While most people have heard of Epilepsy or know someone with epilepsy, the average person is left with the impression that there is only one type of seizure or Epilepsy. Furthermore, most people think that all seizure disorders or occurrences are Epilepsy. Only a doctor can make an official diagnosis of Epilepsy.
To define Epilepsy as simply as I know how -- an electrical impulse occurs in the brain that "misfires" and over stimulates the brain with abnormal activity, interfering with various thought processes, muscle coordination and speech to name a few.
It wasn't long ago, that a person having a seizure would be described as having a "fit." Even as late as the early to mid 70's people were institutionalized for seizure disorders such as epilepsy. Epilepsy treatments and medications have made some major breakthroughs since then.
Most seizure disorders can now be controlled through the use of medicine, implants or surgery. But, there remains a small percentage of epilepsy patients who continue to have seizures. The frequency and type of seizures these patients have may vary from patient to patient, but they are seizures none the less. These patients have what is called 'Intractable' or 'Refractory' Epilepsy. I, myself, am a primary caregiver to such a patient, my daughter. She suffers daily seizures and has cluster breakthroughs once or twice a month.
Intractable or Refractory means -- all available treatments, medications have been tried and the patient continues to have uncontrolled seizure activity. One can only know the true helplessness, pain and stress of caring for such a patient, when they are the [day to day] primary caregiver. The patient rarely remembers what occurs during a seizure, but the caregiver is left with the full memory of the experience.
While medical professionals are hesitant to commit themselves as to the causes of this particular condition, all agree on some key issues in minimizing seizure activity:
*Avoid situations the patient finds stressful
*Avoid loud, sharp, sudden sounds or noise
*Avoid flashing or strobe lights
*Avoid extreme temperatures
*Avoid situation that can induce extreme emotional reaction -- such as fear, excitement, hard/long laughter, or sadness and crying.
*Avoid activities that over stimulate the patient or their senses
The majority of professionals were at a loss however, when it came to solutions for the caregivers' needs. The professionals involved in my situation were most interested in the techniques I personally used for stress reduction, and coping skills, as the sole caregiver to such a patient. The techniques I have developed over the years, have given me the strength and determination to accomplish the very things I was told -- was impossible to do alone -- or couldn't be done.
Nearly 80% of primary caregivers will suffer or be treated for depression within the first four years. I have been the sole caregiver to my daughter for almost ten years now. I still remain optimistic with a very healthy mental/emotional outlook and disposition. What's even more important, I have managed to teach my daughter these same coping skills and positive focus. Not to say, we don't have our moments of despair, we wouldn't be human if we didn't. But, being able to bounce back with renewed strength and determination makes all the difference in the world.
Issues the average person never gives a second thought to, can become major issues for caregivers of these patients who face difficult and sometimes near impossible situations regularly. Shared knowledge, along with research can go a long way towards improving the quality of life for these patients. I hope this article provided some insight into this diagnosis. Issues such as -- emergency care packages, avoiding mental meltdown, getting help from others are covered in other articles I have provided.
©2008 All Copyrights Retained and Reserved by Author
This article written and provided by: O'Della Wilson AKA Alhavakia, published author and freelance writer.
http://www.alhavakia.com
http://odellawilson.wordpress.com
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Epilepsy Guide - What are Hysterical Convulsions?
These convulsions are of a psychogenic origin, also called psychogenic seizures or psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. These should be differentiated from true epileptic convulsions; hence the value of an eyewitness for the precise diagnosis of epilepsy. Simple information, that the patient had an attack of convulsions, is not enough to attach the label of epilepsy. The physician needs to know the details regarding the convulsions and other associated factors, for the immediate treatment of the case. Hence convulsions, whenever they occur, need to be watched carefully.
Epileptic convulsions occur suddenly, and before that a specific aural symptom may appear. On the other hand, hysterical convulsions are gradual and occur after vague symptoms/warnings. Moreover, hysterical convulsions have a strange look/style, and there is no sudden fall/injury during an attack of convulsion. Likewise, there is no tongue-bite or incontinence of urine, seen in cases of epilepsy.
After epileptic convulsions, the patient feels drowsy, and may sleep for hours, and is unable to recollect anything about the attack. In the case of hysterical convulsions, the patient may narrate the whole incident. It is significant to note that hysterical convulsions never occur during sleep. Further, hysterical convulsions are more common in young females, say in the age group of 20-30 years, and at times, it is observed that such patients have also a suicidal tendency.
Even while diagnosing childhood epilepsy, hysterical convulsions must be excluded, especially when the convulsions are generalized.
