Neuroscience Blog » Epilepsy

What is Epilepsy and how is it Treated?

admin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:36:53 +0000

According to NorthShore University HealthSystem, epilepsy is a brain disorder that results in repeated seizures. It is caused by abnormal electricity in the brain and can cause changes in attention and behavior. However, seizures may also be linked to other conditions such as exposure to or the withdrawal from certain drugs, and abnormal levels of sodium or glucose in the blood. Sometimes when these conditions are corrected, the seizures are prevented. Brain issues like stroke or head trauma may also lead to seizures.

Treatment for epilepsy includes prescription medication and Vagnus Nerve Stimulation (VNS). VNS is delivered through a flexible wire that is placed around the vagnus nerve, one of the primary pathways from the brain to the body. It sends mild stimulation to the brain that helps prevent or interrupt seizures. This minimally invasive procedure involves only two small incisions, one made on the side of the neck and the other below the collarbone.

For more information on epilepsy and other neurological disorders, visit the Neuroscience department of NorthShore University HealthSystem’s website.

Women, Epilepsy and Pregnancy

admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:34:45 +0000

While one might not automatically link gender to neurological issues, there are different factors that can make neurological conditions affect only women. Furthermore, there are different neurological conditions that seem to affect women more than men. NorthShore University HealthSystem writes: “While most physicians recognize that there are real differences in managing care for women with neurologic disease, not all specialists place particular emphasis on the interactions and patient concerns associated with pregnancy, breast feeding, birth-control pills and hormones.” Pregnancy and Epilepsy are two things that need balance.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, women with epilepsy “are at greater risk for complications of pregnancy, labor and adverse pregnancy outcomes than women without epilepsy. Preconceptional counseling and coordination of care among all members of the health care team is key to treating women with epilepsy of reproductive age”. Some ways in which Epilepsy affects women in terms of pregnancy:

-Women with epilepsy have fewer children than women in general, with a fertility rate 25 to 33 percent lower than average.

-research has indicated that women with epilepsy have a higher incidence of menstrual irregularities, polycystic ovarian disease and reproductive endocrine disorders. Any of these may reduce fertility.

-Women with epilepsy taking certain anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) may experience failure of hormonal birth control methods.

-Uncontrolled seizures, particularly generalized tonic-clonic episodes, are hazardous during pregnancy and discontinuing AEDs may pose a greater risk for both mother and fetus than the possible adverse effects of the medication. Miscarriage, trauma related to falls, fetal hypoxia and acidosis are all possible sequelae of maternal seizures.

-Other potential obstetrical problems seen more frequently in women with epilepys are hyperemesis, gravidarum, vaginal bleeding, and anemia.
- Difficulties during labor and delivery include premature labor, failure to progress, and an increased rate of cesarean sections.

What can be done to prevent complications? NorthShore Hospitals state: “Close to 90 percent of pregnant women with epilepsy avoid complications when their care is properly managed. Careful supervision of drug levels related to pregnancy weight gains, and addition of vitamin supplements help prevent complications during pregnancy”.

Epileptic Seizure Types

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:02:02 +0000

Epilepsy affects approximately 2.3 million Americans according to the CDC. It is a group of related disorders that are characterized by a tendency for recurrent seizures. Seizures are the most common symptom associated with epilepsy. A seizure is classified as abnormal movement or behavior due to unusual electrical activity in the brain. In regards to epilepsy, there are so many kinds of seizures that neurologists who specialize in epilepsy are still updating their thinking about how to classify them. Typically, seizures are classified into two types, primary generalized seizures and partial seizures. In a recent article, “Understanding Seizures and Epilepsy,” WebMD identifies and describes the major categories of epileptic seizures.

General seizures are generated from electrical impulses from the entire brain. Currently there are six known major categories of general seizures: Gran-Mal, absence, myoclinic, clonic, tonic and atonic seizures. The most common and most severe is the Gran-Mal seizure. During a Gran-Mal seizure a patient first loses consciousness and collapses then experiences extreme body stiffening and violent jerking.

Partial seizers are impulses which are created from electrical pulses located in a relatively small portion of the brain. Partial seizures are divided into three major categories: simple, complex and secondary generalized seizures. From their simple seizures are further divided by their nature into four categories: motor, autonomic, sensory and psychological.

It is important to develop an understanding of the different classifications of seizers because each seizure is treated differently. To learn more about epilepsy and specifically about different types of seizures visit NorthShore University HealthSystem’s Neuroscience department.