Epilepsy 101
First aid techniques for a convulsive (generalized tonic-clonic) seizure:
- Look for medical identification saying "epilepsy"
- Protect the person from nearby hazards
- Loosen shirt collar or tie
- Turn person on side to keep airway clear
- Rest head on soft surface to protect from injury
- As consciousness returns, provide reassurance and help the person rest
- Do not try to restrain the person
- Do not put any hard implement in the person's mouth or try to hold the person's tongue-- these actions can cause physical injury to the person
Call for medical help if:
- This is the first time the person has had a seizure
- The person is injured, pregnant, or diabetic
- The seizure lasts more than five minutes
- The person has one seizure after another
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that results in recurring seizures, or brief surges of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. Physical symptoms may include a loss of consciousness, as well as affected body movements and/or sensations. Currently there is no cure for epilepsy. Approximately 75% of people with epilepsy are able to achieve good seizure control through medications, surgery, and other treatment methods. The remaining 25% of people with epilepsy are unable to achieve seizure control despite trying several different treatment options.
Who is Affected by Epilepsy?
Epilepsy affects people of all ages regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. An estimated 2.5 million individuals in the United States have active epilepsy. There are two peak rates of incidence: among very young children, and among people over 65. More than 600,000 Americans over the age of 65 are currently affected by epilepsy and this is the fastest-growing population group with epilepsy.
Causes of Epilepsy
About seventy percent of all epilepsy cases have no known cause. Among the remaining cases, the medical community has identified a number of frequent causes. A stroke is the most common known cause of epilepsy in older Americans. Other causes may include heart attacks, brain tumors, Alzheimer’s disease or other diseases that affect the brain, and a head injury from a fall or other accident.
Physical Symptoms of Epilepsy
The medical community has identified more than 30 different types of seizures. The physical symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure and its origin in the brain. Many people are familiar with the generalized tonic-clonic type of seizure, in which a person experiences whole-body muscle spasms accompanied by a total loss of consciousness. Other types of seizures include absence seizures, which can look like a blank stare; and partial seizures, which produce involuntary arm or leg movements, distorted sensations, or a period of blurred or absent consciousness. Most epilepsy-related seizures last for a few minutes or less, and the person experiencing the seizure generally comes out of the seizure on his or her own. He or she may be dazed and tired following the seizure.
Diagnosis of Epilepsy
If you think you or a loved one may be experiencing seizures, it is important to discuss the situation with your primary physician, along with an epilepsy specialist who can most accurately and effectively diagnose and treat epilepsy. Large medical centers often have neurology departments with epilepsy specialists who can provide this specialized diagnosis and treatment.
In diagnosing epilepsy, a doctor will review information and observations about what the seizures looked like and what happened just before the seizures began. It may be helpful to have someone with you who has observed the seizures to talk to your doctor since an accurate description will help a doctor make the right diagnosis. An important tool in diagnosing epilepsy is an electroencephalograph (EEG), a machine that records electrical signals from brain cells picked up by sensors taped to a person’s head. Brain waves recorded during or between seizures can help a physician make an accurate diagnosis.
Epilepsy Treatment
The most common way to treat epilepsy is with seizure-preventing drugs (also known as anti-epileptic drugs). There are more than 15 different types of anti-epileptic drugs, and different medications are more effective in treating different seizure types. It is very important to follow a physician’s directions about when to take these medications, along with how much medication to take each time. It is often necessary to try several different drugs at different dosage levels to achieve the best seizure control with the lowest side effects. For some individuals, brain surgery may be a treatment option depending on the types of seizures the person experiences.
Special Issues for Seniors with Epilepsy
Epilepsy can have a negative effect on an individual’s quality of life. Many people with epilepsy experience depression as a result of the often significant lifestyle changes that accompany an epilepsy diagnosis. An individual with epilepsy may fear going out because of the risk of having a seizure in public. He or she may become socially isolated because of the stigma and misunderstanding still surrounding epilepsy. Seniors with epilepsy may experience increased feelings of confusion and an inability to remember things. Seniors may also experience mood swings, either as a result of a seizure’s effect on the brain or as a side effect of anti-epileptic medications. These issues can be successfully addressed with assistance from your physician.
There are several other epilepsy-related issues that are of unique concern to seniors. One issue is the risk of drug interaction complications, because seniors are often taking multiple drug therapies to treat several conditions. Anti-epileptic drugs can affect the potency of other medications, and vice versa. For this reason, it is critical for seniors taking anti-epileptic medications to inform their physicians of all other medications they are taking.
Seniors with epilepsy also face other concerns related to safety. Seniors with epilepsy are at an increased risk of falling as a result of a seizure. A fall in an older person can cause significant injury, which can impact an individual’s independence and level of overall health. Seniors with epilepsy also have a higher risk of experiencing accidents and/or burns. During the altered or lost consciousness that often accompanies a seizure, a person could have an accident at the stove or in the shower. It is important for seniors with epilepsy to learn about home safety techniques that can help them maintain a healthy quality of life.
The Epilepsy Association Can Help
If you or someone you know is struggling to manage the effects of epilepsy, remember that you are not alone. The Epilepsy Association provides a wide range of services to help people with epilepsy throughout Northeast Ohio. Our services include epilepsy education, referring individuals to epilepsy specialists in the region, providing counseling and case management services, and hosting support groups for people with epilepsy and their loved ones. Please contact us at (216) 579-1330 or toll-free at (800) 653-4300, or visit us online at epilepsyinfo.org.