Epilepsy and Seizure Types

Epilepsy

• A chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures
• Affects approximately 1% of the global population
• Can be caused by genetic mutations, head trauma, infections, or unknown factors
• Diagnosis typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests (EEG, MRI, CT scans)

Seizure Types

• Generalized seizures
  • Affect both sides of the brain
  • Types:
    • Tonic-clonic (grand mal): convulsions, loss of consciousness
    • Absence (petit mal): brief, sudden loss of consciousness
    • Myoclonic: sudden, brief muscle contractions
    • Tonic: stiffness, rigidity
• Partial seizures
  • Affect one side of the brain
  • Types:
    • Simple partial: no loss of consciousness
    • Complex partial: altered consciousness
  • May progress to generalized seizures

Symptoms

• Pre-seizure symptoms
  • Auras (sensory or emotional experiences)
  • Anxiety, dizziness, or other warning signs
• During a seizure
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Muscle contractions or relaxations
  • Convulsions, tremors, or rigidity
  • Altered sensory experiences
• Post-seizure symptoms
  • Confusion, disorientation
  • Fatigue, headache, or pain
  • Memory lapses or confusion

Treatment Options

• Medications
  • Anticonvulsants to reduce seizure frequency and severity
  • Examples: carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproate
• Surgery
  • Resective surgery: removal of affected brain tissue
  • Disconnective surgery: separation of abnormal brain tissue
• Dietary therapies
  • Ketogenic diet: high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet
  • Modified Atkins diet: modified ketogenic diet
• Lifestyle changes
  • Stress management
  • Regular sleep schedule
  • Avoiding seizure triggers (e.g., flashing lights)

Epilepsy

• Defined as a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures
• Affects 1% of the global population
• Can be caused by genetic mutations, head trauma, infections, or unknown factors

Causes of Epilepsy

• Genetic mutations
• Head trauma
• Infections
• Unknown factors

Diagnosis of Epilepsy

• Combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests
• Diagnostic tests include EEG, MRI, and CT scans

Types of Seizures

• Generalized seizures: affect both sides of the brain
  • Tonic-clonic (grand mal): convulsions, loss of consciousness
  • Absence (petit mal): brief, sudden loss of consciousness
  • Myoclonic: sudden, brief muscle contractions
  • Tonic: stiffness, rigidity
• Partial seizures: affect one side of the brain
  • Simple partial: no loss of consciousness
  • Complex partial: altered consciousness

Symptoms of Seizures

Pre-Seizure Symptoms

• Auras (sensory or emotional experiences)
• Anxiety, dizziness, or other warning signs

During a Seizure

• Loss of consciousness
• Muscle contractions or relaxations
• Convulsions, tremors, or rigidity
• Altered sensory experiences

Post-Seizure Symptoms

• Confusion, disorientation
• Fatigue, headache, or pain
• Memory lapses or confusion

Treatment Options for Epilepsy

Medications

• Anticonvulsants to reduce seizure frequency and severity
• Examples: carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproate

Surgical Options

• Resective surgery: removal of affected brain tissue
• Disconnective surgery: separation of abnormal brain tissue

Dietary Therapies

• Ketogenic diet: high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet
• Modified Atkins diet: modified ketogenic diet

Lifestyle Changes

• Stress management
• Regular sleep schedule
• Avoiding seizure triggers (e.g., flashing lights)

Learn about epilepsy, a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, and its different types including generalized seizures.