One of the most common brain disorders is epilepsy, which results in frequent convulsions. Seizures are brief outbursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy can begin at any age, although it is more common in children under ten or those over 60. It’s usually permanent, but it can grow better with time. If you’ve been diagnosed with epilepsy, you have several treatment options. But what is the best treatment for epilepsy? Read more to know about epilepsy in detail.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological illness that affects the brain’s function, resulting in:
- Seizures
- Strange behavior
- Loss of consciousness
Epilepsy affects people of all breeds, cultures, and ages, irrespective of gender.
The signs and symptoms can be quite diverse from individual to individual. Some persons with epilepsy look at the ground for a few seconds during a seizure, while others uncontrollably twitch their arms or legs. Seizures aren’t always indicative of epilepsy.
Symptoms
Having epilepsy means that seizures can disrupt any process your brain is responsible for. The following are some indications and symptoms of a seizure:
- Confusion for a short period
- A spell of gazing
- Tensed muscles
- Twitch movements of the arms and legs that are uncontrollable.
- loss of understanding or awareness
- Psychological signs like dread, worry, or misconception
A seizure’s symptoms might vary based on its nature. As a result of repeatedly having the same sort of seizure, most people with epilepsy have identical symptoms from one episode to the next.
Causes
Approximately half of those who have epilepsy have no known etiology. There are several possible causes for the others.
Inherited
- You may be prone to certain types of epilepsy that run in families, depending upon:
- The seizure type you have
- The part of your brain that has an issue
- There’s a good chance of a hereditary component that influences the most.
- Environmental factors may influence a person’s genetic predisposition to seizures.
Brain Injury
A severe injury can bring epilepsy to the head, such as a car accident.
Abnormalities of the Brain
Various brain abnormalities can cause epilepsy, including tumors and vascular malformations. Adults over the age of 35 are at an increased risk of developing epilepsy due to the common occurrence of stroke.
Infections
Severe diseases such as viral encephalitis and meningitis can lead to epilepsy.
Fetal injury
A mother’s sickness, poor nutrition, or an oxygen deficiency can cause brain injury in an unborn child. Epilepsy and cerebral palsy are two possible outcomes of this type of injury to the brain.
Developmental Disorders
These are Disabilities in child growth and development. Autism spectrum diseases are sometimes linked to epilepsy.
Treatment
The treatment strategy will depend on the following:
- The extent of your suffering
- Your physical and mental well-being
- How your body reacts to therapy
You can consult a Neurologist to know which option is best fitted for a particular patient. Treatment options include:
Medicine
Prescription medications for the treatment of epilepsy and seizures can be an option. Anti-epileptic drugs can lessen the frequency of your seizures. Seizures may be eliminated in some persons who take them. The patients should take medicine as prescribed by their doctor to be most effective.
Stimulator for the Vagus Nerve
To avoid seizures, this device is surgically implanted beneath the skin of the chest and stimulates the nerve that runs through the neck.
Ketogenic Diet
High fat and low carbohydrate diet known as the ketogenic diet can help more than half of children with epilepsy who are not responding to medication.
Surgery
In some instances, the part of the brain responsible for causing seizures can be surgically removed or changed. It depends on your medical team’s recommendation.
Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep brain stimulation is a therapy that may become more commonly available in the future. Implanting electrodes in your brain and a generator in your chest are the first steps in this procedure. Electrical impulses from the generator stimulate your brain, which helps to reduce seizures. Those over 18 with focal onset seizures who have not responded to at least three anti-epileptic drugs can now undergo deep brain stimulation.
Radiosurgery and minimally invasive operations are also under observation.
What is the Best Treatment For Epilepsy?
Above all are the possible treatments for epilepsy that are best in one way or another. You cannot predict exactly; What is the best treatment for epilepsy. The results of the treatment vary from person to person, and it depends upon many factors such as:
- The severity of the disease
- The person suffering from it
- The way their body responds to the treatment
- Their lifestyle, etc.
So no treatment could be suggested as the best one. Only the experts can advise which is most suitable for a person after a detailed diagnosis. An expert doctor plays a vital role in managing such a complicated disease, so you should choose a physician carefully. You can book your appointment with the Best Neurologist through Marham.
FAQs
1. What foods do people with epilepsy need to stay away from?
Seizures may occur if your blood sugar levels suddenly rise or fall. Avoid food that is heavy in sugar and processed at all costs. It’s ideal to have a well-balanced meal that slowly and steadily releases energy into your circulation.
2. Is it possible for someone who has epilepsy to live a long life?
Epilepsy is not a death sentence for most individuals. However, some people have a greater chance of early mortality than others. Best seizure management and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce epilepsy-related deaths.
3. Does epilepsy aggravate as you age?
Seizures of all kinds are more prevalent in those over 60, sometimes due to other neurological disorders like dementia or stroke.