Causes of Epilepsy, Symptoms, and How to Treat It

Causes of Epilepsy, Symptoms, and

How to Treat It

In the past, a military broker was arrested on charges of helping professional sports players and others avoid military service through a false epilepsy scheme after taking money, which once drew increased attention to epilepsy.

In the case of epilepsy, repeated seizure symptoms appear, and because it can cause loss of consciousness as well as foaming at the mouth and seizures, many people may find it frightening.

Today, we will take a closer look at what causes epilepsy, what symptoms may accompany it, and how to treat those symptoms.

Epilepsy refers to a condition in which some of the brain's nerve cells temporarily generate excessive electrical currents, becoming overexcited and repeatedly causing seizures.

In the past, epilepsy was called seizure disorder or epileptic disease, but because of severe social prejudice and stigma, it is now referred to as epilepsy.

In the case of epilepsy, it occurs due to abnormal excitation of nerve cells, and it is characterized by various symptoms such as seizures.

The causes of epilepsy are diverse, and symptoms may appear not only due to structural brain lesions but also due to metabolic disorders, genetic abnormalities, immune diseases, and infectious diseases.

Representative structural brain lesions include stroke and brain trauma, and the causes of epilepsy vary by age. In infancy, perinatal brain injury and congenital malformations may be the cause.

Common causes in children and adults include hippocampal sclerosis, encephalitis, and brain trauma, while in older adults, stroke, brain tumors, and neurodegenerative diseases are the main causes.

As for the symptoms of epilepsy, seizures that cause loss of consciousness may occur, and these can be broadly divided into partial seizures and generalized seizures.

In the case of simple partial seizures, consciousness remains clear during the seizure, and the symptoms are confined to part of the body. Complex partial seizures involve decreased or lost consciousness during the seizure.

In the case of generalized seizures, loss of consciousness and whole-body symptoms appear from the early stage of the seizure. A person may suddenly lose consciousness from the beginning of the seizure, and shortness of breath and cyanosis may accompany it.

In addition, stiffness may occur throughout the body, and the pupils and head may turn to one side. If the stiffness continues for a certain period of time, saliva and foam may come out of the mouth.

To diagnose epilepsy, a detailed interview about the patient's condition during the seizure is important. Therefore, the symptoms should be confirmed through an interview with a witness of the seizure.

Afterward, in order to diagnose the type of epilepsy, the location of the lesion, and the cause, an electroencephalogram and brain MRI are performed, and repeated tests may be carried out.

To treat epilepsy, antiepileptic drug therapy is used, with the goal of suppressing excessive excitation of brain nerve cells or strengthening weak inhibitory effects to prevent seizures.

If medication treatment has started, it is important to take it regularly, and it is best to avoid factors that can trigger seizures, such as lack of sleep and drinking alcohol.

Today, we looked at the causes of epilepsy, the symptoms that may accompany it, and how to treat those symptoms. Please refer to the information above and manage the symptoms accordingly.