Frequently Asked Questions on Epilepsy

Dr.Madhukar Bhardwaj, 3 mins read

As recorded at our hospital for epilepsy treatment in Dwarka

Epilepsy is a fairly common disease, and we have seen more people seeking treatment for epilepsy in Delhi every year, the national cases that occur are surely more than the recorded 1 million per year in India. We’ll take you through the most common questions our patients ask of some of the best doctors for epilepsy in Dwarka.

The Basics of Epilepsy

What is epilepsy and what is a seizure?

Epilepsy, also called a seizure disorder, is a brain disorder and people (and even animals) will be diagnosed with epilepsy if and they have two seizures or more.

A seizure is caused by a small change in normal brain activity and is the primary sign of epilepsy. Some seizures could even be long spells where a person is just staring while others cause a person to fall, tremble, and lose consciousness of what’s happening.

How long will a seizure last?

In most episodes, a seizure will last a few seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on the type of seizure.

What are the major types of seizures?

At times it can prove difficult to tell if a person is having a seizure, as they may appear confused or begin staring at something that isn’t there while others are more serious.

Seizures are categorized into two groups.

1. Generalised seizures that affect both sides of the brain./li>
2. Focal seizures that affect just one area of the brain, also called partial seizures.

A person who lives with epilepsy could have more than one kind of seizure.

If I have one seizure, does that mean I have epilepsy?

No, this will not hold always as seizures occur because of other medical issues such as very high fever, low blood sugar, and even alcohol or drug withdrawal.

What are the causes of epilepsy?

Epilepsy is caused by various conditions that affect the brain. Some well-known causes are suffering a stroke, a brain tumor, infection in the brain from parasites (malaria or neurocysticercosis and viruses like dengue, influenza, and bacteria. Other causes include traumatic brain surgery, loss of oxygen supply to the brain, genetic conditions, and Alzheimer’s disease. For about 2 in 3 people, the cause of epilepsy will remain unknown and this is called cryptogenic or idiopathic epilepsy.

Is epilepsy common?

Epilepsy is one of the most common conditions affecting the brain with at least 1 million cases and more recorded each year in India

Prevention and Management of Epilepsy

Is there any way I prevent epilepsy?

Yes! At times we can prevent epilepsy and here are some most common ways to reduce the risk of developing epilepsy:

• Try and ensure you have a healthy pregnancy. Complications during pregnancy and childbirth can lead to epilepsy. Adhere to a prenatal plan with your gynaecologists to keep yourself and your baby healthy.-
• Try and avoid brain injuries.
• Try and reduce the risk of stroke and heart attacks.
• Be up-to-date with vaccinations.
• Remember to wash your hands and cook food safely to prevent infection.

How can epilepsy be diagnosed?

Anyone who has a seizure for the very first time should talk to the best neurologists in Delhi who will talk about what happened, and identity the cause of the seizure. A lot of people who have had seizures take tests like brain scans for a clearer look at what is going on.

How will epilepsy be treated?

There are many routes a person with epilepsy can take to stem or reduce seizures.

The most effective treatments for epilepsy are:

• Medicine: Anti-seizure drugs are medicines that contain the spread of seizures in the brain. A doctor can change the dosage of medicine or prescribe new drugs if required to find the best treatment plan. Medicines will work for about 2 in 3 people who have epilepsy.
• Surgery: When seizures happen because of a single area in the brain (focal seizures), surgery to remove the area can stop future seizures and make them easier to control through medicine. Epilepsy surgery will be done when the seizure focus is located in the temporal lobe of the brain. Vagus Nerve Stimulation, in which an electrical device is implanted beneath the skin on the upper chest to send signals to a large nerve in the neck.
• Alternate treatments: When medicines stop working and surgery can’t happen, other treatments like the ketogenic diet, or keto diet: a high fat, low carb diet with limited calories.

To more about the treatment options for epilepsy, consult our leading neurologists over the phone with our teleconsultation services. We have some of the best neurologists in Delhi who specialise in epilepsy.

Also, Read : What is Epilepsy - It's Causes & Treatment