Seizures occur due to a sudden burst of electric activity occurring in the brain. There are different kinds of seizures that range from subtle absenteeism up to tonic-clonic movement (shaking) that could be life-threatening associated with sudden stiffening and shaking of the body associated with unresponsiveness that require the best epilepsy treatment in Gurgaon. In the case of epilepsy, the normal guide of neuronal activity becomes disrupted leading to some strange sensations, behavior and emotion or sometimes linked with convulsions, muscle spasms, and even the loss of consciousness. The epilepsies have various possible causes and thus there are various kinds of seizures. Anything that is known to disrupt the normal pattern of neuron activity—which can be an illness to brain damage to abnormal development of the brain—can result in seizures. Epilepsy can develop due to an abnormality in brain wiring, an imbalance of signalling of neuronal chemicals known as neurotransmitters, changes in important features of brain cells known as channels, or some combination of these and other similar factors, which requires the best epilepsy treatment in Gurgaon.
What's the difference between triggers and causes?
They are two different terms and we need to understand them. In any child who has epilepsy could be because of genetic or acquired reason like meningitis, encephalitis, worm infection, structural abnormality, tumour or any other metabolic or chemical imbalance. There could be another group of epileptic kids where the cause is not identified, which does happen in many cases. Now coming to triggers. In a child with epilepsy, there are lots of trigger which can make the child vulnerable to have seizures and the likely triggers are fever, infections, physiological or pathological stress on the body like lack of sleep, sleep deprivation, etc. Lots of different types of epilepsy have different triggers like flashing of lights in case of photosensitive epilepsy. Sometimes simply lack of salt, sodium in case of diarrhea, dehydration, can trigger the seizures. In certain other reflex epilepsy, the trigger could be sudden noise, seeing a particular pattern, closing of eyes, going out in sunlight, sleep, tiredness, etc. So your doctor usually counsel you regarding any specific trigger that you need to be careful about and what to be done in case of trouble.
Are all seizures the same?
Seizures are all very different. They differ in different age groups like seizures in small babies are different from children, which are different than in adults and old age people. The causes and the treatment of these seizures also differ according to age group. E.g there are seizures triggered by lack of vitamins and other metabolites in small babies. If diagnosed appropriately, can be treated without any significant damage. Seizures induced by fever in young children called febrile convulsions, if diagnosed appropriately do not need any extensive investigations like MRI scan and they do not need any long term medicine either. On other hand similar seizures in adults and older children would need through investigations and treatment. There are some seizures, which happen in infants only and they are very devastating if left undiagnosed like infantile spasm. In this type of epilepsy, child looks like having an abdominal colic, but it leaves very bad impact on child’s learning and development if not identified and treated early. Seizures should be carefully assessed and managed by a specialist.
Types of seizure
Seizures are all very different. Seizures could be generalized where the patient can have any of the following features like whole body going stiff, shaking with eyes up rolling, unresponsive, loss of awareness, frothing from mouth, tongue bites, urinary or stool incontinence, etc. There could be focal seizures where one part of the body might feel funny, may be shaking of one limb or twitching of one side of face, fluttering of one eyelid, etc. They differ in different age groups like seizures in small babies are different from children, which are different than in adults and old age people. The causes and the treatment of these seizures also differ according to the type of seizures and the age group they appear in. E.g there are seizures triggered by fever in young children, called Febrile convulsions, if diagnosed appropriately do not need any extensive investigations like MRI scan and they do not need any long term medicine either. On other hand similar seizures in adults and older children would need through investigations and treatment. There are some seizures, which happen in infants only and they are very devastating if left undiagnosed like infantile spasm. In this type of epilepsy, child looks like having an abdominal colic, but it leaves very bad impact on child’s learning and development if not identified and treated early. Seizures should be carefully assessed and managed by a specialist.
Is There any Treatment?
Once epilepsy has been diagnosed, it is necessary to begin treatment as early as possible. For around 70 per cent of the cases diagnosed with epilepsy, seizures can be controlled with the help of modern medicines, proper diet and surgical techniques depending upon what your diagnosis is. Some drugs can be more effective for specific types of seizures. An individual or a child having seizures, especially those that are not easily controlled, might want to visit the best child neurologist in Gurgaon specifically trained to treat epilepsy. In some children, special diets (Ketogenic diet) can greatly help in controlling seizures when medications are either not effective or lead to serious side effects. Thus, it may require the best epilepsy treatment in Gurgaon to lessen the sufferings of your child.
What is The Prognosis?
While epilepsy is only manageable and not cured, for some people the seizures can be controlled with the help of medication, devices, diet, and/or surgery. Most seizures do not lead to brain damage, but on-going unlimited and uncontrolled seizures may result in brain damage. Issues can also develop as a result of the stigma associated with having epilepsy, which causes embarrassment and frustration, teasing or bullying, or even avoidance in school and other social environments. This may require the best epilepsy treatment in Gurgaon to avoid such embarrassing situations for your child.
What Should I do if my Child Start Fits at Home?
During the seizure, stop panicking and take note of time if possible.
Please do not put any object such as water, food, spoon, finger, etc.) into the mouth to prevent the clenching of teeth.
Try to keep the child on a flat and safe surface.
Do not limit the child
Loosen the clothes if they are tight.
Take help from someone; be ready to take the child to the hospital if the seizure does not cease within five minutes. Your doctor may give you some nasal spray which you can use at this stage in the advised doses and make your way to the hospital if this is the first seizure occurring at home. If the seizure settles, keep the child in the left lateral position, or the recovery position. Inform your local paediatric neurologist for the best epilepsy treatment in Gurgaon.
Is Epilepsy Inherited?
Yes and no. Epilepsy can be genetic or acquired. So any epilepsy should be evaluated right from the history, nature, timing and duration of seizures with an EEG/ MRI brain. All above information may point towards its cause and treatment would be started accordingly. If there is a strong family history and the above evaluation does not reveal any genetic cause, then we can go for specific blood tests for specific gene, which could responsible for that particular type of epilepsy.
When are people most likely to get epilepsy?
There are bimodal peaks when the chances of seizures are maximum. One in the childhood particularly under 2 years of age and second peak is at old age particularly after 60. Seizures are all very different. Seizures could be generalized where the patient can have any of the following features like whole body going stiff, shaking with eyes up rolling, unresponsive, loss of awareness, frothing from mouth, tongue bites, urinary or stool incontinence, etc. There could be focal seizures where one part of the body might feel funny, may be shaking of one limb or twitching of one side of face, fluttering of one eyelid, etc. They differ in different age groups like seizures in small babies are different from children, which are different than in adults and old age people. The causes and the treatment of these seizures also differ according to the type of seizures and the age group they appear in. E.g there are seizures triggered by fever in young children, called Febrile convulsions, if diagnosed appropriately do not need any extensive investigations like MRI scan and they do not need any long term medicine either. On other hand similar seizures in adults and older children would need through investigations and treatment. There are some seizures, which happen in infants only and they are very devastating if left undiagnosed like infantile spasm. In this type of epilepsy, child looks like having an abdominal colic, but it leaves very bad impact on child’s learning and development if not identified and treated early. Seizures should be carefully assessed and managed by a specialist.