It may be said that one should not be perturbed whenever convulsions occur. Each convulsive attack needs to be analyzed and diagnosed. In some patients, both types of convulsions, i.e., epileptic and hysterical, may exist. Therefore, in a case of epilepsy, if in spite of giving proper dosages of suitable antiepileptic drugs, the convulsions are not controlled, such convulsions must be again watched carefully for the associated hysterical convulsions.
However, it is both wrong and unfair to label hysterical convulsions hurriedly as epileptic convulsions, since the patient may feel insulted or injured. This may further increase psychogenic/hysterical convulsions, besides involve an unnecessary trial of antiepileptic drugs.
Author sites: Herbal Remedies , Home Remedies and Natural Skin Care
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Krishan_Bakhru
Epileptic convulsions occur suddenly, and before that a specific aural symptom may appear. On the other hand, hysterical convulsions are gradual and occur after vague symptoms/warnings. Moreover, hysterical convulsions have a strange look/style, and there is no sudden fall/injury during an attack of convulsion. Likewise, there is no tongue-bite or incontinence of urine, seen in cases of epilepsy.
After epileptic convulsions, the patient feels drowsy, and may sleep for hours, and is unable to recollect anything about the attack. In the case of hysterical convulsions, the patient may narrate the whole incident. It is significant to note that hysterical convulsions never occur during sleep. Further, hysterical convulsions are more common in young females, say in the age group of 20-30 years, and at times, it is observed that such patients have also a suicidal tendency.
Even while diagnosing childhood epilepsy, hysterical convulsions must be excluded, especially when the convulsions are generalized.
It may be said that one should not be perturbed whenever convulsions occur. Each convulsive attack needs to be analyzed and diagnosed. In some patients, both types of convulsions, i.e., epileptic and hysterical, may exist. Therefore, in a case of epilepsy, if in spite of giving proper dosages of suitable antiepileptic drugs, the convulsions are not controlled, such convulsions must be again watched carefully for the associated hysterical convulsions.
However, it is both wrong and unfair to label hysterical convulsions hurriedly as epileptic convulsions, since the patient may feel insulted or injured. This may further increase psychogenic/hysterical convulsions, besides involve an unnecessary trial of antiepileptic drugs.
Author sites: Herbal Remedies , Home Remedies and Natural Skin Care
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Krishan_Bakhru
Disturbance in the Brain and Epilepsy
In many patients, in spite of exhaustive efforts/investigations, no cause of epilepsy may be located. Such cases are called idiopathic cases of epilepsy.
However, an intensive drive is a must to detect any lesion in the brain which could account for an epileptic attack, the reason being, that if the cause of epilepsy is detected, it is usually treatable, and, therefore, the patient will be cured forever, and thus may not need a long course of. antiepileptic drugs.
If, somehow, the cause remains undiagnosed/undetected, especially when the pathology is right in the brain, the disease will advance further, and besides the manifestations of epilepsy, other clinical features of the underlying disease will occur, making the patient a most complicated case for treatment. It may even prove fatal, if a lesion like neoplasm/malignancy / cancer in the brain remains hidden. This usually happens when detailed investigations have not been carried out, especially the most informative ones like CT scanning and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) etc. These are costly exercises, but all factors must be taken note of.
A thorough search for the detection of brain tumour is needed, especially in an adult / middle-aged / elderly person, more so when epilepsy is not being controlled in spite of high dosages of various antiepileptic drugs, and the attacks are increasing both in number and intensity. In such cases MRI must be done, even if the report of the CT scan is normal, as the MRI is more effective in the detection of any pathology in the brain. In one of our patients of about 40 years of age, epilepsy was not being controlled in spite of heavy medication, and even the CT scan was normal. An MRI was done, which showed the presence of a tumour in the brain. This was immediately operated upon, and the patient's epilepsy was subsequently controlled.
It is very important to keep in mind that epilepsy may be the only and the first symptom of brain tumours, which may even continue for several years, before other manifestations of brain tumour appear. This usually happens when the tumour is a slow-growing one/benign in nature. Hence, whenever epilepsy occurs for the first time in an adult/middle-aged/ elderly person, a tumour of the brain must be suspected, and the case should be thoroughly investigated so that the treatment is not delayed. An early diagnosed and treated brain tumour has a very high prognosis.
Another cause of epilepsy could be either a recent or an old injury of the head, which also needs a thorough check-up.
Also, trauma induced by an injury to the head of a newly-born during delivery (i.e. birth injury/injuries) is an important cause of epilepsy, and again, even in such cases of birth injuries, epilepsy may occur after many/several years of birth.
