Table of contents
Introduction
A seizure is the sudden, short-period cessation within the brain caused by some abnormal or excessive neuron firings. Depending on the regions of the brain disturbed, it can lead to movement and changed sensation and behavior, altered or otherwise, in a scenario with consciousness, or an altered state of awareness.
Convulsions generally will follow these signs when abnormal electrical activity happens somewhere in the brain. An article on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, management, and treatments for seizure disorders is presented here.
Overview
Seizures exist in a wide range of neurological diseases affecting people at all strata of society. According to the latest estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 1.2% of the total human population has active epilepsy in the USA. Several hereditary conditions, damage to the brain, and infections, among others, are said to initiate seizure activity.
Types of seizures:
Generalized seizures occur when neurons fire abnormally on both sides of the brain. Alteration in the waking state, jerking, and body stiffness are some of the symptoms one experiences. Loss of consciousness, convulsions, or stiffening of muscles may all be possible manifestations.
– Focal Seizures: These seizures occur when abnormal electrical activity is limited to one area of the brain. Symptoms can include altered emotions, sensations, or movements and may or may not affect awareness. Every symptom is variable to a greater or lesser degree in different patients, so the patient’s case history becomes paramount in establishing the subtle difference and the room for error present. There are known focal and generalized seizures.
Common Symptoms:
– Simple or temporary confusion/loss of awareness
– Jerking or staring spell
– Loss of consciousness or convulsions
– Psychological symptoms: fear, anxiety, or déjà vu
– Sensation-specific symptoms: tingling, dizziness, or flashing lights
Causative factors include:
– Genetic or family history of seizures
– Brain injuries and trauma
– Infections, including meningitis or encephalitis
– Specific medical conditions, e.g., stroke or Alzheimer’s disease, as well as brain tumors
– Substance abuse or withdrawal
Diagnosis and Tests
Diagnose seizure disorders in clinical practice through medical history and comprehensive history taking regarding symptoms and those surrounding the patient.
– Physical Exam: A neurological exam of its motor capacity, cognition, and other parts.
– Diagnostic tests
Diagnostic tests that include EEG, CT scan, MRI, or blood tests may all help clear up the underlying cause of these seizures.
Management/Treatment
Seizure disorder, which is also called epilepsy, can be treated with an ordinary way of drugs through an oral route that would help treat the condition of the patient.
Other common alternatives are
– Medicines –
Anticonvulsants are first-line medications used to treat seizure disorders; they reduce the frequency and severity of seizure spells.
Carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproate, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, etc.
– Surgical Procedures
– First, resective surgery:
Hereby, an invasive procedure where a piece of the brain thought to be generating seizures is removed surgically.
– Second, palliative procedures:
This includes procedures aimed at reducing the number and severity of seizures without necessarily eradicating them.
Device therapies
The first is vagus nerve stimulation (VNS): a process whereby a device is implanted so as to stimulate the vagus nerve to reduce the frequency of seizures.
The second is a responsive neurostimulator (RNS): by internally placing a device that detects and counteracts abnormal electrical activities in the brain.
Changes in Lifestyle
– Regular Sleep: Good sleep reduces the frequency of seizures.
– Stress Management: Stress usually causes seizures; relaxation in whatever method works better for the patient and techniques of stress management, like meditation or yoga, do facilitate this.
– Avoid Triggering Factors: Identifying common seizure triggers—pretty much everything, whether a medication or flashing lights—may help lower seizure frequency.
Dietary therapies
– Ketogenic Diet: This is a high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet that might reduce seizure frequency in some people.
– Modified Atkins Diet: Like the ketogenic diet, it is less restrictive and, for some, more sustainable. Alternative Therapies
– Acupuncture: This involves inserting very thin needles into certain points in the body, and this may help in reducing the frequency of seizures.
– Herbal Remedies:
Some herbs, like cannabidiol, might show possible antiepileptic effects and could be used in treating seizure disorders.
Asian Herbal Remedies
– Zizyphus jujube: The herb is antiepileptic, and in animals, it reduces seizures by inhibiting the overexcitation due to glutamate and decreases NMDA or glutamate synaptic release.
– Ganoderma lucidum: Known as the Lingzhi or Reishi mushroom, it has antiepileptic actions that prevent episodic occurrence from happening due to calcium overload inhibition.
– Salvia miltiorrhiza: Also called Danshen or Chinese red sage, it was found to have anticonvulsant effects in an animal model.
– Uncaria rhynchophylla: It has antiepileptic activity and modulates the immune response and neurotrophin signaling pathways.
Iranian Herbal Remedies – Lavandula officinalis: Its oil possesses anticonvulsant activity and reduces neurotoxicity caused by glutamate.
– Paeonia officinalis: The same as above—this herb is also endowed with anticonvulsant activity and can increase GABA affinity for the GABA receptor.
– Bryonia alba: Anticonvulsant and increases receptor sensitivity for endogenous GABA.
African Herbal Remedies
– Ficus platyphylla: This herb is antiepileptic by blocking glutamatergic neurotransmission mediated by the NMDA receptor.
– Gladiolus dalenii: This herb has been reported to show properties of antiepileptogenicity and has an action that selectively interacts with the GABA neurotransmission whole benzodiazepine site.
Other Herbal Remedies
– Cannabis: Cannabidiol is obtained from cannabis, has antiepileptic activity, and can be administered for the treatment of refractory pediatric epilepsy.
– Ginseng: It’s capable of inhibiting both NMDA-dependent and status epilepticus-induced calcium influx, leading to the protection of neurons.
– Pimpinella anisum: The anticonvulsant actions of anise oil activate the GABA receptor.
– Passiflora incarnata: This flower has anticonvulsant effects and may facilitate membrane permeation of GABA.
– Skullcap: It has anticonvulsant action and may bind well to the GABA receptor.
– Zingiber officinale: Extracts found in ginger were proven to have anticonvulsant activity, along with inhibition of NO production and suppression of iNOS
Other Options
– Gene Therapy: It is a promising area of research where genes are used to treat seizure disorders.
– Stem Cell Therapy: This is another area of research where stem cells are prospective in the repair or replacement of damaged brain tissue.
Outlook
The outlook varies with respect to treatment and causation of seizure disorders. With proper management and treatment, many people with seizure disorders lead normal lives. A few patients may experience ongoing seizure episodes or require treatment throughout life.
Conclusion:
Seizure disorders are typically multifactorial and hence require management and care from numerous medical specialties. Patients can learn about the causative factors, presenting symptoms, and treatment options that enable them to discuss their condition effectively, pursue self-management strategies, and improve their quality of life. It is essential to visit a doctor for diagnosis and proper treatment once somebody is confronted with seizures affecting himself/herself or someone close.
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