Epilepsy -causes, Symptoms, Treatment
Epilepsy is also known as seizures disorder. It is mostly found in babies who are under five years. There are millions of nerve cells known as neurons and these cells communicate with electrical impulses. It can associate, when intense and abnormal wave of electricity overwhelms the nervous system. There are various types of epilepsy fall into Myoclonic seizures and Generalised seizures.
Causes of Epilepsy
- Brain tumors
- Multiple sclerosis
- Low blood sugar
- Stroke
- Exposure to poisons
- Lack of oxygen to brain
- Trauma with brain injury
- Hereditary
- Disorders of brain development
- Infections such as encephalitis
Signs and symptoms
- Difficulty in breathing
- Confusion
- Uncontrollable movements of legs and arms
- Problems in sleeping
- Loss of consciousness
Diagnosis
Magnetoencephalography and positron emission tomography are recommended to determine the symptoms of Epilepsy. Some questions about baby’s behavior, when the disease start, etc. ask by the health care providers to diagnosis of epilepsy.
When to consult the health care providers
Patient can consult the health care providers in the following cases:-
- Presence of signs and symptoms of the disease.
- The seizure lasts more than five minutes.
- Feeling of weakness, headache or numbness
- Changes in the medication
Treatment
The types of treatment of Epilepsy depend on causes of the disease. Patients should take medications as recommended by the health care providers. Patients should discuss about how to take the drugs, when to take it and what are the side effects for these drugs. Many children are unable to swallow medication in a capsule or tablet form.
Therefore they can take medications in liquid form and chewable sprinkle. There are various medications such as carbamazepine, phenibarbital, clonazepam, felbamate, zonisamide, levetiracetam, ethosuximide, tiagabine and valproic acid is very helpful to reduce the signs and symptoms of Epilepsy.