You will have plenty of questions in mind once the doctor confirms that you have epilepsy. The first thing that comes to mind is the treatment procedure. Unlike other diseases, there is no specific or single answer to cure a seizure. The reason is that neurologists have identified different syndromes that cause epilepsy and categorized them into various groups. Due to this, the individual receives the treatment based on the syndrome as well as the category.
For example, many of the patients with no prior history of epilepsy had episodes of seizures. In such cases, epilepsy is the inheritance from the family. In these cases, the legacy causes abnormal functionality of a gene that makes it impossible for the individual to possess resistance towards drugs. It is one among the inferences why many people find it difficult in controlling seizures with medicines.
Origin of Seizure
Although seizures are different and occur in various ways, the origin is the same – the brain. The occurrence of the seizure is due to the abnormal functionality of electrical productivity. Neurons present in the brain communicate with each other by sending electrical impulses. When there is a miss firing or excessive production of these electrical impulses, the individual displays abnormal movements such as jerks, contraction of muscles, loss of consciousness, deafness, and gasping for breath.
Can a Seizure Be Cured?
Before the doctor begins the treatment procedure for seizure, he/she would want to acquire accurate diagnosis on the type of epilepsy that the patient has and only at this point that the individual can receive appropriate treatment. Today, doctors are curing seizure or epilepsy with the use of medicines. Although they do not cure epilepsy completely, they possess the capability to control the seizures. According to statistics, around 80% of people who have epilepsy have their seizures under control using medicines.
Reaching the right kind of combination requires time and patience. Therefore, the doctor works towards in providing the right medicines by using diagnosis, tests, finding underlying symptoms, and other environmental factors that could help in prepare a plan to cure seizures.
Furthermore, many medicines are available today that are capable of controlling seizures than ever before. Although there are over 20 different combinations present in the market today, many neurologists opt for older medications that are still in play for treating epilepsy/ seizure. These medicines include valproic acid, divalproex, diazepam, phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, and primidone.
Other Factors to Be Considered in the Treatment of Seizures
As every medicine acts differently for each, the doctor also considers other factors such as age, gender, and other health issues, the possible side effects of the drug, any other on-going treatments, the side effects that the patient can absorb, and what hope that the medicine provides to the patient apart from during the seizure.
In case of a woman, there is entirely a new scenario, and they should ask a couple of questions such as whether the drug will interfere with birth control, can the treatment effect the menstrual cycle, and will it be safe to get pregnant during the period.
Other things to keep in mind are about osteoporosis. When the treatment is for elderly, it is necessary to consider or speak with the doctor about the issue, as a few drugs pose a risk of developing osteoporosis. Additionally, the side effect has more impact in women than men. Hence, as part of your treatment, the patient has to discuss the situation with the doctor before beginning or planning for the epilepsy/seizure treatment. In such cases, the doctor would suggest an alteration to the diet, the inclusion of vitamin D supplements, exercises, and asking the patient to quit both alcohol and smoking.
- Kwan P, Brodie MJ. Early identification of refractory epilepsy. N Engl J Med. 2000;342(5):314-319. doi:10.1056/NEJM200002033420503
- Wirrell EC. Epilepsy: Transition from pediatric to adult care. Transl Pediatr. 2017;6(4):219-225. doi:10.21037/tp.2017.07.05
- Glauser T, Ben-Menachem E, Bourgeois B, et al. ILAE treatment guidelines: evidence-based analysis of antiepileptic drug efficacy and effectiveness as initial monotherapy for epileptic seizures and syndromes. Epilepsia. 2006;47(7):1094-1120. doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2006.00585.x
- Hirtz D, Berg A, Bettis D, et al. Practice parameter: treatment of the child with a first unprovoked seizure. Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society. Neurology. 2003;60(2):166-175. doi:10.1212/01.WNL.0000030319.20060.E1
- Saetre E, Abdelnoor M. Incidence rate of sudden death in epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Epilepsy Behav. 2018;87:224-231. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.05.004
Also Read:
- Atonic Seizures: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prognosis
- Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures: Causes, Symptoms, First Aid, Treatment, Prevention
- What are Nocturnal Seizures or Seizures While Sleeping: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Pathophysiology, Safety Measures
- Frontal Lobe Seizures or Epilepsy: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Recovery, Prevention
- What Causes Nocturnal Seizures in Adults?
