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Epilepsy: Triggers, Diagnosis, and Management

Nov 29 , 2024 | 2 min read

Abnormal body jerky movements due to abnormal diffuse electrical activity in the brain are known as seizures. A normal person can get one episode of seizure in his lifetime. Two or more episodes of seizures 24 hours apart or one episode of seizure with a high propensity to develop recurrent seizures in the next 10 years is known as case epilepsy.

There are two main types of seizures: generalised seizures and focal seizures. Generalised seizures result from abnormal electrical activity rapidly emerging on both sides of the brain, while focal seizures come from just one part of the brain.

Who Is More Likely To Develop Epilepsy?

Anyone can develop epilepsy—all men or women of all religions, ethnic backgrounds, and ages can develop epilepsy. Certain people with a background of brain tumours, head injury, brain infections, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, alcoholism, and abnormal blood vessel formation are more predisposed to develop seizures. If a person has a strong family history of seizures, they might be more predisposed to develop seizures than the normal population. Certain types of epilepsy have been linked to various genes that control the neuronal signalling and channels that control follow of ions, neuronal migration, and inborn errors of metabolism.

Triggers Of Epilepsy

Certain factors can trigger the development of epilepsy, but they don’t cause epilepsy. The triggers include stress, drinking alcohol, dehydration, sleep deprivation, skipping meals, exposure to toxins, hormonal changes, and visual stimuli.

How To Diagnose Epilepsy

History

Patients can inform about the aura or premonitory symptoms that precede the development of epilepsy. A detailed history of the event from the patient and the bystander is taken to assess the type of seizures.

Imaging and Electrophysiology Test

EEG: It is used to measure the brain's electric activity and assess the brain waves and the region from where the abnormal electric activity is arising.
MRI or CT Scan: It helps to reveal the structural abnormality, which can lead to epilepsy. A type of MRI brain called functional MRI can be used to localise abnormal brain activity.
Blood Test: It helps to determine any infection or metabolic abnormality like sodium, calcium or potassium abnormality.

Treatment Of Epilepsy

Medical Management

There are many antiepileptic agents that can be used to abort epilepsy and prevent further episodes. The choice of antiepileptic drug depends on the type of epilepsy, seizure frequency, job profile of the patient, and other medical comorbidities. Normally, the dose of the medication is gradually increased according to the control of seizures and other medical comorbidities.

Surgery

Epilepsy surgery is reserved for patients who have poor control of seizures on at least two antiepilepsy medications and have a focal lesion in the brain that causes epilepsy. The type of surgical procedure depends on the seizure type and area of the brain involved.