Epilepsy
can be described as a sudden episode of electrical discharges affecting a group
of neurons, starting in only one part of the brain but sometimes spreading to
become a generalized abnormality.
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Absence attacks, e.g. petit mal, last 10-15 seconds. The person stops what
they are doing and may stare. Eyes may drift. A child
with absence attacks
may have trouble learning and paying attention in
class. v
Myoclonic seizures v
Tonic clonic seizures, e.g. grand mal. The person falls, goes stiff and jerks
all over. Person may become unconscious and may dribble.
The seizure may
last for about 3 minutes. v
Tonic seizures v
Atonic or akinetic seizures
Partial seizures (focal epileptic focus)
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Simple without impairment of consciousness. v
Complex partial seizures with impairment of consciousness. v
Partial seizures, either simple or complex. v
Generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Causes
of Fits
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Idiopatic – of unknown causes v
Heredity and familial - e.g. petit mal v
Developmental defects – e.g. intrauterine rubella , irradiation v
Birth Trauma e.g. cerebral haemorrhage v
Anoxia in infancy and childhood v
Tumours v
Vascular – e.g. narrowing of blood vessels to the brain v
Infection e.g. febrile convulsions, meningitis v
Inflammatory – e.g. multiple sclerosis v
Metabolic e.g. uraemic glycaemia v
Toxic e.g. alcohol / drugs, lead v
Degenerative e.g. Alzheimer’s disease
Symptoms
The
symptoms depend on the type of fits. All the symptoms mentioned will not be
found in a particular type of fit. Some of the symptoms are:-
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Loss of consciousness v
Stopping activities for few seconds and staring or fluttering of eyelids v
Upward rolling of the eyes v
Cyanosed lips, pale and dribbling v
Repeated violent jerking of head and limbs for 3-5 minutes v
Upon regaining consciousness the person may experience loss of memory for a
short time, headache, irritability etc.
Complications
v
Physical injury due to violent movement. v
Choking on one’s own tongue. v
Damage to brain due to prolonged and repeated attacks. v
Death in some cases.
Trigger factors
Some of the factors that
can trigger an attack are
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Lack of sleep v
Stress v
Menstruation v
Infection v
Alcohol v
Suddenly stopping epileptic medication
Habits To Observe
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In a child with fever higher than 38.5°C, it is important to give him fever
medication and sponge him with tepid water to bring down the temperature. v
For the person with epilepsy, avoid dangerous sports. Wear a safety helmet
when riding a bicycle or a horse. v
Find out about the treatment you are on and strictly follow the doctor’s advice. v
Keep a spare prescription at home. v
Tell the doctor if you intend to become pregnant. v
Wear a medical alert bracelet. v
Clarify your doubts during your visit to the doctor and note any new symptoms
or signs or
reaction to medicines. v
Join the local epilepsy association. v
Keep enough stock of the medication prescribed by the doctor.
Avoid
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Swimming alone v
Lack of sleep v
Drinking too much alcohol v
Driving a vehicle or operating a machine if attacks are not under control. v
Driving a public vehicle if you have epilepsy.
What To Do If Someone Has An Epileptic Fit
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Prevent the person from falling and hurting himself. v
Remove objects surrounding the person, which could hurt him. v
As soon as the spasms stop, loosen his clothes and turn the person on their
side to prevent choking. v
Do not give anything to eat or drink for some time after a fit. v
If there is high fever, sponge the person to bring down the fever. v
Take the patient to the doctor if the patient is a child or having the fit for
the first time or the fit lasts for more than 10 minutes or there are repeated
seizures.
What Can The Doctor Do
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Determine the cause of the fits. v
Treat the patient with drugs. v
Refer the patient to a hospital for further investigation and treatment.
Remember
to follow the doctor’s advice regarding treatment. Do not self medicate. Consult
your pharmacist or doctor if you have questions/doubts about the medicines that
you are taking.
