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Essay / Symptoms of Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal and usually causes a seizure. These attacks occur without warning and are different for each person. Anyone can have epilepsy, regardless of race, gender or age. Epilepsy causes many symptoms. Since epilepsy is caused by abnormal brain activity, seizures can affect any process coordinated by your brain. Symptoms of seizures may include temporary confusion, staring, uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs, loss of awareness or awareness, and psychological symptoms such as fear, anxiety, or déjà vu. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure. In most cases, a person with epilepsy will tend to have the same type of seizure each time, so the symptoms will be similar each time. These seizures are classified as focal or generalized. It depends on how the abnormal brain activity begins. Focal seizures result from abnormal activity in a single area of your brain. Focal seizures are divided into two categories: focal seizures without loss of consciousness and focal seizures with altered consciousness. Focal seizures without loss of consciousness may alter the person's emotions or the way things look, smell, taste, or sound. This type of seizure can also cause jerking in the arms and legs. Doctors do many tests to determine what type of epilepsy you have. These tests include a neurological exam and a blood test. A neurological exam is used to test your behavior, motor skills, and mental functions to diagnose your condition and determine the type of epilepsy. Blood samples are taken to check for signs of infections, genetic diseases, or other conditions that may be associated with seizures. Other tests are used to detect brain abnormalities. The electroencephalogram (EEG) is the most commonly used test to diagnose epilepsy. In this test, doctors attach electrodes to your scalp with a paste-like substance. The electrodes record the electrical activity in your brain. Other tests to diagnose this disorder include high-density EEG, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and functional MRI (fMRI). Neuropsychological tests allow doctors to evaluate your thinking, memory and speech skills. There are also tests to determine where seizures begin in the brain. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) compares areas of the brain that have increased metabolism during seizures with normal brains, which can give doctors an idea of where seizures begin. Treatment for this disorder includes medications and possibly surgery. If medications don't work, doctors may suggest surgery or another type of treatment. Most people with epilepsy can become seizure-free with antiepileptic medications, also called antiepileptic medications. Others may be able to decrease the intensity of their seizures by taking a combination of medications. Although the medication may accompany the medication, some symptoms may include fatigue, dizziness, weight gain, loss of bone density, skin rashes, loss of coordination, speech problems, and.