DEFINITION:

When nerve cells in the brain fire electrical impulses at a rate of up to four times

higher than normal, this causes a sort of electrical storm in the brain, known as a seizure. A

pattern of repeated seizures is referred to as epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a group of related disorders in the brain's electrical systems that are

characterized by a tendency to cause recurrent seizures. Seizures cause changes in movement,

behavior, sensation, or awareness, including loss of consciousness or convulsions, which last

from a few seconds to a few minutes in most individuals.

SYMPTOMS:

Generalized seizures

Seizures that appear to involve all areas of the brain are called generalized seizures. Six types

of generalized seizures exist.

Absence seizures. Absence seizures, previously known as petit mal seizures, often

occur in children and are characterized by staring into space or subtle body

movements such as eye blinking or lip smacking. These seizures may occur in clusters

and cause a brief loss of awareness.

STARING EYE BLINKING LIP SMACKING LOSS OF

INTO SPACE AWARENESS

Tonic seizures. Tonic seizures cause stiffening of your muscles. These seizures

usually affect muscles in your back, arms and legs and may cause you to fall to the

ground.

STIFENING OF MUSCLES FALL DOWN

Atonic seizures. Atonic seizures, also known as drop seizures, cause a loss of muscle

control, which may cause you to suddenly collapse or fall down.

LOSS OF MUSCLE CONTROL FALL DOWN

Clonic seizures. Clonic seizures are associated with repeated or rhythmic, jerking

muscle movements. These seizures usually affect the neck, face and arms.

JERKING MUSCLE MOVEMENTS

Myoclonic seizures. Myoclonic seizures usually appear as sudden brief jerks or

twitches of your arms and legs.

JERKS OF ARM TWITCHING OF LEG

Tonic-clonic seizures.

are the most dramatic

type of epileptic

seizure and can cause an abrupt loss of consciousness, body stiffening and shaking,

and sometimes loss of bladder control or biting your tongue.

LOSS OF CONCIOUSNESS BODY STIFFENING &

BITING TOUNGUE

SHAKING

Partial seizures

Partial seizures involve just one side of the brain. Partial seizures

may be classified as simple or complex.

Simple partial seizures usually involve a single part of the brain such as the

motor area and sensory area.

Motor area- These cause a change in muscle activity. For example, a person may have

abnormal movements such as jerking of a finger or stiffening of part of the body.

JERKING OF HAND JERKING OF FINGER

Sensory area- People with sensory seizures may smell or taste things that aren't there;

hear clicking, ringing, or a person's voice when there is no actual sound; or feel a

sensation of "pins and needles" or numbness.

SENSE OF SMELL SENSE OF HEARING

SENSATION OF PINS AND NEEDLES NUMBNESS

Psychological area- Memory or emotional disturbances.

MEMORY DISTURBANCE EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE

Complex partial seizures occur in the frontal or temporal lobe with the brain

and often involve other areas of the brain that affect alertness and awareness. These

seizures result in daydream like states and sometimes involve unusual activities like

picking at the air as if something was there, repeating words or phrases, laughing, or

other activities.

DAY DREAMING UNUSUAL LAUGHING

CAUSES:

Sleep deprivation – overtired, not sleeping well, not getting enough sleep

At times of fevers or other illnesses

Flashing bright lights or patterns

Alcohol or drug use.

Stress

Associated with menstrual cycle (women) or other hormonal changes

Not eating well, low blood sugar

Specific foods, excess caffeine or other products that may aggravate seizures

Use of certain medications

Head trauma. 

Infectious diseases

Genetic influence. 

Electrolyte abnormalities.

Prenatal injury.  Developmental disorders.

LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS FOR EPILEPSY:

The best preventive measure is to comply strictly with the drug regimen as prescribed.

Seizures and epilepsy cannot be prevented by lifestyle changes alone, but people can

make behavioural changes that improve their lives and give them a sense of control.

FIRST AID FOR EPILEPSY

Do’s and Dont’s

AVOIDING EPILEPTIC TRIGGERS

In most cases, there is no known cause for epilepsy, specific events or conditions may

trigger them and they should be avoided.

Inadequate or Fragmented Sleep Alcohol and

Smoking

Flashing Lights Head trauma

Stress

RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

Deep breathing Biofeedback

Meditation techniques

EXERCISE

Exercise is important for many

aspects of epilepsy, although it can

be problematic.

Weight bearing exercise helps

maintain bone density.

Exercise can also help to prevent

weight gain.

There have been some reports that

exercise may trigger seizures in

some patients, but this is

uncommon.

DIETARY MEASURES

Many nutrients and have been implicated

in the treatment of epilepsy, however, only the Ketogenic and Modified

Ketogenic Diets have been medically proven to effectively treat epilepsy.

Nutritionally balanced diet with adequate fluid intake

a. Balancing macronutrients (fat, carbohydrate, protein)

b. Eating a wide variety of foods to maximize micronutrient

intake

Maintain a healthy weight by consuming the appropriate amount

of calories, fat, protein and carbohydrate.

Balance calorie intake with energy output.

Cut back on portion sizes.

Make half your plate vegetables.

Choose low fat dairy like skimmed milk, etc.

Cut back on foods with solid fats and added salt.

Drink water and avoid sugar and sweetened beverages.

Control your food: eat at home more often, eat lean protein.

THE KETOGENIC DIET

The Ketogenic diet, which is very high in fat (90%), very low in carbohydrates,

and low in protein, has been studied and debated for decades. It has proven to be

helpful for many children with severe epilepsy that does not respond to AEDs. It is

not clear why it works.

The standard theory is that burning fat instead of carbohydrates causes an increase

in ketones (chemical substances in the body that result from the breakdown of fat

in the body). When excessive levels of ketones are produced, a metabolic state

called ketosis happens.

Ketosis appears to alter certain amino acids in the brain and to increase levels of

the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps prevent

nerve cells from over firing.

Side Effects and Complications:

To prevent serious side effects, children need regular monitoring by a doctor, especially

when the diet is first initiated. Side effects or complications that may occur at the start of

the diet include:

Acidosis, a build-up of acid in the blood and body

Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)

Stomach upset

Dehydration

Lethargy

Side effects that may occur later on include:

Unhealthy cholesterol and lipid levels

Kidney stones, which may be a complication of acidosis, occur in about 5% of

children on the diet. Patients should drink plenty of fluids. Oral potassium citrate

may be protective.

Slowing of growth

Decreased bone density

EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGIC SUPPORT

Some of the following tips may help the patients with epilepsy:

Often patient can be given the hope that they will outgrow the disorder.

Most of patients will not have seizures triggered by sports or by any other ordinary

activities that are enjoyable and healthy.

The patients should be active participants in maintaining their drug regimens,

which should be presented in as positive a light as possible.