Epilepsy treatment in Bangalore

Different Types of Epilepsy

Seizures are categorised into two primary classes based on where in the brain they develop: Focal/partial and generalised.

1. Focal Seizures

Focal onset seizures impact only one part of the brain. Either a single site or a network of cells may experience the trigger. Partial-onset seizures were the previous term for this kind of seizure. Focal seizures fall into two categories:

• Focal onset aware seizure: When you go through a focal onset aware seizure, you are conscious and alert the entire time. This type of seizure can result in changes in thoughts, tingling sensations, compulsive muscle jerks, and dizziness.

• Focal-onset impaired awareness seizure: A focal-onset impaired awareness seizure is also known as a complex partial seizure. This epilepsy case is much different from the one above. During this seizure, the person feels disoriented or has lost consciousness. A blank gaze and repeated movements like lip-smacking, eye blinking, palm rubbing, or finger gestures might all be signs of this seizure.

2. Generalised-onset seizures

Generalised onset seizures impact whole neural structures on both sides at the same time. There are six types of generalised seizures.

• Absence Seizures: Children frequently have this kind of seizure, which can often be confused with daydreaming. It results in a blank gaze, also known as "staring into space"—a momentary loss of consciousness. It lasts for a few seconds, generally not more than ten. Previously, this type of seizure was known as petit mal seizures.

• Atonic Seizures: Your muscles weaken during this seizure, and you may temporarily lose consciousness. The average duration is under 15 seconds. This kind of seizure is occasionally called a "drop attack" or "drop seizure".   

• Tonic seizures: During a tonic seizure, your muscles become extremely rigid or stiff. You might trip over due to tight or stiff arms, legs, or your entire body. These seizures often last less than 20 seconds. 

• Clonic seizures: During this sort of seizure, muscles quickly and repeatedly tighten and relax. A clonic seizure occurs when muscles twitch uncontrollably for a few seconds to a minute or when they tighten up and then jerk for a few seconds to a minute again.

• Tonic-clonic Seizures: This kind of seizure is characterised by consistent, rhythmic jerks and tight muscles. Medical professionals may refer to this seizure as a convulsion. A tonic-clonic seizure typically causes a person to lose consciousness and go through a series of muscular spasms and relaxations. Following muscular tightening (tonic phase), jerking movements (clonic phase) may occur. The exact duration of these convulsions varies, although they often last one to five minutes.

• Myoclonic Seizures: This form of seizure causes fleeting, shock-like twitches or jerks in the muscles. It lasts only a few seconds.

For a detailed breakdown of Epilepsy, check out our blog and gain valuable insights into managing the condition.

What Can Trigger A Seizure?

Events or things that occur before the onset of a seizure are known as seizure triggers. Although these triggers differ from person to person, some typical ones are as follows:

• Stress
• Fever
• Physical exhaustion
• Lack of sleep, as well as sleep disorders like sleep apnea
• Deficiencies of vitamins and minerals
• Alcohol consumption, withdrawal, and recreational drug use
• Hormonal or menstrual fluctuations
• Flickering patterns or lights
• Not eating a well-balanced diet or drinking enough water

What Puts Someone with Epilepsy at Risk?

It is uncertain what causes explicitly epileptic seizures. It is influenced by a variety of factors, including:

1. Genetic Link: The presence of epileptic seizures is strongly influenced by our genetic composition. Specific forms of epilepsy, such as infantile absence epilepsy and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, are more prone to run in families. 

2. Mesial Temporal Sclerosis: This scar may trigger focal seizures. It develops in the inner region of the temporal lobe, a brain region next to the ear.

3. Head Fractures: Head injuries may arise from falls, car crashes, or any head trauma. It is an additional factor that may trigger specific types of seizures.

4. Infections of the brain. A significant factor in its genesis is infections. Meningitis, encephalitis, and brain abscesses are among the possible conditions.

5. Immune conditions: Epilepsy can be caused by conditions where your immune system attacks brain cells.

6. Congenital Disabilities: Brain-related congenital disabilities are a common cause of epilepsy. Congenital disabilities such as focal cortical dysplasia, polymicrogyria, and tuberous sclerosis (TS) have been linked to epilepsy. Numerous additional brain abnormalities are also known to induce epilepsy.

7. Metabolic settings: People who have certain metabolic disorders may develop epilepsy. Genetic testing is one way your healthcare provider can determine the presence of these issues.

8. Brain vascular lesions: Anomalies in the blood arteries of the brain. Brain disorders that can cause epilepsy include brain tumours, dementia, and abnormalities of the blood vessels, such as arteriovenous malformations.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Every epilepsy case is unique. There are hundreds of different types of seizures, epilepsy conditions, and triggers for epilepsy. Therefore, prompt and appropriate illness treatment depends significantly on a precise diagnosis. 

Diagnosis

The neurologists and epileptologists at our Epilepsy Clinic accurately diagnose the origin of seizures based on the following:

• Comprehensive medical history: The first steps in diagnosing epilepsy are a thorough medical history and a physical examination, during which we will discuss your symptoms and the circumstances leading up to your episodes. 

• Neuropsychological examinations: You may undergo neuropsychological examinations to evaluate thinking, motor abilities, cognitive ability, memory, and speech.

• Blood test: We may perform blood tests to assess the quality of your blood cells and metabolic processes. The tests paint a more complete picture of your general health.

• Electroencephalography (EEG): This examination monitors the brain's electrical activity. Inconsistent brain waves are expected in people with epilepsy even when they are not having seizures. Depending on the signs, our neurologists may recommend an induced seizure during an EEG to track your brainwaves during the event. They will keep an eye on you during the seizure to ensure your safety throughout the operation. This aids in the diagnosis of your particular kind of epilepsy and the kind of seizures you experience. CT, MRI, SPECT, or PET scans can be used to find any structural abnormalities that might cause the seizures.

Treatment

The treatment plans aim to prevent seizures and adverse consequences. To control epilepsy symptoms, we use the most recent research, therapies, and technological advancements. Our team of neurological specialists, neurosurgeons, and other experts works together with you to ensure that your treatment plan meets your specific needs and lifestyle.

1. Medicines for Epilepsy: The most popular treatment for epilepsy is the use of anti-seizure or anti-epileptic medications. To relieve your seizures and get the best possible outcome, our neurological specialists may prescribe a combination of medications, depending on your symptoms. 

2. Epilepsy Surgical Treatment: If anti-seizure drugs are ineffective in controlling your seizures, our medical professionals may recommend surgery. Epilepsy surgery is also reserved for those who have severe and incapacitating seizures. If anti-seizure drug therapies are unable to manage your seizures after more than two attempts, epilepsy surgery may be a safe and viable course of therapy. 

Our medical team is committed to providing cutting-edge healthcare and epilepsy surgical services. Expert neurologists commonly use surgical resection, stereotactic radiosurgery (targeted annihilation of aberrant brain tissue), and neuromodulation device implantation. Over time, these devices can lessen seizures by stimulating your brain with electrical impulses.