What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a chronic condition that frequently results in seizures as a result of abnormal electrical signals generated by damaged brain cells. A seizure is caused by an uncontrolled burst of electrical activity within brain cells. Your consciousness, muscular control (your muscles may twitch or jerk), sensations, emotions, and behavior can all change during a seizure. Epilepsy is also known as a seizure disorder. Dr. Nagendra Sharma, the Best Neurosurgeon in Jodhpur and the Best Neurosurgeon in Rajasthan, offers neurosurgical consultation and treatment
How common is epilepsy?
There may be 12 million epileptics in India, which would account for nearly one-sixth of the global burden. In India, epilepsy is estimated to affect 14 out of every 1,000 persons, with rates greater in rural areas and among children and young adults.
In India, epilepsy is a very serious issue. Only 10% of persons in rural India would seek medical attention after having a seizure, compared to 60% of people in urban India. Almost 95% of persons with active epilepsy do not receive proper therapy, resulting in a huge treatment gap (the people who require treatment: the people who receive the treatment). The treatment gap is largely caused by a lack of awareness about anti-epileptic medications as well as poverty, stigma, cultural beliefs, insufficient health infrastructure, and a lack of qualified doctors.
What happens in your brain when you have epilepsy?
Your brain’s cells communicate with all parts of your body and receive signals from them. These messages are sent from cell to cell through a constant electrical impulse. This rhythmic electrical impulse pattern is disturbed by epilepsy. Instead, there are electrical activity spikes between cells in one or more regions of your brain, much like an unpredictable lightning storm. Your awareness (including loss of consciousness), sensations, emotions, and muscle actions are all affected by this electrical disruption.
What Are the Symptoms of a Seizure?
Recurrent seizures are epilepsy’s primary symptom. However, depending on the kind of seizure you have, your symptoms change.
Seizure signs and symptoms include:
- Temporary loss of awareness or consciousness.
- Uncontrolled muscle movements, muscle jerking, loss of muscle tone.
- Temporary confusion slowed thinking, and problems with talking and understanding.
- Changes in hearing, vision, taste, smell, and feelings of numbness or tingling.
- Problems talking or understanding.
- Upset stomach, waves of heat or cold, goosebumps.
- Lip-smacking, chewing motion, rubbing hands, finger motions.
- Psychic symptoms, including fear, dread, anxiety, or déjà vu.
- Faster heart rate and/or breathing.
What causes epilepsy?
Most of the time (in up to 70% of cases), the cause of seizures is not known. Known causes include:
- Genetics: There is a genetic component to some types of epilepsy, which are classified by the type of seizure you have or the area of the brain that is affected. In these situations, it appears likely that a genetic factor or a family history is at play.
- Head injuries. Head injuries can result from vehicular accidents, falls, or any blow to the head.
- Brain infections. Infections can include brain abscesses, meningitis, encephalitis, and neurocysticercosis.
- Immune disorders. Conditions that cause your immune system to attack brain cells (also called autoimmune diseases) can lead to epilepsy.
- Developmental disorders. Birth abnormalities affecting the brain are a frequent cause of epilepsy, particularly in people whose seizures aren’t controlled with anti-seizure medications.
- Brain conditions and brain vessel abnormalities. Brain health issues that can cause epilepsy include brain tumors, strokes, dementia, and abnormal blood vessels, such as arteriovenous malformations.
Conclusion:
Epilepsy is a medical disorder that is largely curable. As a result, you shouldn’t give up if you receive a diagnosis. Instead, you should get in touch with a Neurologist or other qualified doctor with experience treating patients with epilepsy. People with epilepsy can live better lives with the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Consult with Dr. Nagendra Sharma, the best neurosurgeon in Jodhpur for Epilepsy treatment. You can live a regular life like any other healthy person by receiving the right care and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Nagendra Sharma is also the well-known best neurosurgeon in Rajasthan.
