Epilepsy

Because of the breadth of epilepsy as a disorder, it is impossible to group every case under one umbrella term. Different forms of epilepsy are named after the region of the brain in which they originate or by the symptoms they cause. There are about 40 different types of epilepsy and patients may suffer from one or more types. Just a few of the many types of epilepsy follow:

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy is a very common form of epilepsy that typically begins when patients are in their younger years through their teens. These seizures will often affect emotions and senses of smell and taste. Patients may suffer from impaired consciousness as they enter a temporary trance-like state. Those suffering from temporal lobe epilepsy may have difficulty with learning or memory as the hippocampus of the brain is commonly affected by these seizures.

Frontal Lobe Epilepsy is characterized by a focal seizure and often occurs while the patient is sleeping. Patients typically have some loss of awareness and may experience uncontrolled movements anywhere in the body, from their extremities to facial movements.

Absence epilepsy is thought to be a hereditary form of epilepsy that typically begins at a young age and runs in families. Symptoms are typically more mild and can include “staring off into space” or jerking movements that have no specific purpose. Most children with this form of epilepsy will no longer have symptoms after puberty, however some will continue to experience symptoms or develop new seizures into adulthood.

Focal Seizures

Focal seizures are those that can be traced as beginning on one part of the brain. More than half of people with epilepsy have focal seizures to include frontal lobe and temporal lobe epilepsies. During focal seizures, patients may experience an impairment of consciousness or be fully conscious.

Generalized Seizures

Generalized seizures are more widespread and occur on both sides of the brain. The consequences of generalized seizures can be very severe as patients often lose consciousness which can lead to falls or other dangerous occurrences. Absence epilepsy and tonic-clonic seizures are two examples of generalized seizures.

Young and old, male and female, healthy and unhealthy can all develop epilepsy. In fact, in over half of those suffering from epilepsy, there is no known origin. For the other half of patients, the onset of epilepsy can be traced back to one or more of the following causes:

• Genetics
• Brain trauma
• Infections and inflammations of the brain
• Heart attacks or strokes
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Alcohol abuse

Diagnosis of epilepsy is rather straightforward and includes:

• Medical history including family history, medications and any trauma or infections in the past
• Diagnostic testing using technology such as an EEG (Electroencephalogram), CT or MRI scan and/or MEG (Magnetoencephalogram)
• Genetic testing, if and when necessary

Without a proper diagnosis, it may not be possible to know if the patient has focal or generalized seizures. Some patients may develop both with no pattern as to their occurrence. Further, both forms of seizures may have short or longer-lasting effects on the patient and specifically on the functions of the part of the brain from which the seizure started.

There is no known preventative measure, medication or procedure that can eliminate the risk of epilepsy. Again, because of the multitude of manifestations and causes of the condition, one cause is rarely pinpointed. In some cases, behavioral changes can reduce the risk of developing epilepsy such as:

• Reducing the risk of heart disease by maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and exercising regularly
• Reducing the risk of head trauma by avoiding contact sports and wearing helmets when riding bikes
• Reducing the risk of brain infection and inflammation by preventing or early treatment of diseases that affect the nervous system such as encephalitis and meningitis

While we still have no cure, treatment for epilepsy is improving rapidly. Today, more patients than ever have access to life-changing medications and surgical treatments to control their condition. It is estimated that when diagnosed and treated appropriately, upwards of 70% of epilepsy patients can manage their condition effectively. Specialized care at a facility such as Abrazo Brain & Spine can make treatments more effective for those who do not respond well to these therapies alone.