Epilepsy is a neurological disorder. People with epilepsy experience recurrent seizures, because a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain causes a temporary disturbance in the messaging systems between brain cells. Primary symptoms commonly include seizures. Epilepsy can develop at any age. At Vaidhyamana Ayurveda Hospital in Ernakulam, we provide the best treatment for epilepsy.
Symptoms
- a convulsion with no fever
- short spells of a blackout, or confused memory
- intermittent fainting spells, during which bowel or bladder control is lost
- the person becomes stiff, suddenly, for no apparent reason
- the person suddenly falls for no clear reason
- sudden bouts of blinking without apparent stimuli
- sudden bouts of chewing, without any apparent reason
- for a short time, the person seems dazed and unable to communicate
- repetitive movements that seem inappropriate
- the person becomes fearful for no apparent reason; they may even panic or become angry
- peculiar changes in senses, such as smell, touch, and sound
- the arms, legs, or body jerk, in babies these will appear as a cluster of rapid jerking movements
- high fever with epilepsy-like symptoms
- fainting
- recurring episodes of sleep during the day
- cataplexy, or periods of extreme muscle weakness
- sleep disorders
- nightmares
Causes
- head trauma, for instance, during a car crash
- brain conditions, including stroke or tumors
- infectious diseases, for instance, AIDS and viral encephalitis
- prenatal injury, or brain damage that occurs before birth
- developmental disorders, autism or neurofibromatosis
- stress
- lack of sleep
- bright lights, flashing lights, or patterns
- caffeine, alcohol, medicines, or drugs
- skipping meals, overeating, or specific food ingredients
It is most likely to appear in children under 2 years of age, and adults over 65 years.
Focal (partial) seizures
- alterations to a sense of taste, smell, sight, hearing, or touch
- dizziness
- tingling and twitching of limbs
Complex partial seizures (involve loss of awareness or consciousness).
- staring blankly
- unresponsiveness
- performing repetitive movements
Generalized seizures
Absence seizures, which used to be called petit mal seizures, cause a blank stare. This type of seizure may also cause repetitive movements like lip smacking or blinking. There is also usually a short loss of awareness.
Tonic seizures cause muscle stiffness.
Atonic seizures lead to loss of muscle control and can make you fall down suddenly.
Clonic seizures are characterized by repeated, jerky muscle movements of the face, neck, and arms.
Myoclonic seizures cause spontaneous quick twitching of the arms and legs.
Tonic-clonic seizures used to be called grand mal seizures.
Symptoms include:
- stiffening of the body
- shaking
- loss of bladder or bowel control
- biting of the tongue
- loss of consciousness