Further, epilepsy may occur when the brain function is disturbed due to the various other lesions in the brain called space-occupying lesions (brain tumours are also one of the space-occupying lesions), like an abscess, tuberculoma as a result of tuberculosis, infarction (i.e. damage of an area of brain as a result of occlusion of one of the branches of cerebral/ brain vessels, responsible for the blood supply of involved/ damaged area of the brain), and cysticercosis (i.e. a lesion in the brain which occurs due to ingestion of infected and insufficiently cooked pork), etc. Focal epilepsy following 'tuberculoma' in the brain is also seen.
Heredity also plays a significant role in some of the cases of epilepsy.
Other important causes of epilepsy are fever, withdrawal of drugs or alcohol, toxaemia, etc. which are likely to precipitate an attack of epilepsy. Epilepsy sometimes also occurs in a case of renal/kidney failure.
Irrespective of the cause of epilepsy, and including the cases of idiopathic epilepsy, where no reason for an attack of epilepsy has been detected, the nature or clinical manifestations of the attack of epilepsy remain the same.
Author sites: Herbal Remedies , Home Remedies and Natural Skin Care
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Krishan_Bakhru
However, an intensive drive is a must to detect any lesion in the brain which could account for an epileptic attack, the reason being, that if the cause of epilepsy is detected, it is usually treatable, and, therefore, the patient will be cured forever, and thus may not need a long course of. antiepileptic drugs.
If, somehow, the cause remains undiagnosed/undetected, especially when the pathology is right in the brain, the disease will advance further, and besides the manifestations of epilepsy, other clinical features of the underlying disease will occur, making the patient a most complicated case for treatment. It may even prove fatal, if a lesion like neoplasm/malignancy / cancer in the brain remains hidden. This usually happens when detailed investigations have not been carried out, especially the most informative ones like CT scanning and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) etc. These are costly exercises, but all factors must be taken note of.
A thorough search for the detection of brain tumour is needed, especially in an adult / middle-aged / elderly person, more so when epilepsy is not being controlled in spite of high dosages of various antiepileptic drugs, and the attacks are increasing both in number and intensity. In such cases MRI must be done, even if the report of the CT scan is normal, as the MRI is more effective in the detection of any pathology in the brain. In one of our patients of about 40 years of age, epilepsy was not being controlled in spite of heavy medication, and even the CT scan was normal. An MRI was done, which showed the presence of a tumour in the brain. This was immediately operated upon, and the patient's epilepsy was subsequently controlled.
It is very important to keep in mind that epilepsy may be the only and the first symptom of brain tumours, which may even continue for several years, before other manifestations of brain tumour appear. This usually happens when the tumour is a slow-growing one/benign in nature. Hence, whenever epilepsy occurs for the first time in an adult/middle-aged/ elderly person, a tumour of the brain must be suspected, and the case should be thoroughly investigated so that the treatment is not delayed. An early diagnosed and treated brain tumour has a very high prognosis.
Another cause of epilepsy could be either a recent or an old injury of the head, which also needs a thorough check-up.
Also, trauma induced by an injury to the head of a newly-born during delivery (i.e. birth injury/injuries) is an important cause of epilepsy, and again, even in such cases of birth injuries, epilepsy may occur after many/several years of birth.
Further, epilepsy may occur when the brain function is disturbed due to the various other lesions in the brain called space-occupying lesions (brain tumours are also one of the space-occupying lesions), like an abscess, tuberculoma as a result of tuberculosis, infarction (i.e. damage of an area of brain as a result of occlusion of one of the branches of cerebral/ brain vessels, responsible for the blood supply of involved/ damaged area of the brain), and cysticercosis (i.e. a lesion in the brain which occurs due to ingestion of infected and insufficiently cooked pork), etc. Focal epilepsy following 'tuberculoma' in the brain is also seen.
Heredity also plays a significant role in some of the cases of epilepsy.
Other important causes of epilepsy are fever, withdrawal of drugs or alcohol, toxaemia, etc. which are likely to precipitate an attack of epilepsy. Epilepsy sometimes also occurs in a case of renal/kidney failure.
Irrespective of the cause of epilepsy, and including the cases of idiopathic epilepsy, where no reason for an attack of epilepsy has been detected, the nature or clinical manifestations of the attack of epilepsy remain the same.
Author sites: Herbal Remedies , Home Remedies and Natural Skin Care
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Krishan_Bakhru
Epilepsy and Sleep Deprivation - Connections Between Seizures and Sleep
Most doctors and scientist agree that there is a distinct correlation between epilepsy and sleep deprivation. Epilepsy disturbs sleep and sleep deprivation can bring on epileptic seizures. There are many reasons why this happens.
Epilepsy disturbs sleep by awakening sufferers during the night. There may be several full or partial seizures during any given night. This is one reason why epilepsy and sleep deprivation go hand in hand.
