Epilepsy is a chronic neurologic disease that manifests itself in episodic sudden seizures characterized by loss of consciousness, seizures and other features. Most of the sick people have the right to receive a disability with epilepsy, usually of II or III degree.
Diagnosis of epilepsy
Diagnosis of epilepsy is to conduct mandatory research. These include electroencephalography (EEG), which indicates the presence and location of an epileptic focus. Computer and magnetic resonance imaging, general and biochemical blood analysis are also mandatory.
Causes of epilepsy
There are two main types of epilepsy, which differ for reasons of their occurrence. Epilepsy can be primary or idiopathic, appearing as an independent disease, as well as secondary or symptomatic, manifested as one of the symptoms of some disease. Diseases in which secondary epilepsy manifests itself are:
- craniocerebral trauma;
- phenylketonuria;
- neurological infections and intoxications;
- neoplastic processes of the brain;
- vasculitis ;
- intracranial hematomas;
- ischemic processes;
- underdevelopment of brain structures;
- strokes ;
- tumors (frontal epilepsy is the most frequent variety);
- dependence on drugs and alcohol.
Primary epilepsy is congenital and often inherited. In most cases, it manifests itself in childhood or adolescence. At the same time, changes in the electrical activity of nerve cells are observed, and damage to the structure of the brain is not observed.
What is epilepsy in adults?
Classification of epilepsy is very extensive and is caused by many signs. One of the most common forms is cryptogenic epilepsy. Also it is called hidden, because the exact cause is not revealed even when carrying out the whole spectrum of patient's examinations. This variety refers to partial epilepsies.
Partial or focal epilepsy - in one hemisphere of the brain there is a limited focus with epileptic cells. Such nerve cells produce an extra electrical charge, and at one point the body becomes unable to limit convulsive activity. In this case, the first attack develops. The following attacks are no longer held back by anti-epileptic structures.
Attacks of such epilepsy also differ from each other. They can be simple - in this case the patient is conscious, but notes the difficulty with the control of any part of the body. In the case of a complex attack, a partial disturbance or alteration of consciousness occurs and may be accompanied by some motor activity. For example, the patient continues the action (walking, talking, playing), which he produced before the onset of the attack. But it does not go into contact and does not react to external influences. Simple and complex attacks can go to generalized, characterized by loss of consciousness.
Epileptic seizures in children
In children, most often there are seizures of absence epilepsy. Absenses are short-term seizures, in which there is a disconnection of consciousness for a short time. Outwardly a person stops, looking for an "empty" look into the distance, not reacting to stimuli from the outside. This seizure lasts several seconds, after which the patient continues to engage in the business without any changes, not remembering the attack.
A characteristic feature of the appearance of such seizures is the age of 5-6 years and not earlier, since the child's brain does not yet reach the required maturity. Complex absences are accompanied by increased muscle tone and monotonous repetitive movements with the consciousness switched off.