Epilepsy, or seizure disorders, affect approximately 3 million Americans and each year 200,000 new cases are diagnosed. The cost spent in the healthcare system is about 15.5 billion dollars a year, but the cost to those who live with the disease is hard to quantify. As we discussed on Channel 7,seizures are not uncommon, in fact, 1 in every 10 Americans will have a seizure sometime in their life. There are many causes for seizures, and not all are a part of epilepsy.
It is staggering to think that one in ten of us will experience a seizure some time in our life. What is a seizure – and how do they occur?
A seizure is an abnormal burst of electrical current that affects all or part of our brain. It causes a change in behavior – and what change occurs depends on what part of the brain is affected. The seizure can range from something such as staring into space or smacking of the lips, to movement or shaking of one part of the body, to jerking movements of the whole body.
People can have seizures due such things as recreational drugs, low blood sugar, high fevers, brain tumors or brain injuries and meningitis. However, 50 percent of the time, no cause can be found for a seizure.
A seizure disorder is diagnosed when a person has two or more seizures that were not provoked by something.
What, if anything, can be done to prevent seizures?
There is nothing we know that will prevent a seizure, but adequate rest, minimization of stress and a good diet can help reduce the likelihood of a seizure.
There are a number of medications that can treat seizures, and there are operations that are used in people with severe seizure disorders.
When should a person seek medical attention for a seizure?
If someone who is having their first seizure, you should call 911 and have them taken to the hospital for evaluation. There are some emergencies that cause seizures.
Anyone who is having a seizure while being treated should contact their physician, since they may need to change their medication or medication dose.
It is very important that people with seizures that are not controlled not drive, get into high places or do other activities that would be risky with a loss of conciousness
What might be done to evaluate the cause of a seizure?
Some of the tests that your physician may do to evaluate if you have had a seizure, and why include:
1) a good history
2) a physical exam
3) blood tests and an oxygen level
4) a CAT scan or MRI
5) an EEG – which looks at the electrical activity of the heart
There are things that one should do, or not do, when with someone who is having a seizure. These include:
1) Do remain calm – you cannot stop the seizure – call 911 if this is a first seizure
2) Do not give them anything by mouth – or put anything between their teeth
3) Do move things that could hurt them away from them
4) Do not move the person unless they are in danger
Some sources for additional information include:
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/
Porter Hospital Website
Good Health!
Dr. Dianne
December 15th, 2009 at 12:27 am
Seizures are symptoms of a neurological disorder usually attached to developmental diseases like Cerebral Palsy and down syndrome. Seizures ca also have emotional triggers, but those are usually not fatal.