Epilepsy can affect any part of the brain, which is why symptoms can range from a staring spell to behavioural changes and uncontrollable jerking of the arms and legs. — 123rf.com
Epilepsy, also known as seizure disorder, is common, and there are many types.
It affects people of all races, ethnic backgrounds and ages – anyone can get epilepsy.
It is a brain disorder that causes recurring seizures.
Having a single seizure doesn’t mean that you have epilepsy.
Epilepsy is diagnosed if you’ve had at least two unprovoked seizures at least 24 hours apart.
Unprovoked seizures don’t have a clear cause.
The symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure.
Because epilepsy is caused by activity in the brain, seizures can affect any brain process.
Seizure symptoms may include:
- Temporary confusion.
- A staring spell (i.e. looking off unfocused into the distance).
- Stiff muscles.
- Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs.
- Loss of consciousness or awareness.
- Psychological symptoms such as fear, anxiety or deja vu.
Sometimes, people with epilepsy may have changes in their behaviour.
They may also have symptoms of psychosis.
Most people with epilepsy tend to have the same type of seizure each time, with their symptoms similar from episode to episode.
Epilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half the people with the condition.
In the other half, the condition may be traced or linked to various factors, including:
- Genetic influence.
- Head trauma.
- Brain abnormalities, including brain tumours, vascular abnormalities and stroke.
- Infections, including meningitis, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), viral encephalitis and some parasitic infections.
- Prenatal injury.
- Developmental disorders, including autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
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High fevers in childhood can sometimes be associated with seizures.
Children who have seizures due to high fevers generally won’t develop epilepsy though.
The risk of epilepsy increases if a child has a prolonged fever-associated seizure, another nervous system condition or a family history of epilepsy.
Medication is generally the first course of treatment for epilepsy.
Finding the right medication or combination of medications, and the optimal dosages, can be complex though.
Your child’s healthcare professional will consider your child’s age and overall health, and the frequency of seizures, when choosing which medications to prescribe.
Many children with epilepsy who aren’t experiencing symptoms can eventually discontinue medications and live a seizure-free life.
For some children with drug-resistant epilepsy, surgery is an option.
Surgery is considered when at least two anti-seizure medications have failed to work.
The surgery removes or alters an area of the brain where seizures originate.
Experts are also studying neurostimulation as an alternative treatment for children with severe epilepsy or for those who cannot have surgery.
This treatment applies electricity to the central nervous system to reduce seizure frequency and severity. – By Laurel Kelly/Mayo Clinic News Network/Tribune News Service