People with epilepsy are also more prone to sleep disorders than the general population. Not only do they suffer insomnia, they may also be plagued by restless leg syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, or other sleep disorders. These contribute to their lack of a good night's sleep as well.
People, whether they have epilepsy or not, should go through 90-minute cycles of Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep and Rapid Eye Movement Sleep (NREM and REM) throughout the night. As the night wears on, the shift should be more towards REM sleep. The total REM sleep throughout the night should amount to about 25%.
This brings up a problem that causes people with epilepsy to have poor quality sleep. Some of the anticonvulsant medications change the way people sleep. They may sleep for shorter periods of time. They may also have unfortunate variations in their sleep cycles. This is a secondary way in which epilepsy interferes with proper sleep.
At the same time, there is a completely different side to the epilepsy and sleep deprivation question. Sleep deprivation seems to provoke seizures in many people. As people with epilepsy become more sleep deprived, they begin to have more trouble with their disorder. More problems with their disorder lead to more sleep deprivation. It creates a cycle that is detrimental to the person's overall health.
Not only does sleep deprivation trigger seizures in people with epilepsy, it can also affect the intensity, duration, and frequency of seizures as well. This makes the cycle even more harmful to the person with epilepsy. It is difficult to get a good night's sleep under such conditions.
Epilepsy represents a group of disorders in which electrical activity in the brain is problematic. Also, certain brainwave patterns are identified with certain levels of sleep. This refers to the 4 levels of NREM and the REM sleep. The usual activity in the brain is disrupted when these sleep states are not achieved normally. This makes people more susceptible to seizures.
It takes a real effort for people with epilepsy to break the hold of sleep deprivation. One thing they do have control over is their daily habits. Some of the activities one does can interfere with sleep. Other activities encourage the body to wind down and allow the person to fall asleep more easily. Therefore, it can help to make better choices throughout the day.
When people are dealing with both epilepsy and sleep deprivation, they have a difficult job ahead. They need to work with their doctors in identifying any sleep disorders and poor sleep-related habits. Only when these problems are addressed can these people avoid the devastating effects of sleep deprivation.
Visit the #1 Sleep and Insomnia Solution on the net to get an amazing night's sleep again.
http://www.sleeponthat.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Dreyer
Epilepsy disturbs sleep by awakening sufferers during the night. There may be several full or partial seizures during any given night. This is one reason why epilepsy and sleep deprivation go hand in hand.
People with epilepsy are also more prone to sleep disorders than the general population. Not only do they suffer insomnia, they may also be plagued by restless leg syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, or other sleep disorders. These contribute to their lack of a good night's sleep as well.
People, whether they have epilepsy or not, should go through 90-minute cycles of Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep and Rapid Eye Movement Sleep (NREM and REM) throughout the night. As the night wears on, the shift should be more towards REM sleep. The total REM sleep throughout the night should amount to about 25%.
This brings up a problem that causes people with epilepsy to have poor quality sleep. Some of the anticonvulsant medications change the way people sleep. They may sleep for shorter periods of time. They may also have unfortunate variations in their sleep cycles. This is a secondary way in which epilepsy interferes with proper sleep.
At the same time, there is a completely different side to the epilepsy and sleep deprivation question. Sleep deprivation seems to provoke seizures in many people. As people with epilepsy become more sleep deprived, they begin to have more trouble with their disorder. More problems with their disorder lead to more sleep deprivation. It creates a cycle that is detrimental to the person's overall health.
Not only does sleep deprivation trigger seizures in people with epilepsy, it can also affect the intensity, duration, and frequency of seizures as well. This makes the cycle even more harmful to the person with epilepsy. It is difficult to get a good night's sleep under such conditions.
Epilepsy represents a group of disorders in which electrical activity in the brain is problematic. Also, certain brainwave patterns are identified with certain levels of sleep. This refers to the 4 levels of NREM and the REM sleep. The usual activity in the brain is disrupted when these sleep states are not achieved normally. This makes people more susceptible to seizures.
It takes a real effort for people with epilepsy to break the hold of sleep deprivation. One thing they do have control over is their daily habits. Some of the activities one does can interfere with sleep. Other activities encourage the body to wind down and allow the person to fall asleep more easily. Therefore, it can help to make better choices throughout the day.
When people are dealing with both epilepsy and sleep deprivation, they have a difficult job ahead. They need to work with their doctors in identifying any sleep disorders and poor sleep-related habits. Only when these problems are addressed can these people avoid the devastating effects of sleep deprivation.
Visit the #1 Sleep and Insomnia Solution on the net to get an amazing night's sleep again.
http://www.sleeponthat.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Dreyer
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