Main causes of seizures

Have you ever experienced some different electrical shocks, some behaviour change or some unusual sensations? If yes, have you made an effort to know why you felt such shock?

A seizure is an unexpected, uncontrolled electrical chemical reaction that causes disturbance to  the brain. It may root in a behavioural change, movements or even feelings, and degree of consciousness. Possessing more than two seizures at least 24 hours separately aren’t going to be brought on by an identifiable root is generally considered to be epilepsy. Epilepsy is a disease of the brain that can root a human to be unconscious . Some onset seizures are surges of abnormal nerve discharges throughout the cortex of the brain at the same time. The most common cause is an imbalance in the “brakes”; it’s a device for arresting or preventing the motion of a mechanism usually using friction (inhibitory circuits) and “accelerator” (excitatory circuits) is a neuron that forms a network through which nerve connections with other cells.

Many times you may feel tremors that are shaking movements, twitching or jerking movements that are not controllable. Such kinds of feelings can happen on both sides of your face, arms, legs or to any other parts of your body. It can start from one particular part of the body and then spread to other areas, or it may stay in one particular place. It is also called “a fit”. Such a sensation typically passes in a few seconds or minutes. There’s no such specific time or condition to occur such uncontrollable feelings; it can either happen when you’re awake or asleep.

There are different types of seizures let’s find out a few :

1. Simple Focal Seizures

Simple focal seizure, also known as auras, occurs in one place on one side of the brain but there are chances that it may spread to other areas of the body. A patient usually does not drop consciousness during this seizure.

2. Complex Focal Seizures.

Complex focal seizures are often preceded by an aura. Patients may experience automatisms( non-purposeful, repetitive movements such as lip-smacking, blinking, grunting, gulping or shouting.) The patient also may stare blankly into space. Diabetes seizure that is caused by( hypoglycemia) having very few components of sugar in the blood may make the person fall into a coma.

3. Absence Seizures.

Absence seizures necessitate brief, sudden lapses of consciousness. They’re more commonly found in children than in adults. Staring blankly into the space and then returning to a normal level of alertness happens in the Sensation absence seizure.

4.Atonic Seizure.

Antonio’s seizure is a type of seizure that causes a sudden loss of muscle strength. The seizures are also known as akinetic convulsions, drop attacks or drop seizures. Sometimes sudden lack of muscle strength, or tone may make the person fall to the ground. Usually, the person remains conscious.

5. Tonic-Clonic Seizure.

Tonic-Clonic seizure includes tonic and clonic phases of muscle activity. It starts with a simple partial seizure. A person may feel changes in mood, and emotion that lead to such kinds of seizures.

There are a few signs and symptoms to identify whether you are experiencing seizures. Let’s have a look at this.

Temporary confusion.

Sudden confusion is sometimes called delirium. Such sudden confusion happens when there is a rapid change in mental status, which results in disorganisation and lack of awareness.

A staring spell.

Starting a spell is an abnormal activity that makes the patient stare ahead, even if it may make the patient stay still during the event, the person may make chewing or smacking noise with their mouth. The person’s eyelids may flutter or the person becomes unable to respond to someone speaking.

Uncontrollable movements of the body.

Uncontrollable movements cannot be controlled humanly. Movements such as loss of muscle tone slow, twisting, or continued movements. It affects the arms, legs, face, neck, or other areas of the body.

Loss of consciousness

Loss of consciousness occurs when enough blood is not processed in the brain and that results in a loss of awareness of oneself and the surrounding atmosphere.

Emotional feelings.

Emotional feelings mean conscious mental reactions such as fear, anger, anxiety or deja vu. A typical behavioural change in the body.

Treatments for seizures to find the best therapy and few side effects.

Medications

Many drugs cure seizures for example Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Oxcarbazepine, and Gabapentin 100mg (Gralise,  Neurontin).

Dietary therapy

Foods that are good for seizures should be a low glycemic index which affects blood glucose levels and helps to control seizures. Foods that include meat, cheese, high fibre vegetables like broccoli, green peas, carrots, sweet potato, spinach corn, cabbage etc.

Surgery

Resective surgery it’s the most common epilepsy surgery, it’s nothing but a removal of a small section or portion of the brain. The surgeon cuts out brain tissues in the area of the brain where seizures are found. Mostly the surgery is applicable when there is a part of tumour, brain injury or malformation in the brain. 

Electrical stimulation

 The deep brain stimulation (DBS)system has received approval as an adjunct treatment to reduce seizures in certain patients with epilepsy. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) can also prevent or lessen seizures by sending regular, mild pulses of electrical energy to the brain via the vagus nerve. This type of therapy involves implantation of a particular device under the skin in the left chest area.

Contraception and anti-seizure medication.

Birth control and Anti-seizure drugs. This could help pregnant women to control birth which includes hormones such as birth control pills or Depo-Provera injections.

In most cases, seizures can be controlled by taking medication and professional help with considering side effects. Nevertheless, correct diagnosis, taking proper medications and treatment are necessary. Now with rapid tests, doctors easily diagnose such cases and start treatment immediately. If medications (Drugs) fail to treat seizures then surgery is considered.