Epilepsy is diagnosed by a simple blood test
The doctor will perform a physical exam. The doctor will closely examine the brain and nervous system with an EEG (electroencephalogram). This test helps to check the electrical activity in the brain. People with epilepsy often have abnormal electrical activity seen on this test. In some cases, the test shows the area in the brain where the seizures start. The doctor will order the following tests:
- Blood chemistry
- Blood sugar
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Kidney function tests
- Liver function tests
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
- Tests for infectious diseases
- Head CT or MRI scan (to find out the cause and location of the problem in the brain)
Epilepsy is a rare disorder that occurs only in children younger than 5 years
Epileptic seizures usually begin between ages 5 and 20. There is also a higher chance of seizures in adults older than 60.But epileptic seizures can happen at any age.Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder.
Violent shaking and loss alertness are the symptoms of epilepsy
Symptoms vary from person to person depending on which part of the brain is affected. Some people may have simple staring spells. Others have violent shaking and loss of alertness.Mostly, the seizure is similar to the one before it. Some people with epilepsy have a strange sensation before each seizure. Sensations may be tingling, smelling an odor that is not actually there, or emotional changes. This is called an aura.
Epilepsy is a chronic ____________
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures. This brain disorder causes repeated seizures over time. Seizures occur due to uncontrolled and abnormal firing of brain cells that may cause changes in attention or behavior.
Epilepsy is treated by _____________
Treatment for epilepsy includes taking medicines, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgery. If epilepsy is due to a tumor, abnormal blood vessels, or bleeding in the brain, surgery to treat these disorders may make the seizures stop.
Which of the following is a type of epileptic seizure
The following are the types of epileptic seizures:
- Absenceseizure: This seizure is characterized by staring spells.
- Tonic-clonicseizure: This seizure involves the entire body, including aura, rigid muscles, and loss of alertness.
- Partial (focal) seizure: This seizure can involve any of the symptoms described above, depending on part of the brain, where the seizure starts.
Epilepsy is caused by ____________
Epilepsy is caused due to a medical condition or injury that affects the brain. Sometimes, the cause may be idiopathic (unknown).Epilepsy occurs when permanent changes occur in the brain. This causesthe brain to get overexcited or extremely irritated. This results in brain sending out abnormal signals. This leads to recurrent episodes of unpredictable seizures. The following are the common causes of epilepsy:
- Dementia, such as Alzheimer disease
- Traumatic brain injury
- Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Infections, including brain abscess, meningitis, encephalitis, and HIV/AIDS
- Congenital brain defects (brain defects at birth)
- Brain injury that occurs during or near birth
- Metabolic disorders present at birth (such as phenylketonuria)
- Brain tumor
- Abnormal blood vessels in the brain
- Other illness that damages or destroys brain tissue