According to statistics, every hundredth inhabitant of the planet suffers from epilepsy, but not everyone knows that he is susceptible to this serious disease. How does epilepsy manifest itself? What are its symptoms? Is it possible to leave this disease in the past? estet-portal.com will tell you more about this.
The fact that not all epileptics are aware of their illness is not surprising. Epilepsy has many varieties and its symptoms are often considered oddities of personal disposition. Often, the presence of such a disease can be determined only with the help of diagnostics. It is noteworthy that diagnosis should be carried out only at the time of an epileptic seizure. The therapist cannot help with this. Examination must be carried out using MRI, CT or EG. What is epilepsy and why does it occur?
Characterization of epilepsy. Causes
Epilepsy – It is a malfunction of the central nervous system. The brain of an epileptic is constantly in convulsive readiness. This is due to the fact that the neurons of the brain give off more frequent and erratic electrical impulses. The increase in these impulses and their destructuring can also occur in an absolutely healthy person, but this does not cause an epileptic seizure. The reason is that in a normal way, the central nervous system has a number of resources that block the excessive increase in neuron impulses, normalizing them. In epileptics, this protective mode does not work and the failure irreversibly leads to an attack.
In most cases, epilepsy is congenital. It is caused by genetic abnormalities or incest. Acquired disease is not uncommon. It is the result of an imbalance in the chemical balance in the body. Epilepsy in newborns can be triggered by an infection in the womb or a lack of oxygen during pregnancy. This disease becomes a side effect of certain medications, hypoxia, prolonged alcohol or drug addiction, trauma to the craniocerebral box, neoplasms in the brain.
Symptoms of epilepsy. How does the disease manifest itself in everyday life?
Most people associate epilepsy with seizures. But this is only a severe form of the disease. Most patients suffer from a mild form, which is expressed in severe and systematic headaches and depression. Also, there is another big misconception that an epileptic seizure lasts only a few minutes. In fact, migraines, seizures, hallucinations, loss of consciousness and a number of other signs are the grand finale. The attack itself can last for several days. It is expressed in increased nervousness, which is pumped up every day. Often, during the moments of such attacks, it is impossible to conduct any communication with the epileptic because of his overly irritable behavior. However, forcing an attack also depends on the type of epilepsy. In some patients, it appears
In especially severe types of epilepsy, personality degradation and mental retardation are observed. With all this, in everyday life, the patient has an absolutely healthy appearance and can lead an active lifestyle.
The type of epilepsy depends on the part of the brain affected. In severe forms of the disease, the brain is completely affected. The form of the disease is also indicated by its cyclicity and regularity. In the most severe cases, an epileptic seizure does not have an ordered cycle and can occur at any time, with any interval between seizures. There are examples when an epileptic attack occurs several times in one day, with daily regularity. Below are the most common manifestations of various types of the disease:
- migraines;
- detachment;
- depressiveness.
Disturbance of sensory sensations
In such patients, the grand finale of the attack manifests itself in visual or auditory hallucinations. There are also unpleasant sensations in the throat, vomiting, confused tactile sensations. Men may have involuntary erections.
Loss of attention
The patient loses attention for 10-15 seconds. This is expressed in a frozen, motionless and empty look. At this moment, mechanical reflexes can be triggered: smacking the tongue, chewing, involuntary movements. For example, if at the time of the attack the patient was riding a bicycle, losing attention, he continues his movement. At the time of the attack, the epileptic is not aware of what is happening and after that he cannot remember what happened.
Loss of tone
Headaches are often its precursor. Gradually the patient withdraws, his body slows down. Passivity becomes limp. The patient cannot control his body for a while, but is aware of what is happening around him. Often such attacks cause visual effects – excessively fast blinking of light bulbs, change of light and color in the frame of the movie being watched. For severe forms, loss of consciousness is characteristic, as a result of which the body falls. At the time of such an attack, a complete cardiac arrest is possible.
Convulsive seizures
This type is a contraction of the muscles of a specific area of the body. The most common twitching of the neck and head. A rarer case is convulsions of individual limbs. In this case, the patient does not lose consciousness. At the end of the convulsions, the affected part of the body becomes limp and becomes immobile for a while.
Mixed seizures
This type of epilepsy has symptoms of other types of the disease. Often the final attack begins with a loss of attention for a few seconds. It breaks for a moment and repeats again. Then there are slight twitches of the neck or one of the limbs, which lasts for several seconds. After, the patient loses consciousness, plunging into a convulsive attack. Seizures have a high amplitude of muscle contractions and twitches. This is accompanied by a high-pitched scream, which is the result of the exhalation of air combined with the contraction of the vocal cords. More severe forms are accompanied by vomiting, urination and profuse salivation, which forms foam. All this is a consequence of a particularly strong muscle contraction, as a result of which joint dislocations, displacement or fracture of the vertebrae are possible.
Such seizures have serious consequences. At the end of it, the patient's attention is very confused and scattered, increased drowsiness is traced. The skin turns blue, as a result of an excessive increase in the level of hemoglobin in the blood. In addition, many small capillaries burst. There is a temporary partial loss of memory. She may not return for several days. The next day the patient suffers from pain in the muscles.
Treatment. How to make epilepsy a thing of the past?
Previously, many forms of epilepsy were considered incurable. Today, there is an effective treatment for each of them. But the complete elimination of epilepsy is not yet possible. With the right diet and regular medication, you can get rid of or significantly relieve attacks. These drugs do not harm the nervous system and the body as a whole. Reception of drugs should be continuous, according to the doctor's prescription. Some patients are forced to take them throughout their lives, others – up to three years. At the same time, you can’t stop taking drugs abruptly, leaving them should be smooth.
Diet is a faithful companion of treatment. Without proper nutrition, recovery is impossible.
Do not forget that a provocateur of depression is a violation of the chemical balance. Therefore, diet plays a key role.
Epileptics are prohibited from eating food that gives high physical activity. This list includes dishes high in sugar, salt and spices, fat, protein and carbohydrates. Vivid examples are sausages, smoked and dried meat, canned food, alcohol, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, bakery products, potatoes, bananas, grapes, cereals. The use of these products should be minimal. The diet should be compiled by the supervising physician. It is noteworthy that a change in diet causes minor changes in the body, so it is necessary to see a doctor.
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