Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a medical condition that produces seizures affecting a variety of mental and physical functions. It’s also called a seizure disorder. When a person has two or more unprovoked seizures, they are considered to have epilepsy.
A seizure happens when a brief, strong surge of electrical activity affects part or all of the brain. One in 10 adults will have a seizure sometime during their life.
Seizures can last from a few seconds to a few minutes. They can have many symptoms, from convulsions and loss of consciousness to some that are not always recognized as seizures by the person experiencing them or by health care professionals: blank staring, lip smacking, or jerking movements of arms and legs.
Epilepsy is a medical condition that produces seizures affecting a variety of mental and physical functions. It’s also called a seizure disorder. When a person has two or more unprovoked seizures, they are considered to have epilepsy.
A seizure happens when a brief, strong surge of electrical activity affects part or all of the brain. One in 10 adults will have a seizure sometime during their life.
Seizures can last from a few seconds to a few minutes. They can have many symptoms, from convulsions and loss of consciousness to some that are not always recognized as seizures by the person experiencing them or by health care professionals: blank staring, lip smacking, or jerking movements of arms and legs.
When you come in for your visit your neurologist will want to follow and document specific information about your condition. That information will include:
1. The Epilepsy Syndrome
2. The Seizure Types and Frequency
3. Review your EEG
4. Document and discuss your MRI
5. Discuss seizure medication side effects should they exist and review labs with medication levels
6. Discuss Safety Issues pertaining to your seizures
7. In female patients special counseling may be indicated such as the effect of medications on the pregnancy.
8. For patients with intractable seizures surgical options will be provided if indicated.
1. The Epilepsy Syndrome
2. The Seizure Types and Frequency
3. Review your EEG
4. Document and discuss your MRI
5. Discuss seizure medication side effects should they exist and review labs with medication levels
6. Discuss Safety Issues pertaining to your seizures
7. In female patients special counseling may be indicated such as the effect of medications on the pregnancy.
8. For patients with intractable seizures surgical options will be provided if indicated.
What to do in the event of a seizure:
Here are some pointers for what to do should you witness a patient having a seizure.
Witnessing a seizure is often a frightening experience. However, knowing how to approach the situation helps. It is also important to know what Not to do.
1. Stay calm.
2. Call 911 if the person is having her first seizure or is pregnant.
3. Try to time the seizure. Seizures usually do not last longer than 60 to 120 seconds. If the seizure lasts longer than 3 minutes, call 911.
4. If the person is standing, prevent her from falling by holding her in a hug, or try to help her gently to the floor.
5. Move away furniture or other objects that might injure the person during the seizure.
6. If the person having a seizure is on the ground when you arrive, try to position her on her side so that any saliva or vomit can leak out of her mouth rather than be swallowed or go down the windpipe.
7. Do not put anything, including your fingers, into the person's mouth while she is seizing. You could chip the person's tooth, or your finger could be bitten.
8. Do not try to hold the person down because this can cause injury, such as a dislocated shoulder.
After the seizure:
1. Check the person for injuries.
2. If you could not turn the person onto her side during the seizure, do so when the seizure has ended and the person is calm.
3. If the person is having trouble breathing, use your finger to gently clear her mouth of any saliva or vomit. If this does not work, call for emergency help.
4. Loosen tight clothing around the person's neck and waist.
5. Provide a safe area where the person can rest.
6. Do not give the person anything to eat or drink until she is fully conscious and aware of her surroundings.
7. Stay with the person until she is awake and any confusion wears off. Most people feel sleepy or confused after a seizure.
Here are some pointers for what to do should you witness a patient having a seizure.
Witnessing a seizure is often a frightening experience. However, knowing how to approach the situation helps. It is also important to know what Not to do.
1. Stay calm.
2. Call 911 if the person is having her first seizure or is pregnant.
3. Try to time the seizure. Seizures usually do not last longer than 60 to 120 seconds. If the seizure lasts longer than 3 minutes, call 911.
4. If the person is standing, prevent her from falling by holding her in a hug, or try to help her gently to the floor.
5. Move away furniture or other objects that might injure the person during the seizure.
6. If the person having a seizure is on the ground when you arrive, try to position her on her side so that any saliva or vomit can leak out of her mouth rather than be swallowed or go down the windpipe.
7. Do not put anything, including your fingers, into the person's mouth while she is seizing. You could chip the person's tooth, or your finger could be bitten.
8. Do not try to hold the person down because this can cause injury, such as a dislocated shoulder.
After the seizure:
1. Check the person for injuries.
2. If you could not turn the person onto her side during the seizure, do so when the seizure has ended and the person is calm.
3. If the person is having trouble breathing, use your finger to gently clear her mouth of any saliva or vomit. If this does not work, call for emergency help.
4. Loosen tight clothing around the person's neck and waist.
5. Provide a safe area where the person can rest.
6. Do not give the person anything to eat or drink until she is fully conscious and aware of her surroundings.
7. Stay with the person until she is awake and any confusion wears off. Most people feel sleepy or confused after a seizure.
Commonly used seizure medications:
Helpful links: