC(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) about 3 percent of the people  in United States above the age of 80 suffers from epilepsy.

Epilepsy is not a disease, its just a sign of disturbed mind functions. Epilepsy can be caused due to many reasons such as- brain injury, insufficient flow of blood to brain, stroke, genetic disorders or brain tumor. Person suffering from epilepsy may find difficulty while speaking, performing any action, vision problem or difficulty in concentration.

Causes of Epilepsy:

Epilepsy in children can be caused due to meningitis during infancy or due to abnormal development of brain.Some other causes that leads to epilepsy seizures are listed below-

• Exposure to strobe lights
• Hyperventilation
• less or insufficient sleep
• Changes in hormones
• Excess of alcohol or cocaine.
• Fever or infection.
• Genetic factors.

Some epilepsy seizures that happen to women only at the time of menstrual cycle called Catamenial epilepsy. These seizures occur due to increased level of estrogen in the body.It may be less effective after menopause.

Symptoms of Epilepsy:

• Senses works incorrectly for example you may hear strange sounds or notice strange smells.
• Faint or loose consciousness
• Body starts twitching or jerking and you fall down without any warning.
• You looses control over your muscles.

Sometimes seizures happens due to illness or any injury but it goes off with time when the problem improves on itself.But in some cases epileptic seizures may continue and become intense over time.

Treatment of Epilepsy:

People who have epileptic seizures can be controlled by medicines. It takes sufficient amount of time but make sure you follow the treatment and prescribed medicines properly and regularly.

If medicines do not work well on you then other way to treat epilepsy is through surgery. The damaged portion of the brain tissue is removed. A diet is also recommended which is known as ketogenic diet where you have to eat more fat and less amount of carbohydrate.

Vagus nerve stimulator is a device which is implanted under your skin of collarbone. It helps sending signals to your brain which controls the occurrence of seizures.

“The information present here is for general purpose please consult your doctor before taking any medication/therapy”