Prof. Dr. Ayhan Öztürk Provides Information on Epileptic Seizures

Liv Hospital Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ayhan Öztürk; "A person may experience an epileptic seizure at any point in their life, on a single occasion, but this seizure may never occur again or may recur with varying frequency. For this reason, epilepsy is actually used to describe 'recurring' seizures." explained the most common findings in epileptic seizures and the steps to follow for first aid. Epilepsy is a neurological disease resulting from recurring and temporary abnormal electrical discharges in the brain caused by problems in the increased excitability of nerve cells. [caption id="attachment_159592" align="aligncenter"] Prof. Dr. Ayhan Öztürk[/caption]

Type of seizure is important for diagnosis

In a seizure of an epilepsy patient, findings such as falling, muscle contractions and tremors in the body, and loss of consciousness may be observed, while in some epilepsies frequently encountered especially in childhood, consciousness may be lost for a few seconds and the patient begins staring blankly.

It can occur at any age

While epilepsy can occur at any age, it is more common before the age of 20 and after the age of 60. Epilepsy occurs equally in males and females without racial distinction. A person may experience an epileptic seizure at any point in their life, on a single occasion, but this seizure may never recur or may recur with varying frequency. For this reason, epilepsy is actually used to describe 'recurring' seizures.

No cause may be identified

Epilepsy patients, approximately half of those diagnosed with the disease may have no identifiable cause. In certain patient groups, brain development problems during pregnancy, causes during childbirth, brain infections, brain tumors, cerebrovascular disease, certain medications, poisonings, and excessive alcohol consumption can cause seizures.

Epilepsy is divided into two main groups

Generalized epilepsies are seizures affecting all areas of the brain. The most common subtype is absence epilepsy. In absence epilepsies frequently encountered in childhood, consciousness may be lost for a few seconds. In another subtype, atonic seizures, there is sudden relaxation of all muscles, while in tonic seizures, contrary to atonic seizures, all muscles contract and the patient suddenly falls to the ground like a felled tree. Focal epilepsies, on the other hand, are seizures affecting a part of the brain. Depending on which function the epileptic focus is related to in the brain, signs and findings related to that area are observed during the seizure.

Most common findings in epileptic seizures

• Sudden muscle contractions in the body • Loss of consciousness • Head shaking movements in very rapid succession • Uncontrollable shaking in the arms and legs • Rapid eye blinking • Staring at a fixed point • Inability to respond to sounds or speech for a short period • Psychological symptoms such as fear, anxiety, or déjà vu

Some findings may occur before a seizure

In some subgroups, premonitory signs are observed. These are called "aura". These signs, which indicate which area of the brain is involved in abnormal electrical activity, can be listed as follows: • Numbness • Unpleasant odors • Changes in vision or hearing • Sudden feeling of fear • Nausea or feeling of pressure in the stomach Epileptic seizures usually last a few minutes. During this time, keeping the person experiencing the seizure safe should be the primary goal.

Steps to follow for first aid

• You should stay with the person and ensure their airway is open until the seizure stops and the person fully awakens. • Help the person sit in a safe place after the seizure. • Explain simply what happened to the person as they wake up and become able to communicate. • Try to talk calmly with the person experiencing the seizure to help them relax. • As the first aid provider, you should also calm other people around you, and • Ensure the person returns home or to a safe environment.

Do not do these things during a seizure

• Do not panic, do not shout or run around in fear. • Do not try to open the mouth or jaw if the patient has not bitten their tongue. • Do not try to put your finger between their teeth. • Do not try to place a spoon or similar objects between their teeth. • Do not try to stop the contracting arms and legs. • Do not shake the patient and do not try to make them smell something.

Seizures generally do not require emergency medical intervention, but emergency help may be needed in the following situations:

• If the patient has never had a seizure before, • If the patient has difficulty waking up or breathing after the seizure, • If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, • If the patient has a second seizure shortly after the first, • If the patient is injured during the seizure, • If the seizure occurs in water, and • If the patient has a health problem such as diabetes or heart disease, or is pregnant, emergency help should be sought.

Uncontrolled seizures can negatively affect life

Uncontrolled seizures can negatively affect life and may even be life-threatening. Seizures can also lead to anxiety or depression. During this process, it is especially important for patients to maintain their morale and avoid stress.

Changes in living conditions can have a positive effect on the treatment process

Changes that epilepsy patients make in their lifestyle can have a positive impact on the treatment process. In this direction, lifestyle changes to be made can be summarized as follows: • Avoid excessive alcohol consumption. • Take medications correctly and as your doctor instructs. • Avoid nicotine use and quit smoking. • Get sufficient sleep. Lack of sleep and insufficient sleep can trigger seizures. • Exercise. Careful and detailed listening to the person who witnessed the seizure is important for diagnosis There is no single test that determines an epilepsy diagnosis on its own. The most important point in diagnosis is the information provided by those around the patient about their seizure. In particular, the person who witnessed the seizure must be listened to carefully and in detail. Following detailed general and neurological examination, some blood tests and EEG (electroencephalography) are requested. EEG is one of the most important tests in making a diagnosis. Brain Computed Tomography (CT) or Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) helps identify events or structural abnormalities causing epileptic seizures.

Epilepsy is a treatable disease

The most important goal of treatment is to stop the seizures. Various medications are used in treatment, and when deciding on drug selection, the type of seizure, frequency of attacks, patient's age, and presence of other accompanying diseases are important. In the vast majority of patients, seizures are controlled with medication therapy. In certain patient groups resistant to medication therapy, successful results are also achieved with surgical treatment in appropriate candidates.