Every Minute Counts in Epileptic Seizures

Acıbadem Altunizade Hastanesi Neurology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aykut Kural states that epileptic seizures can often be controlled with correct diagnosis and personalized treatment. He notes: "However, early diagnosis is of great importance in achieving successful treatment outcomes. With early diagnosis, seizures are controlled more quickly, and seizure drug resistance and brain damage from repeated seizures can be prevented. Thanks to these measures, most of our patients are able to lead seizure-free lives and continue their education and work without problems. For early diagnosis, it is particularly valuable to be aware of easily overlooked symptoms and to consult a physician without delay."

Epilepsy, known colloquially as sara disease, is a neurological condition in which abnormal electrical activity in the brain occasionally results in repeated seizures. Approximately 65 million people worldwide and approximately one million people in Turkey are reported to have epilepsy. Due to sudden seizures, epilepsy can cause serious problems in patients' work, family and social lives, and in rare cases can lead to life-threatening situations.

"Vacant stares" may be a signal of epilepsy
When we think of epileptic seizures, we typically imagine foaming at the mouth, loss of consciousness and rigid muscle contractions. Contrary to popular belief, not all epileptic seizures occur this way. There are many different types of seizures in epilepsy. Symptoms develop depending on which part of the brain the problem starts and how rapidly it spreads. Loss of consciousness, convulsions, staring, sudden jerking during sleep, interrupted speech, perception of unpleasant odours or strange sensations such as déjà-vu are among the most commonly observed symptoms of epilepsy. Neurology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aykut Kural points out that seizures actually have many signals unknown to the general public, stating: "Brief episodes of immobility lasting only seconds, vacant stares and jerking seizures are also common in epilepsy and often go unnoticed. Missing these symptoms delays diagnosis and treatment."

Every minute is critical in prolonged seizures
Most epileptic seizures last 1–2 minutes. Neurology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aykut Kural emphasizes that emergency intervention is extremely important in seizures lasting longer than 5 minutes, stating: "As seizure duration increases, the risk of permanent brain damage due to oxygen deprivation to the brain rises. For this reason, every minute is critical in prolonged seizures."

Artificial intelligence-supported analysis strengthens diagnosis
The most common causes of epilepsy include genetic predisposition, oxygen deficiency during birth, stroke, trauma, brain tumours, infections and structural brain abnormalities. In some patients, no identifiable cause can be found, and this presentation is defined as "idiopathic epilepsy". In epilepsy, electroencephalography (EEG), which records the brain's electrical signals and displays abnormal patterns, is used as the primary diagnostic method. When necessary, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and video-EEG methods are employed. Artificial intelligence-supported EEG analysis strengthens diagnosis and personalizes treatment.

Seizure-free life is possible with treatment
Today, epilepsy treatment achieves quite successful results. The goal of treatment is to completely stop seizures and provide a life without side effects. Neurology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aykut Kural emphasizes that 65–70 per cent of epilepsy patients are able to lead completely seizure-free lives with correct medication therapy.