3. What are the types of epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes recurring unprovoked seizures within the person. There have been many misconceptions around seizures; a seizure is not always falling to the ground and starting to shake, losing consciousness. Identifying a person having a seizure may often be confusing as they may look like they’re starring hard at something and being confused.

There are multiple types of seizures, each with its unique signs and symptoms. Seizures are categorized into two groups which have types within them furthermore:

Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain:

1. Absence seizures. These are also known as petit mal seizures, as they can cause hurried blinking or a few seconds of staring into nothingness.
2. Tonic-clonic seizures. Also known as grand mal seizures, these can cause a person to cry out loud, lose consciousness, fall onto the ground and cause spasms or muscle jerk.

Focal seizures are mainly located only in one area of the brain and are also called partial seizures:

1. Simple focal seizure. This type of seizure affects a small part of a patient’s brain and can cause twitching or change in sensation.
2. Complex focal seizures. This can cause a person to be confused and unable to respond to anything for up to a few minutes.
3. Secondary generalized seizures. This begins in one part of the brain and later spreads to both, causing a person to have a focal and then generalized seizure.          

  4. Whether women are affected more than men in epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes recurring unprovoked seizures within the person. If a person has suffered from two unprovoked seizures, then they’re diagnosed with epilepsy.

It is to be reported through population studies that about 44 cases per 100,000 people develop symptoms of epilepsy in both sexes. Epilepsy doesn’t discriminate between genders and strikes both men and women at about the same rate. Seizures may occur more in men due to the higher sex ratio and more likelihood of Alcohol-related seizures or cerebrovascular diseases. Though some reports say that men pose a higher risk than women, these reports don’t take accountability for other issues that women must face. There are about a million women who are living with epilepsy. Women have specific issues which make their case worse; women have more chances of having seizures during their menstrual cycle. Developing epilepsy during pregnancy is very harmful to the mother and the child as the medications may negatively affect pregnancy. These are the various issues women may face while diagnosed with epilepsy. The syndrome of Photosensitive Epilepsy, childhood absence epilepsy is common in females compared to males.

5. What are the diagnostic modalities available for epilepsy?

There are various technologies to perform a proper diagnosis on the patients showing the signs of epilepsy. There are several tests to be taken to diagnose and identify various causes of seizures accurately. A neurological exam will be conducted to determine the patient’s behavior with their motor abilities and mental function to diagnose the region of the condition and discover the type of epilepsy. Performing a blood test is also valuable for figuring out any signs of infections or genetic conditions that may amalgamate with seizures. An Electroencephalogram or EEG is used to diagnose epilepsy. During this test, a paste-like substance or a cap is applied to the patient’s scalp, and electrodes are attached to it, which record the patient’s brain activity. If the patient has epilepsy, common changes will show up, such as differences in the patient’s brain wave patterns, even if the patient hasn’t gone through a seizure. The patient is then monitored; this helps the doctors determine which kind of seizure the patient is going through when it occurs.

Computerized tomography, CT scan can be used to obtain a cross-sectional image of their brain to reveal the abnormalities during seizures.

Magnetic resonance imaging, MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create a detailed view of a patient’s brain to detect abnormalities.

6. What are the treatment options available for epilepsy?

Like technology has improved to diagnose epilepsy, the medical department has also made some medicine advancements. A person with epilepsy may become epilepsy-free just by taking a seizure-free medication or Epilepsy free medication. Children diagnosed with epilepsy who aren’t experiencing any symptoms of seizures may discontinue their medication after periods and may live and grow up a seizure-free life. Various adults may also discontinue their medicines after two or more years without seizures. But all this will be successful only if the patient’s diagnosis is correct and detects the type of seizure as taking multiple medications may also worsen the situation. Finding the appropriate medication and the proper dosage might be complex. The doctor will have to consider the age of their patients, their conditions, and the frequency of seizures to choose the correct medication to prescribe. Doctors are more likely to give patients small doses of medicines due to the various side effects it causes. If medication doesn’t help a person, then doctors might suggest surgery. During the surgery, the surgeon removes the part of the patient’s brain which causes seizures. Doctors perform surgery when the tests show that the patient’s seizure is originated in a minimal area and doesn’t interfere with any of their vital function surgeries.

