Seizers and Epilepsy

Seizers are the sudden flow of electrical activity in the brain caused by complex chemical changes in the nerve cells. During a seizer, there may be too much or else too little activity which causes an imbalance between exciting as well as stopping activity. Remember that Seizers are not diseases but are symptoms of several other disorders that can affect the brain. Epilepsy, on the other hand, means the same as seizure disorders and is considered as the fourth most common neurological disorder that affects people irrespective of their age. These are unpredictable seizures which can cause other health problems too. In simple terms, Epilepsy is a condition with a broad range of seizers’ types. However, seizures are a symptom of epilepsy, but not all people who appear seizures have epilepsy.

Causes of epilepsy

The reason behind the occurrence of Epilepsy is an abnormal electric activity which originates in the brain. Normally brain cells communicate in an orderly pattern by sending electrical signals. In Epilepsy, these electrical signals become abnormal and which give rise to an electric storm that produces Seizures. These electric storms can occur in a specific part of the brain, or also can be generalized, depends on the type of epilepsy.

Symptoms of Epilepsy

The cause of Epilepsy is the abnormal activity in the brain, and seizures occur. Seizures can affect any brain process; thus, symptoms of seizures are listed below:

·         Loss of consciousness

·         Temporary confusion

·         Uncontrollable jerking movements of legs and arms

·         Staring spell

 Symptoms of Epilepsy depend upon types of seizers and neurosurgeons classify seizures into two based on abnormal brain activity.

Classification of seizers

There are mainly two types of Seizers

1.    Focal or partial seizures

These types of seizures did not cause a loss of consciousness. They only change emotions like way think to look, feel, smell, sound, and taste. It may also show condition like jerking of arm or leg, tingling, dizziness, or flashing lights. Some focal seizures are also known as complex partial seizures, which involve loss of consciousness. In this condition, you may stare into space and may not normally revert to the environment. Symptoms of this kind of seizures include migraine, mental illness, or narcolepsy.

2.    Generalized seizures

These types of seizures involve all areas of the brain and are of six kinds

·         Absence seizures – often occur in children include subtle body movements like eye blinking or lip-smacking

·         Tonic seizures – it is a condition of stiffening of muscles and affects muscles of back, legs, and arms

·         Atonic seizures- also called drop seizures and cause loss of muscle control

·         Clonic seizures – it is rhythmic. Jerking muscle movements, usually affect face, neck, and arms

·         Myoclonic seizures- it appears as sudden, brief jerks or else twitches of legs and arms

·         Tonic clonic seizures – it is the most active and can cause an abrupt loss of consciousness, shaking, and sometimes loss of bladder control.

People more prone to Epilepsy

Certain factors increase the risk of Epilepsy of many people. The factors include:

·         Age – Epilepsy onset is most common in children and older people

·         Head injuries – it most common cause of Epilepsy

·         Stroke – stroke along with other blood vessels diseases can lead to brain damage and results in Epilepsy

·         Brain infections-people having infections which cause inflammation in spinal cord or brain make them more prone to the condition

Best neurosurgeons in India

·         Dr. Sandeep Vaishya, working at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon, having 20 years of experience

·         Dr. Aditya Gupta, working at Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon having 21 years of experience

·         Dr. V. P. Singh working at Medanta – The Medicity, Gurgaon having more than 30 years of experience

·         Dr. Atul Prasad working at BLK Specialty Hospital, New Delhi having more than 26 years of experience

·         Dr. M R Sivakumar working at Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai has more than 33 years of experience

·         Dr. Panneer A working at Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai has more than 34 years of experience

Seeking the right help at the right time is best for people living with Epilepsy. There are many best neurosurgeons in India with specific expertise and training. So don’t panic and consult as soon as possible.