Epilepsy: The brain’s ‘electrical storm’ Part I
By Dr Santosh Mhetre, MD (Paediatric consultant)
(Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital Inc)
If your child has epilepsy, he or she is not alone with this disorder.
Anyone can get epilepsy at any age, but the majority of new diagnoses are in children. About two-thirds of all kids with epilepsy outgrow the seizures that accompany it by the time they are in their teens.
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a disorder that disturbs the normal electrical currents of the brain.
Normally, brain cells carry electrical impulses, which form a network allowing communication between the brain and the rest of the body. In people with epilepsy, too many neurons fire at one time, causing an ‘electrical storm’ within the brain, which results in physical changes called seizures.
One seizure is not considered epilepsy — children with epilepsy have multiple seizures over a period of time.
Epilepsy
* is not the only cause of childhood seizures
* is not a mental illness
* does not usually affect intelligence
* is not contagious
* does not typically worsen over time
Causes of epilepsy
In about half the cases of epilepsy, there is an identifiable cause. These include:
* infectious illness (such as meningitis or encephalitis)
* brain malformation during pregnancy
* trauma to the brain (including lack of oxygen) during birth or an accident
* underlying metabolic disorders
* brain tumours
* blood vessel malformation
* strokes
* genetic disorders
The other half of epilepsy cases are idiopathic (the cause is unknown). In some of these, there may be a family history of epilepsy — a child who has a parent or other close family member with the condition is more likely to have it too. Researchers are working to determine what specific genetic factors are responsible.
What are the symptoms of epilepsy?
According to the Epilepsy Foundation of America (EFA), many symptoms may indicate that a person has developed epilepsy, however only a physician can diagnose the condition. The symptoms include:
* Short periods of blackout or confused memory
* Occasional ‘fainting spells’ in which bladder or bowel control is lost, followed by extreme fatigue
* Episodes of blank staring in children
* Brief periods of no response to questions or instructions
* Sudden falls in a child for no apparent reason
* Episodes of blinking or chewing at inappropriate times
* A convulsion, with or without fever
* While these symptoms may not always indicate epilepsy, if one or more is present, a medical examination is recommended.
Understanding seizures
Seizures vary in severity, frequency, and duration (they typically last from a few seconds to several minutes). There are many different kinds of seizure, and what occurs during one depends on where in the brain the electrical signals are disrupted.
The two main categories of seizures
Generalized seizures involve the whole brain, resulting in movement of the whole body and unconsciousness.
Partial seizures involve only part of the brain resulting in movements of one or more limbs. Some people with epilepsy experience both kinds.
Seizures can be scary — a child may lose consciousness or jerk or thrash violently. Milder seizures may leave a child confused or unaware of his or her surroundings. Some seizures are so small that only an experienced eye could detect them — a child may simply blink or stare into space for a moment before resuming normal activity.
What should you do if someone is experiencing a seizure?
When encountering any type of seizure, it’s most important to protect the person from harm until full awareness returns. Additionally, do not attempt to restrain the person experiencing the seizure. When dealing with a person having a seizure, it’s best to remain calm and reassuring while following the important tips listed below:
* Ease the person having the seizure into a reclining position on the floor or a flat surface.
* Put something soft and flat under the head.
* Turn the person gently onto one side to prevent choking, and keep the airway clear.
* Don’t try to force anything into the mouth.
* Don’t try to give fluids or medicine to the person experiencing the seizure until the seizure is completely finished and the person is fully alert again.
* Don’t try to restrain the jerking movements; applying restraint could cause tears in the muscle or even break a bone, especially in elderly people whose bones may be fragile.
* Children who suffer from partial seizures may be frightened or confused by what has happened. Offer plenty of comfort and reassure your child.
* Most seizures are not life-threatening, but if one lasts longer than five minutes or your child seems to have trouble breathing, rush immediately to hospital.
To be continued