7. What are the precautions to be taken by an Epileptic patient in day-to-day life?

Epileptic patients must care for themselves throughout as they may suffer from an unprecedented seizure from time to time. To keep yourself safe, you must take medications and take measures to protect yourself from any harm or injury if an unprovoked seizure occurs. Ensure the places you visit the most are safe such as your home, office for you, or anyone who suffers from a seizure.

1. Stay safe at home:

Spend more time inside your home as it is much safer than the outside and ensure making it much safer than before, replacing any glass objects that might harm you with better options such as steel for glass and plastics for windows.

Inform your family and neighbours about your condition so they may check on you and provide them with a spare key to your house if you suffer from a seizure indoors. Stop taking baths and take showers which decrease your risk of drowning. Prevent using electrical appliances near water or in general to save yourself from getting shocked. Take precautions while cooking and handling any hot objects.

2. Stay safe in your workplace:

Notify every one of your condition, mainly HR, manager, and your colleagues. Inform a trusted friend of your medications so they can help you when you’re suffering from a seizure.

Make sure the places surrounding you are safe, remove objects which may be harmful. Wear proper protective gear if you have an outdoor job.

3. Stay safe when outdoors:

Wear a medical alert watch that informs medical services and your family. Make sure people with you know about your condition and help you when needed. Always exercise around people and swim only when a lifeguard is present. Avoid driving and biking if possible and always take advice from your doctor before doing anything outdoors.

8. Whether women can lead an everyday marital life if they are diagnosed with epilepsy?

The stigma and psychological pressure the Epilepsy patient is living are more harmful than the disorder itself. The stigma and the burden present in the people living with its burden, mainly being women. Epilepsy could lead to severe social relations issues specifically related to their friends, parents, and spouses. From a medical point of view, a person with epilepsy can marry anyone. However, some countries prohibit an Epileptic person from marrying, mainly due to superstitions and stigma. Your future spouse must know about your condition and be aware of the situation to handle the moment of seizures and make sure all the care is given. It is challenging for married women who have epilepsy, mainly because of societal pressure and misconception. If the women have children, it becomes difficult to manage them as they must make sure the children and themselves are safe, especially if they have newborns. Due to frequent seizures and poor control, the marriage may be leading to an unhappy one, but if everything is appropriately controlled and managed during the seizure, there wouldn’t be any difficulties to live an everyday married life. For women going through a pregnancy, their spouse must take care of them as they are going through a hormonal change, leading to more frequent seizures and could hurt themselves and the baby. Epilepsy may be hereditary and must be kept in mind before conceiving. Spouses should make sure that women are receiving their medication at the proper time to cure them of epilepsy. Understand that epilepsy should not be a bar in individuals for marriages and only commit if you’re supportive of them.

9. How long does a patient have to take drugs for epilepsy?

Quitting your Epilepsy medication before the prescribed date may cause a rise in your seizures. Your doctor will gradually lower your dose over time instead of abruptly discontinuing your medications. Children with epilepsy may be off medications within as early as one month. It takes a much longer time for adults from one month to six months, though some specialists say three months should be the minimum.

The likelihood of an increase in seizures during the first two years of discontinuing the medication is twice or thrice compared to someone on medications. In this situation, the previous medications cause no differences in before and after. However, the good thing is that if there’s a reoccurrence of seizures, the chances of them being controlled and bringing back to normal through medication is more than 90%. More than half of people diagnosed with epilepsy don’t go through any seizures after practicing their medication doses. There are chances of relapsing as high as 25%, and they may have to go through surgery if the medications don’t provide the necessary results. There’s no way to confirm that your seizures may not return, which is why always consult your doctor before making any decisions regarding your medications.