In India, November 17 is observed every year as National Epilepsy Day by the Epilepsy Foundation, to create awareness about epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a common brain condition which makes people have seizures. A seizure is when a discharge of electricity happens in the brain, and this causes a wide range of symptoms, including losing consciousness, jerking and shaking involuntarily, and making unusual facial movements.

Epilepsy affects both male and female equally

Causes

According to WHO ( World Health Organisation)

Epilepsy is not contagious. Although many underlying disease mechanisms can lead to epilepsy, the cause of the disease is still unknown in about 50% of cases globally. The causes of epilepsy are divided into the following categories: structural, genetic, infectious, metabolic, immune and unknown. Examples include:

• brain damage from prenatal or perinatal causes (e.g. a loss of oxygen or trauma during birth, low birth weight);
• congenital abnormalities or genetic conditions with associated brain malformations;
• a severe head injury;
• a stroke that restricts the amount of oxygen to the brain;
• an infection of the brain such as meningitis, encephalitis or neurocysticercosis,
• certain genetic syndromes; and
• a brain tumour.

Because epilepsy is caused by abnormal activity in the brain, seizures can affect any process your brain coordinates.

Symptoms

• Temporary confusion

• Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs

• Loss of consciousness or awareness

• Psychological symptoms such as fear, anxiety.

Symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure. In most cases, a person with epilepsy will tend to have the same type of seizure each time, so the symptoms will be similar from episode to episode.

Doctors generally classify seizures as either focal or generalized, based on how and where the abnormal brain activity begins.

When to see a doctor?

Seek immediate medical help if any of the following occurs:

• The seizure lasts more than five minutes.

• Breathing or consciousness doesn’t return after the seizure stops.

• A second seizure follows immediately.

• You have a high fever.

•  You’re pregnant.

• You have diabetes.

• You’ve injured yourself during the seizure.
• You continue to have seizures even though you’ve been taking anti-seizure medication.

Lifestyle Modifications

Lifestyle modifications can include

• Adequate sleep: Fatigue is one of the most common seizure triggers, and disrupted sleep can make the brain more vulnerable to misfiring.
• Avoid drugs and alcohol: These can be triggers for seizures in patients with epilepsy. Even one or two drinks can provoke seizures.
• Minimise emotional stress: Although there is not definitive proof that stress causes seizures, those who maintain healthy stress levels have reported that they believe it reduces their risk.
• Frequency of exercise: In addition to a range of health benefits, regular exercise can help reduce risk of seizure. However, you should consult your physician before starting a new exercise routine, as some exercise can, rarely, cause seizures.

Prevention

An estimated 25% of epilepsy cases are preventable.

• Preventing head injury is the most effective way to prevent post-traumatic epilepsy.
• Adequate perinatal care can reduce new cases of epilepsy caused by birth injury.
• The prevention of epilepsy associated with stroke is focused on cardiovascular risk factor reduction, e.g. measures to prevent or control high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, and the avoidance of tobacco and excessive alcohol use.
• Central nervous system infections are common causes of epilepsy in tropical areas, where many low- and middle-income countries are concentrated. Elimination of parasites in these environment and education on how to avoid infections can be effective ways to reduce epilepsy worldwide.

Please never self diagnose or self Medicate. This is an informational article. Always consult your doctor before making any changes in lifestyle.

Article by Rohit Baljot