Epilepsy is a brain disorder, which causes repeated seizures or convulsions. It is observed worldwide at all ages regardless of gender, race, social and economic status. About 50 million people are suffering from epilepsy worldwide, with 80% of them in the developing world. In Greece it is estimated that there are 86,700 epileptic patients.
How is an epileptic crisis caused?
The cells in our brain send and receive messages from all areas of our body. These messages are transmitted through a continuous electrical impulse traveling from cell to cell. Epilepsy disrupts this rhythmic electrical pulse. Instead, eruptions of electricity appear, like an unpredictable thunderstorm, between cells in one or more areas of the patient’s brain. This electrical disorder causes changes in their perception, senses, emotions or muscle movements.
What are the symptoms of epilepsy?
Symptoms differ according to the type of epilepsy. Some patients lose their senses and have convulsions. Others stop responding to external stimuli and look at the void. Some patients may smell some unpleasant odor that does not exist or hear sounds that do not exist. It is not uncommon to have automatic movements like swallowing, or chewing or rubbing their hands. Some patients show shakes or unintentional movements of their hands or feet, and others simply have suddenly experienced fear, unexplained anxiety or déjà vu. The type of epileptic seizures is different in each patient depending on the type of epilepsy.
What are the types of epilepsy?
Epilepsy are classified accordingly by the type of seizures.
If the seizure begins from a particular area of the brain it is called a “focal seizure”. If the crisis begins at the same time many parts of the brain it is called “generalized seizure”. There are, of course, cases where it is not possible to distinguish where an epileptic seizure begins. In these cases, crises are called “unknown start”.
So epilepsy are classified as:
- Generalized epilepsy
- Focal epilepsy
- Combination of generalized and focal epilepsy
- Epilepsy
What are the causes of epilepsy?
Most of the time (70% of cases), the cause of seizures is not known. The most common causes are:
- Genetic: Some types of epilepsy (such as youthful myoclonal epilepsy) are more likely to occur in families. Although there are indications that specific genes are involved, other factors are believed to be involved in order to manifest the disease.
- Hardening of Hippocampus: It is a scar that is formed inside the temporal lobe which can cause focal crises.
- Craniocerebral injuries– Vascular strokes: Head injuries that can be caused by traffic accidents, falls or any head hit.
- Brain infections: such as meningitis, encephalitis.
- Developmental disorders (to children): Congenital abnormalities in anatomy and brain function.
What is the treatment of epilepsy?
Epilepsy treatment can be pharmaceutical and/or surgical.
Invasive drugs can control seizures in 60% -70% of patients. The remaining 20% -30% have a pharmacist epilepsy which can be treated surgically. Surgical options include surgical resection, stereotactic radiation surgery or implanting neurotrophicization appliances. These devices send electrical pulses to the brain in order to reduce seizures over time. The treatment is personalized in each case.
In short …
Epilepsy is a fairly common condition. There are many treatment options, such as opposing drugs, special surgeries and devices to prevent crisis. The goal is to make the best management of crisis as possible. In some cases, epilepsy is a lifelong disease, while in others, it may be tested with appropriate medication. Most patients have a normal life, with normal activities.
H Neurological clinic of Medical P. Faliro, with its specialized team offers a holistic approach to the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients with epilepsy.
Eleana NianiouNeurologist, Curator Neurological clinic, P. Faliro Medical
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