Chronic Disease Preparedness

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder caused by abnormal neuron function. Many forms of epilepsy exist and the seizure is a common symptom. Patients will go through odd sensations before having the symptom. This is called an aura because it serves as a warning that an attack will happen. However, when a seizure happens it does not mean that an individual is epileptic. An individual that suffers many seizures over time is usually considered to have epilepsy.

In addition to typical seizure symptoms, each epilepsy type has specific symptoms. A patient who suffers from grand mal seizure may have blank stares, strong convulsions, lack of consciousness and lack of bladder performance.

People suffering from absence seizure have symptoms like body jerking in addition to momentary loss of attention and movement. Patients are described as appearing like they have spaced out. The signs of a simple partial seizure include jerking of one side like an arm or foot. Patients start to panic unreasonably and blink uncontrollably. In some events, they could show face twitching and react differently in the way they smell, taste or perceive certain objects.

Symptoms of a complex partial seizure include memory loss. Patients also stare blankly and perceive objects differently. They also make repetitive movements like stroking hands, smacking mouths or tearing at clothes. The signs of a secondarily generalized seizure include strong body jerks, falls, consciousness loss and body stiffening.

Many epileptic patients may also suffer from headaches, vertigo, fainting, disorientation and memory loss. They will go through mood swings and energy changes. Some patients start frothing at the mouth or convulsing severely. It is crucial for the family to recognize the symptoms for each kind of epilepsy. Patients will have to get medical attention they need in the first phases of the disorder so large complications can be avoided.

Treatments

There are a number of epilepsy treatments in the form of medication, nerve stimulation and diet. Many patients go through medication therapy and choose from a group of drugs called anticonvulsants. A nerve stimulation type known as “Vagus” is a typical epilepsy treatment. Doctors will send short, fast electrical bursts to the Vagus that will strike the brain. The Ketogenic based diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that many specialists make their patients consume. This diet will help the body burn fat for energy instead of burning it for glucose. There is proof that this diet will help people who need to experience fewer seizures.

Epilepsy is a disorder that creates repetitive post convulsive attacks. The process of diagnosing of epilepsy is completed only if an individual has had a minimum of two attacks without showing signs of another disorder. Modern treatment will hinder more attacks from occurring and allow people to lead a normal way of life.