Recognize the epileptic seizure

Because epilepsy is caused by abnormal electrical activity in neurons, seizures can affect any function coordinated by the brain. Signs and symptoms of seizures may include:

• Periods of loss of consciousness or altered consciousness. Sometimes the eyes remain open, with a fixed gaze: the person no longer reacts.
• Sudden fall of the person for no apparent reason.
• In some cases, convulsions: prolonged and involuntary muscle contractions of the arms and legs.
• Sometimes transformed perceptions (taste, smell, etc.).
• Mimi ti npariwo.
• The person becomes frightened for no apparent reason; she may even panic or get angry.
• Sometimes an aura precedes the seizure. The aura is a sensation that varies from person to person (an olfactory hallucination, a visual effect, a feeling of déjà vu, etc.). It can be manifested by irritability or restlessness. In some cases, the sufferer can recognize these typical aura sensations and if they have time, lie down to prevent a fall.

In most cases, a person with epilepsy tends to have the same type of seizure each time, so the symptoms will be similar from episode to episode.

It is necessary to seek medical assistance immediately if any of the following occurs:

• The convulsion lasts more than five minutes.
• Breathing or the state of consciousness does not return after the seizure is over.
• A second convulsion immediately follows.
• The patient has a high fever.
• He feels exhausted.
• The person is pregnant.
• The person has diabetes.
• The person was injured during the seizure.
• This is the first epileptic seizure.

Eniyan ni ewu

• People with a family history of epilepsy. Heredity could play a role in several forms of epilepsy.
• People who have suffered trauma to the brain as a result of a severe blow, stroke, meningitis, etc. are slightly more at risk.
• Epilepsy is more common in infancy and after the age of 60.
• People with dementia (eg Alzheimer’s disease). Dementia can increase the risk of epilepsy in older people.
• People with brain infection. Infections such as meningitis, which causes inflammation of the brain or spinal cord, can increase the risk of epilepsy.

aisan

The doctor will review the patient’s symptoms and medical history and perform several tests to diagnose epilepsy and determine the cause of the seizures.

Neurological examination. The doctor will assess the patient’s behavior, motor skills, mental function, and other factors that will determine the type of epilepsy.

Blood tests. A blood sample can be taken to look for signs of infections, genetic mutations, or other conditions that may be associated with seizures.

The doctor may also suggest tests to detect abnormalities in the brain, such as:

• The electroencephalogram. It is the most common test used to diagnose epilepsy. In this test, doctors place electrodes on the patient’s scalp that record the electrical activity of the brain.
• Aṣayẹwo.
• A tomography. A tomography uses X-rays to get images of the brain. It can reveal abnormalities that would cause seizures, such as tumors, bleeding, and cysts.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI can also detect lesions or abnormalities in the brain that could cause seizures.
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET). PET uses small amounts of radioactive substances that are injected into a vein to view active areas of the brain and detect abnormalities.
• Computerized Single Photon Emission Tomography (SPECT). This type of test is mainly used if the MRI and EEG have not identified the origin of the seizures in the brain.
• Neuropsychological tests. These tests allow the doctor to assess cognitive performance: memory, fluency, etc. and determine which areas of the brain are affected.